Bordertown: Series premiere / first 3 episodes

January 19, 2016 11:59 AM - Season 1 (Full Season)

Created by Family Guy writer Mark Hentemann and executive-produced by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, the show follows two neighboring families, lead by Bud Buckwald, a border agent, and Ernesto Gonzalez, an immigrated Mexican landscaper.

The humor is spotty at times, especially in the pilot, but overall, it's entertaining. I'd put it in the same category as American Dad, where most of the humor comes from the main character's stubborn defiance of progressive ideals, complemented by characters who are either just different or mockingly liberal. It's a good enough show to just put on when you want to just relax and not put in a lot of thought.

posted by numaner (7 comments total)

Watched the pilot. I have a really, really high tolerance for lowbrow animated sitcoms, but I ended it with no interest in ever watching another episode. And I actually like American Dad.
posted by General Malaise at 1:07 PM on January 19, 2016 [1 favorite]

Uhhg. I lasted half of the first episode. American Dad, but on the border, and with a more resentful, less successful dad, and a lot of anal probing jokes. A lot.

Does it get any better?
posted by filthy light thief at 1:58 PM on January 19, 2016 [1 favorite]

I think the 2nd episode is the best so far, with a border wall and illegal immigrant smuggling. I think the show depends too much on stereotypes for jokes, which I suppose is the point, but it feels like it would've been edgy 15 years ago. Now it's not even that offensive, just kind of meh. But most of what revolves around Ernesto is funny to me because he's the most "real" of the character, in that he is actually how most immigrants are, and the overreaction and assumptions from everyone else is silly enough for a laugh.

The third episode has some super cartoony stuff, like a kaiju and magic church-going clothes, which made me smirk but felt even more out of place than the actual aliens from the first episode.
posted by numaner at 2:30 PM on January 19, 2016

Watched the pilot. I have a really, really high tolerance for lowbrow animated sitcoms, but I ended it with no interest in ever watching another episode. And I actually like American Dad.


Thank you. This is honestly the review I've been looking for.
Reviewer: "So Bordertown is pretty shitty."
Me: "But what if I don't mind shitty animated sitcoms?"
Reviewer: "No, still don't."
Me: "Okay then, thanks. I'll return to my Brickleberry marathon"

(I do not like Brickleberry.)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 3:19 PM on January 19, 2016 [1 favorite]

2nd episode had 4 rape(male on male mostly) jokes and 3 jokes about child rape/rapists.

I rarely care about such things and will watch anything without taking much offense but come on, it's a <1>
The moment when Ernesto becomes a "True American" is bitingly funny though.

I wish they would dial all the "let's be as bleeding cutting edge offensive as we can" back a little.
posted by M Edward at 4:08 PM on January 19, 2016 [1 favorite]

Yeah, it's definitely really uneven in terms of quality. I like the setup well enough, maybe they'll figure it out through out the first season, but I don't think I'm gonna keep up with it weekly.
posted by numaner at 5:25 PM on January 19, 2016

I'm giving this a pass. Fox is still really pissed with themselves for passing on Ted and now just greenlight anything Seth does, right?
posted by lmfsilva at 5:54 AM on January 20, 2016 [1 favorite]