The Detour
Tags: satire

Plot synopsis:
Piano player Al Roberts (Tom Neal) is drinking coffee at a roadside diner in Reno, hitchhiking east from California, when a fellow patron plays a song on the jukebox that reminds him of his former life in New York City. At the time, Al was bitter about squandering his talent working in a cheap nightclub. After his girlfriend Sue Harvey (Claudia Drake), the nightclub vocalist, leaves to seek fame in Hollywood, he decides to go to California and marry her. With little money, he is forced to hitchhike his way across the country.
In Arizona, bookie Charles Haskell, Jr. (Edmund MacDonald) gives Al a ride in his convertible and tells him that he's in luck: he's driving all the way from Florida to Los Angeles to place a bet on a horse. During the drive, he has Al pass him pills several times. That night, Al is driving while Haskell sleeps. When a rainstorm forces Al to pull over to put up the top, he is unable to rouse Haskell. Al opens the passenger-side door and Haskell falls out, striking his head on a rock. Al then realizes the bookie is dead. Fearful that the police will believe he killed Haskell, Al drags the body off the road, takes the dead man's money, clothes, and identification, and drives away.
After spending the night in a California motel, Al decides to drive to an urban area and ditch the car. At a gas station, he picks up another hitchhiker, Vera (Ann Savage). After some time, she suddenly asks him what he did with the real owner of the car. It turns out she had been picked up by Haskell in Louisiana; she scratched him and got out in Arizona after he tried to become too friendly. Al claims to be Haskell, but she calls his bluff and blackmails him by threatening to turn him in. She tells him that they should sell the car rather than abandon it.
In Hollywood, they rent an apartment, posing as Mr. and Mrs. Haskell to provide an address when they sell the car. However, Vera learns from a newspaper that Haskell's wealthy father is near death and looking for his son, who ran away as a youth after accidentally injuring his friend. Vera demands that Al impersonate Haskell as soon as the father dies, but Al balks at this notion, pointing out that he knows next to nothing about either man.
Back at the apartment, Vera gets drunk and they begin arguing. She threatens to call the police, running into the bedroom with the telephone and locking the door. She falls into a stupor on the bed with the telephone cord tangled around her neck. Al pulls on the cord in an effort to break it. When he finally breaks down the door, he sees that he has accidentally strangled her. He gives up ever seeing his girlfriend Sue again and returns to hitchhiking instead, imagining his probable future arrest by the police.

Review: (I live outside the US and don't have TBS.) I reluctantly watched the pilot episode and trust me when I tell you this, if you have any sense of humor, you will love this show.
It just goes to show how some people watch TV/MOVIES and think that everything should be true to life.
It's said that this story is based on the real life couple's own experience with family vacations.
I've watched the pilot 3 times and keep laughing.
It's about a family, a couple and their 2 kids on a road trip.Many jokes are derived from the fact that the two kids (around 10-12 y.o.) are starting to have questions (and misunderstandings) about relationships and sex.The 2 parents are not model parents.
A goofy father and a progressive mother who likes to get high.It is good that the comedy is taking place on the road and not in the same living room or kitchen.
In every episode you are to meet new people and experience a different set.
I doubt this series would be boring or repetitive.So far (I watched the 2 first episodes) the comedic timing is good but keep in mind that the humor might not be for everyone.
Ken" type of family sitcom.Natalie Zea and the rest of the cast looks good, the script is OK, the pace quick without being hasty and (always a major plus) it doesn't have a fake laugh track.Overall: It's funny so far, but maybe its humor isn't for everyone.
Even the kids are well cast and have funny lines.Sure not all aspects of the plot are realistic....but what comedy ever does realistic?
the plot is there to set up the jokes, and it does that very well.Funniest show I've seen in a long time.
This show has me constantly laughing out loud, I applaud the writers, actors, and TBS for putting on such a fantastic, funny program!
Looking forward to all the new episodes!.
Couldn't wait for season two but after watching a few episodes the thrill was gone.
As much as I love the cast, regrettably I am out for future seasons.
If one has tried to watch most of the other new comedies that have come out recently like "Kevin can wait" and "Man with a Plan" and find them mostly unwatchable you may agree.
I watched the entire first season in a short period of time and I am ready for more.
I found something "laugh out loud" funny in every episode.
"The Detour" is a new half-hour comedy on TBS.
After watching the first two episodes, I am looking forward to more.This show includes adult humor, so check it out before letting kids watch.
Otherwise, enjoy its edgy humor about a family on a road trip.The parents are Jason James as the father, Nate, and Natalie Zea as the mother, Robin.
Much like "National Lampoon's Vacation", the journey is filled with errors in judgment and hilarious outcomes.Nate and Robin, like many parents, struggle with responsible parenting in the age of social media and the internet.
Laugh out loud moments abound as the well-meaning parents get in awkward situations and have to extricate themselves.All four lead actors hold up their ends, so the fun never flags.Update 2/22/17: After watching the first two episodes of season 2, I am raising my grade to "10".
OK so I usually don't go for the rude crude and dirty humor like this show is however i was pleasantly surprised here its a good comedy ABOUT FAMILY NOT FOR FAMILY its filthy to the core and if u are easily offended stay far far away from this show but I think its hilarious so far I love the kids and the parents alike none of them are really role model citizens but they all have their own special thing about them that u love the daughters hilarious better than u attitude the sons weirdness the moms hornyness the dads sweet attempts it all works together perfectly and it all fits great tbs knows a little about comedy and this proved it ps love full fruntle with Sam bee as well but I say if u are mature enough to take some sexual jokes and swearing I say give it a shot u will at least laugh once guaranteed.
One thing I'm sure of (in my opinion) the actors seemed bored with the script and plot so the producers and director threw in crazy physical antics to distract the viewer from a sinking show.In season one the family's road trip offered surreal characters and an innocents with the characters reaction.
My favorite episode being the theme restaurant --- it's the best of the lot.But season two comes across as aimless and going in too many directions.
However, as seasons progress, humor gets too exaggerated to enjoy past a hangover.
Very, very funny - but not for kids or easily-offended-adults.
There is an over-arcing plot in the police station at the beginning of each episode (which is the only part I'm not 100% happy with, I'm not sure where they're going with it or how it adds to the shows development), but each episode is really funny overall.The writing is fantastic.
I really like the way it all comes together, and can't think of a single episode I didn't like.However - I have a favorite - I suggest any newcomers start with Season 2 Episode 3 - it is the funniest, grossest episode so far.Start there, and then go to the beginning and binge!
There's no laugh track, the writing is quick and funny, the actors mesh well and even the kids have some really good lines (as opposed to just being a foil to the adults).Definitely worth the time..
Now on TBS a new series called "The Detour" has begun and I watched the first episode I can see it's gonna be one funny series with some slapstick and drama as this family gets in troubles that you wouldn't expect still you as the viewer kind of see it coming!
The plot centers around a married couple and their two little kids a boy and a girl who take their ford van along on a journey from the interstate at their home in New York with the trip destination being Florida and you guessed it along the way their journey is derailed!
And along the way the family meets some wild and crazy characters as it's a journey on the yellow brick road of hell!
The series is blended with wit and funny one liners and it even has some dirty sex appeal moments so it may not be everyone's cup of tea maybe some family members may skip it!
Overall still the series is downright fun as in life on your trips they are unexpected and often you meet people you don't expect as it can be wild and downright crazy fun!.
Hapless and well meaning stoner parents attempt a family vacation that shows absurd politically incorrect and overly correct scenarios in equal portion.The First season grows on you steadily and if by the Third episode you still give it ago, you will be glad you did.The dysfunctional parental absurdity and the switched on kids adds to some funny moments and left me in hysterical fits of laughter often.
Some very funny scenes, dialogue and delivery.Definitely now a fan and would recommend taking episodes slowly.
Binge watching does not do this justice.Update Feb 26th 2018 - After watching the second season I must say the writers and Producers are indeed brilliantly clever to weave such a story with depth and humour.
Wacky raunchy humor and a loving family.
I have to say that I am not usually amused by raunchy humor and swearing however the show is just so funny and sweet that I really can't resist it now don't get me wrong I was offended by it and even had to turn away from some jokes however it is hilarious and I have to recommend that you watch it sorry if the show offends you but I found it hilarious the whole family is great the kids are always getting into trouble in the most funniest ways and the father is screwing up the trip every time he tries to help but he is such a great little guy who is determined that he will give his family and wife a fun time on .
I have been watching this show off and on for the past three seasons and I must say while I haven't seen this as very family friendly it was sure as hell a lot of enjoyment I have sometimes laughed so hard I almost cried the kids are hilarious together and the adults are fun too as long as you can take mature sexual humor and swearing you should have a tremendous time with the parkers just remember this a show about family and its damn sure not for family just keep this in mind when watching.
Have been a fan of Jason Jones who I know has good comedy chops.
And also a fan of Natalie Zea who I had no idea she was this good at comedic acting, having seen her only in serious roles.
Sam Bee is wife to Jason Jones and we know how great she is but she's also creator and producer and along with hubby writer of this show.
Jason and Natalie have great chemistry (and I wonder how Ms Bee is dealing with that.) In any case the two kids are pretty funny and cute--not in a cutesy way.
Just start at the pilot, you won't even stop watching it, don't seek for the funny stuff, wait for it, it will come to you.
The situations are purely crazy; If no one warns you, you may laugh at unexpected moments.
Two of the most idiotic parents (but still among the smartest characters in the show) take their far smarter progeny on a road trip where all the lies of there marriage come to light and where the trust the most important things to the absolutely least trust-able characters the mind of scriptwriter can conceive and what happens is the most predictable slapstick you could ever imagine.
OK let me start by saying that I am not usually a fan of raw comedy and this caught me totally off guard OK now I love the show its hilarious most of the time the kids are charming the adults are funny and everyone is likable but despite all of that please PARENTS KEEP KIDS AWAY FROM THIS SHOW ITS A SHOW ABOUT FAMILY BUT IN NO WAY FOR FAMILY VIEWING there are loads of sex jokes and a lot of swearing but if you can handle it I highly recommend you give it a chance if you have teens this should be a good time with family just no young kids trust me you will thank me later for the warning the parkers do have the family spirit for sure cant wait for more to come.
This is the most culturally inappropriate show in the 21st century by far, but thats exactly why I love it, especially when everything is so politically correct these days, people get easily offended over every little detail, in a sense this kind of sensitive culture ruined comedy, comedy is satirical and cynical in nature, its a magnifying glass of truth and reality, the more restrictions you put on it, the less intelligent and creative it gets.
This show approaches the most sensitive topics of our society with surgical precision, the music is always spot on, the "We Won" conquer song and the Russia annex song make me laugh every time, the "Going Postal" song in season 2 perfectly mocked Hannibal in a respectable way, I know, it sounds contradicted, in fact this entire show is basically a walking contradiction, it deals with borderline depressing adult issues with the most immature humor, the scenarios are ridiculous yet oddly relatable, and it works, the characters are not artificial at all (Most characters on TV are predictable clichés), they act like people you would meet in real life without the typical TV filter.
This is one of the very few comedy shows that would make you genuinely laugh out loud hysterically, especially the first season, just keep an open mind and don't get offended, go watch this, you will not be disappointed..
I was looking for a new show to watch and stumbled upon this show and I found it hilarious and I will say that I love the characters however I don't think that it is a very good family choice due to constant swearing and sexual content from the kids learning about sex to all out sexual content but it is a very good time and hilarious for the right audience I recommend it just not for families but I say give it a chance and you might love it.
I absolutely love this show, I just wish Jason Jones and Samantha Bee had visited Syracuse before setting part of the show in Syracuse.
I won't be watching the second episode and here's why.
The idea of a politically incorrect family was good (remember "Stll Standing"?) and a couple of twists in this first episode were promising but the result simply doesn't work.
writers, director perhaps, certainly not the actors who do their job, I see Natalie Zea always with pleasure, still...Sexually charged dialogues involving children can be hilarious ("Two and a Half Men"), it's just not the case here..
I watched the premier of the new season of the show last night and I am kind of on the fence about how this season is going to go it had its moments don't get me wrong but it seemed like something is missing from the show I will continue to watch it cause it was a good time and it felt great to have the family back again bigger and better than before I still love the kids and the mother the dads still a goof which is refreshing to see however the constant joke about cheating spouses in the second episode kinda bugged me it was like there were no consequences for either the mother or father who clearly went out on each other.though they did both bump into each other in the process of cheating which was kinda funny but it kinda made light of a serious problem with relationships now days and I didn't like that but aside from that it was a good time and super fun just please KEEP THE KIDS AWAY FROM THE SHOW it's just that simple not for kids but fun and enjoyable and hilarious for adults.
The sweet children write that they are kidnapped with a sharpie marker on a large notebook and show it to some truckers as their parents are driving down the highway, this oh so funny joke then almost has the father beaten with a very large pipe and then covered in an old ladies urine, but the daughter gets away with it because she just got her period, yep she is not punished in any way at all.
I watch a lot of sci-fi/fantasy so I have a pretty high standard when it comes to realistic character dialogue, thought processes, choices, and personality types.
It may seem like it should be the opposite, but I have a very hard time suspending my disbelief ONLY when it comes to a show's character development and how a real person might behave in the given situations.
So, if it is not difficult for you suspend your disbelief in that way, you may not want to continue reading and just give The Detour a watch.--SPOILER BELOW--In the very opening scene, the youngest child (boy, maybe 10 yrs old) is in the driver's seat while dad stands outside the vehicle and explains how to work the clutch (for the first time) to start the car and then stop it so everyone can get in.
The writers have decided it's OK to have the characters do ANYTHING to set up a joke, even if it means treating the audience like idiots who only laugh at genitalia jokes (most of the jokes were based on genitalia) so they don't need to make the characters realistic.
The first season was grate and had lots of energy and know where it was going.
Why did they make the husband randomly go's from smart,funny and likable to a stupid joke and unknowing person and why douse the daughter go from clever in the first season to being weird and stupid in the second season.
I like Zea and her ability to play hysterical characters and I think Jason Jones is genuinely funny.
It seems as though the characters are never finding peace, because the family (with 2 strangely crazy parents with crazy pasts and experiences) is doomed to fail.
There are no "jokes" in this series, it's the situations they find themselves in and how they react that is funny.
Every episode is a different setting, but fits together to make a complete story.
(e.g The Middle, being a direct rip off of Malcolm in the Middle, Arrested Development, etc, etc.)Cons: (Spoiler) The humor is raunchy and a few of the conversations the family have aren't child friendly, but it's only a few throughout the whole season.
Conclusion: Bored or kind of down and have some time to kill, throw an episode or two on.
Hilarious, laugh out loud funny sitcom.
The bizarre TBS comedy from Samantha Bee and Jason Jones returns for a second season of wild family antics.
The Parker family moves to New York City after Nate (Jason Jones) gets a job.
Life in the city doesn't get off to a great start as they offend the neighbors and struggle to adjust to road signs.The story flashes forward to Nate being interrogated by a Federal Agent (Mary Grill) of the Postal Service.