Latest news with #BadThoughts
Telegraph
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Racial slurs, alien sex: The shocking return of politically incorrect comedy
Bad Thoughts is a new Netflix comedy offering, of the particular kind described as 'adult' but which is actually very childish, or at least adolescent-ish. It has a simple premise over its six bite-size episodes, each of which is an easily gulped down 15 minutes. In every instalment of Bad Thoughts, star Tom Segura takes a universal theme – love, family, communication – and serves up sketches to illustrate just about the crudest and most unpleasant aspects of that subject that he, or indeed you, could imagine; a cancer patient's last wish is to be vigorously 'banged' by a man her husband despises; a virtual reality video game where children play aliens raping humans; a gym where every man but our hero possesses an enormous penis. Segura is an American stand-up comedian, podcast host and Joe Rogan regular with a large and dedicated following. He has made his name saying naughty things and using naughty words in the process. It's all in the best tradition of what our own, somewhat more genteel, humorists Flanders and Swann described many years ago as the 'pee po willy bum drawers' school of humour. Segura is one of those men whose sense of the witty is forever trapped somewhere between his 13th and 14th birthday, when the darkness of the world is still fresh and new and exciting, and funny. Bad Thoughts is crawling with bestiality, abuse, racism, castration, involuntary bowel movements, age, terminal illness and death. Segura is also one of those curious straight men who never stops talking about the ins and outs of gay sex. (Seriously – there is more man-love in Bad Thoughts than in the entire runs of Heartstopper or Queer as Folk.) And there's nothing inherently wrong with any of that overgrown bike shed smut; it's a rich vein that has its place in the scheme of comedic things. As they enter their teens, children pick up on adults' discomfort around certain things, and it's that discomfort which is funny, not the things themselves. Exactly how funny you find it varies to taste. Segura's maleness and largeness are very unusual on modern TV, and they make you realise how much a person's physicality characterises how you react to them. Bad taste is often made tasteful, or at least acceptable, by camp and physical slightness – eg Little Britain, The League of Gentlemen and John Waters. Segura is a very manly man, so there's no raised ironic eyebrow here. My own revulsion reflex kicked in a couple of times across the course of Bad Thoughts. Episode four contains two of the most disgusting things I have ever seen on a screen (all shot gorgeously in pin-sharp black-and-white), but as they involve joke-destroying spoilers I shan't detail them here. Let's just say I certainly felt my head turning involuntarily away from the TV when they occurred. You get three or four sketches in each episode, always starring Segura, either as a fictionalised version of himself or as a character. Segura appears as himself on a plain white set between them, talking to camera to guide you along. The sketches themselves often have the form of shaggy dog stories; they feel like story-telling jokes of the old school, and good ones, but acted out. This means that their pay-off punchlines are often the funniest lines, which is rare in TV sketch comedy. Paying off a sketch is something that has defeated many grand masters of the TV sketch form, who were forced to disrupt the accepted framework to get around it. Monty Python's Flying Circus avoided punchlines entirely; The Fast Show dispensed with everything except the punch line. In a strange way, despite its maximum gross-out quality and unsettling vibe, Bad Thoughts thus feels quite traditional. The straightforwardness and directness of its format put me in mind of the longer items in ancient, unpretentious sketch shows like Naked Video or, though Bad Thoughts has no directly topical element, Not The Nine O'Clock News. There is nothing strikingly new or innovative in the material, but that's OK, there doesn't have to be. Is it funny though? Yes, and often very. There are several moments where I thought 'well this one isn't going anywhere' and then found I'd been diverted in completely the wrong direction. So when the big laugh came, it came with the delicious frisson of the well-turned twist. But this isn't consistent. Bad Thoughts is patchy, and you sometimes find yourself wishing it was a bit cleverer. A protracted scenario about a failing country singer who kidnaps hundreds of his fans and imprisons them in a camp that's a cross between Squid Game and Pasolini's Salò is just too slight, and – perversely – too emotionally real to carry its epic length. A Steven Seagal spoof just isn't good enough, and seems like it dropped in from 2005, and indeed from another kind of show entirely. Segura is an assured performer and actor, but the actual actors who appear with him are often better. Robert Iler – the hapless AJ of The Sopranos, now all grown up – features in three interconnected sketches, and his vulnerability makes him a far more likeable and relatable 'hero' than Segura, who looks like he could kill an ox with one punch. You really feel for Robert Iler's character, which makes it funnier. It's interesting that Netflix is now the only broadcaster who will still go this near the knuckle. The BBC, not so very long ago, produced Julia Davis's Nighty Night – with its extremely uncomfortable jokes about disability and cancer, and a character who shoved cat food where it was never meant to go. Davies now does her deliciously icky thing on the Dear Joan And Jericha podcast, and the BBC's new comedy line-up, featuring Michael Palin and Rob Brydon, looks positively trad. (Which in itself is a relief, given their recent propensity for throwing wads of cash at talentless drag acts.) There's a sketch in Bad Thoughts – one of the funniest – about a school play which goes horribly wrong, with primary age kids re-enacting the horrors of American troops in the Vietnam war, complete with casual racism, to the excruciating embarrassment of their parents. It's no more unpalatable than the average sketch in Little Britain, but it's unthinkable that the BBC of today would even contemplate okaying it. Netflix is also the home of lots of cancelled or semi-cancelled comedians that nobody else will touch; Tony Hinchcliffe, Dave Chappelle, Shane Gillis, Matt Rife, Ricky Gervais and Louis CK. The standard across these names is wildly variable, but it seems regrettable that they have been corralled into one corner. There is good taste bad taste, and bad taste bad taste. Bad Thoughts is very much the latter. I tend to the Victoria Wood theory that dark humour is easy, and that it is much, much harder to create fun and uplifting comedy, or at least fun and uplifting comedy that is any good. As George Orwell said of Salvador Dalí, '… suppose that you have nothing in you except your egoism and a dexterity that goes no higher than the elbow … There is always one escape: into wickedness. Always do the thing that will shock and wound people… Along those lines you can always feel yourself original.' But. Bad Thoughts arrives at a very particular cultural moment, as what we have known – and either loved or hated – as ' woke ' seems to be dying out, or at least retreating a little. So different considerations apply. Segura is a hate figure for the so-called woke American left, who accuse him of all the usual tedious thought and speech crimes. "The best thing to do as an artist is to acknowledge the dark thoughts." @tomsegura & I discussed the art and science of humor and why the "dark topic comics" are such good people offstage and the onstage "ultra wholesome" comedians often are just the opposite offstage. — Andrew D. Huberman, Ph.D. (@hubermanlab) May 20, 2025 The speed of woke's dissolution has been quite startling. Between the production and release of Bad Thoughts, things have shifted so much that there are several sketches that already seem dated. The two or three scenarios that focus on disputes over unsayable words and identity groups are by far the show's weakest moments – but just a year or so ago they would've been among its highlights. It feels like it's time to move on. We have all wasted so much time with the rubbish of the last decade and the posing ninnies who pushed it. Woke is (possibly was) nihilistic nastiness disguised, very badly, as 'kindness' and 'inclusivity'. We all know that now, and it's no longer quite so hard to point it out. This war may be over, at least in that form. Rather like post-war Hollywood, we need some affable fun again now. Yes, there is a certain release and relief about this possible return to cultural sanity, but that palls quickly. We deserve to forget. We can start, hopefully, to depict the world honestly again, not trying either to correct it, or correct the correction. What this means for purveyors of bad taste like Tom Segura is that they need to find new unsayables and fresh unpalatables. And there will, inevitably, always be new ones.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
New Netflix show compared to Black Mirror has viewers hooked as they gush 'it's 'nuts in the best possible way'
Tom Segura is known for his dry humour and on-the-nose comedy, but his brand-new Netflix series has taken things to new heights, according to fans. After much anticipation, Bad Thoughts finally landed on Netflix on May 13th, hitting the UK top 10 TV programmes in its debut week. The provocative anthology show takes the viewer on a flagrant and sardonic romp through Tom Segura's mind, in a series of slapstick sketches that offer a witty yet bleak perception of humanity. Segura himself stars in 5/6 episodes of the show, appearing respectively as a calamity-causing assassin, an apocalypse survivor and a country music star amongst other zany characters. The series is comprised of a bold collection of different, stand-alone stories, that are, on occasion, linked by underrunning jokes and 'to be continued' frames that lead into the next episode. Acting alongside Segura, the star-studded cast boasts The Sopranos' Robert Iler, Jurassic Park's Daniella Pineda, Boardwalk Empire's Shea Whigham and Downton Abbey 's Dan Stevens. The provocative anthology show takes the viewer on a flagrant and sardonic romp through Tom Segura's mind, in a series of slapstick sketches that offer a witty yet bleak perception of humanity Each character in Bad Thoughts acts upon their deepest impulses, with shocking, unfiltered repercussions. The show is characterised by salacious humour, toilet jokes and cartoonish bloody gore; it has been criticised by viewers for its 'gross and raunchy' content, but some praise it, saying 'Bad Thoughts is like a funny and better version of Black Mirror.' Bad Thoughts explores dystopian versions of the future, much like the hugely successful Black Mirror; exploring themes such as futuristic technology and the apocalypse. Though its nature as a comedy series allows it to feel a little less heavy on the viewer, it is unafraid of crossing boundaries and pushing viewers' limits. While on tour, Segura promoted Bad Thoughts, hailing it his own personal take on Black Mirror. Segura is known for his regular appearances on the US' most-streamed podcast: The Joe Rogan Experience. The Joe Rogan Experience is raw and unscripted, making it a favourite of fans of long form interviews and in-depth conversation. Joe Rogan is also known for his endorsement of Donald Trump. Segura's controversial new show has sparked debate online and viewers took to X after watching the show, saying: Bad Thoughts explores dystopian versions of the future, much like the hugely successful Black Mirror; exploring themes such as futuristic technology and the apocalypse '@tomsegura on @netflix with Bad Thoughts is HILARIOUS and gross and raunchy and insane' 'Bad Thoughts on Netflix is nuts lol in the best possible way' 'Tom Segura's Bad Thoughts on Netflix may be the craziest thing I've ever seen.' 'This is the weirdest limited series I've ever seen, called Bad Thoughts on Netflix' 'That was some of the most depraved unfunny non-comedy that I have EVER seen. You ought to be ashamed Tom.' 'Turned it off after the first episode. How on earth can someone even be able to imagine situations like that? I am shooketh'
Metro
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
'Unhinged' new TV series compared to Little Britain horrifies Netflix fans
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Netflix viewers are divided over the release of comedian Tom Segura's 'hilariously disturbing' series Bad Thoughts. Compared to Little Britain, the 'twisted' series is structured as six 20-minute vignettes exploring darkly comedic and provocative themes. In one, Tom plays fading country music star Rex Henley, who kidnaps his fans and makes them reveal their darkest traumas to inspire his next song. Bad Thoughts also stars actors like Jurassic Park's Daniella Pineda, The Sopranos' Robert Iler and Boardwalk Empire's Shea Whigham. On X, some viewers understood the 'genius in the madness', while others branded the divisive show as 'awful.' Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Among the haters is @AgentJohnJD, who wrote: '#badthoughts is a show on #Netflix that if I were to describe it, there would be an immediate censorship across the board. I turned it off after the first episode. How on earth can someone even be able to imagine situations like that? I am shooketh.' Echoing their sentiment, @ldsgolfer13 commented: 'The new Tom Segura show on @netflix#Badthoughts is just gross and unfunny. The 'comedy' is over-the-top repeatable sex jokes, but taken to 11. No creativity was used, just a room full of teenage boys and a pack of Monster Energy drinks, writing this.' @SpursUnfiltered raged: 'Is Tom Segura supposed to be a comedian? #BadThoughts is awful. @NetflixIsAJoke. @tomsegura.' Many others, though, hailed 46-year-old Tom's Bad Thoughts as 'hilarious' and brilliantly 'unhinged'. @Fanb0yNate raved: '@tomsegura Is unhinged in #BadThoughts can't say I'm surprised tho, this is why he's one of my favourite comedians.' @GKline17 enthused: 'Hey @netflix I have 2 things for you… 1: I don't know how #badthoughts was ever greenlit, because it's pretty insane, but well done seeing the genius inside the madness. 2: I hope someone lost their job for only allowing @tomsegura to do 6 short episodes. > 2hrs is criminal.' In agreement, @ScottTheDude said: 'So I just watched all of #badthoughts… 1) @tomsegura is a deeply disturbed individual 2) I am pretty sure it's made me a worse person 3) That was hilarious and I need more of it please.' One unlikely person who tore Bad Thoughts apart was Tom's mum. He told Variety: 'We had her watch a few episodes in a private screening room with hidden cameras. 'She told me, 'Give the money back. You can't air this. I'll never see my friends again.'' More Trending Tom also revealed that Jason Momoa was initially cast to play a 'sexy dream guy', but he later turned it down while he was in the bath. 'He said yes — then he FaceTimed me from a bathtub to cancel,' Tom recalled. 'I was like, 'Couldn't you at least towel off first?'' The comedian added that Bryan Cranston almost appeared in Bad Thoughts, as he 'liked the script' but it ultimately 'didn't work out'. View More » Bad Thoughts is available to stream on Netflix. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Amazon Prime's 'funniest TV show ever' just got a second series MORE: Netflix makes major Bridgerton announcement – but there's a catch that's 'devastating' fans MORE: How the Menendez brothers murder case unfolded after huge new release twist
Digital Trends
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
3 underrated shows on Netflix you need to watch in May 2025
Table of Contents Table of Contents Bad Thoughts (2025) All American (2018-) Dark Winds (2022-) It's a fantastic month for new TV shows on Netflix. Tina Fey, Steve Carell, and Colman Domingo join forces in The Four Seasons, a romantic dramedy about three married couples whose group goes into peril when one opts for divorce. Other new shows in May include the final season of Big Mouth and Love, Death + Robots volume 4. After scanning the Netflix homepage, dive deeper into the genre sections to find even more quality television. Three of the underrated offerings this month include a sketch comedy show, a teen soap drama, and a mysterious crime thriller. Recommended Videos We also have guides to the best new shows to stream, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+. Bad Thoughts (2025) Comedian Tom Segura has exploded in popularity thanks to his burgeoning stand-up comedy career and lucrative podcast company. Segura is betting on himself and trying his hand at sketch comedy in Bad Thoughts. Segura plays multiple characters in a series of vignettes that put the comedian in precarious situations, including an emergency landing, an assisted living facility, and the apocalypse. One of the funnier sketches involves Segura playing a country who starts a cult in hopes of becoming more relatable. Bad Thoughts is not I Think You Should Leave, but there's enough humor in this sketch show to keep you satisfied. Watch Bad Thoughts on Netflix. All American (2018-) Before being acquired by Nexstar a few years ago, The CW was the network for teen soaps. Riverdale, Nancy Drew, Stargirl, and The Vampire Diaries all became teen favorites and grew even bigger on Netflix. The only drama left standing is All American, a sports show set in the world of high school football. Spencer James (Daniel Ezra) is a talented high school football player from South Central Los Angeles. Spencer's prowess draws the attention of Billy Baker (Taye Diggs), the head football coach at Beverly Hills School. Coach Baker offers Spencer a scholarship. Now a fish out of water, Spencer must navigate life on and off the field. This is a teen show, so expect a lot of relationship drama. Watch All-American on Netflix. Dark Winds (2022-) Dark Winds was in a good position to be successful due to its critically acclaimed source material, Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn & Chee series. Add in Robert Redford and George R.R. Martin as executive producers, and Dark Winds has become a sneaky hit for AMC. Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) is a veteran police lieutenant in Navajo County. Leaphorn is paired with former FBI agent Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) to solve a serial killer wreaking havoc on the community. The deeper they dig, the further they uncover a conspiracy tied to a robbery. Backed by a terrific leading performance from McClarnon, Dark Winds is an eerie crime thriller with a suspenseful mystery at the heart of each season. Watch Dark Winds on Netflix.
Newsweek
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Every Actor Joining Tom Segura's Netflix Special, 'Bad Thoughts'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Tom Segura's new comedy sketch show "Bad Thoughts" premiered this week on Netflix, and the comedian brings a lot of friends with him for the darkly humorous show. Keep reading to find out every actor joining the comic in the new series. Read More: When Does the Finale Episode of The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Come Out? Tom Segura in "Bad Thoughts". Tom Segura in "Bad Thoughts". Netflix What to Know About Tom Segura's 'Bad Thoughts' Comedy Special "Bad Thoughts" is a comedy sketch show whose vignettes all feature Tom Segura playing different characters in darkly comical situations. A sketch might feature the comedian waking up "Walking Dead" style in the middle of the apocalypse, taking hostages to improve his singing career, or trying to get a coffee from the worst barista in the world. In one example, Segura plays Rex Henley - a country music singer who's desperate for more song ideas. His solution? He takes a bunch of complete strangers hostage and forces them to tell him the worst things that ever happened to them in the hopes he can makes songs out of their tragedies. Segura plays a different character in every sketch, and in each vignette he's joined by different actors and comedians. Who is in the Cast of Netflix's 'Bad Thoughts'? According to Netflix's Tudum, here's the complete list of actors joining Tom Segura in "Bad Thoughts": Robert Iler Daniella Pineda Shea Whigham Dan Stevens Jimmy Kimmel Rachel Bloom Bobby Lee Arturo Castro Kirk Fox Christina Pazsitzky Alexis Abrams Alexandra Chando Malin Barr Arnold Chun Nic Novicki Johnny Pemberton Annie Abbott Ryan Sickler Hannah Bittick John Gholson Kirsten Kendall Alexandra Broussard Billie D. Merritt Jenn Covington Sarah Burns What Reviews Say About Netflix's 'Bad Thoughts' On one hand, reviews for "Bad Thoughts" are pretty mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, its critic score is sitting at an unremarkable 60%. On the other hand, you should take that with a grain of salt because that score is based on a total of only five reviews. Based on that small number of reviews so far, the people who don't like "Bad Thoughts" characterize the show as a juvenile, tasteless exercise trying to be something more. For example, Archi Sengupta of calls the show "a lot of sex jokes... and poop jokes. It's just oddly immature and unnecessary." But that's only one side of the coin. Collider's Nate Richard says that, "While not every sketch will kill, there are more than enough big laughs and moments of sheer, depraved creativity that only Segura is capable of pulling off." Meanwhile, Pramit Chatterjee of Digital Mafia Talkies calls "Bad Thoughts" the best comedy special he's seen since Bo Burnham's pandemic hit "Inside". More TV: 'Alien: Earth' Horror Sci-Fi Series Announces Premiere Date Madonna Teams with 'Deadpool' Director for New Biopic Series
