Tom Segura’s Bad Thoughts, now streaming on Netflix, marks a sharp turn into sketch comedy for the comedian known for his no-holds-barred stand-up and podcasts. The six-episode series is outrageous, gross, and often laugh-out-loud funny, especially if you’re into the kind of boundary-pushing humour made popular by shows like I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson.
Both series thrive in that uncomfortable, anything-goes zone. Bad Thoughts leans even further into darker territory, with sketches about CIA assassinations gone wrong, warped family moments, and wildly inappropriate workplace antics. It’s not for everyone, but it’s clearly not trying to be.
Some sketches don’t quite land, either dragging the punchline or going for gross-out over substance, but they’re often short enough that you’re quickly onto the next. And when it hits, it really hits. There’s a handful of bits that will no doubt become favourites among fans.
What’s surprising is the show’s effort to thread together some recurring characters and storylines. While it’s mostly sketch-based, there’s some light serialisation, with cliffhangers and returning jokes that reward binge-watching. It’s not a full-blown narrative, but the structure gives it a little more staying power than your average sketch show.
As The Hollywood Reporter put it, the show is “rude and crude, not necessarily in a bad way.” That’s a fitting summary. Bad Thoughts is raw, confident, and clearly made by someone who knows their audience. It’s a fast, easy binge. If you’re a fan of Segura’s stand-up or enjoy dark, irreverent comedy, it’s well worth checking out.
It may not be perfect. But it doesn’t need to be. The point is to go too far, and sometimes that’s where the best laughs live.