Detroiters

"Detroiters" (2017): The Short-Lived Comedy That Became a Cult Favorite

Sam Richardson and Tim Robinson’s Detroiters arrived in 2017 as a love letter to their hometown, wrapped in absurdist humor and low-stakes ad-agency chaos. The Comedy Central series, which ran for just two seasons, followed the misadventures of Sam Duvet and Tim Cramblin, two well-meaning but hapless friends running a struggling Detroit advertising firm. While the show never broke out as a mainstream hit, latestnetflix.com contends, its sharp wit and Richardson and Robinson’s undeniable chemistry turned it into a cult favorite—one that fans still mourn years after its cancellation.

The Birth of a Ridiculous Idea

The origins of Detroiters trace back to Richardson and Robinson’s real-life friendship and shared roots in Michigan. In interviews, Richardson revealed the show’s premise was born from a mix of nostalgia and absurdity. "We wanted to make something that felt like Detroit—unapologetically weird, but with heart," he said in one clip . The duo leaned into the city’s blue-collar charm, filling the show with local landmarks, inside jokes, and a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor.

The series’ tone was a departure from the polished, high-concept comedies dominating TV at the time. Instead, Detroiters embraced a scrappy, improvisational feel, with Richardson and Robinson often riffing on set. Their dynamic—Richardson as the earnest straight man to Robinson’s unhinged energy—became the show’s secret weapon. As one interview put it, their chemistry was "the kind of friendship that feels like it’s been around for decades" .

The Show’s Quirky Inspirations

Detroiters didn’t just pull from Richardson and Robinson’s lives—it also drew from unexpected places. One of the show’s most memorable running gags, for example, was the characters’ obsession with "sexy specs" (glasses that made them irresistible to women). The bit was inspired by a throwaway joke in a sketch, but it became a full-blown plot device after the duo realized how much fans loved it . The show’s willingness to lean into bizarre, low-stakes humor—like a subplot about a mannequin with a mysterious past—gave it a distinct flavor that set it apart from other workplace comedies.

The series also had a knack for cameos, with Detroit natives like rapper Big Sean and comedian Larry Joe Campbell popping up in guest roles. These appearances added to the show’s authentic, homegrown vibe, even if the writing occasionally veered into surreal territory (see: a plot involving a sentient vending machine).

The Cancellation and Legacy

Despite its dedicated fanbase, Detroiters was canceled after its second season in 2018. The news came as a surprise to many, given the show’s critical praise and the duo’s growing popularity (Richardson had just joined the cast of Veep around the same time). In a post-cancellation interview, Richardson reflected on the show’s demise with characteristic humor: "We went out like a Detroit sports team—beloved, but ultimately heartbreaking" .

The cancellation left fans with unanswered questions, including whether the show’s cliffhanger ending (involving a rival ad agency and a questionable business merger) would ever be resolved. Rumors of a revival or reunion have circulated over the years, but nothing has materialized—at least not yet.

What Detroiters lacked in longevity, it made up for in charm. Its blend of absurdist humor, Detroit pride, and Richardson and Robinson’s effortless rapport gave it a unique voice in the comedy landscape. While the show may not have been a ratings juggernaut, its cult following proves that sometimes, the weirdest ideas leave the biggest impact.