• Keegan-Michael Key as Reed Sterling, the Yale-trained actor who played "Lawrence", the stepfather on Step Right Up, before leaving the show to pursue a failed career in theater and film.
• Johnny Knoxville as Clay Barber, the actor and raunchy stand-up comedian who played "Jake", the ex-husband in Step Right Up and is now dealing with a lifetime of alcoholism, drug abuse, and repeated arrests for minor crimes.
• Rachel Bloom as Hannah Korman, an up-and-coming indie film screenwriter who lands a deal with Hulu to revive Step Right Up but is forced into the role of co-showrunner with the sitcom's creator, Gordon, who is her estranged father.
• Calum Worthy as Zack Jackson, the former child actor who played "Cody", the son on Step Right Up, before going on to a brief career as the leading man in a series of low-budget teen movies.
• Krista Marie Yu as Elaine Kim, the inexperienced studio executive tasked with overseeing the revival of Step Right Up and Zack's love interest.
• Judy Greer as Bree Marie Jensen, the actress who played "Josie", the mother on Step Right Up, then retired from acting when she married the duke of a small Nordic country before losing all of her money in their divorce.
• Paul Reiser as Gordon Gelman, the writer who originally created Step Right Up and maintains the rights to the show, allowing him to co-opt Hannah as lead showrunner.

• Eliza Coupe as Nora, Reed's girlfriend and a successful playwright
• Alyah Chanelle Scott as Timberly Fox, a former reality show contestant who plays "Whitney", the adult daughter of Reed's character Lawrence.^[6]
• Lawrence Pressman as Jerry, the former director of episodes from the original Step Right Up who returns to direct episodes in the reboot
• Ryan Dietz as Dennis, the first AD of "Step Right Up"
• Fred Melamed, Rose Abdoo and George Wyner as Alan, Selma and Bob, older and experienced comedy writers brought in by Gordon
• Kimia Behpoornia, Korama Danquah and Dan Leahy as Azmina, Janae and Benny, young and socially conscious comedy writers brought in by Hannah

• Kerri Kenney as Susan, Zack's mother
• Robert Clendenin as Dougie, a struggling actor and old friend of Clay's
• Esther Povitsky as Marcy, Zack's ex-girlfriend
• Stephanie Allynne as Mallory, a Hulu HR representative
• Peter Gallagher as Tyler, the new president of Hulu

On August 5, 2021, the series was given a pilot order by Hulu, and on January 11, 2022, was given a series order.^[9] On January 30, 2023, Hulu canceled the series after one season, with the series being planned to be shopped to other networks.^[5] On February 8, it was reported the series had failed to be picked up elsewhere and officially ended production.^[10]

Alongside the series announcement, it was confirmed that Keegan-Michael Key and Johnny Knoxville would star in the series. On September 22, 2021, it was announced that Leslie Bibb would join the series as Bree, alongside Rachel Bloom as Hannah, Michael McKean as Gordon, Krista Marie Yu as Elaine, and Calum Worthy as Zack.^[11] On January 11, 2022, it was announced that Judy Greer had replaced Bibb as Bree Marie Jensen. In February 2022, it was reported that Paul Reiser would play the role of Gordon in the series, replacing McKean.^[12]

The streaming aggregator Reelgood, which monitors real-time data from 5 million users in the U.S. for original and acquired content across SVOD and AVOD services, reported that Reboot was the 9th most streamed program across all platforms during the week of September 22–28.^[15][16] JustWatch, a guide to streaming content with access to data from more than 20 million users around the world, calculated that it was the fourth most-streamed series in the U.S. during the week of September 25.^[17] Whip Media, which tracks viewership data for the more than 21 million worldwide users of its TV Time app, announced that Reboot ranked among the ten most-streamed original series in the U.S. from October 9–30.^[18]

According to market research company Parrot Analytics, which tracks consumer engagement across streaming, downloads, and social media, Reboot had 3.9 times the audience demand of the average show in the United States over the 30 days leading up to January 2024. This level of demand is achieved by only 8.6% of all TV shows, indicating strong performance. Demand for the show increased significantly in January 2024, with a 15.7% growth in audience interest during the month. In the comedy genre in the United States, Reboot ranked in the 89.3 percentile, outperforming 89.3% of all other comedy titles in the country. In terms of global markets, Reboot performed well in the United States and Canada, with demand exceeding the average TV show (1x) in each of these markets. Other markets exhibited solid to moderate demand, consistently surpassing the average performance of other titles.^[19]

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an 85% approval rating with an average rating of 6.9/10, based on 33 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Reboot hardly reinvents the Hollywood satire with its meta jokes that could have used more bite, but its more conventional qualities—namely a delightful cast—make for a mirthful enough watch."^[20] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 70 out of 100 based on 22 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".^[21]

Judy Berman of Time said that Reboot channels nostalgia for family sitcoms while exposing their outdated optimism. She praised the show's writing and cast, highlighting its ability to balance humor with a critique of the sitcom industry's recycling trend. Berman found that the series insightfully contrasts millennial perspectives with the older generation's desire for comforting, familiar narratives. She appreciated how it explores the clash between modern social consciousness and traditional sitcom formulas. Berman stated that while Reboot does not aim to resolve generational divides, it successfully blends old and new comedic sensibilities.^[22] Saloni Gajjar The A.V. Club stated that Reboot offers a meta-humor-filled critique of Hollywood's reboot culture, praised for its biting commentary on corporate mergers, diversity, and '80s/'90s sitcom nostalgia. She found the ensemble cast, especially Greer, Reiser, and Bloom, to be a highlight, delivering both comedic and emotional depth. Gajjar stated that while the show excels in satire, it falters as it alternates between edgy and sentimental moments, but she appreciated its commentary on Hollywood and its dynamic performances, calling it "Must-See TV."^[23]

Lorraine Ali of Los Angeles Times praised Reboot as a sharp, self-deprecating comedy that turns the challenges of remaking a sitcom into comedic gold. She highlighted the show's clever satire of the reboot-obsessed TV industry, particularly its focus on the generational clash between outdated boomer humor and millennial sensibilities. Ali pointed out how the dynamic between Hannah and her father, Gordon adds both comedic and emotional depth. She also emphasized the strong chemistry among the cast, saying it elevates the show from merely good to exceptionally funny.^[24] Thelma Adams of TheWrap complimented Reboot for its humor and insightful satire, particularly in addressing generational clashes, workplace dysfunction, and Hollywood's evolving comedy landscape. She found the show consistently hilarious, highlighting Bloom's relatable performance as the anxious first-time showrunner, while also commending the chemistry between the cast, including Key, Greer, and Knoxville. Adams appreciated the series' ability to deftly navigate the tensions between old and new comedy styles, with standout moments that reflect the changing dynamics in the writer's room, and she eagerly anticipated a second season.^[25]