Ricky Gervais’ ‘Alley Cats’ Gets Its Rotten Tomatoes Score, See What Critics Are Saying
Ricky Gervais’ new Netflix series Alley Cats has arrived, but the early reviews are far from kind.
The adult animated comedy was released on Netflix on August 7 and follows a group of foul-mouthed cats trying to survive life on the streets. The six-episode first season mixes black comedy, adult jokes and the kind of sharp humor Gervais is known for.
Gervais created, wrote and directed the series, while also voicing Gus, a cynical and lazy tabby cat. The cast also includes Tom Basden, Andrew Brooke, David Earl, Kerry Godliman, Jo Hartley and Diane Morgan.
However, critics do not seem convinced that Alley Cats brings enough new ideas to the table.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the series currently has a 20% Tomatometer score from five critics. Its audience score is also sitting at 45%, although Rotten Tomatoes notes that fewer than 50 audience ratings have been submitted so far. Those numbers could change as more people watch the show and additional reviews arrive.
One of the harsher reviews came from Ready Steady Cut. The publication gave the series 2 out of 5 and argued that viewers are left with “more on-brand self-indulgence.” The review also pointed out one small positive, saying, “At least it doesn’t last long.”
The Times offered a more positive reaction. Critic Carol Midgley gave Alley Cats 3 out of 5 and found that the show works better when it moves away from its more childish humor. Her review summed up that feeling simply: “It’s funnier when it isn’t being juvenile.”
Other critics were much less impressed.
Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com gave the series a Rotten score and questioned the comedy itself. His review argued that “comedy requires interest in something other than yourself,” before taking a direct shot at Gervais.
Screen Rant was also unimpressed, giving the series 2 out of 10. Critic Dani Kessel Odom suggested that the biggest problem isn’t necessarily how offensive the jokes are, but how familiar everything feels. “Somehow, the most offensive thing in Alley Cats isn’t the actual jokes, though; it’s the complete lack of originality,” the review states.
NME gave the series its lowest score among the listed reviews, handing it just 1 out of 5. Critic Matt Maytum wrote that the show has little to offer viewers beyond dedicated Gervais fans or people who enjoy its deliberately crude humor.
Despite the poor early reviews, Alley Cats may still find an audience among viewers who already enjoy Gervais’ style. The series clearly isn’t trying to appeal to everyone, and its crude jokes and cynical characters are likely to divide audiences.
The show also gives Gervais another chance to explore the type of uncomfortable comedy that has become a major part of his career. Whether that approach works for viewers may ultimately matter more than the early critic score.
For now, though, Alley Cats has a difficult first impression. With a 20% Tomatometer score and several critics questioning its humor and originality, Gervais’ latest project has plenty to prove if it wants to win over viewers beyond his existing fan base.
What do you think of the early reviews for Alley Cats?
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