Comedian Tom Segura’s new Netflix series Bad Thoughts aims to push comedic boundaries, but its lampooning of country superstar Garth Brooks misses the mark — both in execution and humor.
The series, which premiered on May 13, features Segura portraying a variety of dark and exaggerated characters in absurd and unsettling scenarios. Among them is Rex Henley, a fictional global country music star who kidnaps his fans and forces them to live in an Old West-style town with minimal food — a bizarre premise intended to satirize the persona of Garth Brooks.
The joke is a continuation of a long-running gag from Segura’s podcast Your Mom’s House, where the comedian has repeatedly mocked Brooks’ perceived over-the-top public image. The phrase “Where are the bodies, Garth?” — a surreal trolling slogan born from the podcast — has circulated online for years, evolving into an in-joke among Segura’s fanbase.
Despite the anticipation surrounding Bad Thoughts, the series has received lukewarm reactions. Comprising six episodes, each roughly 20 minutes long, the show quickly veers from parody into juvenile shock humor. Scenes laden with crude gags involving bodily functions and awkward sexual encounters dominate the latter episodes, offering little in the way of meaningful satire or thoughtful social commentary.
The Rex Henley character, which could have served as the comedic centerpiece for country music fans or those familiar with Segura’s podcast, appears only in the early episodes. Even then, the material remains surprisingly restrained compared to the rest of the series, and fails to deliver memorable laughs.
With a Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 54%, Bad Thoughts has divided viewers. While some longtime fans of Segura may appreciate the dark, offbeat humor, the series struggles to resonate beyond its niche audience. For fans of country music — and especially those familiar with Garth Brooks — the show offers little payoff.
Ultimately, Bad Thoughts represents a broader trend in comedy where streaming platforms greenlight projects from high-profile comedians without fully vetting the content’s depth or appeal. The result is a series that may have sounded promising in concept, but lacks the sharpness and substance that defines impactful comedy.
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