TVSquad

When I first previewed Important Things with Demetri Martin, I was hoping it would get good enough ratings to allow Martin to stick around and explore a little bit. I've enjoyed him as a stand-up comedian, both live and on his Comedy Central specials.

Important Things was the perfect vehicle for Martin, showcasing his absurdist deadpan, allowing him to work with some talented friends like John Oliver, Jon Benjamin, David Cross, and Amanda Peet, and even letting him play a musical number or two.


Overall, the show was offbeat enough that it was far from a sure thing the show would gain an audience. If anything, I thought it would build if it were given the chance. Turned out the debut had the highest ratings of any premiere since Chappelle's Show.

Comedy Central wasted no time in signing up for a second season, before Martin got too busy promoting the new Ang Lee film Taking Woodstock, in which he is the lead, or writing and acting in upcoming films like Will and The Moon People, which are in various stages of development, and starring in Steven Soderberg's now-dead adaptation of Moneyball.

The DVD of season one of Important Things is hitting shelves September 8, just as Martin's profile is perhaps at its highest. The DVD includes all seven episodes of the show, plus some bonus sketches and outtakes (one of the best of which is Martin filling time in front of his studio audience singing an improvised folk tune).

Watching the episodes again, my assessment is much the same. It's a smart series with some great sketch premises (I especially enjoy the parking space argument between Martin and Benjamin), and I like the pacing between the taped and live material. I'm looking forward to seeing season two, and seeing how the show's audience develops.