Loiter Squad is an American adult sketch comedy television series on Adult Swim. The show features sketches, man on the street segments, pranks and music from members of hip hop group Odd Future. Loiter Squad premiered on March 25, 2012 and ended on May 15, 2014 after three seasons.
The show has received a mixed critical response, with some praising its irreverent and chaotic humor while others criticized its reliance on shock value and racist/sexist themes. As such, whether Loiter Squad is a “good” show largely depends on personal taste and sense of humor.
What is Loiter Squad?
Loiter Squad is structured like a typical sketch comedy show, with short comedic bits linked together with pranks and man on the street-style interviews. Segments range from a few seconds to a few minutes long.
The show features members of Odd Future (Tyler, The Creator, Jasper Dolphin, Taco Bennett, Earl Sweatshirt and Lionel Boyce) along with guests like Na`kel, Davon Wilson and Casey Veggies. The sketches have a DIY aesthetic and often take place in parking lots, fast food restaurants and other public spaces around Los Angeles.
Much of the humor on Loiter Squad is intentionally absurdist, offensive and controversial. The show incorporates copious profanity, nudity, drug references, violence and intentionally childish jokes. Recurring elements include prank phone calls, ad parodies, mock music videos and chaotic street stunts involving non-consenting members of the public.
Positive Aspects
Here are some of the main positive aspects of Loiter Squad that fans cite:
Unpredictable and Absurdist Humor
Fans argue that the show’s surreal, non-sequitur comedy is refreshing in today’s TV landscape. Loiter Squad doesn’t follow standard sketch comedy formulas – the sketches often lack traditional punchlines and narrative logic. Supporters feel this absurdism is what makes the show unique and entertaining.
Pushes Boundaries
Loiter Squad prides itself on boundary-pushing humor. The show tackles taboo topics without concern for who might be offended. This results in humor that is transgressive and subversive, which fans find exciting and cathartic.
Showcases Odd Future’s Talent
Beyond the humor, Loiter Squad provides a platform for Odd Future to showcase their creativity. Fans argue it demonstrates the range of the group’s talent – from writing and acting to directing and music production.
DIY Authenticity
Loiter Squad has a raw, DIY aesthetic that supporters find refreshing. The low-budget look and feel gives the show an authenticity that is lacking in slick, overproduced sketch comedy programs.
Youth Appeal
As a show starring popular rappers and embracing youth counterculture, Loiter Squad holds strong appeal among teens and young adults. This demographic gravitation is a positive for fans within that age group.
Negative Aspects
Here are some of the main criticisms against Loiter Squad:
Over-Reliance on Shock Humor
Many critics argue that Loiter Squad too often resorts to shock value and offense rather than clever writing. They feel the show’s reliance on profanity, slurs, stereotypes and taboo subjects is an indication of lazy comedy writing.
Mean-Spirited
Some find the mean and chaotic nature of the pranks and street stunts to be needlessly cruel rather than funny. Ambushing regular citizens who haven’t consented to be publicly ridiculed comes across as bullying to these critics.
Insensitive and Offensive
Loiter Squad has been accused of racism, sexism, homophobia and making light of issues like sexual assault and mental illness. Critics argue the show reinforces harmful stereotypes and marginalizes oppressed groups. For them, the “no boundaries” humor crosses too many lines.
Lack of Narrative Structure
The chaotic, disjointed nature of the sketches is seen as a flaw by some critics. They argue that the show lacks solid writing fundamentals like coherent premises, character development and narrative escalation.
Poor Role Models
Given that Loiter Squad stars popular rappers like Tyler the Creator, critics argue their bad behavior on the show is a poor influence on young, impressionable fans. They criticize Odd Future as promoting delinquency and disrespect through their antics.
Conclusion
In the end, whether Loiter Squad is a good show comes down to subjective taste and an individual’s tolerance for vulgarity. The series undeniably provides a unique platform for Odd Future to exercise their absurdist humor and boundary-pushing comedy. For those who appreciate this style, Loiter Squad offers a wild, unpredictable ride.
But the show’s constant resorting to shock value, cruelty and offensive material makes it deeply problematic in the eyes of many critics and viewers. While fans may find the humor clever and subversive, detractors see a show relying on mean-spiritedness and marginalization at the expense of good writing and positivity.
So is Loiter Squad funny or just offensive? The answer depends on each viewer’s comedic preferences and values. The show asks its audience to go along for a chaotic, lawless ride – whether you deem that journey to be exhilarating or repulsive is a personal judgment call. Loiter Squad is certainly not intended to have mass appeal, but for those who enjoy watching social norms get turned upside down and viciously ridiculed, it offers a form of aggressive, punk rock comedy you won’t find anywhere else on television.
| Positive Aspects | Negative Aspects |
|---|---|
| Unpredictable, absurdist humor | Over-reliance on shock value |
| Pushes comedic boundaries | Mean-spirited tone |
| Showcases Odd Future’s talent | Insensitive and offensive |
| DIY authenticity | Lack of narrative structure |
| Youth appeal | Poor role models |
FAQs
Who stars in Loiter Squad?
Loiter Squad stars members of the rap group Odd Future, including Tyler, The Creator, Jasper Dolphin, Taco Bennett, Earl Sweatshirt and Lionel Boyce. Other regulars include Na’kel, Davon Wilson and Casey Veggies.
What network is Loiter Squad on?
Loiter Squad airs on Adult Swim, a programming block on Cartoon Network featuring adult animation and comedy shows.
How long did Loiter Squad run for?
Loiter Squad ran for three seasons from 2012 to 2014, totaling 30 episodes.
Where is Loiter Squad filmed?
The show is filmed in various public locations around Los Angeles, mainly in parking lots, fast food restaurants, convenience stores and on neighborhood streets.
Is Loiter Squad scripted?
While the narrative sketches are scripted, the pranks and man on the street segments feature real reactions from non-actors who haven’t consented to being on the show.
Why was Loiter Squad canceled?
Adult Swim has not given an official reason for Loiter Squad’s cancellation. Possible explanations are declining viewership, the show’s controversial content or Odd Future members moving on to other projects.
Where can I watch Loiter Squad?
Currently, you can stream episodes of Loiter Squad through Adult Swim’s website or mobile app (with a cable subscription). The show is also available for digital purchase on YouTube, iTunes and Amazon Video.
Is Loiter Squad appropriate for kids?
No, Loiter Squad contains very strong language, sexual situations, violence and drug references throughout. The show was created for an adult audience.
Did Loiter Squad win any awards?
Loiter Squad won a 2013 Webby Award for Best Variety Series. The show was also nominated for a 2013 Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music.
Key Moments from Loiter Squad
Here are some of the most memorable sketches and moments from Loiter Squad’s three season run:
The LeBron James Parody Sketches
Recurring sketches featured Tyler the Creator playing an absurd parody version of NBA star LeBron James. In one, LeBron gets his mom Gloria strawberries for Mother’s Day but she rejects them, leading to a big argument.
When Tyler Took Over Kimmel
Odd Future took over Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2013, filling the episode with Loiter Squad-style mayhem and pranks for the audience. Tyler the Creator co-hosted wearing a blond wig.
The Rapper Warrior Ninja Sketch
A satirical sketch making fun of rapper personas, with Tyler and others posing as “Rapper Warrior Ninjas” with mystical rap powers. It features lines like “My flow is like a mystical samurai sword and I’m a master in lyrical combat.”
Teaching Grandma to Use Google
In this cringe-inducing prank, Tyler tries teaching an elderly lady how to use Google search on a laptop. His “instructions” involve searching shock terms and showing her gross-out images while she remains confused.
Jasper’s Donut Shop Meltdown
Jasper Dolphin has an epic meltdown inside a donut shop after being told they won’t make a custom donut order for him. He screams atcustomers and gets in a physical fight with an employee over the situation.
Earl Sweatshirt Interviews Eddie Murphy
Earl conducts a fake interview with Eddie Murphy at a park bench, where Murphy behaves erratically and gets angry at Earl’s ridiculous questions. The bit mocks celebrity culture and publicity stunts.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Impersonations
Lionel Boyce frequently appeared as an unhinged, angry Arnold Schwarzenegger character tromping around public places yelling his famous catchphrases at bystanders. His impressions proved a recurring highlight.
Slip ‘n Slide Golfing
Odd Future attaches golf holes to a slick Slip ‘n Slide mat laid out on a steep hill, then attempts to golf down it into the holes. The stunt predictably ends in heavy falls and injuries.
Impact and Legacy of Loiter Squad
Though its run was short, Loiter Squad made an impact as an influential sketch comedy series:
Paved the Way for Hip Hop Sketch Comedy
As a sketch show created by and starring rappers, Loiter Squad helped kick open doors for future hip hop-driven comedy shows like Chappelle’s Show, Key & Peele and Netflix’s Hip Hop Evolution.
Boosted Odd Future’s Profile
Beyond music, Loiter Squad showcased the rest of Odd Future’s talents and helped solidify their status as an iconic rap group that shaped youth counterculture in the early 2010s.
Inspired Controversial Humor
For better or worse, Loiter Squad’s no-boundaries humor and love of shock value went on to inspire and influence many comedians and comedy shows over the years that embraced controversial material.
Captured Spirit of Odd Future
With its anarchic energy and irreverent tone, fans argue Loiter Squad did an excellent job reflecting the ethos of Odd Future’s music – rebellious, chaotic and always seeking to subvert expectations.
Advanced Surrealist Comedy
Loiter Squad brought a new level of surrealism and absurdism into the sketch comedy genre, pushing boundaries in terms of non-linear, illogical premises that created a unique comedic rhythm and tone.
Highlighted New Filming Approach
The show’s guerrilla filmmaking tactics out in public places, rather than on closed TV sets, inspired new ways of thinking about low-budget, on-location shooting for comedy.
Though divisive in its humor, most agree Loiter Squad had an influence expanding the possibilities for sketch comedy and introducing new comedic talents to the spotlight. The show will be remembered as both groundbreaking and controversial.
Loiter Squad’s Funniest Sketches
Here is a subjective list of the 5 funniest Loiter Squad sketches:
5. Young Jasper’s First Date
Jasper goes on an awkward movie date but keeps getting into fights with other patrons, eventually scaring his date away. His childish attitude is heightened for comedic effect.
4. Supermarket Rampage
Tyler snaps and destroys products at a grocery store while ranting at the staff, culminating in him defecating on the floor and smearing food everywhere. Extremely surreal.
3. Lionel’s Cooking Show
Lionel hosts an unhinged cooking segment where he prepares disgusting meals like “lasagna” made of dog food and cigarettes topped with mouthwash. Truly nauseating.
2. Jasper Runs for Class President
Jasper makes an insane campaign speech filled with threats and profanity to become 6th grade class president. Features the classic line “Vote for me, or I’ll punch your fart box!”
1. Tyler Gets Wisdom Teeth Removed
After wisdom teeth surgery, a loopy Tyler says ridiculous things to his family and ends up stealing the dentist’s car while high on laughing gas. The perfect chaos.
While vulgar and offensive to many, these sketches represent the height of Loiter Squad’s absurdist humor and demonstrate Odd Future’s penchant for creating chaotic scenarios. Fans of this unrestrained comedic sensibility find these segments hilarious despite (or because of) their boundary-pushing nature.
Conclusion
Loiter Squad proved a polarizing show that highlighted the pros and cons of unrestrained shock humor. For fans of Odd Future’s music and humor style, it represented an entertaining expansion of their chaotic creative energy into the sketch comedy realm. But many others found the show lacking in wit and filled with needlessly offensive material that felt out of touch as times changed.
However, Loiter Squad undeniably left its mark as an influential pioneer of hip hop sketch comedy and as a bold experiment in surreal comedic absurdism. Looking back, the show can be best appreciated as an unfiltered time capsule of Odd Future’s talent and irreverence. While not to everyone’s taste, Loiter Squad offered something wholly unique in its embrace of chaos, caring little whether you laughed with them or at them.