Jury Duty was a surprise sleeper hit when it launched on Amazon Freevee in 2023 thanks to its cracking concept. The mockumentary/prank show mash-up was built around an unsuspecting lead who doesn’t realise he’s surrounded by in-on-the-joke actors. Ronald Gladden – the construction worker who found himself in the middle of a calamity-strewn court case – turning out to be a genuinely nice guy was the show’s secret sauce. That warm-heartedness, combined with the meta thrill of wondering if this elaborate experiment would collapse any minute, lifted a show that would’ve felt light on laughs and drama were it fully scripted.
The first season also benefited from the joy of discovery (on an otherwise unremarkable and now-defunct streaming service) and viral buzz. The second, Company Retreat, comes pre-loaded with expectations. The good news is that the team behind it – led by creators Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, who cut their teeth on The Office US – clearly understand what made the first series so appealing. They have doubled down on the likeable everyman lead and generally good-natured vibe. But, with the novelty value diminished, the shortcomings of the format aren’t quite so easily excused.
Wisely switching up the setting, Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat takes place over the course of an extended getaway for the fictional Rockin’ Grandma’s hot sauce brand. This season’s unsuspecting dupe? Anthony Norman, a HR temp hired via Craigslist who finds himself in plenty of awkward situations on the important team-based excursion. Anthony is poised, charming and empathetic, which is a double-edged sword as the season progresses. He’s a pleasure to spend time with but is almost too well-equipped to deal with the chaos that’s carefully flung in his direction.
Perhaps because of the obligation to up the ante for the sequel, Company Retreat often feels more like a sitcom than a meta mockumentary. The supporting cast are more overtly actorly this time around and the scenarios are more outlandish. The retreat kicks off with an ill-judged romantic gesture that sees one staff member fleeing in embarrassment, leaving Anthony to try and pick up the pieces. There’s also a more distinct echo of The Office, particularly with a deliberate storyline involving Rockin’ Grandma’s fake CEO Doug (Jerry Hauck) looking for a successor with his puppyish son Dougie Jr. (Alex Bonifer) and corporate suits both with their eyes on the sauce empire.
That more pronounced narrative arc might invite cynicism from jaded viewers, as could Anthony’s almost heroic decision to go all in with his new family so quickly. Season two also lacks the equivalent of Jury Duty’s secret weapon James Marsden, who had no problem sending himself up as part of the outrageous tale. Company Retreat does feature a pop star cameo, but it’s much less freewheeling.
Still, Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat is a very easy show to coast along with. There are a couple of laugh-out-loud moments – a TMI lecture from an inspirational speaker is a gut-busting highlight – and if it lacks the element of surprise this time round, the amiable cast and oblivious protagonist still make for very pleasant company.
‘Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat’ is available to watch from March 20 on Amazon Prime Video