If you've never heard of Delocated, you're not alone—and that's kind of the point. This absurdist comedy ran on Adult Swim from 2009-2013, and it's one of those shows that flew completely under the radar while building a devoted cult following. Created by and starring Jon Glaser, it's a mockumentary-style sitcom about a family in witness protection whose brilliant solution to staying hidden is... starring in a reality TV show about being in witness protection. While wearing ski masks. Obviously.
The premise is gloriously stupid: Jon (playing a fictionalized version of himself) and his family are relocated to New York City, where a camera crew follows their every move for a reality show called "Delocated." The Russian mob family he testified against can watch along with everyone else, turning his life into a bizarre game of cat-and-mouse played out on basic cable. It's part parody of reality TV, part deconstruction of fame culture, and fully committed to its own weird logic.
The show features an incredible supporting cast including Eugene Mirman (Bob's Burgers) as Jon's handler "Sergei Federov" and a parade of comedy heavyweights in guest roles. At only 10-15 minutes per episode across three seasons, it's the kind of binge that sneaks up on you—suddenly it's 2am and you're watching Jon try to launch a music career while dodging assassination attempts.
Delocated works because it commits completely to its absurd premise without winking at the camera. It's not just mocking reality TV (though it does that brilliantly)—it's exploring what happens when the performance of authenticity becomes more important than actual safety or sanity. Jon's character is so desperate for fame and validation that he'll literally risk his family's lives for viewer ratings.
The humor is dry, dark, and occasionally uncomfortable. Think The Office meets Nathan For You, but with more existential dread and mob violence. Episodes tackle everything from Jon's terrible music videos to his attempts at dating while masked to increasingly unhinged confrontations with the Russian mobsters who actually become invested in the show's drama.
What makes it worth your late-night viewing time is how surprisingly layered it gets. Beneath the silly premise, there's sharp satire about surveillance culture, the commodification of trauma, and how reality TV turns real people into characters in their own lives. It's the kind of show where you laugh at a joke, then realize it's actually pretty dark, then laugh harder.
Let me be crystal clear: Delocated is adult content, full stop. This isn't a "maybe mature teens" situation—it's TV-MA for very good reasons.
The show features:
- Consistent strong language throughout every episode
- Violence and threats of violence, sometimes played for laughs but still graphic
- Sexual content and references that range from crude jokes to more explicit situations
- Drug and alcohol use presented as normal adult behavior
- Dark themes around death, family dysfunction, and moral ambiguity
More importantly, the entire comedic framework requires understanding reality TV tropes, media satire, and pretty sophisticated irony. A 13-year-old might technically understand the plot, but they're missing about 90% of what makes it funny. This is comedy for adults who've watched enough reality TV to hate-watch reality TV, if that makes sense.
Here's the thing: you're not watching Delocated to bond with your kids or find conversation starters. You're watching it because sometimes you need something that's just for you—something weird and smart that reminds you that television can be more than background noise while you fold laundry.
If you're the kind of parent who appreciates shows like Atlanta or What We Do in the Shadows, Delocated scratches a similar itch. It's short enough to watch while your kids are asleep but engaging enough that you'll actually stay awake for it (not always a given at 9pm on a Tuesday, let's be honest).
There's also something refreshing about comedy that doesn't try to be wholesome or teachable. Sometimes you just want to watch something that's confidently weird without worrying about whether it's modeling good behavior or processing emotions in a healthy way. Delocated is aggressively not interested in any of that, and there's freedom in that.
Delocated is available on Max (formerly HBO Max), where it lives alongside other Adult Swim content. Three seasons, 30 episodes total, each running 10-15 minutes. You can blow through the entire series in a weekend if you're motivated, or stretch it out as your nightly "the kids are finally asleep" reward.
Fair warning: the first few episodes are finding their footing. If you're not immediately sold, skip ahead to episode 4 or 5—once the show settles into its rhythm and the supporting characters get more development, it really clicks. Also, the episodes are so short that even if one doesn't land, you're only out 12 minutes.
The humor is definitely not for everyone. If you prefer your comedy warm and character-driven (think Ted Lasso or Schitt's Creek), this might feel too cold and absurdist. But if you're into deadpan, satirical comedy that trusts you to keep up, it's a hidden gem.
Delocated is not going to change your life or teach you anything about parenting. It's not going to give you conversation starters with your teens or help you understand Gen Alpha humor. What it will do is give you a few hours of genuinely strange, smart comedy that respects your intelligence and doesn't care about being likable.
In the landscape of "what should I watch after the kids go to bed," it's a solid choice for parents who want something different from the usual streaming recommendations. It's too weird to be mainstream and too specific to be for everyone—which is exactly why it's worth seeking out if it sounds like your kind of thing.
Just whatever you do, don't let your kids watch it. This one's all yours.
Age recommendation: Adults only (18+)
Where to watch: Max
Time commitment: ~5-6 hours total
Vibe check: Dry, dark, absurdist—not comfort viewing
If you're looking for actual family-friendly comedy options, check out our guides to age-appropriate sitcoms or what to watch after your kids finish The Office.