The Spoils Before Dying

The Spoils Before Dying is a complex and captivation miniseries that first premiered on the Independent Film Channel (IFC) in 2015. Produced by Funny or Die and hailing from a robust comedic background, this series is a satirical take on the classic pulp and crime novels from the 1950s and 1960s. It’s a sequel to the 2014 miniseries "The Spoils of Babylon," though it stands alone in its own right, painting a world that seamlessly blends the elements of comedy, noir, crime, and mystery, wrapped in melodrama and hyperbolic exaggeration for comedic effect.

Set in the culturally vibrant 1950s Los Angeles, the show portrays the city as a gritty den of vice, crime, and jazz. Jazz, in particular, is an essential component of the narrative structure, acting as a conduit for the complete spectrum of human emotions enhancing character's personalities and actions on the screen; passion, fear, longing, desperation, and deceit are embodied in the notes of blues and bop that permeate through the city's smoky nightclubs and underground jazz bars.

The central character of the series is musician-turned-private detective Rock Banyon, played by Michael Kenneth Williams, known for his role in "The Wire." When his former lover Fresno Foxglove, portrayed by Maya Rudolph, is brutally murdered, Rock Banyon becomes the prime suspect. Rock has no memory of the fateful night, thus he embarks on a quest to uncover the truth and clear his name. The journey leads our protagonist into a murky world of intrigue, tangled relationships, questionable motives, shady characters, and of course, a copious amount of jazz.

The Spoils Before Dying also boasts an impressive supporting ensemble that includes Kristen Wiig, Michael Sheen, Tim Meadows, and Haley Joel Osment. Kristen Wiig, veteran of Saturday Night Live and known for movies like "Bridesmaids", plays Delores O'Dell, the opportunistic manager of a jazz club, and embodiment of the manipulative, seductive femmes fatales often found in noir fiction. Michael Sheen departs from his usual dramatic roles to inhabit the aristocratic, British-accented Kenton Price, offering the viewers an engaging performance with a refreshing ease into comedy.

What distinguishes The Spoils Before Dying from the sea of other crime series is its unabashed spoofing of the hard-boiled detective genre. It ramps up the absurdity to the point of lunacy, laden with a hefty dosage of melodrama, drawing on the over-the-top narrative elements prevalent in dime-store pulp novels and film noir. From its exaggerated dialogue to theatrical performances, the show consistently winks at the audience, reminding them not to take anything too seriously.

The entire series is presented in an interesting format. It's introduced as a long-lost masterpiece television adaptation of a famed, yet fictitious, author turned director – Eric Jonrosh, played by Will Ferrell. The series regularly cuts back to Jonrosh, sitting in a dimly lit bar, fueled by copious amounts of wine as he rants and rambles, providing an amusing running commentary throughout the series. This narrative device is a source of several stomach-clenching laughs, providing an added layer of satire that mimics the posturing of Orson Welles or the pretentious director tropes of '70s cinema.

The 6-episode run of the series serves as a lightning-paced noir odyssey. Whether it's tracking down mysterious seductresses, engaging in fistfights with crooked cops, or exploring the mind-bending realm of metaphysical jazz, Rock Banyon is the man in the throes of existential crisis and confusion, grounded by Michael Kenneth William's stellar performance. Where the plotlines don't always make sense, they are always entertaining, infused with a generous serving of humor.

Visually, the series manages to be both impressive and absurd. It boasts a rich, nostalgic color palette, filled with high-contrast lighting and stylized backdrops reminiscent of the era it draws inspiration from. This, coupled with period-appropriate costumes and high production values, ensures that the series constantly delivers a visual treat, despite being entrenched in satirical humor.

In conclusion, The Spoils Before Dying is a comedy miniseries that packs a punch with plenty of humor, a labyrinthine plot, lively characters, and sharp wit. It’s not for everyone, but those who possess a penchant for noir crime-drama and comedy would find it a unique gem in television history - an exercise in absurdity that delights in its own audacious execution of satire and spoof.