Directed by Matt Johnson
Musicians Matt and Jay attempt to achieve their dream of playing at a small Toronto venue, the Rivoli, through a series of various schemes and publicity stunts.
“Sneaking around gets you nowhere!”
“But what if you had to sneak a TV series on Letterboxd for a friend?”
“Hahaha! You IDIOT! You’re a sneaking BITCH”
“Please, I’m sorry!”
“F*ck you! Sneaking around is never going to pay off! You fat f*ck!”
*Matt screams in anguish*
I would chop off my arm for another season of this show
P E A K
AMAZING. it really really is “the best show that no one’s heard of”
you wouldn’t BELIEVE how many times I searched “nirvanna the band the show did matt johnson really _______?” into google while watching this show. and you also wouldn’t believe how LITTLE information I actually ended up finding. where is the line between reality and fiction? how much is improv and how much is scripted? I don’t know what reality is anymore. I don’t know anything anymore. all I know is Matt and Jay. all I know is The Rivoli. all I know is I need to watch this show again immediately.
Big talker, let's see if you're a big kisser.
“A genderless burger experience” has been stuck in my head as a phrase all week
Revisiting the original web series for the first time since high school was like taking a warm bath. Some of the most charmingly anarchic, spontaneous and absurd use of the crude home movie/mockumentary thing that was big on every sitcom and internet sketch comedy show around this time (with a hint of that hidden camera prank fiction or reality bending), but more importantly just an incredibly accurate depiction of what having best friend in Toronto and trying to hustle your way into a show on Queen Street is like. Gags I was happy to be reminded of: camera guy's reaction to Matt's stupid Penguin "BAD LUCK!" umbrella bit; Jay's discomfort at the OJ Simpson endorsement suggestion; "Remember when I ate…
I've never negotiated before, I just said that so I could look tough in a library setting
JERRY I NEED A PICKLE *Seinfeld theme starts playing*
It's the gay panic, and we confront them with their homophobia.
this is a show for girls who’s favourite video game is wii sports
The Iranian new wave focused on blurring the lines between fiction and reality (often combining) to make immersive films. Since Matt Johnson is a massive cinephile, it's pretty obvious he was heavily influenced by that era.
Nirvana the band the show is a hilarious and witty mockumentary that is able to keep normal audiences entertained and reward active audiences. There are lots of clever gags that make for good rewatch value and the mockumentary style is heightened with real stunts. This leaves the audiences on their toes trying to figure out what's real and what's staged. The show gets much better when you go out of your way to watch interviews of it and discover some trivia that changes your whole perspective on the show.
This is a show for everyone
