Raunchy ‘Tires’ Finds the Funny in Season 2
“Seinfeld” wasn’t “Seinfeld” out of the gate.
The iconic sitcom, which began as “The Seinfeld Chronicles,” needed a few episodes before the show’s ensemble clicked into place. “Modern Family” found its stellar groove in episode two.
The ribald Netflix comedy “Tires” labored through six installments last year, proving fitfully funny but little more.
Season two is different. Better. Sharper. Must-see territory. You’ll even catch a major movie star “crashing” one episode.
And it starts with the “Saturday Night Live” castoff who is becoming far more than a rebel comic for hire.
Valley Forge Automotive Center is basking in something unfamiliar to the shop. Success.
Will (show co-creator Steve Gerben) slashed prices on tires at the end of season one, and the move has paid off. He’s even offered to make Shane the mechanic (Gillis) a manager. But Shane is busy flirting with a comely customer (Veronika Slowikowska, sharp) and keeping his wayward Pa (Thomas Haden Church, perennially great) at arm’s length.
Season one proved interesting on a few levels. The show wasn’t following the sitcom template, and Gillis’ comic rhythms made some sections pop. Still, it wasn’t as insightful as needed and the stories didn’t grab you by the collar.
The new episodes fix both problems.
“Tires” is alternately sweet and hard-R rated funny, the latter making the show a poor choice for clean comedy fans. Those who relish Apatow-style yuks will savor the bawdy bits.
Best of all?
The raunchy gags rarely feel forced or desperate. It’s just part of the thick tapestry of humor that coats each of the show’s 12 new episodes. “Airplane!” set the benchmark for rat-a-tat comedy, a technique that barely gives one time to breathe.
“Tires” isn’t in that grand tradition, but it’s rare to find a moment that lacks a farcical bent.
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Gillis’ creative partner John McKeever (“Gilly & Keeves”) keeps the show on steady ground, allowing the humor to develop organically. The writers may change from episode to episode, but McKeever knows exactly the tone he longs to project.
The show also packs a bittersweet punch that gives it an underdog appeal. Will is trying to prove to his father that he’s an entrepreneur in his own right, and he’s constantly bullied by Shane in the workplace. It’s good-natured, but it still leaves a mark.
FIRST LOOK: Vince Vaughn, Ron White, Thomas Haden Church, Jon Lovitz, Veronika Slowikowska, and Steph Tolev will guest star in Season 2 of Tires, starring Shane Gillis #NextOnNetflix pic.twitter.com/QHZ5nlOfAj
— Netflix Is A Joke (@NetflixIsAJoke) January 30, 2025
Shane wallows in his slacker identity, but when an old friend gets the job offered to him he softens. It helps that his replacement powers a killer installment, one of many episodes that can’t be missed.
Slowikowska’s emergence mid-season also finds Shane trying to be a better human being. It’s a tall task, but he might just be up for it.
Or not. The journey is the point.
“Tires” started as an obligation of sorts. Someday saw Gillis’ stand-up fame and gave him his obligatory sitcom shot. It’s grown into something more, a series with purpose and plenty of laughs.
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