Watch Action Items

Action Items is a web series from JASH, a comedy collective founded by Sarah Silverman, Michael Cera, Tim & Eric, and Reggie Watts. The show premiered in 2016 and consists of eight episodes. The show is an absurdist comedy that satirizes corporate culture and the world of business. It follows four employees of the fictional tech company Hampton DeVille: Matt (Adam Lustick), Jake (Zac Oyama), Grace (Anne Dudek), and John (Dan Ahdoot). The four are all underlings in the company, tasked with menial and often absurd tasks as they try to climb the corporate ladder.

Much of the humor in the show comes from the way the characters are hyper-aware of the ridiculous nature of their work life, yet are powerless to change it. Hampton DeVille is portrayed as a soul-sucking, dystopian bureaucracy, where employees are constantly monitored and evaluated based on their productivity. The show often takes a dark turn, as the characters are forced to deal with the consequences of their actions, both within the company and in the larger world.

Each episode of the show is centered around a specific task or project that the characters are assigned by their boss, Christian DeVille (Lance Reddick). Some of these tasks include creating a viral video, organizing a company picnic, and designing a new logo. The characters are often at odds with each other as they compete for promotions and try to impress their boss.

One of the standout elements of the show is its visual style. The colors are often muted, with a drab, corporate aesthetic that perfectly captures the grim reality of the characters’ lives. The show also features a variety of visual gags and surreal moments, such as a character transforming into a giant insect or an entire office being swallowed by a sinkhole.

The show also features a number of recurring characters who add to the overall absurdity of the world. These include a corporate spy named Grace the Intern (Jillian Bell), who is constantly trying to get the main characters in trouble; and an obnoxious coworker named Devin (Zack Pearlman), who embodies everything that’s wrong with the corporate world.

Throughout the series, there are also several subplots that develop, such as a love triangle between Matt, Grace, and Jake, or the discovery of a mysterious substance called Mr. Egg. These subplots help to add depth to the characters and keep the show from feeling too one-note.

In addition to its humor and visual style, Action Items is also notable for its topicality. The show takes on a number of issues that are relevant to our current moment, including income inequality, the gig economy, and the harmful effects of technology on our lives. While the show is clearly a comedy, it also has a bite to it, and isn’t afraid to take a stance on these issues.

Overall, Action Items is a smart, sharply written comedy that offers a biting critique of modern corporate culture. Its absurdist humor and surreal visuals make it unlike anything else on television, and its topicality ensures that it remains relevant years after its initial release.