The Bizarre World of PN & Friends Episode 30: Reboot

PN & Friends is one of numerous comedy web series that can be found on YouTube that is striving to connect with an audience.  A look at the comments section of Episode 30, “Reboot,” shows that the series is connecting strongly with at least some people, but a look at the view count shows a limited reach.  There is no shame in having a show that connects deeply rather than broadly.  Some of the best art will be seen by a select group of people who appreciate it more than the average viewer watching the newest hit streaming show.  But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways to enhance a show’s reach.  As “Reboot” shows, one can bring in more viewers by making the show more accessible while still maintaining what makes the show uniquely appealing. 

The first order of business is acknowledging what likely gives this show staying power with its current audience.  As “Reboot” shows, the series focuses on an aspiring entertainer, surrounded by ordinary, everyday acquaintances who have a sense of humor which is always crass and sometimes clever.  A low-budget approach to relatable if alienating humor has worked before, like in Kevin Smith’s Clerks, so it has a decent foundation.  But this house needs much more construction. 

I have no insight into the behind-the-scenes element of this show, but, the creator of PN & Friends ought to use his tripod more often.  The charm of the constant shaky cam wears off quickly, giving a distracting chaotic feel to scenes which should otherwise feel sharp and focused. 

On the opposite end of the spectrum is the music.  There is none.  Obviously a production of this scale will never feature a fully original orchestral soundtrack, but some royalty-free music would have been nice.  A largely scoreless approach to comedy, like in Napoleon Dynamite, really requires a very specific approach to comedy that is executed nearly perfectly.  The tone here is too goofy and bombastic to be supported by a soundtrack devoid of music or sound effects.  Even an in-joke or a passing Wilhelm Scream would help. 

“Reboot” goes beyond the typical widescreen format to include many scenes in the vertical “portrait” format.  Coupling this are the myriad of scenes staged on Zoom calls.  Two or three scenes in a forty-minute episode that feature these formatting changes brings a sense of realism and variety to the show.  But there are far more than two or three scenes in these alternate formats, and they are not short.  One does not want to make the audience feel like they are watching an extended vlog or podcast disguised as an independent comedy show. 

Episode 30 of PN & Friends barely does anything to help the audience understand the ongoing story, especially with the cliffhanger at the end.  One can get the gist of what’s going on, but just barely. The plot is not original, but, in this case, is cheerfully ironic.  The search for an aspiring entertainer seeking to improve his reach is probably reflective of real life, and that makes it particularly relatable, even if well-tread territory.  Unfortunately, that plot moves at a snail’s pace.  The amount of story packed into this forty-minute episode could very well have been twenty-five minutes, even if that would mean sacrificing some of the better moments. 

If you’re looking for something that has already realized its potential, Episode 30 of PN & Friends is not the place to go.  If you’re looking for something that could evolve into something cherished, then you might have something here.  “Reboot” is crass and sometimes incoherent, and has much room to improve, but with investments of time and care, could flower out of the seed of a vision.