Quick Info
The Detour is one of those hidden gems of TV comedy that I stumbled upon looking for something a little different. It's about a dysfunctional family going on a road trip from New York to Florida, but everything that can go wrong, does, in chaotic and wildly inappropriate ways. Created by Jason Jones (who also stars) and Samantha Bee, it has a bit of that shameless, anything-goes comedic energy that makes every episode unpredictable.
Jason Jones and Natalie Zea have fantastic chemistry as the parents, Nate and Robin. Their exhausted but determined approach to their kids (played hilariously by Ashley Gerasimovich and Liam Carroll) really makes the family dynamic feel real and refreshingly unglamorous. Every member of the family gets their moments, and somehow, even their most ridiculous decisions feel oddly relatable if you’ve ever survived a family trip gone wrong.
The storyline doubles down on escalating farce but isn’t afraid to sneak in some genuinely dark or outrageous jokes. Sometimes the show's love for absurdity goes a bit *too* far, with a few plotlines becoming needlessly over-the-top or gross for my taste. But most of the time, it works because the actors fully commit to the madness, and the writers lean into the family’s flaws rather than sentimentalizing them.
Cinematography-wise, The Detour keeps things fast and loose—almost documentary-like at times, which fits the show’s wild, unpredictable tone perfectly. It’s not about glossy visuals but about feeling like you’re right there in the minivan as disaster strikes. The writing is sharp, and the situational humor rarely pulls its punches, which makes even the filler episodes feel energetic.
You would enjoy this if you like cringe-comedies like The Office, The Mick, or even National Lampoon’s Vacation, and want something a bit edgier with more adult humor. It’s not for everyone—some gags do cross the line—but if you appreciate a show that isn’t afraid to get messy, The Detour is a fun, wild ride.
