Ricky Gervais’ ‘Alley Cats’ Rotten Tomatoes Score Revealed with Critics’ Reactions
Ricky Gervais’ new Netflix series ‘Alley Cats’ has premiered, but the initial reviews are not very favorable.
The adult animated comedy debuted on Netflix on August 7 and centers around a group of foul-mouthed cats navigating life on the streets. The six-episode first season combines black comedy, adult humor, and the sharp wit Gervais is known for.
Gervais is the creator, writer, and director of the series, and he also lends his voice to Gus, a cynical and lazy tabby cat. The voice cast features Tom Basden, Andrew Brooke, David Earl, Kerry Godliman, Jo Hartley, and Diane Morgan.
However, critics appear unconvinced that ‘Alley Cats’ offers enough fresh concepts.
As per Rotten Tomatoes, the series currently holds a 20% Tomatometer score from five critics. Its audience score is at 45%, although Rotten Tomatoes notes that fewer than 50 audience ratings have been submitted so far. These numbers could shift as more viewers watch the show and additional reviews come in.
One of the more critical reviews came from Ready Steady Cut, which rated the series 2 out of 5, suggesting that viewers are left with “more on-brand self-indulgence.” The review did note one small positive, stating, “At least it doesn’t last long.”
The Times provided a slightly more favorable response. Critic Carol Midgley awarded ‘Alley Cats’ 3 out of 5, noting that the show is more successful when it strays from its more juvenile humor. Her review encapsulated this sentiment with: “It’s funnier when it isn’t being juvenile.”
Other critics were far less impressed.
Brian Tallerico from RogerEbert.com gave the series a Rotten score, questioning the comedy itself. His review argued that “comedy requires interest in something other than yourself,” and took a direct jab at Gervais.
Screen Rant was also unimpressed, rating the series 2 out of 10. Critic Dani Kessel Odom suggested that the main issue isn’t necessarily the offensiveness of the jokes, but rather 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 stated.
NME gave the series its lowest score among the reviews, offering just 1 out of 5. Critic Matt Maytum expressed that the show has little to offer beyond dedicated Gervais fans or those who appreciate its intentionally crude humor.
Despite the unfavorable early reviews, ‘Alley Cats’ may still attract viewers who already enjoy Gervais’ unique style. The series clearly doesn’t aim to appeal to everyone, and its crude humor and cynical characters are likely to polarize audiences.
The show also provides Gervais with another opportunity to delve into the uncomfortable comedy that has characterized much of his career. Whether this approach resonates with viewers may ultimately be more significant than the initial critic score.
For the time being, however, ‘Alley Cats’ leaves a challenging first impression. With a 20% Tomatometer score and numerous critics questioning its humor and originality, Gervais’ latest venture has much to prove if it hopes to win over viewers beyond his current fan base.
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!