Welcome to Flatch
Welcome to Flatch is an American mockumentary sitcom created by Jenny Bicks that aired on the Fox Broadcasting Company from March 17, 2022, to February 2, 2023.[1][2] The series adapts the British mockumentary This Country, created by siblings Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper, transplanting its format to the fictional Midwestern town of Flatch, Ohio, where a documentary crew observes the mundane yet eccentric lives of local young adults.[2][3] Central to the narrative are cousins Kelly Mallet (Chelsea Holmes) and Lloyd "Shrub" Mallet (Sam Straley), whose idle pursuits and small-town dynamics drive the half-hour episodes, alongside supporting characters like Father Joe (Seann William Scott).[4] Executive produced by Paul Feig, the show ran for two seasons totaling 20 episodes before Fox canceled it in October 2023, citing audience response falling short of expectations despite creative successes.[3][4] Critics gave it mixed reception, with a 62% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, praising its character-driven humor but noting challenges in replicating the original's authenticity.[5]Overview
Premise and Format
Welcome to Flatch is an American adaptation of the British mockumentary series This Country, centering on a documentary crew dispatched to the fictional rural town of Flatch, Ohio, to chronicle the daily lives, dreams, and struggles of its residents.[6] [7] The narrative primarily tracks cousins Kelly Mallet and Shrub Mallet, two idle twenty-somethings prone to petty schemes and aimless antics, alongside other quirky locals like community leaders and oddball figures.[8] [9] This setup highlights the mundane absurdities and interpersonal dynamics of small-town Midwestern existence, often underscoring generational inertia and adaptation to modern changes.[10] The show's format adheres to the mockumentary genre, utilizing single-camera techniques with handheld footage, confessional-style talking-head interviews, and fly-on-the-wall observations to simulate unscripted documentary realism.[11] Episodes, typically 22 minutes in length, structure around loosely connected vignettes that weave personal mishaps with broader town events, such as local festivals or infrastructure woes, presented through the lens of the intrusive film crew.[12] This approach draws from predecessors like The Office but emphasizes affectionate, non-judgmental portrayals of rural eccentricity over workplace satire.[13] While the premise nods to authentic rural concerns like limited healthcare access, the execution prioritizes comedic exaggeration over deep socio-political analysis.[12]Setting and Themes
Welcome to Flatch is set in the fictional rural town of Flatch, Ohio, a Midwestern community portrayed as emblematic of small-town America with a population of 1,526 residents.[14] The mockumentary format follows a documentary film crew embedded in the town, capturing unscripted glimpses into daily life among young adults and their social circles.[15] [9] Local landmarks and events, such as the annual Scarecrow Festival, underscore the insular, event-driven rhythm of rural existence, where community gatherings serve as focal points for interaction.[16] The series explores themes of mundane small-town stagnation and resilience, highlighting the ennui of limited opportunities alongside the comforts of familiarity and kinship.[17] Central to the narrative are interpersonal dynamics—cousinly bonds, fleeting romances, and friendships tested by petty rivalries—framed through residents' candid, often self-deprecating confessions to the camera.[18] [5] Broader issues like inadequate healthcare, decaying infrastructure, and economic inertia appear episodically, but the focus remains on personal coping mechanisms rather than systemic reform, yielding humor from absurd escapism and minor triumphs.[12] This approach yields an affectionate, if unflattering, realism about rural youth idling through adulthood, adapted from the British series This Country to reflect American heartland vernacular and sensibilities.[8]Cast and Characters
Main Characters
Kelly Mallet, portrayed by Chelsea Holmes, is one of the two central protagonists, depicted as a young adult resident of Flatch, Ohio, who lives with her cousin Shrub and engages in various schemes and misadventures while navigating small-town life.[19][11] Kelly is characterized as having a large heart, evident in her caregiving for her half-sister and desire for familial acknowledgment, though she often participates in troublemaking antics.[20] Lloyd "Shrub" Mallet, played by Sam Straley, is Kelly's cousin and best friend, portrayed as a sensitive local who collaborates with her on impulsive plans and daily escapades in Flatch.[21][22] Shrub is shown as a laid-back townie prone to relational dynamics, including efforts by others like Mickey St. Jean to befriend him closely.[23] Joseph "Father Joe" Binghoffer, enacted by Seann William Scott, serves as the local minister in Flatch, with a backstory involving a musical past, who attempts to mentor and guide residents like Kelly and Shrub away from trouble.[24][23][19] Cheryl Peterson, portrayed by Aya Cash, is Father Joe's ex-girlfriend and an ambitious journalist whose interactions with the town add layers to the community's dynamics.[25]Recurring and Guest Characters
Mickey St. Jean, portrayed by Justin Linville, is a Flatch resident who persistently seeks to become best friends with Shrub Mallet, often inserting himself into social situations with awkward enthusiasm; he appears in multiple episodes across both seasons.[23][26] Nadine Garcia-Parney, played by Taylor Ortega, serves as Kelly Mallet's frenemy and operates the Flatch Historical Society, frequently clashing with Kelly over local matters and personal rivalries.[23][26] Mandy "Big Mandy" Matthews, enacted by Krystal Smith, emerges as a confident, street-smart local woman whose bold personality commands respect and occasional fear among townsfolk, contributing to group dynamics in various storylines.[27][26] Beth, depicted by Erin Bowles, represents Shrub's unremarkable romantic interest, appearing recurrently to highlight his interpersonal struggles.[8] Guest appearances feature minor roles such as soccer player Derrick Etienne Jr. in a season 2 episode, portraying a fleeting community figure.[28] Other one-off guests populate episode-specific narratives, often as neighbors or event participants, without sustained presence.[26]Episodes
Series Overview
Welcome to Flatch comprises two seasons totaling 27 episodes, each approximately 22 minutes in length and presented in a mockumentary style.[15] The first season aired 14 episodes weekly on Fox from March 17, 2022, to May 26, 2022.[29] The second season broadcast 13 episodes from September 29, 2022, to February 2, 2023.[29]| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 | March 17, 2022 | May 26, 2022 |
| 2 | 13 | September 29, 2022 | February 2, 2023 |
Season 1 (2022)
The first season of Welcome to Flatch premiered on Fox on March 17, 2022, and concluded on May 26, 2022, comprising 14 episodes that aired primarily on Thursdays, with the final four episodes broadcast as two double bills and the last pair as a one-hour season finale special.[29] The season adapts the mockumentary format of the British series This Country, centering on cousins Kelly Mallet (Christina Aguilera) and Shrub Mallet (Sam Richardson) as they navigate unemployment, family dynamics, romantic pursuits, and petty schemes in the fictional rust-belt town of Flatch, Ohio, under the gaze of a documentary film crew exploring small-town American life.[32] [15] Recurring plot elements include Kelly's impulsive entrepreneurial ventures and Shrub's awkward social aspirations, alongside subplots involving town eccentrics like Pastor Jimmy (Tim Baltz) and recent transplant Cheryl (Aya Cash).[33] The premiere episode drew 1.039 million viewers, though subsequent episodes averaged under 1 million, contributing to the series' modest Nielsen performance in the 18-49 demographic (around 0.2 rating).[34] [35] Episodes typically run 22 minutes and blend cringe comedy with observational humor derived from the residents' dead-end routines and interpersonal conflicts, without an overarching serialized arc.[36]| No. overall | Title | Original air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot | March 17, 2022 |
| 2 | Jesus Take the Wheel | March 24, 2022 |
| 3 | Dance It Out | March 31, 2022 |
| 4 | Naked Lady Day | April 7, 2022 |
| 5 | That Old Flatch Magic | April 14, 2022 |
| 6 | RIP Cynthia | April 21, 2022 |
| 7 | Sweet Spot | April 28, 2022 |
| 8 | Dinner, Dresses, and Dumps | May 5, 2022 |
| 9 | The Devil's Backbone | May 12, 2022 |
| 10 | On the Hooky | May 12, 2022 |
| 11 | No Credit/Bad Credit | May 19, 2022 |
| 12 | Ghosted | May 19, 2022 |
| 13 | Pyramid Scheme | May 26, 2022 |
| 14 | Merry Flatchmas | May 26, 2022 |
Season 2 (2022–2023)
The second season of Welcome to Flatch premiered on September 29, 2022, airing the episode "Welcome to (Barb) Flatch", which depicted the return of local resident Barb Flatch alongside subplots involving Kelley Mallet changing diapers, Cheryl and Father Joe raising baby chickens, and Shrub Mallet courting Beth.[38] Comprising 13 episodes, the season maintained the mockumentary style chronicling the small-town antics, relationships, and challenges of Flatch inhabitants, including heatwave-induced blackouts, chicken egg production, driving lessons, open houses hosted by Barb, psychic encounters sparking romance, violations of interpersonal "codes", tornadoes disrupting local debates, birthday celebrations, bachelor parties, porch pirate investigations, makeovers, and competitions over cultural artifacts like the Butter Bust Museum.[39] [40] [41] The finale, "Flatch: Churn Here", aired on February 2, 2023, focusing on Kelly and Barb's efforts to secure the Butter Bust Museum for Flatch, Shrub delivering significant news to Lloyd, and Mandy conducting animal blessings.[40] Episodes aired initially from late September through October 2022, followed by a production and broadcast hiatus before resuming in early 2023, reflecting network scheduling decisions amid low viewership ratings averaging under 1 million per episode in the fall block.[42] Story arcs emphasized character maturation and interpersonal tensions, such as Shrub's potential departure for art school, Kelly's alliances and reconciliations, and community rivalries, while underscoring Flatch's insular, resilient dynamics without external impositions of broader social narratives.[43]Crossovers and Special Episodes
In April 2022, characters from Welcome to Flatch crossed over into an episode of the Fox sitcom Call Me Kat, marking the series' sole major crossover event. Titled "Call Me Flatch," the episode aired on April 28, 2022, and featured Kelly (Chelsea Holmes) and Shrub (Sam Straley) traveling to Louisville to visit Max (Kunal Nayyar) from Call Me Kat, where they participated in comedic mishaps involving a The Masked Singer watch party. Singer Robin Thicke made a guest appearance as himself, performing and interacting with the characters, highlighting Fox's promotional synergy across its programming.[44][45] The series produced two holiday-themed episodes presented as specials, focusing on Christmas festivities in Flatch. The season 1 finale, "Merry Flatchmas," aired as a one-hour event on May 26, 2022, combining episodes 1.13 and 1.14; it depicted Kelly (Holmes) organizing the town's Christmas celebration, leading to chaotic traditions like a dysfunctional Santa role and family reconciliations amid small-town antics.[33][46] Season 2's "O Come, All Ye Flatchful" (episode 2.09), which aired on December 8, 2022, centered on the community's holiday preparations, including church events and personal dramas, with Kelly handling Santa duties and interpersonal tensions escalating during festivities.[47][48] No additional crossover events or standalone specials, such as Halloween or Thanksgiving editions, were produced during the show's run.[30]Production
Development and Adaptation
"Welcome to Flatch" was developed by Jenny Bicks as an American adaptation of the BBC mockumentary series "This Country," created by Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper.[49] [50] The project was set up at Fox in December 2019, with Bicks serving as writer and executive producer, drawing inspiration from the original's portrayal of eccentric small-town life through a documentary lens.[50] Paul Feig joined as executive producer and director, applying lessons from his work on the U.S. adaptation of "The Office" to balance the characters' abrasiveness with relatability for American viewers.[51] Feig, who wrote two episodes and directed multiple others, emphasized softening traits—such as enhancing the protagonist Kelly's relationship with her father—while preserving the original's satirical edge on rural ennui and community quirks.[51] Additional executive producers included Angie Stephenson from BBC Studios and the original "This Country" creators, ensuring fidelity to the source material's BAFTA-winning format.[49] Production faced delays from the COVID-19 pandemic; only one day of the pilot was filmed in March 2020 before halting, after which Fox ordered a full series of 14 episodes for season one.[50] [51] The adaptation relocated the setting to the fictional Midwestern town of Flatch, Ohio, shifting focus from the British Cotswolds to evoke small-town America near Minneapolis, with an expanded ensemble cast beyond the original's central cousin duo of Kerry and Kurtan.[51] New elements, such as the character Father Joe played by Seann William Scott, broadened the narrative to include more community interactions.[51]Casting
Seann William Scott was the first major actor cast for the pilot episode, originally titled This Country, portraying the local priest Joseph "Father Joe" Binghoffer, with the announcement made on February 24, 2020.[52] On March 4, 2020, relative newcomers Chelsea Holmes and Sam Straley were selected as the lead cousins Kelly Mallet and Lloyd "Shrub" Mallet, respectively; Taylor Ortega and Krystal Smith were also cast that day as supporting characters Nadine Garcia-Parney and Mandy "Big Mandy" Matthews.[53] Holmes, previously known primarily for stand-up comedy and online videos encouraged by her ex-boyfriend, drew the casting team's interest through her self-produced content that captured an authentic rural persona.[54] Aya Cash and Justin Linville joined as series regulars on July 10, 2020, playing neighbors Cheryl Peterson—a no-nonsense convenience store owner—and Mickey St. Jean, a laid-back local.[55] These selections rounded out the core ensemble for the Fox series order announced in October 2020, emphasizing a mix of established comedic talent like Scott and emerging performers to evoke the original BBC series This Country.[56] For season 2, production of which began after renewal on May 16, 2022, Jaime Pressly was added as series regular Barb Flatch—a brash, community-involved figure—on August 4, 2022, marking a significant elevation with her Emmy-winning background from My Name Is Earl.[57][58] Executive producer Paul Feig, who directed the pilot and early episodes, oversaw casting to prioritize performers capable of improvisational mockumentary styles grounded in observational humor about small-town life.[59]Filming and Locations
The mockumentary series Welcome to Flatch was filmed entirely in North Carolina, with rural locations selected to depict the fictional small town of Flatch, Ohio.[60][16] Principal photography for the first season occurred primarily in Burgaw, Pender County, beginning in November 2020 and concluding in February 2021.[61] Additional key sites included Wilmington in New Hanover County, Wallace in Duplin County, and Winnabow, leveraging the area's small-town aesthetics and farmland for exterior shots of homes, stores, and community spaces.[62][60][63] Production faced initial delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with early work in March 2020 limited before resuming later that year.[63] For the second season, filming restarted in Burgaw on August 5, 2022, continuing to utilize local Pender County infrastructure and nearby towns for authenticity in portraying Midwestern rural life.[64][65] The choice of North Carolina locations was driven by logistical advantages, including tax incentives and visual parallels to the show's setting, as noted by local economic development reports.[66]Release
Broadcast Schedule
Welcome to Flatch premiered on the Fox network on March 17, 2022, with the pilot episode airing at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT as part of a Thursday night comedy block.[67] Season 1 consisted of 14 half-hour episodes broadcast weekly on Thursdays in the same time slot, concluding with a one-hour finale featuring back-to-back episodes "Pyramid Scheme" and "Merry Flatchmas" on May 26, 2022; earlier double bills occurred on May 12 and May 19.[29] [68] The first seven episodes of season 1 were made available for streaming on Hulu, Fox Now, and on-demand platforms at 12:01 a.m. ET on the premiere date, ahead of their linear broadcasts.[37] Season 2 returned to Fox on September 29, 2022, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Thursdays, delivering 13 episodes through the series finale "Flatch: Churn Here" on February 2, 2023.[29] [2] Subsequent episodes streamed on Hulu concurrently with their Fox airings.[1]| Season | Episodes | Premiere Date | Finale Date | Time Slot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (2022) | 14 | March 17, 2022 | May 26, 2022 | Thursdays, 9:30 p.m. ET/PT[29] |
| 2 (2022–2023) | 13 | September 29, 2022 | February 2, 2023 | Thursdays, 9:00 p.m. ET/PT[29] |