Vice Principals is created by the same people who created Eastbound and Down and The Righteous Gemstones so if you like that kind of humor you'll love this too. Danny McBride and Walton Goggins co-star as vice principals at a High School when the principal retires. From there it's a hilarious power struggle between the two of them as they try to become the next head principal. They are so caught up in their war against each other they didn't see an English teacher who's also going for the job. They then put their struggle aside to form an alliance to bring down the English teacher by any means necessary. Bottom line is this show is hilarious and if you haven't yet seen it you're really missing out.
100 Reviews
Such a funny show!
Rob13314 October 2022
I thought Vice Principals was absolutely hilarious! Danny McBride and Walton Goggins are two of the most underrated comedians in Hollywood. They're both at the top of their game in this. I promise that you'll laugh out loud several times per episode. The only bad thing about this show is that it only went for two seasons. It wasn't canceled, it was written only as a two seasons series so it doesn't end on some cliffhanger. It has a very satisfying ending. You have to give it a few episodes as they build the story the first few episodes but after you past that it's hilarious for the rest of its run. This is a show that is even better if you binge watch it.
Hilarious!
jessmcb6 May 2018
Another Danny McBride classic!
t-hogarth11 August 2016
Here's the thing, Danny McBride's comedy is very much down to individual taste. In much the same way as Ricky Gervais's material it is meant to shock, make you cringe, make you laugh out loud and usually, in the end, make you realise that there can be moments of redemption for even the most self centred, unlikeable characters.
The interplay in this between McBride and Goggins is brilliant. Goggins's insults drip with a hilarious straightforward honesty towards McBride's Gamby whilst McBride is happy to play second fiddle in the interchanges. The begrudged respect that develops between the characters at times is then all the more heartwarming.
Simply put, if you liked East Bound and Down you will like Vice Principals. If you like Vice Principals and haven't seen East Bound and Down then make it next on your list - you'll love it. For all the people that don't like the show, that's OK too, it just means that this will become a cult classic.
The interplay in this between McBride and Goggins is brilliant. Goggins's insults drip with a hilarious straightforward honesty towards McBride's Gamby whilst McBride is happy to play second fiddle in the interchanges. The begrudged respect that develops between the characters at times is then all the more heartwarming.
Simply put, if you liked East Bound and Down you will like Vice Principals. If you like Vice Principals and haven't seen East Bound and Down then make it next on your list - you'll love it. For all the people that don't like the show, that's OK too, it just means that this will become a cult classic.
Laugh Out Loud Funny, Yet Poignant and Touching
jfgibson7330 September 2019
I am giving this series a 10/10 because I really can't think of anything I would change about it. It's consistently funny, but also has some genuinely emotional moments. Danny McBride makes me laugh in almost everything he does, but they have a great cast all around. Setting it in a high school feels a little bit like revisiting Eastbound and Down, and McBride's character has the moments of self-unawareness that his protagonists always seem to suffer from. But this might be his crowning achievement, his most consistently rewarding effort. I like it as much as any show I've ever watched.
Should have been 10 seasons!
jakebrann7 June 2020
This is easily one of the best series I have ever seen. I have no idea why it only ran for two seasons because I'm sure it could have gone on much longer.
McBride and Goggins are hilarious together and killed it. Man I wish there were more episodes...
I'm watching the whole season again for the 4th time right now and it never loses any thunder...
I'm watching the whole season again for the 4th time right now and it never loses any thunder...
Brilliant comedy
deloudelouvain1 February 2017
The first season of Vice Principals is quite short but I'm already hooked on this excellent comedy. Season two can't come fast enough. The humor in this series might not be for everyone but to me it's excellent. I don't know what it is with Danny McBride as Neal Gamby. Is it his hair, his mustache or his facial expressions in general but as soon as I see him I have to laugh. The combination of Danny McBride and Walton Goggins is a perfect match. Those two are running the show and it's a delight to watch. Georgia King as Amanda Snodgrass is also a delight to watch. As well for her acting as her very good looks. The language might be over the limit for a lot of stuck-up people but I think this is the best part of the show. I honestly can't wait for season two to begin and I hope it will continue like this for a long time. I'm a fan!
COMEDY GOLD!
blueknives5 June 2018
I wish there was a season 3
shaunmcevoy-9883316 March 2021
Mean Spirited and Funny
bnitcamela21 July 2016
I have to start by saying that some of the negative reviews are as funny as the show itself, if not only for the fact that they clearly miss the humor and unironically point to exactly the cringe-inducing moments of black comedy as examples of mean-spiritedness or unredeemable characters.
Duh. That's kind of the point.
Also, be wary of any review that is almost entirely predicated on one person's opinion that a particular actor is being misutilized - especially if it's obvious that this person holds that actor in inflated esteem. The acting, so far - only one episode in - is pretty spot on.
Danny McBride has a gift for depicting totally unrelatable, yet not entirely unsympathetic misanthrope. He delivers extremely inappropriate dialog without cracking the thin veneer of believability. Walton Goggins, in his characteristic Alabama accent, plays foil to McBride as a character who the viewer can believe actually likes his fellow human beings. Both of them are, in their own ways, shameless self-promoters and viciously ambitious career climbers who totally overlook the fact that they've abandoned their moral compass in pursuit of a less than lofty goal.
The only weakness I can really point to is the family scenarios and the relatively unbelievable ex-wife's new husband - a character in his mid to late 40s who dresses and acts like a one-dimensional talking Hot Topic mannequin.
I'm interested in where they take the next several episodes and I'd recommend checking it out if you like dark humor or any of the actors involved.
Duh. That's kind of the point.
Also, be wary of any review that is almost entirely predicated on one person's opinion that a particular actor is being misutilized - especially if it's obvious that this person holds that actor in inflated esteem. The acting, so far - only one episode in - is pretty spot on.
Danny McBride has a gift for depicting totally unrelatable, yet not entirely unsympathetic misanthrope. He delivers extremely inappropriate dialog without cracking the thin veneer of believability. Walton Goggins, in his characteristic Alabama accent, plays foil to McBride as a character who the viewer can believe actually likes his fellow human beings. Both of them are, in their own ways, shameless self-promoters and viciously ambitious career climbers who totally overlook the fact that they've abandoned their moral compass in pursuit of a less than lofty goal.
The only weakness I can really point to is the family scenarios and the relatively unbelievable ex-wife's new husband - a character in his mid to late 40s who dresses and acts like a one-dimensional talking Hot Topic mannequin.
I'm interested in where they take the next several episodes and I'd recommend checking it out if you like dark humor or any of the actors involved.
Keep Watching the epsiodes...
rubin-lily3 April 2019
The first few episodes are underwhelming, but the show got so much better. I was hooked, and binge watched both seasons back to back. Danny McBride and Walton Goggins have great chemistry. Not a fan of Busy Phillip's in this role. Overall extremely entertaining.
really funny
Ben-Mood20 October 2017
NO SPOILERS
this show is freaking brilliant. some people might disagree with me, but i see the logic behind it, and the comedy suits my taste. i really hope they will ignore the bad reviews (that honestly, have no real argument behind why the show is bad) and keep making more seasons. ill even go further to say that the show is intelligent in its own way.
just for the record, i loved "the office", "peep show" and many many more comedy shows.
this show is freaking brilliant. some people might disagree with me, but i see the logic behind it, and the comedy suits my taste. i really hope they will ignore the bad reviews (that honestly, have no real argument behind why the show is bad) and keep making more seasons. ill even go further to say that the show is intelligent in its own way.
just for the record, i loved "the office", "peep show" and many many more comedy shows.
HBO McBride 2.0
lucasjyothment31 January 2018
So HBO decides to capitalize off Eastbound & Down's success by green lighting another Danny McBride show where he basically plays the same character. Cheap idea, but whatevs.
Vice Principals is certainly watchable, but in the end will be forgettable. After watching the entire series very few moments or episodes stand out to me.
Vice Principals is certainly watchable, but in the end will be forgettable. After watching the entire series very few moments or episodes stand out to me.
I just don't get it (slight spoiler)
sylvesterthekat9 August 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Before I say anything specific about this show, I should say that I have loved pretty much everything that Walton Goggins has appeared in and pretty much hated all of Danny McBride's work. So I was ambivalent about watching it and hoped that Goggins would carry it to greatness.
Sadly, that proved not to be the case. I suppose I just don't like this sort of comedy. I finally canceled the series recording after the episode where they destroyed someone's house gratuitously. What's funny about that? The character in question wasn't dislikable enough (IMO) for that to get a laugh. I prefer my humour more subtle and clever than this; I love Curb Your Enthusiasm and hate Mr Bean so make your mind up which your funny bone is more closely aligned with before you decide to watch.
Sadly, that proved not to be the case. I suppose I just don't like this sort of comedy. I finally canceled the series recording after the episode where they destroyed someone's house gratuitously. What's funny about that? The character in question wasn't dislikable enough (IMO) for that to get a laugh. I prefer my humour more subtle and clever than this; I love Curb Your Enthusiasm and hate Mr Bean so make your mind up which your funny bone is more closely aligned with before you decide to watch.
1 star? Go F yourselves!
jakebrann7 June 2020
Are you idiots serious with one or two star reviews? This was a comedy on HBO so if you can't handle it go watch the Disney Channel. I really don't get adults whining about things like bad language and characters being crude!
Seriously, go watch the Disney Channel... that's where your uptight prude a$s belongs!
Seriously, go watch the Disney Channel... that's where your uptight prude a$s belongs!
Better Than Eastbound and Down!
Fanofmoviesandtv1 September 2016
Nothing has made me laugh harder than Eastbound and Down but i think Vice Principals is a better program. Having two main characters with separate story lines makes it flow consistently as opposed to Eastbound which is devoted entirely to Kenny Powers' debauchery. Neil Gamby is also a more likable character: although he certainly has his demons, his position as VP and devotion to his daughter makes me respect him much more than Kenny.
Furthermore, Lee and Neil bounce off each other so magnificently. While Stevie Janowski is one of the funniest characters in television history he was the court jester to a character that's pretty much a court jester himself.
All in all it's refreshing to see that Danny and Jody Hill have created a show that depicts hilarious characters and small town USA to a T without relying on constant drug abuse and cringe-worthy behavior from beginning to end. Sure the show is cringe-worthy but it's less a product of shock-value as was the case with Eastbound.
Furthermore, Lee and Neil bounce off each other so magnificently. While Stevie Janowski is one of the funniest characters in television history he was the court jester to a character that's pretty much a court jester himself.
All in all it's refreshing to see that Danny and Jody Hill have created a show that depicts hilarious characters and small town USA to a T without relying on constant drug abuse and cringe-worthy behavior from beginning to end. Sure the show is cringe-worthy but it's less a product of shock-value as was the case with Eastbound.
HBO has the best casting people.
rdoubleoc19 February 2020
Shows like this (Vice Principals), Avenue 5, Silicon Valley, Mrs. Fletcher, Righteous Gemstones, Eastbound and Down, and Barry all show how good HBO is at casting (these are my favorite shows, probably of all time).
Edi Patterson did a great job playing her role, as did everyone else. I feel like she went overlooked until she finally became more famous via starring in more roles.
Too bad HBO doesn't regularly make movies, because they sure make good shows.
I don't think the series could've had a better ending, also -- I never saw it coming, but it was also satisfying.
Edi Patterson did a great job playing her role, as did everyone else. I feel like she went overlooked until she finally became more famous via starring in more roles.
Too bad HBO doesn't regularly make movies, because they sure make good shows.
I don't think the series could've had a better ending, also -- I never saw it coming, but it was also satisfying.
Excellent situations comedy
Ana_Banana9 August 2016
Finally a funny role for Danny McBride and a fine performance by him (and others, too)! He is perfect for this, and although I've seen only 3 episodes, I get a good vibe about this show. Of course it's crude about the selfishness of people, of course the characters (teachers included!) are immature, of course the themes are dark, and of course many things are exaggerated (hey, it's a comedy!), but it's very well written and performed. And if one of the accusations against it was that it's not politically correct, then we live in a very, very sad world. If we can't make fun anymore about the ugly side of us but we pretend it's not there in a very PC way, that doesn't mean we'd be free from it.
LE: Episode 5 wasn't funny at all. Hope the show hasn't gone burnt out already!
LE: Episode 5 wasn't funny at all. Hope the show hasn't gone burnt out already!
Unfunny and Crude and too self-centered ...
Dr_Sagan28 July 2016
Warning: Spoilers
To cut to the chase, this "comedy" disappointed me. It starts in a scene with the otherwise great Bill Murray and the 2 leads of the series, and you immediately have some high hopes for it...
Well, after seeing the first 2 episodes it heavily disappoints, without showing the possibility for any kind of improvement in the future.
2 Vice principals in a high-school want to take the place of the retired Principal. These 2 persons (played by Danny McBride and Walton Goggins),are mean, and crude and ruthless. When neither of them gained the position and a black "decorated doctor" woman takes the position, the two form an uncanny alliance to sabotage her. In the 2nd episode they even break in to her house, steal her things and ...put it on fire.
So, there is no real humor here. Just mean and crude scenes against innocent people. Unless you consider humor spitting in s cup of tea that you offer to someone in your family or burning down the house of an innocent woman or steal from her her jewelry so to play for ...the stable which keeps the horse of your daughter.
Overall: A mean-spirited, crude series that most of the audience will find unfunny. - I'm out.
Well, after seeing the first 2 episodes it heavily disappoints, without showing the possibility for any kind of improvement in the future.
2 Vice principals in a high-school want to take the place of the retired Principal. These 2 persons (played by Danny McBride and Walton Goggins),are mean, and crude and ruthless. When neither of them gained the position and a black "decorated doctor" woman takes the position, the two form an uncanny alliance to sabotage her. In the 2nd episode they even break in to her house, steal her things and ...put it on fire.
So, there is no real humor here. Just mean and crude scenes against innocent people. Unless you consider humor spitting in s cup of tea that you offer to someone in your family or burning down the house of an innocent woman or steal from her her jewelry so to play for ...the stable which keeps the horse of your daughter.
Overall: A mean-spirited, crude series that most of the audience will find unfunny. - I'm out.
Brainless Entertainment
matthijsalexander23 August 2016
Is it the best? No.
Is it funny? Yes.
Is it something that soon will be forgotten? Yes.
Is it worth watching? Yes.
Should I binge-watch this? No.
Is it hilarious, No.
Does it make me laugh, at times. A chuckle maybe. Yes.
Good to watch when you just watched something serious and have some time to spare. I personally like the strong foul language, but I can imagine that parents with kids may want to skip this.
Is it funny? Yes.
Is it something that soon will be forgotten? Yes.
Is it worth watching? Yes.
Should I binge-watch this? No.
Is it hilarious, No.
Does it make me laugh, at times. A chuckle maybe. Yes.
Good to watch when you just watched something serious and have some time to spare. I personally like the strong foul language, but I can imagine that parents with kids may want to skip this.
Quite a masterpiece
asultani10 January 2019
Season 1 a hit, season 2 not so much
dimokogan9 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This was my first Danny McBride show. I watched almost the entire first season of before watching the entirety of 'Eastbound and Down,' and then went back to finish all of 'Vice Principals.'
Season 1 works as a dark comedy about an administrative power struggle between three people. When I got to season 2, I realized the reason why season 1 worked so well was because of Dr. Belinda Brown. She is the perfect target for the two vice principals' antics, which sets up most of the comedy of season 1.
Since she's not in most of season 2, I felt the show took a bit of a downward spiral. Gamby spends much of the season trying to find his shooter. But throughout this search, there's little to actually engage us for most of the season. Some of the new characters introduced, like Nash, leave much to be desired. The fact that it takes so long for Gamby and Snodgrass to get back together again is kind of weird, because he spent most of season 1 trying to get her, and succeeded. Here, it felt like someone pushed the reset button in a bad way, which made most of the next season not so enjoyable.
The season finale, however, is strong. Danny McBride shows are weird in that the quality of the season finale will be polar opposite to the rest of the show. In this case, season 1 of Vice Principals is mostly good, but the season finale leaves much to be desired. Season 2, on the other hand, leaves much to be desired, but the season 2 finale is strong.
Unfortunately, I can't recommend only watching season 1, because the story of season 2 does conclude the show. Some people say season 2 was even better than season 1, but I definitely felt a decline in storytelling quality with the absence of Belinda Brown, which put a spike in the show's quality, and impacted its overall vision.
Season 1 works as a dark comedy about an administrative power struggle between three people. When I got to season 2, I realized the reason why season 1 worked so well was because of Dr. Belinda Brown. She is the perfect target for the two vice principals' antics, which sets up most of the comedy of season 1.
Since she's not in most of season 2, I felt the show took a bit of a downward spiral. Gamby spends much of the season trying to find his shooter. But throughout this search, there's little to actually engage us for most of the season. Some of the new characters introduced, like Nash, leave much to be desired. The fact that it takes so long for Gamby and Snodgrass to get back together again is kind of weird, because he spent most of season 1 trying to get her, and succeeded. Here, it felt like someone pushed the reset button in a bad way, which made most of the next season not so enjoyable.
The season finale, however, is strong. Danny McBride shows are weird in that the quality of the season finale will be polar opposite to the rest of the show. In this case, season 1 of Vice Principals is mostly good, but the season finale leaves much to be desired. Season 2, on the other hand, leaves much to be desired, but the season 2 finale is strong.
Unfortunately, I can't recommend only watching season 1, because the story of season 2 does conclude the show. Some people say season 2 was even better than season 1, but I definitely felt a decline in storytelling quality with the absence of Belinda Brown, which put a spike in the show's quality, and impacted its overall vision.
Walton Goggin SHINES
katherinerupert20 January 2023
Danny McBrside is a funny dude and Walton Goggins is just a fantastic villain (and snappy dresser.) That brunette chick is off the hook too.
End of review: text repeating to fulfill length requirement
Danny McBrside is a funny dude and Walton Goggins is just a fantastic villain (and snappy dresser.) That brunette chick is off the hook too.
Danny McBrside is a funny dude and Walton Goggins is just a fantastic villain (and snappy dresser.) That brunette chick is off the hook too.
Danny McBrside is a funny dude and Walton Goggins is just a fantastic villain (and snappy dresser.) That brunette chick is off the hook too.
End of review: text repeating to fulfill length requirement
Danny McBrside is a funny dude and Walton Goggins is just a fantastic villain (and snappy dresser.) That brunette chick is off the hook too.
Danny McBrside is a funny dude and Walton Goggins is just a fantastic villain (and snappy dresser.) That brunette chick is off the hook too.
Danny McBrside is a funny dude and Walton Goggins is just a fantastic villain (and snappy dresser.) That brunette chick is off the hook too.
Uneven and not for everyone
maylin-martinsen-145-8142145 August 2016
I've watched 3 episodes so far and am having trouble making my mind up about the show. I don't like cringe comedy, so watching Danny McBride's character is painful most of the time, except when he's in scenes with Walter Goggins. The two of them together, I find very funny.
Comedy is very subjective, so some people will like this and some won't - probably more won't than will, this isn't broad comedy. The leads are horrible people; Goggins' character is evil in a charismatic and devious way, while McBride's character is evil in a stupid and small minded way. Personally I find devious evil funnier than stupid evil, but that's just me. They do terrible things to better people and there isn't really anyone to root for in this
If you're a fan of McBride you'll probably like this, or if you just want to watch the world burn.. Personally I've started skipping the scenes without Goggins, but I'll still watch the next episode, because despite all the things I don't like about the show, there are moments of hilarity.
Comedy is very subjective, so some people will like this and some won't - probably more won't than will, this isn't broad comedy. The leads are horrible people; Goggins' character is evil in a charismatic and devious way, while McBride's character is evil in a stupid and small minded way. Personally I find devious evil funnier than stupid evil, but that's just me. They do terrible things to better people and there isn't really anyone to root for in this
If you're a fan of McBride you'll probably like this, or if you just want to watch the world burn.. Personally I've started skipping the scenes without Goggins, but I'll still watch the next episode, because despite all the things I don't like about the show, there are moments of hilarity.
Crude, rude, yet hysterical
kkelley11120 July 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Don't be discouraged by the other reviews: Vice Principals is a hilarious dark comedy. It's not politically correct and guess what, it's not meant to be. Danny McBride does what he's best at, wrote a series that contains incredibly flawed main characters that cannot fathom why they are unfortunate in life all the while offending every person within earshot. The series centers around two man-children vying for a shot at being the principal, the series is not meant to be taken seriously. its meant to be taken as a satirical and exaggerated examination on human tendencies to accomplish goals at all cost regardless of who or what may be in the way. If you're a fan of east bound and down or enjoy watching deeply flawed characters that have little moral fiber try to assume an air of professionalism, give this show a chance and understand the series is a COMEDY! It's crude, ludicrous and a definite guilty pleasure and I cannot wait to see more of this show.
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