The latest season of “Jury Duty” has been released on Amazon Prime Video, offering a fresh new spin on the off-the-wall premise. In case you missed it, the series stars one unsuspecting mark alongside an ensemble cast of improv comedians. As a number of increasingly absurd situations unfold, the individual at the center of the madness begins to question his life, stifle his laughter and find respite amongst his peers. The second season of the show swaps a dull courtroom for a more vibrant space, under the abridged title “Company Retreat.” The retreat in question sees temp worker Anthony Norman attempting to bond with the employees of the fictional company Rockin’ Grandma’s Hot Sauce, located in sunny Agoura Hills, California.
Whether you’ve been meaning to check out Southern California for some time now, or you’ve just become inspired by the vibrant backdrops in “Company Retreat,” now is as good a time as any to plan your trip. We’ll outline a few key filming locations for the show, and offer some suggestions for the best restaurants, hotels and tourist excursions you can take while you’re in town. Just remember to stay vigilant during your trip, since you never know if the wild and wacky people you meet are part of an interconnected conspiracy to catch your reaction on camera.
Did Anthony From ‘Company Retreat’ Know He Was Being Filmed?
The purpose of “Company Retreat” is to convince the mark, in this case Anthony, that the ridiculous characters and environment are completely real. Of course, the production runs the risk of accidentally tipping off its victim at every turn by exposing camera equipment, revealing the real identities of the other actors, or just getting too silly for reality. Luckily, according to a recent interview with E! News, Anthony says he never suspected a thing and fully believed the retreat was real until the prank was revealed to him. Specifically, Anthony stated, “I didn’t figure it out. I think that if I did figure it out, I would have tried to play into it, and I’m not an actor by any means, so I would have messed it up.”
As the 25-year-old temp worker explained, there were several slow-paced days during production that didn’t make it into the final cut of “Company Retreat,” which threw him off the scent. Though the situation was very strange, he didn’t anticipate being on a hidden-camera prank show, especially since he never saw the first season of “Jury Duty,” which premiered in 2023.
Anthony did say, however, that his mother felt something was amiss. During his E! interview, he recalled, “[I had a] phone conversation with my mom very early on just explaining to her the things that were going on there… she was just like, ‘Something’s not right, right? Something’s off, right?’ So, looking back, I’m like I should’ve listened to my mom and asked more questions.”
Tips For Navigating Agoura Hills Filming Locations
Key Scenes: The core locations for “Company Retreat” are in Agoura Hills, per Distractify. This scenic neighborhood overlooking the mountains is located roughly an hour West of central Los Angeles by car, couched right beside the famed Calabasas Hills. While you’re free to visit the Agoura Hills neighborhood yourself, you likely won’t find many familiar spaces, since much of “Company Retreat” was filmed in purpose-built sets. Still, the stunning backdrops are well worth the trek, and the area’s proximity to Los Angeles should give you plenty to do beyond scouting film locations.
Best Time to Visit: Though Los Angeles is a bustling hub of fun activities year-round, most locals recommend visiting during the late spring or early fall. During these times, you can count on mild weather, sparser crowds and plenty of outdoor activities. Wildfires can be a serious problem during the summer, so it’s best to wait out the heat, especially if you’re visiting from a colder region.
Transportation Options: Unfortunately, one of the major downsides to visiting LA is the traffic. The area has very limited access to comprehensive public transportation, so you’ll want to weigh your options between rideshare apps and rental cars. If you’re planning to stay close to the center of the city, you should be able to navigate using the occasional bus. But those looking to really explore will want to proactively plan around rush hour, when the city is mired in gridlock.
The cast, including breakout star Alex Bonifer (who played the awkward “failson” Dougie), found the California setting provided the perfect playground for long-form improv. Bonifer shared that the environment allowed for total immersion, noting, “We lived there around the clock, so you’re only actually getting to see a fraction of what our experience was,” he told Parade in an interview.
“That’s how we were able to forge such a real friendship. Our interactions were largely casual. And I was just saying truths about my life… It was really an improviser’s dream, because I got to put my ‘stink’ all over this character,” Bonifer added.
Things to Do: While checking out the greater Los Angeles area, you’ll find tons of exciting excursions suitable for the whole family. If you’re a fan of film and TV history, be sure to check out historic sites like the Griffith Observatory the Hollywood Sign or the Santa Monica Pier. You can also take a Warner Bros studio tour, to get an up-close and personal look at some of your favorite cinema sets. Other must-see excursions include various wine-tasting tours, whale watching trips and the gorgeous Venice Canals. Those interested in learning a bit of California history should also make a point of visiting the California Science Center and the La Brea Tar Pits Museum.
Where to Eat: Since the greater LA area is home to such a diverse population, there’s a massive local food scene offering unique blends on different cultural dishes. Local favorites like Burosu Ramen and Maccheroni Republic provide wholly unique dining experiences, while joints such as the 71Above Restaurant and Skylounge give access to some of the best ambiance in the city. If you struggle to lock in a reservation at any of these bustling hot spots, you can always rely on the wealth of street food options and small local restaurants around each corner. Don’t be afraid to experiment, especially if you see a pop-up for Rockin’ Grandma’s Hot Sauce.
Where to Stay: Finding inexpensive hotel accommodations can be one of the trickiest parts of building an LA itinerary. The area has a reputation for being quite pricey, especially if you try booking an Airbnb over in the Agoura Hills or Calabasas regions. Those staying in the city can expect to spend upwards of $200 per evening at a chain hotel, but if you’ve got money to burn, consider setting your sights on luxury stays at The Garland, The Godfrey Hotel or The Hollywood Roosevelt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “Jury Duty” scripted or improv?
Though “Jury Duty” does not have a set script like most network television shows, the series does have an overarching story that takes shape around the main prank victim. Obviously, there’s no way to account for what Anthony or season one’s Ronald might say, so the actors are told to improvise their material as they go. Still, milestone moments are scripted to elicit the biggest response from the mark.
How many episodes are there of “Company Retreat”?
The main prank and narrative of “Company Retreat” span eight episodes. There are two additional episodes that provide a behind-the-scenes look at the production and a reunion special, respectively. In total, the season contains ten episodes.
