Netflix’s 5-Part Comedy Series Is as Close to Perfect as the Genre Gets

Love them or hate them, documentaries take themselves seriously when they dive deep into hefty material. From a jaunt through history to a grim true crime investigation, it might seem like a difficult genre to parody, but then came a character perfectly suited to mock through satire: Philomena Cunk. Before Netflix got its hold on Diane Morgan’s impeccable character, she had been lovingly terrorized British audiences for years. Then, Cunk on Earth arrived with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, and the world has never been the same.

Across five masterful episodes, the mockumentary parodies historical documentaries as the titular character guides audiences through the entire history of human civilization from prehistory to the present day. Engaging in actual interviews with mostly unsuspecting experts, Cunk — a well-meaning but clueless reporter — drops her brand of knowledge and deadpan nonsensical questions that keep viewers laughing. Mockumentary sitcoms be all the rage, but Cunk on Earth flips the camera, placing it on the individual asking the hard-hitting questions. In return, viewers are given the gift of perfect comedy like no other show on television.

‘Cunk on Earth’ Is a Comedy Masterclass

While mockumentary sitcoms focus on the subject, Cunk on Earth puts the camera on the documentarian who knows even less than we do. Prior to her global domination, Cunk was a British icon. Previous mockumentary topics included Shakespeare, Britain, and Christmas. Comparatively, they were simple topics, while Cunk on Earth focuses on history, culture, science, and technology. The series is truly a showcase of Morgan’s masterclass character. Created by Charlie Brooker of Black Mirror fame, Cunk on Earth looks and sounds like a lavish BBC documentary, including stunning drone shots, sweeping landscapes, and rich historical context. That is then completely juxtaposed with utter nonsense, led by a incompetent narrator.

The series is brilliantly crafted, and the mundane is elevated thanks to Morgan’s top-tier comic prowess. Her deadpan delivery is unmatched. A beloved comedian outside the character, Morgan knows Cunk inside and out, providing a bulletproof confidence while being dead wrong in every scene. Though she’s admitted the occasional crack, the simple fact that she is rarely seen breaking character, committing fully, only makes the viewing experience funnier. The distinguished historians and academics play into the comedy as they are rendered bewildered by the one-liners she recites as if they are undisputed facts. We don’t laugh at them, but at the situation they find themselves in. History documentaries might not everyone’s cup of tea, but with Cunk at the helm, how could anyone turn away?

The Toughest Questions Get Asked by Cunk Through Necessary Satire

The draw of Cunk on Earth is the painstakingly authentic expert interviews. The one-on-ones are not meant to be gotcha moments; instead, they serve as a platform to recontextualize everything we thought we knew. Sharp satire is at the root of the series. Many of the topics explored throughout the five-part series are extraordinarily deep, and yet, through Philomena’s line of questioning and commenting, you’re left pondering the topics in a new light. When Cunk asks if Jesus was the “first victim of cancel culture” it’s not just hilarious, it’s using satire to call out parallels between history and our world today. Cunk on Earth gives viewers the freedom to think in ways they may not have before.

Who else is better equipped to ask what is more culturally significant, the Renaissance or “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé? Had it not been for Cunk on Earth, we might not have ever known the history of the Belgian techno anthem “Pump Up the Jam.” These are just examples of the sheer brilliance of the series’ writing. Like a smart comedy should, the recurring gags sprinkled in each of the five episodes make the series an entertaining binge. Between “Pump Up the Jam” and her mate, Paul, the bits and bobs add flavor to the writing.

Cunk on Earth is perfectly ridiculous. No other character could get away with what Cunk does. And there is no one else we could trust with the history of the world other than Cunk. An easy single-seat binge, Cunk on Earth will lead you to watch Cunk on Life as you await the upcoming Cunk on Cinema. We’ve seen her grisly commentary on technology; there’s no telling how she’ll take AI in Hollywood.

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Release Date

January 31, 2023

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Cast

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  Diane Morgan

  Philomena Cunk

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