Time Traveling Bong

Time Traveling Bong is certainly as wacky and bizarre as it sounds. A fascinating specimen in Comedy Central's lineup, this 2016 mini-series experiments with the idea of a folly-filled journey through time. Desiccated in the blistering heat of stoner humor, this program dips into the surreal pool of spaces, eras, and events in history, intricately infused with modern sensibilities. What sets it apart isn't merely this outlandishly original premise, but its adept weaving together of humorous narrative threads laden with incisive cultural and socio-political satire.

At the crux of this time-traveling romp are two cousins, Jeff and Sharee, portrayed by comedians Ilana Glazer and Paul W. Downs, both famed for their roles in Broad City. The first orb of this planet of humor, Jeff epitomizes the everyday loafer, whose laid-back personality and penchant for marijuana steer the storyline. His equally pothead cousin Sharee forms the other key protagonist, becoming the perfect foil to Jeff and adding layers to the show's trippy exploits.

The series begins in an ordinary setting where Jeff and Sharee smoke from what appears to be an innocuous, regular bong. However, much to their surprise, it turns out to be a time-traveling device, spiriting our duo away on whirlwind adventures through diverse periods of history, each having its own unique challenges, humor, and lessons to impart. The story takes a turn when the bong breaks, stranding Jeff and Sharee in different lanes of time, leaving them scrambling around for solutions, as they hop from one historical event to another, hoping to return home.

Central to Time Traveling Bong is its exploration of various epochs - from the prehistoric era inhabited by troglodytes, to the cloistered 1960s, and the dystopian 'future.' Every stop unravels new capers and conundrums for the cousins to tackle or toke their way out of, resulting in countless entertaining vignettes. But more than just being focused on stoner humor and temporal escapades, the show does an impressive job in incorporating political satire and social commentary. The series isn't afraid to poke fun at some historical figures and events, using them as springboards for broader commentary about our society.

Glazer and Downs's performances in Time Traveling Bong are truly commendable, as they manage to extract humor even from the most dangerous and unbelievable of circumstances, delivering their lines with a blend of verve and panache. Their chemistry is infectious, driving the narrative, and making it a truly engaging watch. They are aided by a specialist group of supporting cast whose performances add considerable depth to the series. The creators of the show, Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Ilana Glazer, deserve applause for fusing two disparate genres – comedy and sci-fi – and blending them with a potent dose of social commentary.

The production value of Time Traveling Bong, while maintaining its goofy ambiance, contributes to the show's charm. Like a ramshackle time machine made of odds and ends yet efficient, the show's aesthetic indicates a deliberate attempt to stay off the beaten path of conventional television comedy. The zany visual effects work well in highlighting the ludicrousness of the plot, while the carefully chosen costume and set designs add ally to the comic relief.

Time Traveling Bong is essentially an absurd and sometimes grotesque walkthrough of human history as seen through the eyes of two stoners. Despite its outlandish plot and over-the-top execution, it's coated with layers of thoughtful insights. It is a unique mini-series, having a perfect balance of irreverent humor, biting satire, and historical whimsy, intended for an audience willing to traverse on a hallucinatory journey across time. Give it a watch if you enjoy comedy that doesn't shy away from shaking up social norms, provoking thought, and tickling the funny bone simultaneously.