Tom Segura has always embraced a unique blend of humor, characterized by his sarcastic and deadpan delivery. His stand-up routines delve into various intriguing subjects, from his quirky family dynamics and entertaining anecdotes about encountering fellow comedians on flights to his satirical observations about “the less fortunate” on his podcast Your Mom’s House, which he co-hosts with his wife, Christina Pazsitzky. This mix of relatable topics and edgy humor sets the stage for his latest venture.

His new Netflix sketch-comedy series, Bad Thoughts, boldly pushes the envelope of comedic boundaries, exploring just how far he can go with his typically offensive humor. This darkly comedic series is visually striking, incorporating elements like an apocalyptic alien landscape, the lair of a country music star turned cult leader, and a gym filled with men possessing exaggerated anatomy. Yes, you read that right, and it’s all part of the wild cinematic experience. One sketch humorously parodies an A24 film trailer and feels authentic until Segura appears as a caricatured Italian immigrant engaged in shocking antics with elderly people. It’s unapologetically outrageous, and longtime followers of Segura’s humor will find this unfiltered and daring show perfectly aligns with their expectations.

Dive Deep into the World of ‘Bad Thoughts’

Bad Thoughts features six episodes, each exploring a distinct universal theme: jobs, success, family, love, communication, and health. Several sketches span multiple episodes, some are filmed in striking black-and-white, and one episode intriguingly lacks Segura altogether. Regardless, each episode is packed with humor that is undeniably inappropriate for family viewing. A significant portion of Segura’s stand-up comedy is infused into the series, including callbacks to his previous material, leading to awkward airplane conversations or his father’s Vietnam War tales reimagined as a highly controversial children’s play.

The setups are audacious and inventive, yet the humor often leans towards the low-brow, featuring scatological jokes and sexual innuendos, all delivered with a generous dash of dark comedy. Most of the time, this approach pays off, creating an engaging six-episode series that maintains a high entertainment value without any noticeable lulls. Segura showcases his versatility by portraying various characters, including fictionalized versions of himself, the country music star-turned-cult leader Rex Henley, a hitman with unfortunate bowel control, and even Steven Seagal. He approaches each role with complete dedication, unafraid to shed his sarcastic mask in favor of being raw and unfiltered on-screen. Segura pushes the envelope, throwing every idea at the wall to see what resonates. Even when certain sketches may falter, such as one regarding a sexual “Make a Wish” request, the overall aesthetic and execution make it all the more memorable.

Explore the Elaborate Sketches of ‘Bad Thoughts’

For those who argue that comedy has lost its edge, Bad Thoughts serves as a compelling counterargument. While it doesn’t aim to offend for the sake of it, the series is unapologetic in its willingness to provoke feelings of disgust or revulsion, often prompting viewers to reach for their remotes. The dynamic pacing ensures that there’s never a dull moment, as the show consistently seeks to escalate its sketches.

During his promotional tour, Segura has likened Bad Thoughts to Black Mirror, and although the series presents some darkly humorous takes on humanity, it also draws comparisons to sketch shows like <em>I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson</em> and Key & Peele. Similar to those programs, Bad Thoughts thrives on characters acting on their worst impulses in absurd scenarios. In one memorable sketch, Segura is infuriated by a coffee shop barista and instead of simply confronting him, he hilariously resorts to an over-the-top violent outburst. This combination of humor and disturbing content strikes a perfect balance that keeps viewers engaged.

While Bad Thoughts primarily takes the form of a sketch series, it occasionally ventures into serialized storytelling. Certain episodes conclude with cliffhangers that seamlessly transition into the next episode, linking overarching themes. This narrative thread works well at times; the storyline featuring Rex Henley could easily have been its own series. However, it also feels disjointed at moments, especially in a sketch featuring The Sopranos‘ Rob Iler as a man who discovers he’s the protagonist in a successful VR video game created by his former colleagues, where he becomes the target of alien creatures. Ultimately, the sketches shine brightest when Segura and his team aim for elaborate storytelling, as opposed to relying solely on conventional comedic setups.

‘Bad Thoughts’ Represents an Ideal Evolution for Tom Segura

As other stand-up comedians explore opportunities in film and television—like 2 Bears 1 Cave co-host Bert Kreischer, whose action-comedy The Machine received mixed reviews—Bad Thoughts emerges as the quintessential next step for Segura. While a traditional sitcom or feature film may struggle to encapsulate Segura’s multifaceted comedic persona, Bad Thoughts successfully weaves together various elements of his style.

In many respects, Bad Thoughts mirrors the unapologetic essence of live-action South Park. While it may lack the topicality of Parker and Stone’s provocative animated satire, it embodies a similar “no one is off-limits” ethos that has allowed the iconic series to endure through the years. This show is unabashedly unfiltered, offering no apologies for the potential offense it may cause. Rather than approaching it with arrogance, it humorously conveys that everyone—including Segura—is fair game.

While Bad Thoughts is unlikely to convert those who aren’t already fans of Segura’s dark comedic style, why should it? This Netflix series perfectly combines absurdity and humor. Although not every sketch lands successfully, the series delivers plenty of uproarious moments and instances of sheer, shocking creativity that only Segura can deliver.

Bad Thoughts is now available for streaming on Netflix.

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