Borderline (2016–2017) User Reviews (25)

I want more of this

[dreamgavino · 8/10 · 4 August 2016]

Before I watched this show, I was like oh great another "mockumentary." But I was pleasantly surprised because it made me laugh several times.

It's very reminiscent of The (U.S.)Office. Not just the format, but the overall vibe (the mundane setting, the quirky characters, etc.). I can already see a Jim and Pam...and a female Michael Scott...and a less angry more "dweeby" Dwight. The baggage guys? They're awesome.

I don't know if it was the actual jokes or the way the different characters delivered them that makes the comedy so fresh, but I definitely want more.

Kudos on the casting. More please. =)

Hilarious

[reglisse_masse · 8/10 · 26 March 2017]

Great acting, chemistry between actors/characters, and hilarious lines. Had me laughing out loud sometimes. Really wish I had more of this show to watch. I will recommend it to fans of The Office, it has that awkwardness and line delivery moments and feel to it, without being as cheesy. Great comedy.

Hilarious....Yes it is Dumb, Tawdry and that is what makes it Hilarious

[ryanmportland · 8/10 · 15 July 2017]

It is shot the same way as the office and done well. The writing in this show is great, it's simple, funny and the put together great. There are no great joke lines, but the observation comedy written is spot on. While the writers will never win any awards, they should. The character of Clive, could have his own shown. He is the over the top and keeps catching me off guard with his commentary, causing uncontrollable bursts of laughter. The female "eye candy" Dandy Angy plays more of the straight character caught in the middle and doesn't get many great lines. The show puts her in a couple situations where she can draw some laughs though. A lot of comedies come off as corny, this is not one of them. Watch it and laugh. If you are Posh or a hipster, don't watch this. You won't get it.

Perfectly composed

[info-36545 · 9/10 · 17 November 2017]

Why are people in these reviews going on about The Office? It wasn't the first, or the best mockumentary. Borderline is perfectly composed. Understated and very funny. Somewhat reminiscent of Chris Langham's 'People Like Us'. All the main characters are sympathetically created and believable, just slightly twisted. Two series now. I hope there will be more.

Love it!!

[Yashakur · 9/10 · 26 March 2018]

Love the show! Super funny! And have a crush in Andy Church

Please Continue Filming!

[stephmc30 · 9/10 · 11 February 2017]

This show is FUNNY! I found myself drawn into the characters right away and I was legitimately sad when I finished the 6th episode, hoping there would eventually be more. I don't understand all the negative reviews, maybe they're Americans who don't get British wit? (I say that as an American who is thoroughly entertained by it.) My favorite is the review which says it's just a copy of The Office (USA). Does he hate Parks & Rec and Modern Family for the same reason? And does he realize that The Office is a complete ripoff of a British show by the same name?

Borderline is understated so if you don't find humor in everyday humanity then this show is not for you. I do and I laughed out loud many times in each episode. I'm a fan and I hope it comes back for another season (or seven).

It's awesome! PS. Don't trust the negative reviews. It is British humor, not "the Office" humor.

[dillonj-95444 · 10/10 · 14 March 2018]

This show is great. The awkward humour is done perfectly, and the characters definitely draw you in. I've found myself laughing many times and even repeating jokes. The show's hilarious. Do not trust the reviewers who say it's "like the Office"... In a sense it is, as it's a mockumentary, but the people who are posting those reviews are comparing it to the Office (USA) because they are more than likely unaware that the Office (USA) took British humor and used Ameeican actors... They are Americans who think the Office was completely original humor, when it was practically a remake of a UK series by the same name. So they believe it is an Office ripoff...

It is not! It is funny, awkward, well-done British humor at it's finest. So if you enjoy shows like that (The Office USA being one of them) then I think you will like this show too!

Replica of the office

[rubymoreno-86252 · 4/10 · 29 March 2017]

Is it funny? sure, if you have never watched the office. I just cannot get over that it is literally a direct rip-off. I even researched it to see if it was a spoof of the office or had the same writers or something this is insane. In a bad way. I'm actually so distracted by it. I have not watched the original British version of the office but I have watched the American one you literally have everyone's character in there. Micheal Scott, Pam.... even the same premise where Micheal always confides in Pam even though she's not into it. The female boss is a total clone of Michael Scott. Jim is a total clone they even have the same Pam, Jim relationship. The baggage guys are the warehouse guys. In the first episode, you even have the same exchange as the boss goes to the baggage guys and pretends she's there all the time. The dwightish character, I mean at least they changed him up a bit. Ugh, the looking at the camera, the meetings, it's honestly too much. Would have been a good show if they had AT LEAST switched up the characters a bit. I just can't continue watching. I wonder what Ricky thinks about this!

The second season is the best!

[splittinghairs-59149 · 10/10 · 27 January 2018]

This is so good. I thought the first season was great, but the second is even better! I don't care if people think it's too similar to The Office. Who cares? It's hilarious with great acting. This is my kind of humor. A lot of people just can't appreciate this kind of humor. I don't want to hang out with those people:)

Very realistic

[linney-61875 · 10/10 · 23 February 2019]

As a Border Force Officer myself I was pleasantly surprised to see just how funny and realistic this is. Not everything we do revolves around standing at a desk checking travel documents - we get our fair share of all types of humanity and this is reflected nicely with the same bit of gallows humour that keeps us sane on a 14 hour extended shift.

Worth a watch

[koabulilish-23724 · 9/10 · 23 January 2019]

This show is one of the best comedies out at the moment. The character's relate to each other. But the one that stands out is guz khan great cameo from him

We need two more seasons...

[FireRedBirds · 9/10 · 6 October 2019]

It's good. Is it as good as The Office (US/UK), Parks and Rec, The Thick of It, or Veep? I'd say it has potential of being just as good. I'm rewatching it on Netflix and hope the show gets picked up for a 3rd season. Wishful thinking.

It's 'The Office' for idiots.

[khunkrumark · 1/10 · 7 August 2016]

Another horrible idea that tries (belatedly) to cash in on the success of the office... and doesn't. In fact, this one probably borders on copyright infringement!

And again... another idea that could have been really funny with a rich vein of possible classic situations and gags but is instead content to rip off The Office everywhere it can, assuming that because David Brent is a woman, the audience won't notice.

The secret filming of the break-room is there, the office phone sound effects are there, the geeky guy is there, the macho warehouse staff (baggage handlers) are there, the childish office games are there, the on-camera confessionals are there...

In one scene a drug smuggler openly and successfully tries to bribe a border guard ON CAMERA!

Add to that the characters are simply too stupid to be likable and there's nothing left to tune in for. In fact, even the characters in the FAKE situation comedy "When the whistle blows!", also by Ricky Gervais, are better fleshed out and more likable than this cast of infantile twits.

About the only bright spot is the appeal of actress Liz Kingsman whose character in this stinker is buried in this imitation comedy. Simply put, this is just horrible.

The final line of dialog sums up how I feel about this! ;)

Funnnnnyyyyyy

[lzemere · 10/10 · 10 July 2018]

It's pretty funny although the language can get a little rough.

A Fun Show

[Not_An_Idiot · 9/10 · 29 December 2018]

I don't have a lot to say that hasn't already been said in other reviews. It's a fun show. It's pretty amusing if you like the style of humor used in the show.

I don't get the people who gave it an absolutely horrible rating. It is a workplace comedy show, which has been done a million times... And a mockumentary, which has also been done a million times... So has everything else. There's really not been any completely new territory to break in film/tv since probably the 60s. If you know your stuff, and know the real "first to do it" films/shows for many things that people thought were brilliant and new 40 years later, you know the Office wasn't the first mockumentary. Out of sequence filming, shaky cam, and every other "new" clever thing is also very old. That's not a reason to bag on something, just because it has all been done before... But this one is a pretty well executed and funny show. A 1 star show this is not!

The characters are likable, the comedy is solid. Not much else to say. If you like British humor, it is probably your cup of tea.

I watched this towards the end of 2018, and tried to see if a series 3 was planned... Couldn't find anything. I hope they do another series, as I would certainly watch it!

Hidden Gem

[ms296 · 10/10 · 15 April 2020]

I would watch and rewatch this show 😁 I love awkward humor and this show has amazing actors for it! I've even discovered several other great British spots because Gus Khan (the baggage carrier) is so great in this show.

BRING BACK BORDERLINE

[madisonemoretto · 10/10 · 29 December 2019]

This is the funniest show I have ever seen since The Office. Every time I show it to new ppl, they all LOVE it. PLEASE bring it back. Better advertising would make it a BEYOND HIT !!!!

Puerile, tawdry and derivative trash.

[Good-Will · 3/10 · 19 August 2016]

It's been tried before and unless the script is bang on then any attempt to imitate "The Office" is going to fall flat, as this does.

Get some decent writers in who can form characters who are believable and empathetic and then write a script that builds our attachment to them, and hopefully contains some jokes.

This goes nowhere very fast, so whoever commissioned it deserves to sit through it on an endless loop for however long this rubbish lasts.

Then, and only then, will shows that waste everyone's time (and probably a fair amount of money) be killed at birth like this should have been. 3/10 is for the actors who had to struggle with an incredibly poor script.

Where to watch????

[nickwalker-10984 · 10/10 · 28 December 2021]

This is not a review, I'm just trying to figure out where I can stream this show. Does anyone know where to watch it? It's not on Netflix anymore... Where is it??!

So sad it's not streaming anywhere!

[rosesinjune · 10/10 · 1 May 2021]

I have been going crazy looking for this show again, because I saw it when it came out and it was SO FUNNY! It's one of the great mockumentaries out there, and since it's not available right now, if you're looking at these reviews and want to watch, I would recommend Superstore if you haven't seen it. My fav characters in Borderline are the baggage guys and Clive (like someone else said, he's a dweeby Dwight). I hope it's streaming somewhere soon, and gains some more popularity!

Hard to watch

[gfrrrtopman · 3/10 · 26 November 2018]

Very little about this TV show was enjoyable. Characters don't really seem to stick and backstories seem over played. The Jokes are very new aged. I would pass on this show.

Nice try but...

[graphicsdog · 4/10 · 7 January 2017]

I like mockumentaries. I like The Office. I watched all the episodes of Borderline and was mildly amused occasionally, but It just doesn't work. They are trying way to hard to be The Office (USA). Similar characters and relationships. There is a sweet quirkiness about it and the acting is acceptable, but that can't overcome the serious flaws. First, the narration has to go as it adds nothing to the plot. Second, editing is horrible, jumping from situation to situation irregardless of the time line (which is probably why they thought the needed the narration). Finally, the writing is quite stunted and unimaginative. If the first episode does not intrigue you then be warned it doesn't get any better.

Not funny or original, badly acted and boring.

[kingcnut23 · 1/10 · 23 January 2021]

It's like someone took the office and blended it with come fly with me and removed all the jokes and wit, most the characters are two dimensional and the 'humour' is painful. I don't think I can overstate how unoriginal this program is.

Not that good

[hgwsavage · 3/10 · 31 January 2019]

To put it simply, its a copy of the english comedy ' the office' - and a bad one. I chuckeled once or twice in two seasons. Only reason its not 1/10 is because i watched all of it for some reason.

It's just meh

[cccomics · 4/10 · 8 April 2019]

It's kinda funny at times but it feels like it's trying to copy pretty much everyone else. It has the directing of The Office, the characters and attempts at social commentary of Superstore, and that annoying narrator of Arrested Development. Those things work in their respective shows, mixing them together however just makes an unimaginative try hard show.