Why You Should Be Watching The Afterparty

#10: Created by Christopher Miller

The duo of Chris Miller and Phil Lord are constantly raising the bar for entertainment with witty writing and high concepts. Lord serves as an executive producer on “The Afterparty,” but the show is Miller’s baby. Miller had been conceiving this murder mystery for nearly a decade, initially writing a feature-length screenplay during the productions of “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” and “21 Jump Street.” The film was put on the back burner as other projects caught Miller and Lord’s attention. Miller eventually decided to expand upon the idea as a miniseries. While Season 1 of “The Afterparty” could’ve worked as a standalone entity, Miller had another mystery in him with Anthony King coming on as co-showrunner for Season 2.

#9: The Music

“The Afterparty” experiments with an assortment of genres, delivering a full-blown musical with episode 3. Shining the spotlight on Ben Schwartz’s Yasper, the night is presented through a Broadway lens. “Crazy Ex-Girlfriends’” Jack Dolgen teamed with Jon Lajoie of “The Lego Movie 2” on three earworms: the “Hamilton”-esque “Two Shots,” the toe-tapping “Yeah Sure Whatever,” and the bittersweet ballad “Three Dots from Stardom.” It isn’t just a musical episode. It’s essentially three different musicals for the price of one, demonstrating the sheer variety the show has to offer. Each song comes with inventive lyrics, an infectious melody, and Schwartz’s angelic vocal stylings. We wish there were even more songs, but maybe Lord and Miller will take on the Great White Way next.

#8: The Rashomon Style

When Miller started developing “The Afterparty,” he had two inspirations in mind: murder mysteries and “Rashomon.” In Akira Kurosawa’s 1950 classic, four witnesses recall the events surrounding a murder. Each account shares certain parallels, but they also contradict one another, leaving us to wonder who’s telling the truth, who’s lying, and who just has a foggy memory. The film gave birth to the Rashomon effect, which various storytellers have since employed in TV and film. “The Afterparty” may be the most ambitious example. Miller realized that as a series, every episode could explore a different perspective in great detail. This approach would also allow more time to flesh out the characters, who we come to like despite knowing one of them is a killer.

#7: Detective Tiffany Haddish

Tiffany Haddish’s star has been on the rise for the past several years, “Girls Trip” marking a breakthrough. She’d pop up in “The Lego Movie 2” as Queen Watevra Wa'Nabi. Haddish reteamed with Miller and Lord for “The Afterparty,” taking center stage as Detective Danner. In both seasons, Haddish brings her signature comedic charisma to the lead investigator. At the same time, the role allows Haddish to step out of her comfort zone. Haddish is usually the most eccentric person on screen. While Danner has a quirky side, she also instills a grounded sensibility. She’s somewhat reminiscent of Axel Foley: unconventional, yet street-smart and determined. Haddish drew from real life, having been interrogated by L.A. detectives and even dated a few.

#6: A Star Vehicle for Sam Richardson

Sam Richardson is a comedic actor you’ve surely seen around, although you might not know his name. That’s probably because he’s avoided being typecast. He broke out as the eternally optimistic Richard Splett on “Veep,” but he’d do a 180 as the short-tempered Edwin Akufo on “Ted Lasso.” Richardson is back to playing sympathetic characters in “The Afterparty.” While we spend time with each of the suspects, Richardson’s Aniq serves as the show’s emotional anchor. As the night begins, Aniq wants to prove his worth to high school crush Zoë, played by Zoë Chao. By the night’s end, Aniq needs to prove his innocence. Aniq is empathetic every step of the way thanks to Richardson, although that doesn’t rule him out as a potential killer.

#5: The Layered Mysteries

In addition to “Rashomon,” Miller grew up with shows like “Murder She Wrote,” movies such as “Clue,” and the books of Agatha Christie. “The Afterparty” echoes all of the above while still being a unique entity. Like “Knives Out,” the series manages to revive the murder mystery while simultaneously reinventing it. Above all else, it’s an involving whodunit with clever tidbits hidden in every episode. It’s the characters who keep us invested in the outcome, however. By the end of Season 1, you kind of don’t want any of the suspects to be the killer, as we’ve grown attached to all of them. Whether or not you accurately predict who did it, the results are satisfying and a little soul-crushing.

#4: A Revolving Door of Genres

Although a murder mystery at its core, the show’s POV approach opens the door to a number of genres. One character may recount the evening as a romantic comedy. Another may remember it as a “John Wick”-esque action flick. In addition to genres, some episodes explore different mediums. Episode 6 is partially animated courtesy of ShadowMachine, the same studio behind “BoJack Horseman” and the revival of “Clone High.” We even get a few homages to iconic directors like Wes Anderson and Alfred Hitchcock. Whatever is being parodied, you can sense the showrunners’ admiration for it. “The Afterparty” also avoids turning this setup into a gimmick. Each “mind movie” serves as a window into a character’s soul, allowing us to see them in different lights.

#3: An Ensemble of Suspects

A mystery is only as compelling as its suspects. “The Afterparty” rounds up some of the funniest people in the business for a genuine game of guess who. Ilana Glazer brings the laughs as the distressed Chelsea, but she also demonstrates her strengths as a dramatic actress. As jealous ex Brett, Ike Barinholtz showcases his knack for playing jerky yet likable characters. While a few characters return for Season 2, newcomers keep the premise fresh. Standouts include Paul Walter Hauser as confident loser Travis, Elizabeth Perkins as emotionally distant matriarch Isabel, and Poppy Liu as a bride long past the honeymoon period. Every actor is given just the right amount of time to shine… even those who everyone else forgets about like Jamie Demetriou’s Walt.

#2: The Rewatch Value

In an age of too much content, we find ourselves binging one show and immediately diving into another. “The Afterparty” is a rare show that keeps you coming back. As is the case with most Miller/Lord productions, some jokes fly by so quickly that you might miss them the first time. In addition to jokes, you’ll also be on the lookout for clues. When all is revealed at the end of Season 1, you’ll likely be left asking, “How did I miss that?” This compels the audience to rewatch the season. Knowing who committed the deed makes for an entirely new experience with little details suddenly adding up. It’s always fun introducing the show to somebody and watching their reaction as the mystery unfolds.

#1: It’s the Most Underrated Comedy Currently On TV

With an all-star ensemble, a mystery that keeps you guessing, and a narrative device that invites numerous possibilities, “The Afterparty” ranks among TV’s best modern comedies. The critics have recognized it as such, although some are still playing catch-up. While the first season scored several nominations from the Hollywood Critics Association, it went entirely overlooked at the Emmys. The show not only deserves to be recognized for its performances and writing, but for its technical merits. The cinematography from Carl Herse and Ross Riege, in particular, paints each episode with a different tone. “The Afterparty” has nonetheless developed a committed following, which will hopefully only grow with Season 2 and ensure that a third season happens as well. If not, it’ll forever be a mystery.