FOX's workplace comedy "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" has come a long way from being reminiscent of "The Office" and "Parks and Recreation" to be its own Golden Globe Award-winning machine. With Andy Samberg at the forefront of the show, the comedy has evolved over the last four years that it has been on air. Now celebrating its 99th episode and its fifth season, the show has definitely evolved from just a workplace comedy to something that viewers can find solace in, in the face of the horrific events in real life. Samberg, who recently welcomed a baby girl with wife Joanna Newsom, spoke with FOX News about how the show has changed and has become truly relevant without veering away from its identity as a comedy.
How the FOX series stays relevant
Andy Samberg, whose roots lay in "Saturday Night Live" and films like "Hot Rod," serves as the producer on "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" alongside executive producers and creators, Mike Schur and Dan Goor. Despite being a workplace comedy, the show didn't shy away from tackling real-life issues, including (most recently) prison corruption, police racism and racial profiling, and police corruption. Samberg told FOX News that they have "adjusted the show a little bit" because "times are changing around us," but continue to do what they did before: serve up plenty of laughs.
Actor believes that 'laughter is cathartic'
In terms of delivering the comedy in "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," Andy Samberg explained that he remains "a firm believer that laughter is cathartic." Nonetheless, he thinks that in these trying times, "everyone should really be present now," it's okay for audiences to want to escape and forget the worldly troubles for 25 minutes by watching the show, or any other comedy for that matter.
Series praised by the media
Last season, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" took on racial profiling, a hot topic that was delivered well through the comedy. In one episode, Sgt. Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews) was stopped on the streets after trying to find his daughter's toy. He was questioned for being out on the streets late at night by another cop.
The episode was critically acclaimed by viewers and the media, with TV Guide writing that the show "handles meaningful subjects with grace and thoughtfulness (while remaining hilarious)." Fans can look forward to more episodes of the FOX workplace comedy's fifth season which is now on air every Tuesday at 9:30 p.m.
