Reviewed by Colin Jacobson (February 25, 2021)
Nearly a decade after she started her career as a standup comedian, Amy Schumer made the leap to TV via her Comedy Central sketch series Inside Amy Schumer. This DVD package includes all 20 of Season One and Two’s episodes. The synopses come from IMDB.
SEASON ONE:
Bad Decisions : “Amy regrets having a one night stand, getting on a plane, and auditioning for ‘2 Girls 1 Cup.’”
That synopsis – and all the write-ups to follow - only includes a smidgen of the episode’s material. In addition to sketches, we see some of Schumer’s stand-up routine as well as “man on the street” chats and an interview with a model.
The sketches fare better than the rest. While we get some amusement from the other elements – especially the standup – the skits become the most engaging parts of the show.
Though these are up and down as well. Most fare nicely, though one about “struggles” – which contrasts life/death experiences with Amy’s privilege – runs too long for its payoff. Still, “Bad” becomes a solid launch to the series.
Real Sext: “Amy tries to figure out sexting, visits a testicle-themed restaurant, and interviews a stripper.”
While the Hooters/Coyote Ugly-influenced “O’Nutters” restaurant feels like low-hanging fruit, it’s still pretty funny, and much of the rest of “Sext” follows suit. The stripper interview sputters, though.
A Porn Star Is Born: “Amy quits her job as a porn star, refuses to accept a compliment, and finds out her boyfriend has AIDS.”
While Inside often dances the fine line between funny and tasteless, the opening sketch about Amy’s date with a guy who has AIDS leans a little too far toward the latter. A couple of sketches show promise – like the title bit, in which we see a 1920s silent movie version of a dirty picture – but most tend to ramble too long in this lackluster episode.
The Horror: “Amy gets a terrible haircut, farts when she gets scared, and makes out with Amber Tamblyn.”
Season One bounces back to a reasonable degree with “Horror”, as it works better than “Born”. The sketch about Amy’s bad perm seems delightfully odd, and a few other bits seem good, though the farting segment flops.
Gang Bang: “Amy hosts her own gang bang, gives her friend a vibrator, and uses cancer as an excuse to cancel plans.”
The titular sketch seems iffy, but the rest of the episode compensates. An odd highlight actually comes from the “man on the street” segment, as Amy does a bizarre and hilarious impersonation of a scene from 1988’s The Accused.
Meth Lab: “Amy tries to maintain her makeover, cooks meth, and gets the food slapped out of her dumb mouth.”
That last skit – “Slap Chef” – borrows from the The Flintstones episode where Fred uses “Food Anonymous” to lose weight. Other aspects of the episode fare better, though the titular redneck-oriented sketch flops.
Unpleasant Truths: “Amy has multiple personalities, loses it on her boyfriend, and gets molested.”
“Truths” offers one of the season’s better episodes. The multiple personalities sketch delights, and though it runs a bit too long, the one in which Amy acts as therapist to guys who want to kill their wives works well. This turns into a solid show.
Clown Panties: “Amy catches her boyfriend cheating, fights an addiction, and roasts a 12-year-old.”
The title sketch seems as dopey as its moniker implies, but other aspects of the episode work better. The “roasting” bit amuses, and for once, the interview segment succeeds, as Amy chats with a six-year-old.
Terrible People: “Amy lies to get out of a charity event, wears a catsuit, and conjures Dave Attell.”
This becomes the second time the show’s dealt with writer Tig Notaro’s cancer, and as in the past, it comes as an opportunity to mock Amy’s self-importance. Predictable though that may be, it amuses, as does Amy’s barbed interview with a guy who works at a religious camp.
Sex Tips: “Amy wakes up in bed with 2 guys, tries to discover the perfect sex tip, and competes on a reality show.”
In addition to Schumer’s usual standup bits, we get an extended stage routine from fellow comic Bridget Everett. This segment seems to last forever and it doesn’t work. Instead, it becomes a drag on an otherwise pretty good show.
SEASON TWO:
You Would Bang Her?: “Amy marries a Black guy, loses a tennis match, and gets herpes.”
Subsequent seasons of Inside featured a fair number of famous guest stars, and that trend started here, with Paul Giamatti as God. I enjoy Giamatti’s presence but overall, “Bang” starts S2 on a mediocre note.
I’m So Bad: “Amy goes to prom, plays a violent video game, and eats a guy's face.”
“Finger Blasters” feels like they lifted it from South Park, but it still entertains. Guest Zach Braff feels out of place, though, especially because Amy barely appears in that sketch. I like Amy’s attempts to “do a good deed”, as it plays into the same theme from the Tig Notaro bits.
A Chick Who Can Hang: “Amy sails to India, flirts with a co-worker, and goes to the can to make some room.”
The title sketch goes down obvious paths, but I like the fast food-oriented spoof of The Newsroom. Throw in the simpy-guy-mocking “Hello M’lady” and this becomes a fairly positive episode.
Boner Doctor: “Amy stays at a luxurious hotel, starts a delusional diet, and gets therapy from supermodel Chrissy Teigen.”
For once, everything about an episode works, as we don’t find a weak link from “Doctor”. Actually, the interview with the weed delivery dude seems blah, but even it doesn’t flop, so this becomes a top-notch show.
Allergic to Nuts: “Amy judges strippers, lands a big movie role, and bangs a magician.”
After the strong “Doctor”, S2 comes back to earth with the much spottier “Nuts”. A few bits work – like Amy’s attraction to a magician – but most of the show falls short.
Down for Whatever: “Amy objects to a wedding, breaks up with her boyfriend, and screams at a turtle.”
Following a good show and an iffy one, “Down” falls between those poles. It doesn’t consistently click but it comes with a higher level of success than “Nuts”.
Slow Your Roll: “Amy meets a skeleton, a few serial killers, and a vulgar interior designer.”
“Roll” adds more guest stars than normal, with names like Kathy Najimy and Janeane Garofalo included. The show seems inconsistent but a few of the skits – like the eyeglasses store for psychos – hit the mark.
Tyler Perry’s Episode 208: “Amy browses her boyfriend's search history, loses what makes her a woman, and has a meltdown on television.”
S2 bounces up a bit here, especially via “The Nurses”, a fun look at the profession. The Tyler Perry parts are less winning, but other segments do better, such as one about “low estrogen”.
Raise a Glass: “Amy competes in a drunk cooking competition, holds a press conference to address a disastrous bachelorette party and delivers a obnoxious wedding toast.”
Expect another pretty good show, especially when we see a press conference about bachelorette parties gone wrong. Amy’s bad maid of honor speech works, too.
Slut Shaming: “Amy meets the press, gets ready for sex, and watches her boyfriend turn gay.”
“Who’s More Over Their Ex?” becomes a highlight, but the rest of the episode becomes spottier. Or maybe I’m just annoyed that Amy makes out Eugene Levy to be the most hideous man ever – and we get stuck with another unpleasant performance from Bridget Everett. It’s a blah finish to the season.
