No Activity (American TV series)

Did You Know?

• Showcase (Canadian TV channel) broadcast season 1 in autumn 2020.
• A teaser trailer for the first season was released on October 4, 2017.
• In January 2023, the series was removed from Paramount+.

Premise

The first series is set against a major drug cartel bust and follows two low-level cops who have spent too much time in a car together, two criminals kept in the dark, two dispatch workers who have not clicked, and two Mexican tunnelers in a small space. The second and third series juxtapose the pair of cops and pair of criminals, expanding on dispatch relationships. The second series adds an over-exuberant FBI agent. The third series revolves around demoted officers and resistance to robotic replacements.

Production

On August 1, 2017, CBS All Access ordered an American adaptation of the Australian series No Activity. Executive producers included Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Patrick Brammall, Trent O'Donnell, Jason Burrows, and Joe Farrell. Production companies were CBS Television Studios, Gary Sanchez Productions, and Funny Or Die. The series premiered on November 12, 2017. It was renewed for a second season on February 13, 2018, released all at once on November 22, 2018. A third season was announced on March 3, 2019, premiering on November 21, 2019. On October 29, 2020, a fourth season was ordered, animated rather than live-action due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cast included Patrick Brammall and Tim Meadows, with guest stars such as Will Ferrell, Jake Johnson, J. K. Simmons, and Amy Sedaris.

Reception

The first season received mixed reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 70% approval rating with an average rating of 5.58 out of 10 based on 10 reviews. The critical consensus described it as refreshingly slapdash and agreeably aimless, though its hook may be less satisfying for some. Metacritic assigned a score of 56 out of 100 based on 5 reviews, indicating mixed or average reviews. The Guardian's Luke Buckmaster gave the series 3 out of 5 stars, noting its minor key and appreciation of incongruity.