I am a right of the middle type of person - and I 100% respect this show. I think it is important to have a show that more than likely and accurately describes black voices in a white liberal dominated society (ala San Fran) - the show hits more than it misses for me .. i could easily say "oh this is just PC BS trying to be shoved in my face" but it isn't - I truly think the scenarios shown in the show truly display a black voice whose journey to activism and fighting for his voice to be heard (which I wholeheartedly support) is difficult in a white dominated movement, because they truly want change ... at times if it feels they make fun of the woke movement and white liberals as being empty or nothing more than a virtue signal. I think the show feels real and at times misses which is why I don't think it is great by any means, but definitely watchable as Lamorne Morris is great.
64 Reviews
Woke Isn't Wrong
Mr_Yellow710 September 2020
There are a lot of things Woke does right. The cinematography/directing is great; they definitely had a vision and created it. From the color palette to the shots themselves. I particularly like the costume design as well, adding a bit more to each character style.
Where the show seems to falter is the foundation it's based on. The lessons are very heavy handed, which you might expect from the title "Woke" but they still seem to hit you over the head with them. Perhaps to drive them home but it does seem a bit overdone. The writing is okay but I actually find the supporting characters to be the most compelling and entertaining. Blake and T Murph nail their on screen relationship and it's hilarious.
All in all I would consider this a good watch with the homies and a harmless way to approach deep issues about American society as a minority. Does it have its downs? For sure. But it also has plenty of ups to keep you watching.
Where the show seems to falter is the foundation it's based on. The lessons are very heavy handed, which you might expect from the title "Woke" but they still seem to hit you over the head with them. Perhaps to drive them home but it does seem a bit overdone. The writing is okay but I actually find the supporting characters to be the most compelling and entertaining. Blake and T Murph nail their on screen relationship and it's hilarious.
All in all I would consider this a good watch with the homies and a harmless way to approach deep issues about American society as a minority. Does it have its downs? For sure. But it also has plenty of ups to keep you watching.
Relevant Today (Shot 2 Years Ago)
kenny-lopez25812 September 2020
I hope the people saying this is race baiting and then trying to cash in on what's going on in the world realize that this was filmed 2 years ago and the fact that it's still relevant today speaks volumes to what's going on and how woke this show really is so do your research before reviewing thanks :-)
This Show is Not About Being Woke
aarongregoryj10 April 2022
People are reviewing this show negatively in reaction to the title. The "woke" of the show refers to the main character beginning to see formerly non-sentient objects like mailboxes come to life and talk to him. Calling the show Woke was probably a mistake because it's a pretty chill show.. a cross between Wonderfalls and Spaced. I've watched a few episodes, and as far as I can tell the politics are very light, and not really the focus of the show, certainly not in a way that should alienate anybody. I wish we lived in a world where people weren't so angry.
It's Hard Being Woke
Ofgumby27 September 2020
Loved this first season. It captures the anxiety, uncertainty and confusion of having your eyes opened to the world the way it is instead of the way you want it to be. It's an uncomfortable place to be, and every episode this season reflects Keef's fits and starts into the new world. He makes mistakes and questionable decisions. He keeps his anger pushed down only for it to surface in unproductive ways. We see Keef try this season, and by the end, it looks like he might have hit his stride. I'm looking forward to season two.
Such a great show!
baseballsurf99 September 2020
More depressing than funny
archangestelle10 September 2020
After 2 episodes I'm sad.
Woke is not funny. I thought it's gonna be a parody of being woke. The talking objects just made it worse.
I loved Wonderfalls because of the talking objects!
Watching youtube is better than this!
I loved Wonderfalls because of the talking objects!
Watching youtube is better than this!
Not Sure Title Should Be Woke, But Cancelled
iamthehopefulone27 September 2020
It's a humorous quirky show with good actors. It did throw in the kitchen sink of current culture issues and how one person is navigating them. The writers didn't create enough character development for him or the title to named Woke. But he definitely got Cancelled-- so that might have curbed expectations. Yet, it is clever and I love his imaginary animated "friend". Watch the entire series and bring some popcorn! :)
Pay no mind to the deliberate down rating of this show.
dogillespiejr10 September 2020
I get it but it's dumb #AF
Billy D.-217 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I love everything about this show but the writing. The writing is a black hole. In this day in age, if an inanimate object starts talking to you and nobody else in the room hears it and you are not high, then you don't freak out. You just go with the flow. The problem with the character Keef is that he is not believable. His whole Comic Con moment was over the top. It was designed for a laugh and had no natural feel to it. Half what he says out his mouth is more demeaning than funny. The Black people for rent was a epic idea with a horrible execution. What you really have here is another Blackman in a step and fetch it role and having the wrong telling him he is funny while he is creating another negative stereotype.
It's ok
wookielee15 October 2020
I'm a Black Man in America. So I can definitely relate to the subject matter. And maybe that's why I don't like the show. I miss the days when Black Shows could just be Good shows without constantly pushing a narrative. It's not that funny of a show. And it's a little heavy handed. But it has some real funny moments. Defintely worth a pandemic watch. And some of y'all need to get of y'all feelings lol. It's just a tv show. Y'all so darn personal about this stuff.
Funny and completely original
jenncurran10 September 2020
valiant attempt
SnoopyStyle5 December 2022
In San Francisco, struggling cartoonist Keef Knight (Lamorne Morris) is on the verge of making it big with syndication. His characters are white bread and butter for a non-racial audience. His flatmates are white drug dealing Gunther and black Clovis living over a Chinese restaurant. He doesn't consider himself as a part of the racial divide until he is brutalized by the police. Gunther pushes back at the police and suffers no consequences. Now he's woke. He befriends Ayana (Sasheer Zamata) who runs an advocacy newspaper. He starts dating Adrienne (Rose McIver) who inspires him with a new idea.
In the pilot, I'm a little concerned about the Gunther and Clovis characters. They seem very one dimensional. It's good that the second episode shows Gunther with some empathy. They have apparently been friends for a while and are actually a fun trio. I like this group of friends and their chemistry. The show is trying to say something about our present-day situation, but it doesn't always get there. The closest comparison is Atlanta, but this is not at that level. It's a valiant attempt.
In the pilot, I'm a little concerned about the Gunther and Clovis characters. They seem very one dimensional. It's good that the second episode shows Gunther with some empathy. They have apparently been friends for a while and are actually a fun trio. I like this group of friends and their chemistry. The show is trying to say something about our present-day situation, but it doesn't always get there. The closest comparison is Atlanta, but this is not at that level. It's a valiant attempt.
Puts off the intended audience, I think?
timruiz8 February 2021
If this show was created for those already "woke" then fine. If it was created with the intent of invoking deeper "woke" thought by people not of color and/or not of a minority, then it seriously misses. It is too heavy handed and I think will only serve to deepen the "woke" divide. I think the reviews to-date prove that. This is not what need right now!
Great Show!
desireemoshiri10 September 2020
I saw the couple negative reviews of this show, and I was shocked. This show is well written, has great actors/voice actors, is hilarious, and has an amazing set up. I also love lamorne morris! I find this show to be very important and educational. America needs to wake up.
The first season was SO good, what happened?
orcinussr12 April 2022
Now we're being beaten over the head - it's as if the once nuanced social commentary has itself become problematic and now that people can criticisize everyone else, provided they have the luxury of social media's current ( and often hypocaphal) banner behind them, if they DON'T go HAM on an issue that they'll be seen as not being committed - ya know nevermind - but I will say this in open court - I used to be SUCH an ally and I still am, but being forcibly subjected these topics every time I want to view content for entertainment I guess I'm getting resentful, I'm not proud of that but I'm just telling you how I feel, how I am very much worried that others feel, others that won't speak openly about it so we will never know who they are until it's too late.
Timely
sbisho-5180410 September 2020
We are still waking up to Woke
WhitDuBois11 September 2020
Go woke, go broke
buggsi16 September 2020
The energizer bunny keeps going and going. This show kept going and going... in the wrong direction. The first two episodes were ok, interesting concept, but past that, the writing became crappy and boring. The acting also went downhill. The only positive thing I appreciated was the cinematography, very cool angles with vibrant colors, have the feel of well shot movie. Other than that, it's garbage and a waste of time.
A Serious Funny Show
sarine_voltage23 April 2022
I'm a Single White Heterosexual Female Living in San Francisco (yes, I'm taking on the format of the "Top Review" here) and I think this show is pretty damn funny, many times totally, ironically, and sadly capturing the essence of life in SF ala 2022 for sure.
Season 1 episode 7 was especially SF-on and the bus scene hilarious. (Disclaimer: Nothing at all against Kubby, I love all animals, most are cooler than most humans, but it was the SF humanoids' reactions that were so spot on and so sadly hilarious in this episode.)
And the actors and everyone else involved in making this show do a great job.
Season 1 episode 7 was especially SF-on and the bus scene hilarious. (Disclaimer: Nothing at all against Kubby, I love all animals, most are cooler than most humans, but it was the SF humanoids' reactions that were so spot on and so sadly hilarious in this episode.)
And the actors and everyone else involved in making this show do a great job.
One and done?
donaldgilbert14 September 2020
Pros: Technically looks pretty good, including set design, costumes, and the animation is fun and well done.
Cons: Way too contrived and heavy-handed to appeal either to my tv taste or my sense of humor. I couldn't see beyond the corporate intention: "a funny take on a serious issue that people can enjoy and laugh about while also being made aware". Maybe it's just impossible to take a (figuratively speaking) "cartoonish" approach to BLM and systemic racism. Maybe it's too soon to make this tragedy a comedy. I don't know.
Summary: It's not my normal practice to review a series based on one episode so dismiss if you wish but I have a difficult time considering watching episode 2.
Cons: Way too contrived and heavy-handed to appeal either to my tv taste or my sense of humor. I couldn't see beyond the corporate intention: "a funny take on a serious issue that people can enjoy and laugh about while also being made aware". Maybe it's just impossible to take a (figuratively speaking) "cartoonish" approach to BLM and systemic racism. Maybe it's too soon to make this tragedy a comedy. I don't know.
Summary: It's not my normal practice to review a series based on one episode so dismiss if you wish but I have a difficult time considering watching episode 2.
Terrific New Show
tim-white72713 September 2020
We see you
nowlifecoaching13 September 2020
Filmed two years ago & belongs in right now
unipax912 September 2020
Man this sucks
moneypennycharley4 December 2020
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