The Long Weekend: “Tires”
May has been a busy month for Netflix's comedy genre, with "The Roast of Tom Brady," "John Mulaney Presents: Everybody is in L.A.," Katt Williams's comedy special "Woke Foke," Jerry Seinfeld, "Unfrosted," and Shane Gillis's new comedy sitcom, "Tires." If you follow the tone of these recent projects, they all share one thing in common—creative freedom. Is it perfect timing? Were these releases all part of a plan to swing the pendulum off its point and send it flying into some folk's Strawberry Acai refresher? There was not enough time to run to Instagram or Twitter (X) when they were knocked off their path with unhinged comedic relief. But this swing of Mayhem was only a matter of time, and credit to Netflix for kicking the door down.
Already renewed for a second season immediately after the season one premiere, 'Tires,' released this past Thursday, May 23rd, with six episodes. With its unique storytelling, the show revolves around Will (Steve Gerben), who inherits his father's tire shop and embarks on a journey to revive the business while navigating the hilarious antics of his cousin and employee, Shane (Shane Gillis).
Shot on a hand-held camera similar to "The Office," Gillis's director and writing partner John McKeever uses this technique to capture close-up reactions of the characters in the show whenever an off-brand remark is delivered. The sitcom sprouted from a pilot in 2019 released on Gillis and McKeevers YouTube channel, "Gilly & Keeves," which is the home to many other sketches like "OnlyFans Dad," which is worth the watch if you have not seen it yet. The sketch show's brilliance was only a matter of time before the show was picked up and brought to a broader audience for more well-deserved money.
The series features comedians like Stavros Halikas, Andrew Schulz, and Chris O'Connor, and an appearance from one of the (D.A.W.G.Z.), Matt McCusker. This credit to Netflix for allowing fellow comedians who all know and respect each other to shine in their own way, playing roles tailor-made for them and no one else. For example, Stavros plays Dave, one of the corporate higher-ups who reports directly to Will's father and has to make painful phone calls with him to be the bearer of bad news. Stavros's character is a version of himself on the hunt for a great Italian sub, fueling his body off vending machine snacks as he drives away in a two-door convertible that should be for anyone else but him. Schulz plays the perfect Italian with the worst timing as the character working for "Andiamo Auto Sales."
Some audience members need more motivation amongst the supporting characters to seek a life outside the shop. Still, it couldn't be more accurate to see the lives of people working jobs like this when you are in an air-conditioned office. In the same way, there was a level of complacency in characters in shows like "The Office" and "Parks & Rec"; just like in real life, you don't know how you ended up at this point in life working a job you hate, but you once had dreams and certain decisions lead to where you are now. "Tires" demonstrates a different kind of workplace comedy that we haven't seen in a while. Does anyone remember "Taxi"? Let's not be so needy for emotional storylines where there is a life lesson to be learned in every episode but instead enjoy the bits "Tires" has to offer. And if there is anything to be taken away from season one, it is to not take yourself too seriously.
