Watch Jake and Amir

Jake and Amir is a comedic web series created by College Humor and starring Amir Blumenfeld and Jake Hurwitz. The show first began airing in 2007 and was wildly popular, running through 2013. However, due to its loyal fanbase, it was brought back for another season in 2016 and another in 2019, culminating the final episode in early 2023.

The premise of the show is based on the two main characters, Jake and Amir, who work in a fictitious company. Jake is a normal, well-adjusted employee who tries to be productive at work, while Amir is a slacker who often causes trouble for Jake and everyone else. The show is mainly composed of short skits, each centering around a specific scenario that's relatable to most viewers.

The humor in the show is primarily based on Jake and Amir's personalities and their interactions with each other. Amir is often the focus of the humor, as he is a ridiculous character who acts in absurd ways, making Jake's reactions all the funnier. Jake is more of the straight man in the relationship, often portraying a level-headed demeanor that is in direct contrast to Amir's craziness. The humor is frequently crass and vulgar, but it never feels stupid or thoughtless, as Jake and Amir perfectly executes their outrageous characters' dialogue.

Throughout the series, the show follows the dynamic between Jake and Amir as they deal with everyday situations in their workplace. Some of the most popular skits include Jake and Amir attempting to be more productive at work, going on blind dates, playing pranks on each other, and dealing with different personality types. The running theme in each skit is a portrayal of the two characters' growth and misunderstandings of each other.

Unlike most comedy web series, Jake and Amir have the characters grow and change over the course of the show's ten-year run. Peter Karinen, the creator of the show, and its writing team continually explored how Jake and Amir's relationships grew and how they adjusted to their changing personal life. It added a layer of depth and stakes to what could have easily been a series of one-off sketches. As a result, audiences were more invested in the show beyond the humor, as they grew to laugh and care about the characters individually.

The show also featured several recurring characters, such as Marcy, who works in HR and often has to deal with the chaos caused by Jake and Amir. In later seasons, the show introduces more side characters, such as Ben Schwartz as Jake's obnoxiously know-it-all cousin and Thomas Middleditch as the CEO of the company they work at. These characters helped to keep the show fresh and varied, despite the series primarily being about Amir and Jake.

Overall, Jake and Amir was a show that resonated with a wide range of audiences. The character's quirks and personalities made them stand out while being relatable. The show's low budget and minimal settings didn't distract from the humor or the character's growth. The show even became so popular that it spawned a podcast, as well as a national tour, showcasing the wit and comedic chemistry between Amir and Jake off camera. Without a doubt, Jake and Amir was a show that stood the test of time and garnered a dedicated fanbase who appreciated the show's unique and refreshing take on office humor.