Ricky Gervais's latest Netflix series, Alley Cats, premiering on Friday 7 August, is a boorish animated comedy that left this reviewer completely laugh-free. The show, which features a gang of stray cats engaging in crude banter, has been described as lazy, dated, and far too pleased with itself.
A Comedian's Decline
Once a devoted fan, the reviewer expresses astonishment at not laughing once during the entire series. The article suggests that Gervais's comedy has not adapted to shifting cultural norms, with jokes about dwarves, disabled people, and trans people now falling flat. A queer friend of the reviewer remarked, "He's defunct. We don't need him any more," adding that his work no longer makes her laugh, which she finds a relief.
The reviewer acknowledges that transgressive comedy can be effective, but argues that "good" is as important as "transgressive." Alley Cats leans heavily on the latter, resulting in a limp and predictable experience.
The Plot and Characters
The series follows a group of stray cats who spend most of their time watching TV on a sofa in a derelict house. Gus, voiced by Gervais, is a fat ginger tom who bellows ignorant and misanthropic opinions. Ponce, voiced by Tom Basden, is a pampered, middle-class pedigree who speaks sense but is undermined by his lack of testicles. Puke, voiced by David Earl, is a perverted cat with a penchant for inter-species sex, delivering lines like "I gave a hedgehog anal once."
Each episode features jokes about animal sex, fat people, blind cats, and intellectual disabilities. Gus swears in nearly every line, and the show's determined attempts to shock only made the reviewer check their watch more frequently. Despite episodes lasting just 15 minutes, they feel much longer.
Outdated Humor
The central comic idea that cats are arseholes feels at least 30 years old. Jokes about animal sex, bum stuff, and the notion that gay is funny are reminiscent of schoolyard humor that has aged poorly. The reviewer notes that humor relies on surprise, and Alley Cats offers none. The predictable sentimentality at the end of each episode, accompanied by Cat Stevens music, adds little.
Despite this criticism, the reviewer acknowledges Gervais's historical importance to British comedy, placing him just below Tony Hancock, Monty Python, and Richard Curtis. His work on The Office and Extras was influential, and his podcast helped define the medium. However, this new series marks a significant departure from his earlier sophistication.
A Dead End
The reviewer concludes that Alley Cats represents a creative dead end, far removed from the nuanced character work of Gervais's past. The series fails to deliver the laughter or insight that fans once expected, leaving only a sense of disappointment.
