Tim Robinson Thinks You Should Leave

Title: I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson

Studio: Irony Point, Party Over Here, Netflix

Directors: Alice Mathias, Akiva Shaffer

Cast: Tim Robinson, Vanessa Bayer, Sam Richardson

Run Time: 16 minute episodes

Rating: 7.4/10 (IMDb)

Start Date/Episodes: April 23, 2019 | 1 Season, 6 Episodes

Do you remember the last time you were in a cringy social interaction? It could be with a complete stranger, an acquaintance, or a close friend but sometimes the powers that be put you in a situation that leaves your skin crawling. And let’s be honest, we all think we can handle situations like this in a polite and professional manner. But when your blood is boiling and your veins are popping out of your forehead you just need to stop, take a deep breath, and let them know you think they should leave.

However, for Tim Robinson, that’s just showbiz baby. The Saturday Night Live alum (2012-2014) always seemed a bit off-kilter in his sketches during his one year in the spotlight, but that wasn’t by coincidence. It turns out that Robinson feeds off of the awkward encounters and bizarre social dynamics. For him, comedy is about pushing the envelope. Some comedians go the route of dark humor, others are loud and sporadic trying to get your attention. Robinson wants you unsettled in your seat, with just enough intrigue to keep watching.

Since his stint on SNL, he has worked on a few projects. His current work, I Think You Should Leave, is the culmination of his career as both an actor and writer, bringing sketch comedy to the popular streaming site, Netflix. This show doesn’t hide anything; the title lets you know exactly what you will get and his portrayal of some of the most ridiculous characters would almost be too much for the stages of Studio 8H. And that’s okay! Robinson’s own program allows him to spread his wings, and cringe-worthy humor. If you enjoy the uncomfortable tension of shows like The Office and Friends from College, these short episodes will have you on the edge of your seat before you burst with laughter. But be careful to pace yourself, because the single season has only 6, 16-minute episodes that are easy to clear in one afternoon.

As a writer for SNL, he had his fair share of misfires. But instead of throwing them in the trash, he held onto some sketches, polished them off, and was able to include them in his show. In a recent appearance on The Late Show with Seth Myers, he remembers feeling relieved that some of his ideas were still able to work and that “It is okay… And I am okay!” This shows that his humor is very niche and that it could be a little strange for comedy aficionados who enjoy stand up, or quirky comedies like Seinfeld.

It’s a rather modest remark for an actor who finds himself playing a quirky lawyer dealing with a VERY specific case, or a game show host who is absolutely sick of its mascot’s behavior. You can also find him explaining to high schoolers how his shirt has a tug button on the front, you know so when you have to pull on your shirt because you’re warm but you don’t want to stretch the fabric, you know?? While Robinson is the mastermind behind the sketch comedy show, he has been able to use his connections from SNL to bring on some familiar faces.

Vanessa Bayer, a fellow SNL alum (2010-2017), enjoys a nice lunch date with two friends but after getting their picture taken, she doesn’t quite understand the captions the other women are using on their social media posts. A harmless nod to self-deprecation, as to not come off as bragging, quickly escalates into a frenzy a “friendly” trash talk, involving the girls being referenced as meat sacks eating slop, or some filthy pigs filling their carcasses with fat lard. All of this because her friend posted “Lunch with these two dum dums! #lovethem.” Best be careful if you poke fun at your friend’s expense.

If you have a Netflix account and enjoy sketch comedy, then you may recognize Robinson starring in the comedic collaboration, The Characters. A similar format to I Think You Should Leave, each episode was a sketch starring a specific comedian in a story of their choosing. From a gangster white boy to a woman who never dreamed of meeting Taye Diggs, it was a way of showcasing each comedian’s interests and character strengths. Robinson showcases a rare performance of a suave showman at a dinner party who slowly spirals down a rabbit hole of bad luck. But nothing, NOTHING would stop this man.

At the end of the day, if you pull anything from I Think You Should Leave, it is to be thankful that you haven’t had such dramatic encounters like those he portrays, even if it’s just two plumbers who decide to play like children instead of fix a clogged toilet. And if you have been to a pageant show that has gone awry, you can laugh at the coincidence and be thankful it’s over. Robinson shows us that sometimes being plain weird is enough to pull out a hesitant laugh. And if you would rather watch a cheesy rom-com instead, well, I THINK YOU SHOULD LEAVE.

★★★★★