Ricky Gervais' "Alley Cats" Struggles With Humor and Heart

WHO:

Variety - The protagonist of "Alley Cats" is Gus, an overweight orange tabby voiced by Ricky Gervais, who is also the writer, creator, and frequent director of the show.

WHAT:

Roger Ebert - "Alley Cats" is described as a show that is only recommended for hardcore Ricky Gervais fans.

Screen Rant - "Alley Cats" is described as an adult animated TV show on Netflix that struggles with narrative flaws and humor.

Variety - The show is characterized as surprisingly bittersweet.

WHERE:

Screen Rant - The show is available on Netflix.

WHEN:

Variety - The third episode of "Alley Cats" features Gus describing his plan for the day.

WHY:

Screen Rant - The article suggests that the show forgets its purpose of being entertaining due to its flaws.

HOW:

Variety - Gus's plan for the day includes an achievable goal followed by immediate distraction.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 15:52 UTC)

Roger Ebert has shared that "Alley Cats" is a show that comes highly recommended, but only for the most dedicated fans of Ricky Gervais. The review suggests that the content may not appeal to a broader audience. If you're a hardcore Gervais enthusiast, this might be the perfect fit for you.

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(UPDATED August 7, 2026 14:19 UTC)

The new adult animated series "Alley Cats" on Netflix features Gus, an overweight orange tabby voiced by Ricky Gervais, who is also the show's writer and creator. The third episode sees Gus outlining his plan for the day, which includes a simple goal that quickly gets overshadowed by distractions, highlighting the show's narrative flaws and bittersweet humor. Critics suggest that while "Alley Cats" has its moments, it often loses sight of its purpose to entertain.