‘Jury Duty’ returns with ‘Company Retreat’ and a new lovable, out-of-the-loop hero

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“Jury Duty,” a show that surprised viewers in 2023, placed one real person into a fake courtroom filled with actors. It was a unique blend of reality and fiction, reminiscent of shows like “The Truman Show” and “Twelve Angry Men,” or a long-form episode of “Candid Camera,” similar in concept to Nathan Fielder’s “The Rehearsal” but without the same level of awkwardness or harshness. The show received a Peabody Award and was nominated for three Emmys.

The creators of ‘Jury Duty’ are back with a new show called ‘Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat,’ debuting Friday on Prime Video. The show follows Anthony Norman, a man who thinks he’s started a temporary job at a small hot sauce company called Rockin’ Grandma’s. Unbeknownst to him, the company is heading to its annual retreat, where the founder, Doug Womack, plans to retire and pass the business on to his son, Dougie Jr. Dougie Jr. recently returned from Jamaica after his attempt at a music career – a ska-influenced EDM band – didn’t take off.

“Company Retreat” is a unique blend of comedy, reality TV, and pranks. The show features a cast of colorful characters who could easily star in a traditional workplace comedy – even without the pranks, it’s genuinely funny with good physical humor. What sets it apart from many prank shows is its positive intent; the goal isn’t to embarrass the show’s main participant, but to help him shine. Early in the series, Anthony notes the team feels like a family, and he quickly becomes part of that dynamic, feeling invested in protecting the company and starting to think of himself as one of them.

Awards

Casting director Susie Farris reviewed over 5,500 audition videos, searching for actors who felt authentic and represented the spirit of Los Angeles.

Throughout the retreat, people often seek Anthony’s input and trust him with tasks. Kevin, the HR manager and self-proclaimed “Capt. Fun,” initially puts Anthony in charge as his lieutenant. After a mishap forces Kevin to leave, Anthony is promoted to captain, a role he embraces with dedication.

A lot goes on at Oak Canyon Ranch Retreat, a real-life camp in Agoura Hills. It’s like a classic sleepaway camp with all the usual activities – swimming, games, cookouts, and even a talent show – but also with unexpected problems. Someone disappears, a bag of Doritos goes missing, and things get complicated when a company tries to buy the retreat, setting off a final showdown.

Sometimes, the jokes and actions of those involved feel unbelievable. For example, one person responded to accusations of favoritism by saying, “People think I got this job because of who I know, but I want to prove I earned it.” From the viewer’s perspective, some participants seem like they’re acting, but Anthony only needs to believe they’re genuine—and there’s no reason to think they aren’t. It’s unlikely anyone would agree to participate in such an elaborate scheme just for his sake. (At 25, it’s easy to believe almost anything.) Even though the situations and people seem too strange to be real, Anthony insists they’re so strange they must be true. He explains, “If I told my parents about this, they’d think I was making it up.”

The show’s creators skillfully guided Anthony’s character, and it paid off. He’s deeply empathetic – a small gesture like Doug offering the spoon that belonged to his grandmother and was used to make hot sauce as a child clearly affects him. He’s also a supportive colleague, willingly helping the receptionist, P.J., pursue his dream of becoming a social media star, and a natural leader who isn’t afraid to speak his mind or ease uncomfortable moments.

Television

The Amazon Freevee series ‘Jury Duty’ centers around Ronald Gladden, who unknowingly participates in a fake jury trial in Los Angeles County. The show is a lighthearted prank that also offers interesting insights into how people behave.

I always try to step up and offer help whenever I can, whether it’s suggesting a better way to do something or volunteering when someone needs assistance. Anthony frequently says ‘I got you,’ meaning he’ll take care of it.

You can enjoy the show as a simple story, putting aside the fact that it’s a prank and seeing Anthony – who’s both involved and just watching – as another character. It’s surprisingly easy to get invested in people you know aren’t being entirely genuine. Alternatively, you can focus on the prank itself, or appreciate the actors’ dedication to their roles over several days. They participate in everything with Anthony – motivational talks, workshops on emotions and vulnerability, even a sexual harassment seminar – and compete in silly games and outings, though we only see brief moments of it, much like watching an episode of “Big Brother.”

What I loved most was getting to follow Anthony’s whole emotional ride. It turns out everything wasn’t just a prank – it was actually a test, like something out of a fairytale! He really had to prove himself, and in the end, he got everything he deserved: love and a lot of money!

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2026-03-19 21:31