Not every actor who is great in a comedy finds the improv game easy -- a fact that Netflix's new murder mystery improv series Murderville banks on. Pitting celebrity guests against a team of improv artists with a script in each episode can lead to some truly hilarious moments, but can also fall flat. Relying on ignorance -- of the scene, of the plot or of the craft -- works as a gimmick for Murderville but it means that some episodes are better than others.
Murderville teams veteran, incompetent detective Terry Seattle with a new celebrity guest each episode. As Seattle throws the new trainee into absurd situations, the guests must improv their way out while finding clues to solve a murder. The premise relies on the talents of the full-time cast members, specifically Will Arnett as Seattle, and leaving the guests out to dry. Such antagonistic comedy sometimes fails to land and other times is an absolute joy to watch. Here's every episode of the first season of Murderville, ranked from worst to best.
6. “The Magician's Assistant” with Conan O'Brien
The magician premise of the Murderville premiere allows for a coterie of interesting characters. But while celebrity guest Conan O'Brien is a giant of the comedy world, his straight-faced acceptance of Arnett's antics don't provide much humor. He seems content to witness Arnett make a fool of himself as Terry Seattle, which unfortunately cannot carry a full episode. Some moments garner genuine laughs, particularly while O'Brien begrudgingly repeats Arnett's bad dialogue, but it's a lackluster start to an otherwise fairly funny series.
5. “Heartless” with Sharon Stone
Sharon Stone brings a previously unseen confidence to the role of trainee detective in Episode 5. She doesn't refuse to play along, but she also doesn't let Arnett wrong-foot her and instead asserts a sort of dominance over the situation. The result makes for a refreshing change of pace -- many of the other guests let Arnett walk all over them -- but unfortunately doesn't always leave space for the improv that makes Murderville work. Stone is an unexpected scene partner and her episode is worth watching, but she doesn't bring the same level of laughs as some of the other guests.
4. “The Cold Case” with Ken Jeong
The season finale of Murderville features Community's Ken Jeong, who seems entirely unable to keep a straight face. From presenting his own personal details in a fictional job interview to failing an undercover mission so badly that Arnett seems to have to bail him out early, Jeong muddles his way through the episode barely hanging on. While it doesn't seem like the ideal, collaborative premise for improv, the result can't help but be funny. The episode does some heavy narrative lifting, solving a cold case at the heart of Arnett's character, but nothing feels too forced -- perhaps because Jeong is always in the background laughing.
3. “Murder By Soup” with Annie Murphy
Annie Murphy starts her episode a little quiet, seemingly unsure of herself or how to respond to Arnett. But by the time she dons a wig and suit to talk to the local mafia, she becomes an absolute delight to watch. Committing to her accented, mustachioed character, Murphy leans into the improv and makes even boiled pancakes funny. Watching her break behind her facial hair, the premise behind Murderville fully clicks and the show feels like it has something special.
2. “Most Likely to Commit Murder” with Kumail Nanjiani
Arnett must solve a murder at his high school reunion alongside Kumail Nanjiani in one of the funniest episodes of Murderville. The premise is nothing new, and Arnett's commitment to chasing tail he couldn't get in high school isn't refreshing, but Nanjiani proves to be an ideal scene partner. He commits to physical comedy bits that Arnett asks of him for one of the funniest moments in the series, but he still pushes back when Arnett gets too weird. Showcasing a different side of the Eternals star, the third episode of Murderville is a delight.
1. “Triplet Homicide” with Marshawn Lynch
Marshawn Lynch is a joy to watch as a trainee detective. While the triplet-murder premise isn't necessarily the most interesting, Lynch is easily the celebrity guest most willing to play in the absurd spaces that Arnett creates. Not only does Lynch respond to characters, creating more interesting back-and-forths than anyone else, but he even expands on improv premises. Lynch asks if he can create a brand new detective name, throwing the onus of improv back onto Arnett, and helps to make each scene he's thrown into more interesting. Better known for his football skills than his acting career, Lynch is still perhaps the ideal Murderville participant.