‘Full Frontal’ Review: ‘Daily Show’ Grad Samantha Bee Fills the Jon Stewart Void

Comic’s new TBS series is a must-watch

Full Frontal with Samantha Bee- rehearsal
TBS

Samantha Bee was a key player on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and she’s taken her intelligently skewed vision of the world to a new level on her new TBS series “Full Frontal.” Late night is desperately in need of a wickedly smart female host and Bee is just the gal for the job — even if her show is technically in primetime. If the premiere is any indication, “Full Frontal” will be required weekly viewing.

In a laugh out loud segment about the current crop of Republican presidential candidates, Bee voiced harsh, profanity-laced commentary about the men vying for the highest office in the land and it was hilarious. A description of Ted Cruz was particularly vivid, with Bee describing him as “a horse-faced s–t salesman.” The show was equally merciless with other candidates, as Jeb! Bush got his own Werner Herzog inspired short film titled “Jeb?” with a German subtitle. It was sublimely funny.

Bee’s delivery is also terrific when she’s onstage by herself to do intros and transitions between segments. Though it looks like a one-woman show onscreen, there’s plenty of talent behind the camera including executive producers Jo Miller (who sat onstage knitting calmly while fielding questions during the show’s TCA press tour session), Tony Hernandez, Jason Jones and Miles Kahn.

Future episodes of “Full Frontal” will investigate diverse topics such as the military’s current inability to deal with female veterans’ health needs, because, as Bee found out, the VA doesn’t have any gynecologists on staff. Not every topic will be a women’s issue but it’s clear that every topic will go through Bee and company’s media savvy filter.

With “Full Frontal,” TBS truly has a comedy show that’s sure to become part of the cultural conversation and possibly fill the void felt by Jon Stewart‘s departure. There’s so much scathing, insightful, intelligent funny packed into “Full Frontal” and Bee’s ability to land a joke is beyond impressive. After last night, many viewers no doubt clicked “record series” on their DVRs.

“Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” airs Monday nights at 10:30 p.m. on TBS.

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