The reviews for the second season of Netflix's raunchy Shane Gillis workplace comedy series debuting with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes critic score, Tires season 2 remains fresh and acclaimed with an overall score of 83%. Comedian and podcaster Shane Gillis co-created the series with his co-star Steve Gerben and director John McKeever. Fans of Gillis, who released his first Netflix comedy special, Beautiful Dogs, in 2023, are familiar with his edgy, masculine brand of humor, which is part of his authentic appeal.

Gillis and Gerben lead the Tires season 1. Each episode of Tires season 2 only runs for roughly 22–28 minutes, making it incredibly easy to binge in just a matter of days. Tires has the familiar cinematography style of classic workplace comedies like The Office, matched with a set of unhinged characters with moral gray areas like in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. At times, the authentic tone of the series is reminiscent of The Bear, but it never gets pretentious or leans heavily into any of its fleeting dramatic moments.

7 Tires Season 2 Has Improved Story & Character Development

All The Main Characters Are Given New Plot Elements To Work With

One of the biggest and most impressive improvements from Tires season 1 is the increase in both story and character development in Tires season 2. In the first season, Shane, who plays Shane, a sort of fictionalized and exaggerated version of himself, mostly existed to make crude jokes and harass his boss and cousin, Will (played by Gerben). In season 2, Shane is given more depth outside of being a prankster and a human punchline machine, which makes him feel more empathetic and realistic. ing main characters, such as Cal (played by Chris O'Connor) and Kilah (played by Kilah Fox), also become more relatable.

Gerben's Will is still over the top and frankly goofy, giving him a signature and enjoyable shtick. His character also expands outside the insular world of the Valley Forge auto body shop when he makes a friend, Ryan (played by Ryan Farrell), who is similarly picked on at his place of work, the tire manufacturer True Thread. The self-important Dave, played by a hilarious Stavros Halkias, eventually emerges from workplace bully to borderline antagonist, walking a fine line that somehow makes him both charming and detestable. One recurring season 1 character, George (played by Francis Ellis), returns desperate for a job after appearing as a CEO guru type in season 1.

6 Tires Season 2 Feels More Full-Bodied With 12 Episodes

The Longer Runtime Allowed For More Immersion & World Building

A crucial development in Tires season 2 was its revamped structure, running for 12 episodes instead of six. This allowed a greater sense of immersion to be achieved in season 2 compared to season 1, which had six episodes that felt like more-or-less standalone entries. The longer format also allowed character arcs to be established and developed with a more natural flow, truly embracing its newly established serial approach. The 12-episode length also allows for new guest stars to make appearances that both add authenticity to the show and expand the world of the story. If there is a Tires season 3, it would be wise to repeat season 2's winning structure.

5 Tires Season 2 Has More Exciting Guest Stars Than Season 1

Vince Vaughn & Jon Lovitz Have Great Guest Appearances

Shane Gillis and fellow podcaster/comedian Andrew Schulz were the most famous people in Tires season 1. In Tires season 2, Gillis and Schulz may not even crack the top 5 most notable actors and celebrities seen onscreen. 2-time Emmy nominee Jon Lovitz appeared as an angry customer in the season 2 premiere episode. Texas-born actor and comedian Ron White steals the show in the penultimate episode of season 2. World-famous comedic actor Vince Vaughn plays a businessman named Mike who befriends Shane in episode 6, "The Tri-State Mid Market Tire Expo." This sets a great platform for even more great stars to appear in a potential third season.

4 Thomas Haden Church Is A Great Addition To The Main Cast

Phil Adds So Much Comedic & Narrative Value To Tires

Perhaps the greatest cast improvement in Tires season 2 is the addition of Thomas Haden Church as Shane's wealthy but loose-cannon dad, Phil. Church looks like he's here to stay in the world of Tires, which is great news since he has such a great dynamic with just about every character in the show. He also adds a great deal of his own comedic value, making him truly an ideal addition that enhances the entire series at large. One particular scene, in which Phil tries to convince Shane that their waitress at Applebee's is romantically interested in him, is very funny. If there's a Tires season 3, Phil has to be a part of it.

3 Tires Season 1 Felt More Like A Sketch Show Than A Comedy Series

Season 1 Was Missing Purpose Other Than Making Viewers Laugh

Because of its limited runtime, Tires season 1 felt more like a sketch comedy show or even a proof of concept than a legitimate season of television. It felt like it was over before it ever really began, diving into the loosely established world without much direction or guidance for the viewer to latch onto. Tires season 1 felt like it existed mainly to make audiences laugh and for virtually no other purpose, which made it hard to connect with and invest in the characters. Tires season 2 allows viewers to spend more time with the characters, especially on the heels of a season 1 rewatch, and that ultimately makes the show more enjoyable and watchable.

2 Tires Season 2 Gives Shane A Great Romantic Arc With Kelly

Kelly Is A Great Addition That Shows Another Hilarious Side Of Shane

The best narrative addition for Shane's character in Tires season 2 was his romantic interest, Kelly, played by Veronika Slowikowska. Like Shane, Kelly is off the walls and has a great sense of humor, which initially makes her seem like the perfect counterpart and partner for Shane. Tires season 2, however, cleverly avoids diving into the classic and safe budding relationship tropes that countless other TV shows have fallen victim to over the years. For the first time in the series, Shane faces consequences for his antics and behavior. He ends up paying heavy prices when it comes to his lack of consideration for the thoughts and feelings of others.

1 Tires Season 2 Is Surprisingly Inventive Given Its Comedic Style

Tires Is Not For Everyone, But It Refines Its Raunchy Style In Season 2

Tires is often considered a raunchy comedy series, which some critics and viewers have even taken issue with, calling the show offensive. Gillis doesn't necessarily lighten up on his edgier brand of comedy in season 2, which can often be crass and immature, making it not for everyone. That said, there are actually several areas of comedic innovation seen and felt throughout Tires season 2 that give it a fresh and unique style that is rooted in a sense of fearlessness and authenticity. There is a common theme of making someone the butt of the joke in many a Tires punchline, but it's done with a more tasteful and comedic effect in season 2.

There is a common theme of making someone the butt of the joke in many a Tires punchline, but it's done with a more tasteful and comedic effect in season 2.

In my review of Tires season 2, I applauded how grounded most, if not all, scenes in Tires season 2 felt, a rare achievement for a show that tries and succeeds in making viewers laugh. "There's hardly a moment of Tires season 2 that feels performative, matching its everyman blue-collar brand of comedy that Gillis has mastered mostly by being himself. Compared to a show like Hacks, which aims for laughs from a more highbrow crowd, Tires is wonderfully simple and unpretentious yet still surprisingly crafty." Ultimately, Tires is a familiar comedy show that people will either find classic and old-school or reductive and immature, based on their comedic palate and tolerance level.