Watch Jon Benjamin Has a Van
- TV-14
- 2011
- 1 Season
-
7.5 (1,765)
Jon Benjamin Has a Van is a scripted comedy show on Comedy Central starring renowned voice artist and comedian, H. Jon Benjamin alongside co-star Leo Allen. The show premiered on 14 June 2011 and ran for a total of 10 episodes until its finale on 16 August 2011. The show is a take on the traditional news magazine format, with Benjamin playing a fictitious news reporter who hosts the show from his customized van. The show comprises pre-recorded investigative segments, skits, and in-studio interviews with notable public figures. Each episode features Benjamin's irreverent and unique perspective on current events or topical issues. The show is shot in a mockumentary style that parodies news magazine shows such as 60 Minutes and Dateline NBC. The show takes place mainly within the confines of Benjamin's van, which he has outfitted with various gadgets and gizmos to aid him in his reporting. The segments are blended with a humorous twist, and as the show progresses, viewers realize that the show's reporter, Jon Benjamin, is not your typical hard-hitting journalist. Instead, he is a comedic operator who often gets sidetracked or goes off on farcical tangents. One episode features Benjamin's coverage of animal rights activists protesting outside a lab that performs animal testing. In his report, Benjamin becomes enamored with a chimp that has been taught to ride a bicycle and ends up convincing the protesters to give him the monkey instead of setting it free. The monkey ends up wreaking havoc on the show's set and attacking Benjamin. In another episode, Benjamin explores the growing phenomenon of "adrenaline junkies" who seek extreme experiences to feel alive. Benjamin and his team infiltrate a group of extreme athletes who base jump from high-rise buildings. Benjamin participates in a jump but ends up getting stuck halfway down the building, leading to a comedic rescue. The show also features satirical skits such as "Book Reporting with Deirdre," where a woman dressed in period attire discusses classic literature in a dry monotone voice. Other skits include Benjamin attempting to scam a convenience store by creating his currency, and another featuring Benjamin as a life coach. The show's episodes revolve around various themes of interest to the millennial generation. Topics range from technology, religion, sex, politics, and drug use, and are tackled with Jon's signature brand of humor that often pokes fun at the absurdity of the current culture. Throughout the series, Benjamin is accompanied by his sidekick and co-writer Leo Allen, who contributes to the show's sketches and provides a comedic counterpoint to Benjamin's deadpan delivery. The dynamic between the two comedians adds another layer of comedic value to the show. Overall, Jon Benjamin Has a Van is a humorous commentary on the absurdity of modern life. The show is a testament to Jon Benjamin's unique comedic talents, offering a fresh take on news satire. With its mockumentary format and comedic style, Jon Benjamin Has a Van is a standout show on Comedy Central that is worth watching.