🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 92 (from laksa059)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa092.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/catch-22-review-832969/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/catch-22-review-832969/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-reviews\/catch-22-review-832969\/","crawl_time":1775963133,"first_indexed_time":1655945654,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,rollingstone!www,\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-reviews\/catch-22-review-832969\/ s443","src_root_hash":"6480905922786146692","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"'Catch-22' Review: Hulu Adaptation Wins Half the Battle","meta_descriptions":["George Clooney nail the horrors but not the absurdities of war in Joseph Heller's iconic novel 'Catch-22.' Read Alan Sepinwall's review."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Skip to main content\n‘Catch-22’ Review: Hulu Adaptation Wins Half the Battle\nChristopher Abbott as John Yossarian in Hulu's 'Catch-22.'\nPhilipe Antonello\/Hulu\nJoseph Heller’s 1961 novel\nCatch-22\nis one of the greatest anti-war satires ever written. With their six-part Hulu miniseries adaptation,\nGeorge Clooney\nand Grant Heslov have nailed the anti-war part. The satire? Well, that’s the catch.\nClooney and Heslov executive-produced this new version, with each directing a pair of episodes (Ellen Kuras handled the other two) from scripts by Luke Davies and David Michôd. Their depiction of World War II’s Mediterranean theater, as seen through the eyes of American bombardier John Yossarian (Christopher Abbott from\nGirls\n), is handsome and appropriately shocking. As Yossarian risks his life on one pointless bombing run after another, the direction, the cinematography (by Martin Ruhe) and the digital effects make the flights both clear and unnerving. Each mission offers some stunning new horror that will spur Yossarian in his quest to be grounded by any means necessary. Memorable moments from the novel, such as Yossarian’s midair conversation with a wounded new addition to the crew, are a gut punch. Had this creative team set out to make a straightforward drama about all the atrocities and tragedies of even a “good” war, they likely would have done a strong job.\nBut Clooney and Co. instead attempted to adapt a famously funny book in which Yossarian’s ordeal is not just nightmare but farce. And virtually all of the miniseries’ attempts at comedy land with all the delicacy of one of Yossarian’s aerial payloads.\nTake, for instance, the character of Major Major Major Major (Lewis Pullman). On the page, it’s slyly funny that he’s promoted to that rank because of the repeating name his prankster father gave him. But Davies and Michôd have him continually pause to explain the joke at length, each time beginning, “It’s a funny story.” Not with that much exposition, it’s not.\nOr consider the contradictory military order that gives the book and miniseries a title. As base physician Doc Daneeka puts it, any crew member can be grounded for being insane, but only if they ask to be — an act of self-preservation that would render them clearly sane in the eyes of the military. In the book, the exchange where Daneeka lays this out for Yossarian is as ridiculously rat-a-tat as anything from the Marx Brothers or Abbott and Costello. But Heslov casts himself as Daneeka, and he lacks both the verbal dexterity and the flair for playing absurdity to pull it off. And Abbott, who’s good in the dramatic scenes, often seems puzzled whenever a joke is being delivered, as uncertain of what he’s doing there as Yossarian is.\nEditor’s picks\nOf the sprawling cast, only a handful of actors even consistently seem to be aware that they’re in a comedy (albeit a very dark one). Clooney goes into full Coen-brothers-goon mode as the martinet parade officer Scheisskopf. Kyle Chandler effectively tweaks his own ramrod image as the sadistically insecure Colonel Cathcart, and there’s a bounce to Daniel David Stewart’s work as Milo Minderbinder, the hustler who quickly figures out how to use his job as mess officer to launch a profitable multinational syndicate. But too many others are playing things straight, or simply haven’t been given anything to play. The great Hugh Laurie, whose gifts for comedy and drama should make him a natural for a project like this, is utterly wasted as Major de Coverley.\nThe soundtrack is peppered with uptempo big-band hits including “No Love No Nothin’,” by Rosemary Clooney (aunt of George), and “Massachusetts,” by Anita O’Day. These are meant to be ironic counterpoints to Yossarian’s grim missions, but they often feel like an inadvertent critique of the story they’re accompanying. The songs, even the ballads, have rhythm and forward momentum that\nCatch-22\nconsistently lacks. The humor stumbles when it should swing.\nCatch-22\npremieres May 17th on Hulu. I’ve seen all six episodes.\nTV & Movies\nTV & Movies Reviews\nMore News","attrs_markdown":"×\n\n![an image, when javascript is unavailable](https:\/\/sb.scorecardresearch.com\/p?c1=2&c2=6035310&c4=&cv=3.9&cj=1)\n\n[×](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-reviews\/catch-22-review-832969\/)\n\n[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-reviews\/catch-22-review-832969\/#pagetop)\n\n[Rollingstone Logo](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/)\n\nClick to expand the Mega Menu\n\nClick to Expand Search Input\n\n- [Music](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/music\/)\n- [Politics](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/politics\/)\n- [TV & Movies](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/)\n- [Culture](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/culture\/)\n- [VIBE](https:\/\/vibe.com\/)\n\n[Got A Tip?](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tips\/)\n\n[Account](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-reviews\/catch-22-review-832969\/)\n\n[Welcome](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-reviews\/catch-22-review-832969\/)\n\n[Manage Account](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/my-account\/)\n\n[Manage Print Account](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/manage-print-account\/)\n\n[Sign Out](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-reviews\/catch-22-review-832969\/)\n\nLog In\n\nClick to expand the Mega Menu\n\nClick to Expand Search Input\n\n[Rollingstone Logo](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/)\n\nTV & Movies\n\n### [‘Catch-22’ Review: Hulu Adaptation Wins Half the Battle](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-reviews\/catch-22-review-832969\/)\n\n- [Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-reviews\/catch-22-review-832969\/&title=%E2%80%98Catch-22%E2%80%99%20Review:%20Hulu%20Adaptation%20Wins%20Half%20the%20Battle&sdk=joey&display=popup&ref=plugin&src=share_button \"Facebook\")\n- [X](https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/post?url=https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-reviews\/catch-22-review-832969\/&text=%E2%80%98Catch-22%E2%80%99%20Review%3A%20Hulu%20Adaptation%20Wins%20Half%20the%20Battle&via=RollingStone \"X\")\n- [google-preferred](https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rollingstone.com \"google-preferred\")\n- [email](mailto:?subject=RollingStone%20:%20‘Catch-22’%20Review:%20Hulu%20Adaptation%20Wins%20Half%20the%20Battle&body=https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-reviews\/catch-22-review-832969\/%20-%20‘Catch-22’%20Review:%20Hulu%20Adaptation%20Wins%20Half%20the%20Battle \"email\")\n\n[Got A Tip?](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tips\/)\n\n[Account](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-reviews\/catch-22-review-832969\/)\n\n[Welcome](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-reviews\/catch-22-review-832969\/)\n\n[Manage Account](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/my-account\/)\n\n[Manage Print Account](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/manage-print-account\/)\n\n[Sign Out](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-reviews\/catch-22-review-832969\/)\n\nLog In\n\nTV & Movies\n\n# ‘Catch-22’ Review: Hulu Adaptation Wins Half the Battle\nGeorge Clooney and Co. nail the horrors but not the absurdities of war depicted in Joseph Heller's iconic novel\n\nBy  [Alan Sepinwall](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/author\/alan-sepinwall\/)\n\n### [Alan Sepinwall](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/author\/alan-sepinwall\/)\n[Contact Alan Sepinwall on X](https:\/\/twitter.com\/sepinwall \"X Icon\")\n\n[Contact Alan Sepinwall by Email](mailto:asepinwall@rollingstone.com \"Email Icon\")\n\n- [‘I Was Nervous About Leaving the Heisenberg Universe’: Vince Gilligan on ‘Pluribus’](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-features\/vince-gilligan-pluribus-interview-ai-1235443720\/)\n- [‘Alien: Earth’ Episode 7: An Eyeball in Sheep’s Clothing](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-recaps\/alien-earth-episode-7-1235424034\/)\n- [Emmys 2025: One Bad Bit Overshadowed TV’s Biggest Night](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-features\/emmys-2025-review-analysis-bad-host-1235424037\/)\n\n[View all posts by Alan Sepinwall](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/author\/alan-sepinwall\/)\n\nMay 15, 2019\n\n![Catch-22 -- Episode 2 -- Yossarian enlists his friends’ help to get him sent home. Meanwhile Milo Minderbinder, recently appointed mess officer, sees the war in a different light: as an opportunity for profit. The men spend a weekend of R\\&R in the newly liberated city of Rome. On a seemingly easy mission, Clevinger’s plane disappears behind a cloud and is never seen again. The men are briefed about their next mission – Bologna – and it looks to be a bad one. Yossarian (Christopher Abbott) shown. (Photo by: Philipe Antonello \/ Hulu)](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/C22_102_PS1150-01013RTw.jpg?w=1440&h=1054&crop=1)\n\nChristopher Abbott as John Yossarian in Hulu's 'Catch-22.'\n\nPhilipe Antonello\/Hulu\n\nJoseph Heller’s 1961 novel *Catch-22* is one of the greatest anti-war satires ever written. With their six-part Hulu miniseries adaptation, [George Clooney](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/t\/george-clooney\/) and Grant Heslov have nailed the anti-war part. The satire? Well, that’s the catch.\n\nClooney and Heslov executive-produced this new version, with each directing a pair of episodes (Ellen Kuras handled the other two) from scripts by Luke Davies and David Michôd. Their depiction of World War II’s Mediterranean theater, as seen through the eyes of American bombardier John Yossarian (Christopher Abbott from *Girls*), is handsome and appropriately shocking. As Yossarian risks his life on one pointless bombing run after another, the direction, the cinematography (by Martin Ruhe) and the digital effects make the flights both clear and unnerving. Each mission offers some stunning new horror that will spur Yossarian in his quest to be grounded by any means necessary. Memorable moments from the novel, such as Yossarian’s midair conversation with a wounded new addition to the crew, are a gut punch. Had this creative team set out to make a straightforward drama about all the atrocities and tragedies of even a “good” war, they likely would have done a strong job.\n\nBut Clooney and Co. instead attempted to adapt a famously funny book in which Yossarian’s ordeal is not just nightmare but farce. And virtually all of the miniseries’ attempts at comedy land with all the delicacy of one of Yossarian’s aerial payloads.\n\nTake, for instance, the character of Major Major Major Major (Lewis Pullman). On the page, it’s slyly funny that he’s promoted to that rank because of the repeating name his prankster father gave him. But Davies and Michôd have him continually pause to explain the joke at length, each time beginning, “It’s a funny story.” Not with that much exposition, it’s not.\n\nOr consider the contradictory military order that gives the book and miniseries a title. As base physician Doc Daneeka puts it, any crew member can be grounded for being insane, but only if they ask to be — an act of self-preservation that would render them clearly sane in the eyes of the military. In the book, the exchange where Daneeka lays this out for Yossarian is as ridiculously rat-a-tat as anything from the Marx Brothers or Abbott and Costello. But Heslov casts himself as Daneeka, and he lacks both the verbal dexterity and the flair for playing absurdity to pull it off. And Abbott, who’s good in the dramatic scenes, often seems puzzled whenever a joke is being delivered, as uncertain of what he’s doing there as Yossarian is.\n\n## Editor’s picks\n[![](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/250-Greatest-Songs-of-the-21st-Century-THUMB.jpg?w=225&h=225&crop=1) The 250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century So Far](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/music\/music-lists\/best-albums-21st-century-1235177256\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Best-Eps-of-All-Time-_-Final-1.jpg?w=225&h=225&crop=1) The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-lists\/best-tv-episodes-of-all-time-1235090945\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/R1344_TOC_Greatest_Albums.jpg?w=225&h=225&crop=1) The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/music\/music-lists\/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Movies-of-the-21st-Cent_Final.jpg?w=225&h=225&crop=1) 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-lists\/best-movies-of-the-21st-century-1235200512\/)\n\nOf the sprawling cast, only a handful of actors even consistently seem to be aware that they’re in a comedy (albeit a very dark one). Clooney goes into full Coen-brothers-goon mode as the martinet parade officer Scheisskopf. Kyle Chandler effectively tweaks his own ramrod image as the sadistically insecure Colonel Cathcart, and there’s a bounce to Daniel David Stewart’s work as Milo Minderbinder, the hustler who quickly figures out how to use his job as mess officer to launch a profitable multinational syndicate. But too many others are playing things straight, or simply haven’t been given anything to play. The great Hugh Laurie, whose gifts for comedy and drama should make him a natural for a project like this, is utterly wasted as Major de Coverley.\n\nThe soundtrack is peppered with uptempo big-band hits including “No Love No Nothin’,” by Rosemary Clooney (aunt of George), and “Massachusetts,” by Anita O’Day. These are meant to be ironic counterpoints to Yossarian’s grim missions, but they often feel like an inadvertent critique of the story they’re accompanying. The songs, even the ballads, have rhythm and forward momentum that *Catch-22* consistently lacks. The humor stumbles when it should swing.\n\nCatch-22 *premieres May 17th on Hulu. I’ve seen all six episodes.*\n\n#### In this article:\n- [George Clooney](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/t\/george-clooney\/)\n\n- [TV & Movies](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/)\n- [TV & Movies Reviews](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-reviews\/)\n\n### More News\n- [![NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 09: Natasha Lyonne attends the premiere of Focus Features' \"Lorne\" at Alice Tully Hall on April 09, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano\/Getty Images)](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2270639614.jpg?w=1024)](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-news\/natasha-lyonne-ice-agents-detained-plane-incident-1235545081\/)\n  \n  ### [Natasha Lyonne Says She Was 'Detained' by ICE After Being Escorted Off Plane](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-news\/natasha-lyonne-ice-agents-detained-plane-incident-1235545081\/)\n  - Plane Wrong\n  \n  - By\n    [Jon Blistein](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/author\/jon-blistein\/)\n- [![Natasha Lyonne on red carpet](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/natasha-lyonne-lorne-red-carpet.jpg?w=1024)](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-news\/natasha-lyonne-lorne-red-carpet-after-plane-comments-1235544886\/)\n  \n  ### [Natasha Lyonne Attends Film Premiere Hours After Calling Out Report About Being Kicked Off a Flight](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-news\/natasha-lyonne-lorne-red-carpet-after-plane-comments-1235544886\/)\n  - Walk It Off\n  \n  - By\n    [Maya Georgi](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/author\/maya-georgi\/)\n- [![Exit 8](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/EXIT8_Still1_Yamato-Kochi_Courtesy-of-NEON.jpg?w=1024)](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-reviews\/exit-8-review-1235541173\/)\n  \n  ### [‘Exit 8’ May Be the Best — and Creepiest — Video Game Adaptation Ever](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-reviews\/exit-8-review-1235541173\/)\n  - Movie Review\n  \n  - By\n    [David Fear](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/author\/david-fear\/)\n- [![Harrison Ford](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Harrison-Ford-Depression.jpg?w=1024)](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-news\/harrison-ford-clinical-depression-college-1235544792\/)\n  \n  ### [Harrison Ford Reveals He Suffered Clinical Depression in College: ‘I Was Socially Ill’](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-news\/harrison-ford-clinical-depression-college-1235544792\/)\n  - Opening Up\n  \n  - By\n    [Maya Georgi](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/author\/maya-georgi\/)\n- [![HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 07: Natasha Lyonne attends the Los Angeles Premiere of HBO's \"Euphoria\" Season 3 at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 07, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper\/Getty Images)](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/natasha-lyonne-escorted-off-plane.jpg?w=1024)](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-news\/natasha-lyonne-plane-comment-1235544408\/)\n  \n  ### [Natasha Lyonne Responds to Report She Was Escorted Off Plane](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-news\/natasha-lyonne-plane-comment-1235544408\/)\n  - Plane Wrong\n  \n  - By\n    [Kory Grow](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/author\/kory-grow\/)\n\n[Read more](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/)\n\n- ### [Addison Rae Gets Coachella Screaming With Thrilling Set](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/music\/music-news\/addison-rae-performance-coachella-2026-1235543491\/)\n  - Coachella 2026\n  \n  - 1 hour ago\n- ### [Jack White Tears Through a Hit-Laden Last-Minute Set at Coachella](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/music\/music-news\/jack-white-performance-coachella-2026-1235543501\/)\n  - Coachella 2026\n  \n  - 3 hours ago\n- ### [Alabama Shakes Tackle These Crazy Times on New Song 'American Dream'](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/music\/music-news\/alabama-shakes-new-song-american-dream-1235545402\/)\n  - 'A Snapshot'\n  \n  - Apr 11, 2026 2:13 pm\n- ### [Anyma's Late-Night Coachella Set Canceled Due to 'Strong Winds'](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/music\/music-news\/anymas-late-night-coachella-set-canceled-strong-winds-1235545324\/)\n  - Safety First\n  \n  - Apr 11, 2026 9:28 am\n\n### Top stories newsletter\nA Cultural Force That Transcends Generations\n\nBy providing your information, you agree to our [Terms of Use](https:\/\/pmc.com\/terms-of-use) and our [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/pmc.com\/privacy-policy). 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[Gift Guides](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/t\/gift-guide\/)\n- [Culture Council](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/culture-council\/)\n\nSubscription Icon\n\n!['Catch-22' Review: Hulu Adaptation Wins Half the Battle](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/R1410-COV-Future-of-Music_Lola-Young.jpg?w=788)\n\nFollow Us\n\n- [Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/RollingStone\/ \"Facebook\")\n- [Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/rollingstone\/ \"Instagram\")\n- [TikTok](https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@rollingstone?lang=en \"TikTok\")\n- [X](https:\/\/twitter.com\/RollingStone \"X\")\n- [YouTube](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/rollingstone \"YouTube\")\n\nAlerts & Newsletters\n\nBy providing your information, you agree to our [Terms of Use](https:\/\/pmc.com\/terms-of-use) and our [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/pmc.com\/privacy-policy). We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services.\n\nad","attrs_readable_markdown":"[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-reviews\/catch-22-review-832969\/#pagetop)\n\n## ‘Catch-22’ Review: Hulu Adaptation Wins Half the Battle\n![Catch-22 -- Episode 2 -- Yossarian enlists his friends’ help to get him sent home. Meanwhile Milo Minderbinder, recently appointed mess officer, sees the war in a different light: as an opportunity for profit. The men spend a weekend of R\\&R in the newly liberated city of Rome. On a seemingly easy mission, Clevinger’s plane disappears behind a cloud and is never seen again. The men are briefed about their next mission – Bologna – and it looks to be a bad one. Yossarian (Christopher Abbott) shown. (Photo by: Philipe Antonello \/ Hulu)](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/C22_102_PS1150-01013RTw.jpg?w=1440&h=1054&crop=1)\n\nChristopher Abbott as John Yossarian in Hulu's 'Catch-22.'\n\nPhilipe Antonello\/Hulu\n\nJoseph Heller’s 1961 novel *Catch-22* is one of the greatest anti-war satires ever written. With their six-part Hulu miniseries adaptation, [George Clooney](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/t\/george-clooney\/) and Grant Heslov have nailed the anti-war part. The satire? Well, that’s the catch.\n\nClooney and Heslov executive-produced this new version, with each directing a pair of episodes (Ellen Kuras handled the other two) from scripts by Luke Davies and David Michôd. Their depiction of World War II’s Mediterranean theater, as seen through the eyes of American bombardier John Yossarian (Christopher Abbott from *Girls*), is handsome and appropriately shocking. As Yossarian risks his life on one pointless bombing run after another, the direction, the cinematography (by Martin Ruhe) and the digital effects make the flights both clear and unnerving. Each mission offers some stunning new horror that will spur Yossarian in his quest to be grounded by any means necessary. Memorable moments from the novel, such as Yossarian’s midair conversation with a wounded new addition to the crew, are a gut punch. Had this creative team set out to make a straightforward drama about all the atrocities and tragedies of even a “good” war, they likely would have done a strong job.\n\nBut Clooney and Co. instead attempted to adapt a famously funny book in which Yossarian’s ordeal is not just nightmare but farce. And virtually all of the miniseries’ attempts at comedy land with all the delicacy of one of Yossarian’s aerial payloads.\n\nTake, for instance, the character of Major Major Major Major (Lewis Pullman). On the page, it’s slyly funny that he’s promoted to that rank because of the repeating name his prankster father gave him. But Davies and Michôd have him continually pause to explain the joke at length, each time beginning, “It’s a funny story.” Not with that much exposition, it’s not.\n\nOr consider the contradictory military order that gives the book and miniseries a title. As base physician Doc Daneeka puts it, any crew member can be grounded for being insane, but only if they ask to be — an act of self-preservation that would render them clearly sane in the eyes of the military. In the book, the exchange where Daneeka lays this out for Yossarian is as ridiculously rat-a-tat as anything from the Marx Brothers or Abbott and Costello. But Heslov casts himself as Daneeka, and he lacks both the verbal dexterity and the flair for playing absurdity to pull it off. And Abbott, who’s good in the dramatic scenes, often seems puzzled whenever a joke is being delivered, as uncertain of what he’s doing there as Yossarian is.\n\n## Editor’s picks\nOf the sprawling cast, only a handful of actors even consistently seem to be aware that they’re in a comedy (albeit a very dark one). Clooney goes into full Coen-brothers-goon mode as the martinet parade officer Scheisskopf. Kyle Chandler effectively tweaks his own ramrod image as the sadistically insecure Colonel Cathcart, and there’s a bounce to Daniel David Stewart’s work as Milo Minderbinder, the hustler who quickly figures out how to use his job as mess officer to launch a profitable multinational syndicate. But too many others are playing things straight, or simply haven’t been given anything to play. The great Hugh Laurie, whose gifts for comedy and drama should make him a natural for a project like this, is utterly wasted as Major de Coverley.\n\nThe soundtrack is peppered with uptempo big-band hits including “No Love No Nothin’,” by Rosemary Clooney (aunt of George), and “Massachusetts,” by Anita O’Day. These are meant to be ironic counterpoints to Yossarian’s grim missions, but they often feel like an inadvertent critique of the story they’re accompanying. The songs, even the ballads, have rhythm and forward momentum that *Catch-22* consistently lacks. The humor stumbles when it should swing.\n\nCatch-22 *premieres May 17th on Hulu. I’ve seen all six episodes.*\n\n- [TV & Movies](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/)\n- [TV & Movies Reviews](https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/tv-movies\/tv-movie-reviews\/)\n### More News","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	Skip to main content ‘Catch-22’ Review: Hulu Adaptation Wins Half the Battle Christopher Abbott as John Yossarian in Hulu's 'Catch-22.' Philipe Antonello/Hulu Joseph Heller’s 1961 novel Catch-22 is one of the greatest anti-war satires ever written. With their six-part Hulu miniseries adaptation, George Clooney and Grant Heslov have nailed the anti-war part. The satire? Well, that’s the catch. Clooney and Heslov executive-produced this new version, with each directing a pair of episodes (Ellen Kuras handled the other two) from scripts by Luke Davies and David Michôd. Their depiction of World War II’s Mediterranean theater, as seen through the eyes of American bombardier John Yossarian (Christopher Abbott from Girls ), is handsome and appropriately shocking. As Yossarian risks his life on one pointless bombing run after another, the direction, the cinematography (by Martin Ruhe) and the digital effects make the flights both clear and unnerving. Each mission offers some stunning new horror that will spur Yossarian in his quest to be grounded by any means necessary. Memorable moments from the novel, such as Yossarian’s midair conversation with a wounded new addition to the crew, are a gut punch. Had this creative team set out to make a straightforward drama about all the atrocities and tragedies of even a “good” war, they likely would have done a strong job. But Clooney and Co. instead attempted to adapt a famously funny book in which Yossarian’s ordeal is not just nightmare but farce. And virtually all of the miniseries’ attempts at comedy land with all the delicacy of one of Yossarian’s aerial payloads. Take, for instance, the character of Major Major Major Major (Lewis Pullman). On the page, it’s slyly funny that he’s promoted to that rank because of the repeating name his prankster father gave him. But Davies and Michôd have him continually pause to explain the joke at length, each time beginning, “It’s a funny story.” Not with that much exposition, it’s not. Or consider the contradictory military order that gives the book and miniseries a title. As base physician Doc Daneeka puts it, any crew member can be grounded for being insane, but only if they ask to be — an act of self-preservation that would render them clearly sane in the eyes of the military. In the book, the exchange where Daneeka lays this out for Yossarian is as ridiculously rat-a-tat as anything from the Marx Brothers or Abbott and Costello. But Heslov casts himself as Daneeka, and he lacks both the verbal dexterity and the flair for playing absurdity to pull it off. And Abbott, who’s good in the dramatic scenes, often seems puzzled whenever a joke is being delivered, as uncertain of what he’s doing there as Yossarian is. Editor’s picks Of the sprawling cast, only a handful of actors even consistently seem to be aware that they’re in a comedy (albeit a very dark one). Clooney goes into full Coen-brothers-goon mode as the martinet parade officer Scheisskopf. Kyle Chandler effectively tweaks his own ramrod image as the sadistically insecure Colonel Cathcart, and there’s a bounce to Daniel David Stewart’s work as Milo Minderbinder, the hustler who quickly figures out how to use his job as mess officer to launch a profitable multinational syndicate. But too many others are playing things straight, or simply haven’t been given anything to play. The great Hugh Laurie, whose gifts for comedy and drama should make him a natural for a project like this, is utterly wasted as Major de Coverley. The soundtrack is peppered with uptempo big-band hits including “No Love No Nothin’,” by Rosemary Clooney (aunt of George), and “Massachusetts,” by Anita O’Day. These are meant to be ironic counterpoints to Yossarian’s grim missions, but they often feel like an inadvertent critique of the story they’re accompanying. The songs, even the ballads, have rhythm and forward momentum that Catch-22 consistently lacks. The humor stumbles when it should swing. Catch-22 premieres May 17th on Hulu. I’ve seen all six episodes. TV & Movies TV & Movies Reviews More News
Markdown	× ![an image, when javascript is unavailable](https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=6035310&c4=&cv=3.9&cj=1) [×](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/catch-22-review-832969/) [Skip to main content](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/catch-22-review-832969/#pagetop) [Rollingstone Logo](https://www.rollingstone.com/) Click to expand the Mega Menu Click to Expand Search Input - [Music](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/) - [Politics](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/) - [TV & Movies](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/) - [Culture](https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/) - [VIBE](https://vibe.com/) [Got A Tip?](https://www.rollingstone.com/tips/) [Account](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/catch-22-review-832969/) [Welcome](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/catch-22-review-832969/) [Manage Account](https://www.rollingstone.com/my-account/) [Manage Print Account](https://www.rollingstone.com/manage-print-account/) [Sign Out](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/catch-22-review-832969/) Log In Click to expand the Mega Menu Click to Expand Search Input [Rollingstone Logo](https://www.rollingstone.com/) TV & Movies ### [‘Catch-22’ Review: Hulu Adaptation Wins Half the Battle](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/catch-22-review-832969/) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/catch-22-review-832969/&title=%E2%80%98Catch-22%E2%80%99%20Review:%20Hulu%20Adaptation%20Wins%20Half%20the%20Battle&sdk=joey&display=popup&ref=plugin&src=share_button "Facebook") - [X](https://twitter.com/intent/post?url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/catch-22-review-832969/&text=%E2%80%98Catch-22%E2%80%99%20Review%3A%20Hulu%20Adaptation%20Wins%20Half%20the%20Battle&via=RollingStone "X") - [google-preferred](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rollingstone.com "google-preferred") - [email](mailto:?subject=RollingStone%20:%20‘Catch-22’%20Review:%20Hulu%20Adaptation%20Wins%20Half%20the%20Battle&body=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/catch-22-review-832969/%20-%20‘Catch-22’%20Review:%20Hulu%20Adaptation%20Wins%20Half%20the%20Battle "email") [Got A Tip?](https://www.rollingstone.com/tips/) [Account](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/catch-22-review-832969/) [Welcome](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/catch-22-review-832969/) [Manage Account](https://www.rollingstone.com/my-account/) [Manage Print Account](https://www.rollingstone.com/manage-print-account/) [Sign Out](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/catch-22-review-832969/) Log In TV & Movies # ‘Catch-22’ Review: Hulu Adaptation Wins Half the Battle George Clooney and Co. nail the horrors but not the absurdities of war depicted in Joseph Heller's iconic novel By [Alan Sepinwall](https://www.rollingstone.com/author/alan-sepinwall/) ### [Alan Sepinwall](https://www.rollingstone.com/author/alan-sepinwall/) [Contact Alan Sepinwall on X](https://twitter.com/sepinwall "X Icon") [Contact Alan Sepinwall by Email](mailto:asepinwall@rollingstone.com "Email Icon") - [‘I Was Nervous About Leaving the Heisenberg Universe’: Vince Gilligan on ‘Pluribus’](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/vince-gilligan-pluribus-interview-ai-1235443720/) - [‘Alien: Earth’ Episode 7: An Eyeball in Sheep’s Clothing](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-recaps/alien-earth-episode-7-1235424034/) - [Emmys 2025: One Bad Bit Overshadowed TV’s Biggest Night](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/emmys-2025-review-analysis-bad-host-1235424037/) [View all posts by Alan Sepinwall](https://www.rollingstone.com/author/alan-sepinwall/) May 15, 2019 ![Catch-22 -- Episode 2 -- Yossarian enlists his friends’ help to get him sent home. Meanwhile Milo Minderbinder, recently appointed mess officer, sees the war in a different light: as an opportunity for profit. The men spend a weekend of R\&R in the newly liberated city of Rome. On a seemingly easy mission, Clevinger’s plane disappears behind a cloud and is never seen again. The men are briefed about their next mission – Bologna – and it looks to be a bad one. Yossarian (Christopher Abbott) shown. (Photo by: Philipe Antonello / Hulu)](https://www.rollingstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/C22_102_PS1150-01013RTw.jpg?w=1440&h=1054&crop=1) Christopher Abbott as John Yossarian in Hulu's 'Catch-22.' Philipe Antonello/Hulu Joseph Heller’s 1961 novel Catch-22 is one of the greatest anti-war satires ever written. With their six-part Hulu miniseries adaptation, [George Clooney](https://www.rollingstone.com/t/george-clooney/) and Grant Heslov have nailed the anti-war part. The satire? Well, that’s the catch. Clooney and Heslov executive-produced this new version, with each directing a pair of episodes (Ellen Kuras handled the other two) from scripts by Luke Davies and David Michôd. Their depiction of World War II’s Mediterranean theater, as seen through the eyes of American bombardier John Yossarian (Christopher Abbott from Girls), is handsome and appropriately shocking. As Yossarian risks his life on one pointless bombing run after another, the direction, the cinematography (by Martin Ruhe) and the digital effects make the flights both clear and unnerving. Each mission offers some stunning new horror that will spur Yossarian in his quest to be grounded by any means necessary. Memorable moments from the novel, such as Yossarian’s midair conversation with a wounded new addition to the crew, are a gut punch. Had this creative team set out to make a straightforward drama about all the atrocities and tragedies of even a “good” war, they likely would have done a strong job. But Clooney and Co. instead attempted to adapt a famously funny book in which Yossarian’s ordeal is not just nightmare but farce. And virtually all of the miniseries’ attempts at comedy land with all the delicacy of one of Yossarian’s aerial payloads. Take, for instance, the character of Major Major Major Major (Lewis Pullman). On the page, it’s slyly funny that he’s promoted to that rank because of the repeating name his prankster father gave him. But Davies and Michôd have him continually pause to explain the joke at length, each time beginning, “It’s a funny story.” Not with that much exposition, it’s not. Or consider the contradictory military order that gives the book and miniseries a title. As base physician Doc Daneeka puts it, any crew member can be grounded for being insane, but only if they ask to be — an act of self-preservation that would render them clearly sane in the eyes of the military. In the book, the exchange where Daneeka lays this out for Yossarian is as ridiculously rat-a-tat as anything from the Marx Brothers or Abbott and Costello. But Heslov casts himself as Daneeka, and he lacks both the verbal dexterity and the flair for playing absurdity to pull it off. And Abbott, who’s good in the dramatic scenes, often seems puzzled whenever a joke is being delivered, as uncertain of what he’s doing there as Yossarian is. ## Editor’s picks [![](https://www.rollingstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/250-Greatest-Songs-of-the-21st-Century-THUMB.jpg?w=225&h=225&crop=1) The 250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century So Far](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-21st-century-1235177256/) [![](https://www.rollingstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Best-Eps-of-All-Time-_-Final-1.jpg?w=225&h=225&crop=1) The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/best-tv-episodes-of-all-time-1235090945/) [![](https://www.rollingstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/R1344_TOC_Greatest_Albums.jpg?w=225&h=225&crop=1) The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/) [![](https://www.rollingstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Movies-of-the-21st-Cent_Final.jpg?w=225&h=225&crop=1) 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/best-movies-of-the-21st-century-1235200512/) Of the sprawling cast, only a handful of actors even consistently seem to be aware that they’re in a comedy (albeit a very dark one). Clooney goes into full Coen-brothers-goon mode as the martinet parade officer Scheisskopf. Kyle Chandler effectively tweaks his own ramrod image as the sadistically insecure Colonel Cathcart, and there’s a bounce to Daniel David Stewart’s work as Milo Minderbinder, the hustler who quickly figures out how to use his job as mess officer to launch a profitable multinational syndicate. But too many others are playing things straight, or simply haven’t been given anything to play. The great Hugh Laurie, whose gifts for comedy and drama should make him a natural for a project like this, is utterly wasted as Major de Coverley. The soundtrack is peppered with uptempo big-band hits including “No Love No Nothin’,” by Rosemary Clooney (aunt of George), and “Massachusetts,” by Anita O’Day. These are meant to be ironic counterpoints to Yossarian’s grim missions, but they often feel like an inadvertent critique of the story they’re accompanying. The songs, even the ballads, have rhythm and forward momentum that Catch-22 consistently lacks. The humor stumbles when it should swing. Catch-22 premieres May 17th on Hulu. I’ve seen all six episodes. #### In this article: - [George Clooney](https://www.rollingstone.com/t/george-clooney/) - [TV & Movies](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/) - [TV & Movies Reviews](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/) ### More News - [![NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 09: Natasha Lyonne attends the premiere of Focus Features' "Lorne" at Alice Tully Hall on April 09, 2026 in New York City. 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Readable Markdown	[Skip to main content](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/catch-22-review-832969/#pagetop) ## ‘Catch-22’ Review: Hulu Adaptation Wins Half the Battle ![Catch-22 -- Episode 2 -- Yossarian enlists his friends’ help to get him sent home. Meanwhile Milo Minderbinder, recently appointed mess officer, sees the war in a different light: as an opportunity for profit. The men spend a weekend of R\&R in the newly liberated city of Rome. On a seemingly easy mission, Clevinger’s plane disappears behind a cloud and is never seen again. The men are briefed about their next mission – Bologna – and it looks to be a bad one. Yossarian (Christopher Abbott) shown. (Photo by: Philipe Antonello / Hulu)](https://www.rollingstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/C22_102_PS1150-01013RTw.jpg?w=1440&h=1054&crop=1) Christopher Abbott as John Yossarian in Hulu's 'Catch-22.' Philipe Antonello/Hulu Joseph Heller’s 1961 novel Catch-22 is one of the greatest anti-war satires ever written. With their six-part Hulu miniseries adaptation, [George Clooney](https://www.rollingstone.com/t/george-clooney/) and Grant Heslov have nailed the anti-war part. The satire? Well, that’s the catch. Clooney and Heslov executive-produced this new version, with each directing a pair of episodes (Ellen Kuras handled the other two) from scripts by Luke Davies and David Michôd. Their depiction of World War II’s Mediterranean theater, as seen through the eyes of American bombardier John Yossarian (Christopher Abbott from Girls), is handsome and appropriately shocking. As Yossarian risks his life on one pointless bombing run after another, the direction, the cinematography (by Martin Ruhe) and the digital effects make the flights both clear and unnerving. Each mission offers some stunning new horror that will spur Yossarian in his quest to be grounded by any means necessary. Memorable moments from the novel, such as Yossarian’s midair conversation with a wounded new addition to the crew, are a gut punch. Had this creative team set out to make a straightforward drama about all the atrocities and tragedies of even a “good” war, they likely would have done a strong job. But Clooney and Co. instead attempted to adapt a famously funny book in which Yossarian’s ordeal is not just nightmare but farce. And virtually all of the miniseries’ attempts at comedy land with all the delicacy of one of Yossarian’s aerial payloads. Take, for instance, the character of Major Major Major Major (Lewis Pullman). On the page, it’s slyly funny that he’s promoted to that rank because of the repeating name his prankster father gave him. But Davies and Michôd have him continually pause to explain the joke at length, each time beginning, “It’s a funny story.” Not with that much exposition, it’s not. Or consider the contradictory military order that gives the book and miniseries a title. As base physician Doc Daneeka puts it, any crew member can be grounded for being insane, but only if they ask to be — an act of self-preservation that would render them clearly sane in the eyes of the military. In the book, the exchange where Daneeka lays this out for Yossarian is as ridiculously rat-a-tat as anything from the Marx Brothers or Abbott and Costello. But Heslov casts himself as Daneeka, and he lacks both the verbal dexterity and the flair for playing absurdity to pull it off. And Abbott, who’s good in the dramatic scenes, often seems puzzled whenever a joke is being delivered, as uncertain of what he’s doing there as Yossarian is. ## Editor’s picks Of the sprawling cast, only a handful of actors even consistently seem to be aware that they’re in a comedy (albeit a very dark one). Clooney goes into full Coen-brothers-goon mode as the martinet parade officer Scheisskopf. Kyle Chandler effectively tweaks his own ramrod image as the sadistically insecure Colonel Cathcart, and there’s a bounce to Daniel David Stewart’s work as Milo Minderbinder, the hustler who quickly figures out how to use his job as mess officer to launch a profitable multinational syndicate. But too many others are playing things straight, or simply haven’t been given anything to play. The great Hugh Laurie, whose gifts for comedy and drama should make him a natural for a project like this, is utterly wasted as Major de Coverley. The soundtrack is peppered with uptempo big-band hits including “No Love No Nothin’,” by Rosemary Clooney (aunt of George), and “Massachusetts,” by Anita O’Day. These are meant to be ironic counterpoints to Yossarian’s grim missions, but they often feel like an inadvertent critique of the story they’re accompanying. The songs, even the ballads, have rhythm and forward momentum that Catch-22 consistently lacks. The humor stumbles when it should swing. Catch-22 premieres May 17th on Hulu. I’ve seen all six episodes. - [TV & Movies](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/) - [TV & Movies Reviews](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/) ### More News
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