Ricky Gervais' new animated series for Netflix, "Alley Cats," has drawn criticism for its lack of humor and relentless profanity, according to reviews.
Despite Gervais' intention to capture authentic character interactions by having his comedy friends riff on the script rather than recording alone, the execution has been deemed a failure. Reviewers noted that despite anticipating moments of humor, the series never delivered, with one stating, "It never did."
The show features six 15-minute episodes with a retro Hanna-Barbera animation style, reminiscent of "Scooby-Doo" and "The Flintstones." However, it is not suitable for family viewing. The first instance of the "c-word" appears within the first 90 seconds, and profanity is pervasive throughout the series, becoming "tediously repetitive" to the point where it overshadows any potential for humor.
"Alley Cats" centers on Gus, a feral orange tabby voiced by Gervais, who resembles Garfield. Gus and his friends—Fang, Puke, Ponce, Olive, and Lara—occupy a derelict house. The series is described as having a "thoroughly male endeavor" feel, with early comedic attempts focusing on crude scatological and sexual humor, including jokes about sex with animals and derogatory remarks about various groups.
One review highlighted that the series attempts to inject sentimentality with a storyline about a lost kitten, but this ultimately falls into cliché, focusing on the theme that "a family is whom you choose them to be."
The animation style, while retro, does not align with the show's content, which deviates from typical family entertainment. Reviewers suggested that the cast's riffing sessions may have prioritized saying the "worst things imaginable" without sufficient character development or comedic craft. The characters also do not behave like actual cats, missing an opportunity to explore feline behaviors.
"Alley Cats" is available for streaming on Netflix.