Toon (2016–2017) User Reviews

EarthZoo Sign: "Please Don't Spotlight the Introvert!"

[TrTm316 · 8/10 · 2 December 2019]

We laughed, we cried, and wow, we cringed a lot at the uncomfortable social situations that introvert Toon was continually dragged through by folks who feel impelled to "help" him. Whether this excellent series was intended to satirize Dutch culture I don't know, but it seems to play and apply just as well to the instant celebrity absurdity here in the U.S., and probably anywhere.

In the first season, Toon's fame is inadvertent, as a video of his (unsolicited) birthday party goes viral. In season two, skill and effort as an on-the-couch gamer keep him in the public eye. Throughout it all, he makes some effort to avoid the spotlight, but he lacks the social skill and gusto to interrupt a whirlwind that wouldn't stop even if he tried. He ends up taking, as (relationship: it's complicated) Nina points out, "the path of least resistance." And so he's carried along on a painful journey, winning our empathy even as we wince at his inability to grab folks by the scruff of the neck and scream, "F Off!"

Some have complained that the character Toon doesn't show much development. They're missing the point of the whole darn show: he's mostly content with who he is and how he lives, and he shouldn't have to "progress" for the satisfaction of the majority who think everyone should fit the same mold! He does eventually develop some agency to keep true to himself, but Toon will always be Toon. And the world is better, that he can be.

Well worth watching!

A collection of awkward moments

[lufreiheit · 9/10 · 16 September 2020]

The series is really good, makes you wish for a third season. I understood that the whole series is based on making you uncomfortable. There's a german word for that, it's "Fremdschämen" that it's about feeling embarrassed for the others' behavior, situation. It's impressive how good the actors were in creating this atmosphere, it happens in every single scene and you just want them to get out of the situation due to the awkwardness, almost like invited by Toon's refrain

must see!!!

[joystyk · 9/10 · 1 November 2019]

Spectacular. must see especially if you like dark humor. discovery of the year

Excellent Dutch TV show

[Dirkjanvanvliet · 10/10 · 5 June 2017]

Most Dutch TV-shows are mediocre at best. Toon however, is an exception to this rule. Maybe because it is an independent production, created by KPN (and you can only watch it through a KPN subscription in the Netherlands at this time).

By accident a clip of the nerdy and clumsy Toon, with whom everyone can identify at least a little bit, goes viral. In this clip Toon sings together with the beautiful Nina, who is also socially a bit awkward, and with this clip they suddenly become famous. Toon's sister starts to take care of this duo and becomes their manager. In trying to get the Toon & Nina act even more famous, Toon gets into a lot of socially difficult situations with which he almost can't cope. But every time they seem to get out of it with flying colors.

The roles are played very well by the for me unknown Dutch cast. The story lines are funny and entertaining. Well worth the watch!

(Probably only interesting for Dutchies, because of the references to Dutch locations and cultural events)

Detailed, Oddly Funny and Entertaining

[orcunoztamur-66247 · 25 October 2019]

Well first of all I laughed it big time. And it was not a smiley laugh it was really genuine laughter. I did not expect this much comprehensive directing, you could catch up some rare moments that make you laugh every frame of the show.

You do not have to give time to it either, that is the another good thing with it. It just start and takes you in. Protagonist is played extraordinary and originally, naturally funny dude. He did not have to say anything at all, he make you smile you just have to watch him.

This one is for everyone, it is not cultural or national comic. Everyone who like the funny stuff may have liked it..

That's good stuff

[felixfrey-50190 · 10/10 · 7 November 2020]

If you love Curb your Enthusiasm, Arrested Development or Peep Show, you will have a good time watching "Toon". Great acting, well-written dialogues, well-paced and awkwardly funny in the best way. Plus, it's interesting to watch something from the Netherlands.

Hidden gem

[steviedtank · 10/10 · 11 January 2021]

Brilliant, brilliant series full of warmth. Very funny and relatable. Hope they get to make more! Definitely recommend watching

Laughed out loud countless times.

[alexbreet · 10/10 · 31 October 2019]

I do not normally chuckle at a show but this show is very entertaining. It is not the plot that makes it so entertaining but the conversations and situations that the characters get into. This show points out ridiculous parts of our lives which when accept as normal. They also turn realistic and ordinary moments into comedic ones. Hidden gem.

A lot of the same

[ruud-35 · 7/10 · 29 October 2019]

Toon is a Dutch tragycomedy about a nerd who becomes by accident an Hero. It s really funny by moments and sometimes akward to watch.,it' s a Dutch sense of humor who is probably difficult to understand for foreigners. The problem of this tv show is that it does not develop very much. Season 1 is all about Toon a stardom as a Popstar, season 2 is more or less of the same as a renowned gamer.

Unexpected pleasure

[El-Pata · 8/10 · 12 February 2021]

Totally unexpected small production turned out to be a brilliant portrait of modern society and its flaws. Started watching it in order to dust my dutch I didn't use much for a while and to my surprise I found a little gem. Socially awkward Toon gets dragged into the modern showbusiness despite his desperate tries to stay away from any attention and public exposure. Charming , ironical, thought provoking and a very enjoyable watch. Don't miss it!

Someone needs to send the royalty checks to Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant

[notraxx · 9/10 · 28 October 2019]

This show is quite entertaining and stands of the shoulders of the two British gents mentioned above. There are situations and personalities that are directly taken from The Office and Extras, but I don't mean to take anything away from this show. It executes its conceit with aplomb. The central character Toon is indecisive and a recluse. These central character flaws hit the sweet spot as everyone around him wants him to be famous, and he has to be decisive to get the girl. Strong storytelling and awkward situations ensue and catapulted this series to the top of my netflix list. Worth a binge at the least. Enjoy.

Not funny just cringe. Very predictable storyline

[claudianistor-42803 · 3/10 · 7 September 2021]

I am trying to improve my Dutch, obviously this the only reason anyone would watch Dutch films. After browsing all the Dutch films on Netflix and stopping a few minutes after seeing how every single one of them is cheap forced copy of Hollywood movies, I thought wow this seems more watchable, it resembles peep show a little. But it is NOT FUNNY, and what is the point of the cringy situations then? And if you go with cringe why not at least exaggerate the cringe? The characters in the movie are the same stereotypes as in ALL OTHER AMERICAN movies: the boring uncharismatic nerd with the common quircks, the girl next door with no personality( the girl from the band), the excentric business brothers (but not TOO excentric ofc). And the storyline is so predictable this is the most annoying aspect. And why be American if you are Dutch? I know that no one likes Dutch people but why not show something from your Dutch culture then, HAVE SOME PERSONALITY PLEASE.

Sorry if I went off a little but it is so hard to listen to something in Dutch as there is 0 quality content out there. I did kind of like Borgman.

Who (or what) is Ab?

[sloanlance · 9/10 · 4 July 2021]

Season 1 of the series includes a character named Ab. Without spoiling anything, I can say that he is often around at key moments, supporting our hero. The way he just happened to appear at the right time made me think the was a figment of Toon's imagination, but the other characters interact with him, so that theory was blown.

Super funny

[danielmenco · 10/10 · 25 November 2019]

This is a super funny series. Super dry and funny. Makes fun out of the Dutch culture.

Get out of My House

[unended · 10/10 · 19 March 2021]

This is simultaneously a 16-episode meet cute and a tale of the fear of intimacy and commitment. So it's relatable.

something different.

[jackfield-61059 · 10/10 · 17 August 2021]

I liked this Dutch tv comedy because it a bit different to most.

Awkward Entertainment

[deepfrieddodo · 8/10 · 23 July 2023]

Socially-stunted Toon finds himself unwillingly thrust into the spotlight through a viral video, leading to his closest family and friends pushing him through an unwanted blossoming career. It's funny and heartfelt whilst often sad, as the audience is left with no option but to sympathise with the hapless lead.

All the comedy comes from Toon's unprepared reactions to everyone and everything that springs up around him. Whilst it is intentionally uncomfortable, its a relatable image as he struggles to find the right cues. Either with good or selfish intentions, Toon is surrounded by a cast of characters equally as disfunctional in their own way. Their own stories allow a connection between themselves and the audience.

A sweet series with a hint of melancholy and a heavy dose of anxiety, Toon relies on it's brilliant pacing and an endearing lead adapting to being the focus of a media circus.

Success!

[johnpmoseley · 9/10 · 23 April 2022]

That seems to be what Dutch people say to wish each other well, but maybe it's used with especial frequency here where the desirability of success, especially in the hellish vapidity of social media, is perpetually, ironically thrown into question.

Brilliant show, often as subversive as Seinfeld and at its best equally funny, occasionally funnier. Even if it wasn't so well-written and engaging, it would have a special place in my heart for the ruthless way it exposes and lampoons grosser male attitudes to women - attitudes decidedly not those of the very likeable and interesting main character, Toon.

Other than that, sort of an aside, but I can't help noting that some of the publicity images, including the primary one on IMDB, make Toon more, shall we say, conventionally attractive than he actually is. Given that this show is primarily a satire of precisely this kind of PR fatuity, this feels a bit like a punch in the stomach. His actual face is fine, guys. FFS.