Reviewers from IMDb and CGMagazine lauded the transition from film to long-form series, noting that the eight half-hour episodes allowed the creators to "go deeper" into the character's psyche.

MacGruber (2021) succeeded by refusing to soften the character's rough edges. It remains a rare example of an SNL property that successfully survived the transition to both film and television, maintaining a dedicated cult following by doubling down on its "stupidly funny" and "over the top" premise. MacGruber (TV Series 2021) - IMDb

Some noted that the humor remains "niche" and may leave those unfamiliar with 1980s action cinema or Forte's style "cold". Conclusion: A Cult Hero for the 21st Century

The humor is characterized by "absurd" and "raw" comedy, featuring graphic violence, intense profanity, and "sophomoric puns".

The series serves as a direct sequel to the 2010 film. After spending eleven years in a maximum-security prison for the brutal execution of his former nemesis, Dieter Von Cunth, MacGruber is recruited by General Barrett Fasoose ( Laurence Fishburne ) for a "suicide mission".

MacGruber must stop a new villain, Brigadier Commander Enos Queeth ( Billy Zane ), who is linked to MacGruber’s childhood trauma—specifically the death of his mother.

MacGruber reunites with his fractured team: Vicki St. Elmo ( Kristen Wiig ) and Dixon Piper (Ryan Phillippe). The show explores the shifted dynamics between the trio, including tension over Vicki’s remarriage to General Fasoose. The Mechanics of Parody