Robert Iler Returns to TV After 20 Years in Hilarious Netflix Parody Show

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Approximately twenty years following his last on-screen appearance as A.J. Soprano in the renowned HBO mafia series The Sopranos, Robert Iler has made a comeback to television with the release of Bad Thoughts on Netflix, a comedic sketch series, on May 13, 2025. Though he’s not often recognized for his comic acting abilities, devotees of The Sopranos should watch this to discover a lighter, more amusing side of Iler in his first fictional character role in twenty years.

Instead of just making a fleeting appearance, Iler features in three out of six episodes, consistently delivering a strong portrayal of his character across all instances. For devoted Sopranos viewers, there’s anticipation that Iler might reignite his passion for acting and continue to grace our screens in future films and series. Admittedly, it’s tough to find a role as iconic as The Sopranos and A.J., but now that he’s matured, fans are eager to witness Iler try his hand at deadpan humor for the first time.

‘Bad Thoughts’ Premise

As a dedicated cinephile, I’d like to share my thoughts on “Bad Thoughts” – a hilarious brainchild of podcaster and comedian Tom Segura. This parody sketch show offers a humorous take on a variety of topics, from the quirks of assassin movies to the pretentiousness of A24 releases, not forgetting apocalyptic movie conventions, country music stars, Steven Seagal, and so much more. In each episode, Tom takes on multiple roles, transforming into everything from a bungling assassin to a lewd IT expert, even a maniacal singer who abducts his adoring fans!

Featuring a unique blend of dark, unsettling, and humorously grotesque storytelling, the series Bad Thoughts spans six episodes. The talented cast includes Shea Whigham, Dan Stevens, Bobby Lee, Dani Hurtado, Annie Abbott, Kirk Fox, Elisa Berdugo, Malcolm Stephenson, and Tina Parker. Distinctively, each narrative assumes a separate mood, yet they are all intertwined through the recurring characters of Byung Sung, portrayed by Arnold Chun, and Evan, played by Iler. Notably, Iler’s character appears in more episodes than any other, except for Segura.

Who Does Robert Iler Play in Bad Thoughts?

In Bad Thoughts Episode 1, titled “Jobs,” as well as episodes 2, “Success,” and 5, “Communication,” Robert Iler makes an appearance, portraying Evan – a corporate employee under pressure from his superior to boost fourth-quarter sales. However, Evan’s attention is diverted when an IT colleague engages in inappropriate behavior in full view of other staff members, who seem oblivious to the unusual situation.

In the scene where Evan challenges the IT specialist over his inappropriate VR activities at work, the IT professional offers one implausible explanation after another that no reasonable person would accept. Ironically, it’s Evan who faces criticism from colleagues as an oddball. With a dry, humorous delivery, Iler showcases his continued ease and authenticity on camera, demonstrating he has honed his comedic skills since his time on The Sopranos.

In contrast to his initial portrayal, Iler’s character Evan undergoes a significant transformation in Episode 2 titled “Success”. Amidst an apocalyptic alien invasion, we find Evan scrambling through a devastated town in a hospital gown, desperately searching for shelter. Although I won’t reveal the specific details, an alien manipulates Evan into carrying out a shocking act that underscores the mature and disturbing themes introduced earlier in “Jobs”.

For an actor who started out in child performances and then secured a key part on one of television’s most acclaimed series, disappearing from the limelight for almost 20 years before reappearing – it’s astonishing how seamlessly Iler fits back into his role. He appears just as comfortable in front of the camera for ‘Bad Thoughts’ as A.J. did in ‘The Sopranos’, leaving fans wondering what might have been if he hadn’t taken a break from acting to focus on professional poker instead.

It’s more engaging for Sopranos enthusiasts to uncover Iler’s final portrayal of Evan in Bad Thoughts. Yet, delving into the reasons behind his departure from acting and understanding what he’s been doing since his last television role could provide an interesting perspective.

Why Robert Iler Quit Acting Following The Sopranos, Explained

Robert Iler kicked off his acting journey as a kid, featuring in TV ads and music videos. After starring in the 1998 film “The Tic Code,” he secured an unforgettable role: A.J. Soprano in HBO’s groundbreaking mob series, “The Sopranos.” For eight seasons, from 1999 to 2007, Iler portrayed A.J. with remarkable accuracy in a total of 76 episodes. Each day on set, he honed his skills by observing the performances of James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano) and Edie Falco (Carmela Soprano).

After his last performance on The Sopranos in the debated 2007 finale “Made in America,” Iler participated in a single post-show TV appearance. In 2009, Iler portrayed Troy Linsky, a menacing school bully, in Law & Order, marking his final TV role since Bad Thoughts. Later, Iler confessed that he took on the role of Law & Order just to avoid jury duty…on two occasions.

In 2020, Iler participated in the podcast “Talking Sopranos” alongside Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa, his co-stars from “The Sopranos.” Despite being presented with numerous opportunities for other TV roles, Iler openly stated that he declined them all because he recognized no other show could match the greatness of “The Sopranos.” He understood that the exceptional quality would not be replicated and that nothing else could surpass his learning experience working alongside Gandolfini and Falco on set.

As Iler tells it:

It’s as if you once played for the Yankees, and now people often approach you about various opportunities, but it’s uncertain whether they will turn out well. In contrast, with The Sopranos, I had the sense that every episode, every scene, and every co-star would be exceptional.

Given that my longest commitment has been for ten years, I suppose I harbor a concern about venturing into new experiences and not enjoying them.

It’s fortunate that Iler found Bad Thoughts appealing enough to reprise his acting career, revealing a new facet of his abilities. Fans of The Sopranos are in for a treat as they’ll see Iler after two decades, portraying a character that is significantly funnier than his iconic role.

Bad Thoughts is available to stream on Netflix.

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2025-05-15 05:03