I assume most rich people who have Netflix know of the show After Life, and probably most who enjoy some drama on Twitter. Obviously, when it comes to comedians Ricky Gervais is always good for a laugh and a bit of a gasp from people who realise he actually meant it.
Because it seemed to be so popular I have literally been avoiding the show for the past 2 years. Yes, I am that uncool, which unfortunately has not saved me from FOMO but baby steps and all that.
Even though it seems to have broad appeal I think those are just the loudest people floating to the top. I would assume it is actually quite split down the middle and those who don't like it, really don't like it.
Each to their own, and maybe if I watched it as soon as it came on my radar I would not either. Although there is so much about suicide, death, and being an asshole in it this thing almost feels like a "day in the life of" story, if it was not for the convenient plot and overly dynamic characters which cover basically all walks of life and happen to just kinda click.
That is fine, it is at best a sitcom with a dark undertone I guess, I am no show boffin but I liked it specifically for that reason.
Dry humour if you will.
You can watch the trailer, but basically the show is about a guy that is really sad his wife died and the first season deals with depression and suicidal thoughts. There are 3 seasons and each sees progress over 6 episodes per season for a runtime of 3 hours each season.
Gotta say I like that runtime, it is like bit long movie, although I would hate to have to wait for episodes...
For me, Tony - the lead - kinda feels relatable, everything is relatable even though they went and compacted all these types of people into one "group" the progress is actually quite realistic.
Going from suicidal, and being an arsehole, to just not caring if you die, and being an arsehole, to kinda just chilling and trying to do ok without being roped in while still being an occasional arsehole but also now knowing you were an arsehole and trying to at least not be one as much... I think that is kinda homey.
Not gangsta, because obviously there is quite a bit of self-pity happening during the show, but it is homey in that so much of what is shown could very well be real life at some point or the other.
From the prostitute girl - to be fair, way too nice - to the drug guy - again way too nice but - to the general buddy buddy with the postman.
Each interaction even to the point where some of it is really a bit morally disturbing is kinda on point. What makes even the worst and most questionable things seem as if they could be excerpts from the lives of people I have met myself - is that they are quite devoid of overreaction.
Although in real life people have way too many damn reactions. They scream, they cry loudly and they feel others belong to them, I like this show because with all the "drama" there is none of it. People get sad, they feel ashamed, lonely, and weak then they keep to themselves or moan and self-deprecate... The majority of life is kinda like that.
There is a sort of stoic, bite your tongue, tenseness throughout the show which only gets broken by rude jokes and almost apathetic crudeness for the sake of it.
I have seen some people mention they cried and all the fluffy things people who like attention say about the things they like. I don't agree though, it can be a sad show but not sad boohoo, it is sad how much it was able to capture.
I think as I said, it is a kinda niche show, and sure Ricky injects his classic agnostic views and opinions in but overall it is a pretty engaging show and a good watch at face value.
Then again I might just have no real personality and definitely have no life, that could also be why it appeals to me.
