YouTube Premium’s ‘Weird City’ is Like a Funny ‘Black Mirror’

I’ve only seen the first and last episode of YouTube Premium’s upcoming sci-fi comedy Weird City, but I’m 100% in. Created by Jordan Peele and former Key and Peele writer Charlie Sanders, the six-episode satirical anthology series is a sophisticated amalgamation of Black Mirror, The Twilight Zone, and sketch comedy. Set in the not-too-distant future metropolis of Weird, the city is divided into two sections: Above the Line (The Haves) and Below the Line (The Have Nots). With the middle class eliminated, each episode explores a topic that pertains to modern life — online dating, social media addiction, fitness obsession — but does so with a peculiar twist.

Minor spoilers for the first episode of Weird City ahead.

Premiering February 13 on YouTube Premium, Episode 1 focuses on Stu Maxsome (Dylan O’Brien) joining a dating site, “The One That’s the One,” a company guaranteed to match you with your soulmate. After Stu completes the process, he eagerly awaits for his perfect match to arrive. So who’s Stu’s soulmate? That would be Burt, a senior citizen portrayed by current Modern Family star and former Married with Children curmudgeon Ed O’Neill.

Weird City doesn’t play their relationship for laughs, although it does have its humorous moments, but instead focuses on the realities of their romance, like Stu meeting Burt’s children, Burt meeting Stu’s parents, and Stu adjusting to his new role as step dad. Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this episode is that O’Brien possesses some stealthy comedic chops. I’m unfamiliar with The Maze Runner franchise and all non-Michael J. Fox related Teen Wolf endeavors, so perhaps I’m late to the party, but don’t sleep on the comedic presence of Dylan O’Brien.

Along with a number of sly bits — football is now referred to as “safeball,” all the high schools seemed to be named “Awards,” Stu and Burt call-forward a scene from Episode 6 — the pilot could stand on its own as a mini rom-com. Who knew Dylan O’Brien and Ed O’Neill would be the most adorable couple of 2019?

As you can tell from the trailer, Weird City’s assembled an impressive amount of star power for six episodes. Along with O’Brien and O’Neill, the series also features appearances from Rosario Dawson, Michael Cera, Steven Yeun, Laverne Cox, Gillian Jacobs, Mark Hamill, Awkwafina, and many more. The one constant in the anthology series is the bizarre Dr. Negari (LeVar Burton), who serves to connect all the disparate stories.

Weird City is the latest in a string of enjoyable shows from YouTube Premium. Cobra Kai was a smash hit and recent offerings like Champaign ILL, Wayne, and the second season of Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television have all been well-received. Weird City is a uniquely entertaining mix of sci-fi, comedy, and unpredictability. Stream it. Where else can you watch Dylan O’Brien and Ed O’Neill fall in love?

All six-episodes of Weird City will debut on YouTube Premium on Wednesday, February 13.

Stream Weird City on YouTube Premium