I have to confess, during the first few episodes of this series, I thought, there's no way this is real, and that the protagonist, Ronald, also has to be a professional actor. Things just didn't add up in my mind. In fact, by the third episode, I was ready to bail. However, I decided to stick with it because the entertainment value was there as was the humor. Recently, during an episode of Colbert, Marsden made a guest appearance, stating that Jury Duty was essentially The Office meets The Truman Show. I can think of nothing that summarizes it more appropriately. What really struck me, however, was the final episode. I found myself grinning the entire time often with tears in my eyes. I would never have anticipated that the finale would affect me on such an emotional level. Ultimately, I'm glad I stayed. It was well worth it.
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Dave-794 May 2023
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Laight12 April 2023Only the first four episodes have been streamed thus far but, with any luck, this program will keep up the excellent work. It's a really great premise: a documentary about a jury trial that is actually a mockumentary but actually is also, for one person, a real trial as a juror -- the others are all actors. The producers were either very lucky or screened applicants well as the clueless fellow is remarkably charming and telegenic. The other actors are working improv rather than from a complete script and they, too, are doing a terrific job: they seem like the kind of people you might meet on a jury panel except, of course, the more you see of them, the weirder they get, to keep the action going.
All in all, a very original idea, well executed and well acted. -
plasticah17 April 2023Jury Duty is a hilariously and well acted show. I was pleasantly surprised with how good this 8 episode series was. Entertaining and the actors from A-Z were full of their own quirks,personality and bizarre behavior on purpose.
Actor James Marsden plays himself but with a twist. He is full of himself and only care about his movies..scripts and not being on this fake jury. He plays a hatable actor to a tee and befriends the only character on the show who doesn't know this is all fake.
Craziness and well done humor has made me a fan of this show. The production must've been a huge undertaking to have all the moving pieces not to blow their cover to the mark. Must see tv. -
madden-brad16 May 2023The show was really entertaining. The editing was great. The actors were fully immersed. But most of all, Ronald seems like a wonderful person with a genuine heart. He spent the entire show trying to do right by the jurors. He didn't know these people at all, and yet he protected them from their own flaws and never sold anybody out. He did the same thing with the character on trial. It was evident that Ronald has a sincere persona. Moving forward, hopefully Ronald can continue to live a life full of kindness and hope. I have seen the show clipped and used on social media, so I assume that it will get a pretty decent viewing audience and hopefully everybody can walk away having enjoyed their viewing experience.
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daneulephus9 April 2023I cannot believe this is getting lambasted by critics. Comic genius on a level I haven't seen in ages. Not every comedic offering has to take itself so seriously, and this one is totally absurd and original. I died at the defense attorney's animations. The cast is brilliant, and I can't wrap my head around how they must have coordinated all of the improv moments. If they truly kept this poor oaf in the dark for three weeks or whatever it was, that in itself deserves an award. Marsden playing an egotistical version of himself is perfect. Exactly what I needed, and truly the best kind of comedy.
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monberger16 April 2023Oh my gosh! I woke up at 3:00 in the morning and I couldn't get back to sleep so I grabbed my iPad and I saw an advertisement for the show. I checked the ratings and there pretty good so I gave it a try. Oh my gosh, I started to laugh so hard and tried to be quiet because my wife was next to me sleeping and she woke up and said "what a hell are you watching" So I let it all out! "Jury Duty" is a hell of a show it reminds me so much of "The Office" it is so hilarious! The casting is perfect, and the writing is great! It gets you hooked, can't stop watching. Marsden and company are great and so beautifully weird! If you like the office, you will love Jury Duty. Thanks, Freevee for a great Original!
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Danno21015 April 2023Great assemblage of actors who play cringey but believable LA folks to perfection. Marsden blows it out of the water playing an at-times exaggerated but yet still plausible version of himself. Ronald is stuck smack-dab in the middle of it all, with hilariously eccentric folks from all walks of life surrounding him, yet he takes it all in stride, whether at times blushing or shrinking down in his chair or being stoic or giggling almost uncontrollably - turns out real life can be hilarious when you're a casual viewer of it sitting on a couch and not mired in the circumstances and people for yourself and constantly wondering just what is possibly going to happen next. Ronald's tension is palpable during the cringiest stuff yet he always somehow remains cool as a cucumber throughout, even when he's blushing, and almost always says the perfect thing in response. One of the best shows I've seen in many years.
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seaeschliman-9950921 April 2023This show starts off strong and continues at that level all the way through. The cast shines, they are so genuine and real, you know them because they are people you have in your life. James Marsden is everything you expect him to be, and plays his part very well. You could see any actor acting similarly, and yet he's still like-able through his bond with our Hero. I would exhaust the character limits if I tried to tweet about how much I love Ronald, so I will put it here instead. Ronald is everything you want in a protagonist. Sweet, hilarious, smart, and a natural leader for our ragtag jury. You can't help but to adore his serious approach to the case, and his open and friendly approach towards the other people he was put in this situation with. He repeatedly shows his willingness to help out in tricky situations, and his clear affection for characters that were meant to annoy him is unbelievably endearing. Ronald just exudes genuine goodness, in a real-life Leslie Knope or Marshall Eriksen kind of way. They could not have chosen a better Hero, and while I hope they do another season... I don't know how they could ever top the funny, heart-warming, and genuinely good guy that is Ronald.
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jjpscott019 April 2023Those of us fortunate enough to have seen the brilliant "Joe Schmo Show" many years ago will recognize the premise. Everyone is in on the joke except for one person. This allows to view the craziness from one person's Ernest point of view. I love reactionary humor and this show has it in spades.
We are 4 episodes in at this point and I've already laughed out loud a number of times. There is something oddly satisfying about seeing everyone having so much fun even when your know they are acting. Having seen "The Joe Schmo show" years ago I know that even though these characters are fake the comrodary they develop is often times very real and there are moments in this show when you can tell they're having the time of their lives. I am very excited about this show and hope it does well enough to produce more seasons. -
Can't say enough about this TV Viewing Experience. Exceptionally creative and new..it will cause you to suspend belief..and befuddles the senses at times, a breath of fresh air though.
And the emotional payoff in the end is genuine and comes through the screen at the end of the 8 show series and grabs you. I highly recommend it.
Agreat snapshot and expose into what is good in humans. The performances are intricate, improvisational, focused and generous equaling combiner the actors character and the actors real self at the same time. Character development was spot on. The Judge extrordinary. Writing one overiding purpose and goal in mind. -
The premise of the show is kind of interesting but there's also something to it that just doesn't seem to convince me. Perhaps there are cut out moments where the supposedly unaware Ronald actually didn't act how they wanted him to, but it just seemed like he fit too perfectly into every scenario they were hoping. Maybe I'm wrong and they just found the most gullible person out there, but I feel somewhere along the line a normal person wouldn't go along with all the craziness.
Also, the show operated playing a weird middle ground where not only was it trying to be a social experiment , but also a court version of the office. I'm sure that's a great thing for some, but not my type of comedy. I was personally more interested in the reactions of how a juror would react to the craziness in the court.
If they were to do a second season on a more serious note I wouldn't mind seeing an entire fake jury with a fabricated case to see how a jury actually operates and observe how they follow the judges instructions or disregard them. Of course this would eliminate the comedic element though.
Overall the show is certainly unique and worth a watch if you can get through the first bit and buy in. I'm not surprised that some people absolutely love it because it hits a certain type of comedy well. For me though , there's still something a bit suspect about the entire vibe of the whole thing to be that amazed by the show. -
mbaban-3954310 April 2023We found this to be laugh-out-loud funny, really original and clever... so much so that we were certain it was adapted from the UK.
They picked the perfect guy in Ronald who is very much your average Joe. He's aware things are funny and can laugh along but he's also just naïve and easy-going enough to not lose his cool when a whirlwind of crazy unravels in front of him. James Marsden earns so many extra cool points for agreeing to do this and play a farce version of himself.
If you're a fan of The Office, this definitely harkens to that in many moments. Perfect casting, smart improv, silly moments.
Worth the ads. -
JurijFedorov27 May 2023I saw the cover by just random chance and then decided to watch it. I didn't know anything about it and didn't even want to look into it and find out if it was real or not. The humor won't work if you think this is acting by the clueless lead. After watching this I can for sure say he was not acting at any point, but he may have known something was up as some of the scenes were just extremely over the top. More things happened to him in 17 days than have happened to me in all my life combined so he had to have known something fishy was going on. But there is no way he can fake these interview scenes unless he is a professional actor and even then it would have been really hard to act at this level.
I did feel like the show took a dive in quality at the midpoint. The episodes and acting was still good. But they just started to lean on toilet humor. Many main jokes were about someone about brown stuff. It became lazy, nasty and very over the top. Some hanky panky jokes were also extremely over the top and clearly not realistic in any way.
Overall anyone would have figured out it was fake because of these stupid gags later on. But everything else was great. I think American Vandal 1 and 2 are better for sure. But come on, American Vandal is spectacular so it's hard to be as good. This show came very close especially at the start and it does feel like a American Vandal season 3 which is extremely exciting.
Another show like this is Joe Schmo season 1 to 3. I very highly recommend season 1 and 2. They are great. Also Joe Schmo wins $100K for "being kind". So Jury Duty is clearly a copycat show. But it's very different and you should watch all 3 of these seasons for sure even though Jury Duty feels more mature. It's easily some of the best reality TV ever made. If not the best? Most reality TV is horrible. -
urylle-323469 April 2023This is so brilliantly funny to watch I cried tears of joy. Immense respect to all the actors on the show who had to improvise/react based on Ronald's reactions and not break character. The casting was amazing, all the press were talking about James Marsden as he's the only famous person in the show but the real stars were all the actors who in my opinion, carried the show. And Ronald, I can't wait to see the end of the series where it's being revealed to him! The scenes were all incredibly funny, and made me want to visit margaritaville at some point. This show really depicted regular folks including outcasts of society and nerds and it's so wholesome to watch when Ronald showered them with kindness and empathy. And the fact this is unscripted even though the scenes were, is just unbelievable to me. A top 10/10 TV that I highly recommend.
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It's been a long time since I've had a series that I can't get enough of. I discovered this masterpiece on a random reel and it has been the best discovery so far. The premise is very simple but the execution is just "chef's kiss". The actors are great at their roles and do a great job at not breaking character.
It has been a long time since I've watched something on my own and have to stop it because it makes me laugh so hard.
Thank you for this amazing lighthearted content. This is exactly what I need to disconnect from everything that is happening these days. Highly recommend it!
By the way, I was late to work today because I couldn't get myself to stop watching the night before. -
rosscohen-0856812 June 2023This mockumentary was the best thing I've seen in awhile. It was so refreshing to enjoy something that wasn't a series about murder or the cops. It follows a young man as he navigates his way through jury duty and all the fun the happens along the way. Ronald, who the show follows the most meets all types of people as he shows what kind of person he is. We learn that he's just a great American, and all around great guy. He's nice, kind, empathetic, funny, charismatic, and the kind of person that everyone will like. He helps his fellow jurors out with everything including helping an actor read lines, help a young man with his relationship, help a separated husband feel good, and plenty more.
I highly recommend this, and it should be mandatory that all Americans see this bc it showed me that there's still lots of good people in the world. Not everyone is out for themselves, people do care about strangers. -
vbdsyt10 April 2023Absolutely grab your gut laughing funny. Ronald is such a nice dude. You feel bad at some points but other times he is so kind to these wacky idiots that you enjoy the show even better.take the office and add a slight reality tv spin to it. Can't wait for more episodes and having to watch a couple of commercials is worth it.
The humor can be a bit dry and is that type that makes you feel embarrassed for the character but I have to say these actors killed it. Give it easily two or three episodes and you will be invested. If what we do in the shadows or the office is your jam, this is your show. -
alinelunardy12 April 2023I was kinda pessimistic when I started but wow this show really pulled me in. I couldn't stop watching it! I hope there will be more seasons and more episodes! Didn't know at first that this is made by people who also made The Office at first (another fave of mine). I love all the actors involved and Ronald of course cause he seems so naive but also very kind and empathetic. Agreed with other reviews saying that the actors in this show really doing a great job. A big round applause for them! They deserve all the recognition. And Marsden also quite funny here. Definitely a must watch! Can't wait for the rest of the episodes!
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RobTortureWright16 April 2023Firstly let me say, the other review with the headline "American only" was almost definitely written by James Marsden haha.
As for the show I didn't know what to think going in, I had seen a random tweet that either was paid marketing or just lots of people agreeing with the original post, because there was no negatives about the show in almost 50 replies. That peeked my curiosity and I decided to give it a chance. I think the fact it can be viewed for free makes it more approachable as the premise didn't fully draw me in.
I watched the first episode and spent most of the time trying to decide if the "real person" was actually in on it as well, but he would have to be a REAL good actor to pull off what happens in the remaining episodes. Episode 2 didn't really hook me fully to be honest and I wasn't sure if it was something that could keep my attention. I'm glad I came back for episode 3.
The show begins to ramp up the ridiculousness each episode so that by episode 6 (where I've currently watched to) you spend most of the time just laughing at how the real person (Ronald) is just going along with all the craziness and weirdness. From a guy toppling over a full cabinet and getting medically removed, to a weird guy who wears crutches as a seat, to what is probably one of the most bizarre and funniest parts, a man and woman wanting to "have a good time" but instead of thrusting they want someone to jump up and down in the bed.
At that point I'm thinking to myself, how does Ronald (The only one who's not an actor) believe this is actually real, but I think the fact it's his first jury duty and he is kind of venturing into the unknown is just comical how he accepts everything without really questing it too much.
For me episodes 4,5 and 6 have been hilarious, from the bed bouncers, to James marsden throwing a temper tantrum because he didn't get a movie role, to the Asian man saying he will give Ronald $2000 because he lost a board game. I'm eagerly awaiting the final 2 episodes and I hope they spend enough time letting Ronald talk after he finds out it was all staged. I'm also really intrigued to see how the show continues if there is a second or third season as i think this has already became super popular among the TikTok crowd, and it's becoming more and more popular each day on Freeve/Amazon prime.
Overall I understand the reviews on IMdB are mixed but I think had a lot of the people giving it a low score watched more of the show and especially made it to episode 3 and beyond I think they would have really enjoyed the comedy and sheer craziness of it all. I think in its own way it's also kind of charming seeing this random guy helping the other people around him and trying to bring certain people out of their shell, even if he's about to find out they've all being acting this entire time. Totally unique and well worth watching. 9/10. -
Anotherfilmfan14 April 2023I felt compelled to review this as I have not watched something so funny, so uncomfortable and incredibly clever, I want people to watch and discover this show!
I stopped episode 1 twice from laughing as I was commuting, and was howling and then episode 2 and 3, parts were watched behind a pillow from the awkwardness.
It's witty, intelligent, yet stupid. Ronald and is a real life Truman. He's so wonderfully sweet and awkward, you just love him while he's wrapped up in in this unknown (to him) bonkers jury duty process.
Each of the supporting characters are kooky in their own way, whether they play a main role, supporting character or one of the insanely good jury members.
James Marsden, as ever, is just so wonderful, as a absurd egotistical version of himself.
I'm halfway through episode 3 and am obsessed. Love it. -
joebnow10 August 2023Is Jury Duty a great show? Nah, but very often it is so darn funny. Is it repetitious? It is. But the cast is so darn good who cares? It's a premise that is really fun. James Marsden is terrific as the stereotypically egotistical Hollywood semi star. But the other jurors/actors are perfect, too. Each one is so real. However, the luck of the series is finding the guy who is left out of the loop. He is so charming, sweet, compassionate, sincere - but not without raising his eyebrows in disbelief when things get crazy at times. The last episode when the ruse is revealed is excellent. It's actually heartwarming and touching. It makes up for some of the dull stretches.
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joeymckinney-7923310 April 2023The way this show was pitched got me really excited, but also very pessimistic that they would somehow screw it up. But instead of screwing it up they blew my expectations out of the water and created a truly amazing show. Seeing his reactions to the stuff going on around him and discovering various clues is just absolutely anazing. Also just how cool of a guy he is makes it so much more likeable of a show. The only thing I don't like about the show that I won't get the answer to until it's over is if it'll make Ronald sad at the end to find out that all the memories he's made with these people are fake, in which case I'll feel bad. Other than that it's so amazing. Also if you think this show is fake 1. No it's not 2. Go watch Nathan For You to see how crazy the world can be. Update at the end of the show. Great ending, but I would have major trust issues for the rest of my life.
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exlana10 April 2023Jury Duty has a remarkable premise to built a compelling a scripted 'reality tv'. It has a great set up, i like the way its made, and the actors did a decent job making things look natural, but the problem is it's not very realistic...
The strings of event that happened throughout is very absurd, peculiar and often times too much... and unnecessary. I find it hard to believe that the guy doesn't realize or even suspect that something fishy going on. Which kinda takes the fun out of it..
Though I do appreciate the wholesomeness, i don't particularly care that much. Idk maybe i'm just bitter and old
Anyway, a bit overhyped. If you take out the fact that it's a 'reality' show, ironically, it made a somewhat decent sitcom.
6/10. -
Everyone is an actor except for that one guy (who also happens to be an actor).
How did they turn up this supposedly non-actor. He is the difference between a great show and a total bomb. There is no in-between with a show like this and it all hinges on the "non-actor". The producers went through great pains to find this guy.
I have very strong doubts that he isn't an actor. He's too good at not looking at the camera even when the so-called action is on the other actors and far away from him. This guy will never, ever look at a camera directly - at any time. The real actors all behave exactly the same way (though even they can't resists a peek but not this "non-actor"). You and I would never behave this way. Ever.
The other actors are also too good at not flubbing their lines - which means multiple takes. It's impossible to say as much as these guys are saying and not flub many lines. All the moving parts and interactions... mean multiple takes, multiple angles. There's no way around this. No way. The "non-actor" is a part of the multiple takes.
Everyone is mic'ed. Yet this guy speaks with zero concern - as if he's in his living room speaking to buddies. He is diplomatic when he needs to be or embroiled in awkward situations - all of this he takes in stride.
Remember... there are multiple cameras, there's harsh lighting, there's a crew of people filming (running around), there's a director, there's makeup, there's a ton of activity - not - related to the actual (fake) court case and he's completely unfazed by any of it. This is years of practice.
How about all the times the camera (crew) happens to be in the right place at the right time to capture a secretive moment. This rarely even happens in real life - at least not to the degree in which intimate moments are captured here. Too funny if anyone believes this is real.
The show even dares to pretend it's real. It utterly fails when the other actors pretend to have their own lives and interact with each other away from the non-actor. This isn't being sold as 'The Office', version 2.0. This is suppose to be a reality show so Jeannie Abruzzo's interest in Noah Price, for example, and their possible relationship holds little interest if it happens away from the "non-actor". Or an actor talking about the *fake* case like it was real (away from the eyes/ears of the non-actor). We're here to see the "non-actor" because we were told everything else is 100% fake.
This show is highly rated because too many just want to believe. They are even forgetting these are actors faking a story and are getting lost in the story as if it was real.
Focus on some of the points above and you'll see this is obviously fake - like most of the reality shows & courtroom dramas that have aired before this. -
Jeremy_Urquhart19 June 2023The concept behind Jury Duty is great, and I feel like the execution lives up to the premise. It involves a fake trial where one man doesn't know it's fake, and essentially plays out like an extended prank where increasingly ridiculous things happen, but never so far that the man at its center ever suspects he's in a fake trial.
All the behind-the-scenes stuff is incredible to think about, so if anything, the show could've offered even more of that. I will say, there are maybe one or two episodes that feel a little repetitive, and not exactly laugh-out-loud. But for the most part, it's very funny, and most importantly, it does conclude incredibly well (I think they save the best for last; hard to elaborate too much more without giving things away).