Netflix's new workplace comedy Minimum Wage has viewers hooked after just one episode, with fans already rewatching the short episodes multiple times.
The first 14 episodes of the series became available on October 26. It is based on the breakout short-form sketch comedy series of the same name from American High Shorts, a production company born out of a disused high school in New York where it set most of its movies and shows.
The company expanded into sharing sketches online across platforms including Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. The web series version of Minimum Wage has millions of views on YouTube alone, with the company claiming billions of views across all its videos and accounts.
Full series order and cast
Netflix has picked up the workplace comedy for a full series order of 28 episodes in total. It is not yet known whether that will be separated into parts or whether the remaining instalments will form a season 2.
Fans have been told the new show will deliver the original's signature rapid-fire, short-form rhythm and comedy style. The series follows an overwhelmed group of teenagers as they struggle to run a local pizzeria while juggling school, a manic boss, and their minimum wage salaries. The stakes are low and the pressure is immense.
The cast includes Saturday Night Live breakout star Grace Reiter and Randall Park, who has previously appeared in Fresh Off The Boat and The Office US.
Fan reactions and early reviews
Minimum Wage is yet to attract enough reviews online to register a score on Rotten Tomatoes, but it has already gained attention from fans. One viewer who anticipated a binge shared online: "Absolutely squealin' like a hog for this."
Another viewer who had sped through episodes thanks to their brief runtime commented: "Perfectly timed jokes well performed by each cast member in episodes with wild and funny plots. I've rewatched this a couple times now, hoping it continues or they create something similar!"
Someone else added: "I can't believe how many times I burst out laughing sometimes it feels like comedy shows don't exist anymore and then you come across something like this and it gives you hope."
Another viewer shared their verdict in a video review and said: "Some of the episodes really crack me up. You know, side splitting, gut bustingly funny. I couldn't stop laughing out loud and some of the other episodes are just okay, but they are entertaining nonetheless. The best part is each episode is only 15 minutes short. So, if you come across an episode that doesn't quite tickle your funny bone, don't worry. It'll be over soon before you know it. But I personally think that this group of characters are so irresistibly amusing."
Minimum Wage is streaming on Netflix.
