Jean-Claude Van Damme (“Universal Soldier”, “Hard Target”) stars in “Jean-Claude Van Johnson”, a tv show that demonstrates what it may look like if the martial arts star was really a secret agent. Van Damme is no strange to mocking himself after he mercilessly did so in the 2008 movie “JCVD”. However, I found this far more entertaining and it’s among his best work in years.

Secret agent Jean-Claude Van Johnson (Van Damme) comes out of retirement and chooses to be assigned to an operation in Bulgaria. However, he hides his activity by being Jean-Claude Van Damme starring in an action-packed version of “Huckleberry Finn”. Along the way, he’ll uncover a plot that threatens the world.

Van Damme is obviously a talented fighter but he’s not a great actor. Van Damme knows this and mocks himself and his career. I felt he was a little too raw and bitter in “JCVD” while this show knows to keep things light-hearted enough to still be enjoyable. Here, Van Damme drops numerous references to his movies as he’s shown to be a total narcissist. The irony would have of course been lost had this show been made with Steven Seagal (“Under Siege”). The other characters are okay but I didn’t think any of the villains were especially memorable. That’s a real shame but the focus is clearly on Van Damme.

“Jean-Claude Van Johnson” comes after shows such as “Archer” and movies such as “Austin Powers”. This means a spy spoof is nothing new but what this does well is provide us with a reasonably amusing show that throws in just a ton of references to Van Damme’s film library. They reference “Timecop”, “Street Fighter”, “Cyborg”, “Bloodsport” and many others. If you are not familiar with Van Damme’s films, you are not going to get this. If you do like Van Damme and have seen many of his movies then check this out.