My advice: Don't think of this as a comedy. Then you won't be expecting massive, great belly-busting laughs four-times-a-minute.
However, like the best of comedies, the humour is subtle, not to be expected. It's in a gesture, an odd turn-of-phrase, a mis-timed reaction, a bad hair-cut, an absolute human truth.
I hope this isn't a spoiler - if it is you're probably a Kardashian - but watching this series you will realise:
* old people are humans too * old people enjoy life * growing old is a privilege * life is short so use it wisely * people should value you * you should value people * you're a human, just like every other human on the planet
There are moments of pure joy. Eg. the whole party scene in episode 3 was perfectly observed. There are moments of sheer devastation. Eg. after the party, when the old people are asleep, dreaming, they see themselves as young again.
Gervais' observations of the human experience is wonderful. His direction is perfect, can't be faulted. There are very few who can do what he does well. One that springs to mind is Victoria Wood, although I'm sure others will disagree.
However, get one thought out of your mind. This is NOT a comedy series mocking autistic people. If you find that it is then you have had an Epic Fail.
However, like the best of comedies, the humour is subtle, not to be expected. It's in a gesture, an odd turn-of-phrase, a mis-timed reaction, a bad hair-cut, an absolute human truth.
I hope this isn't a spoiler - if it is you're probably a Kardashian - but watching this series you will realise:
* old people are humans too * old people enjoy life * growing old is a privilege * life is short so use it wisely * people should value you * you should value people * you're a human, just like every other human on the planet
There are moments of pure joy. Eg. the whole party scene in episode 3 was perfectly observed. There are moments of sheer devastation. Eg. after the party, when the old people are asleep, dreaming, they see themselves as young again.
Gervais' observations of the human experience is wonderful. His direction is perfect, can't be faulted. There are very few who can do what he does well. One that springs to mind is Victoria Wood, although I'm sure others will disagree.
However, get one thought out of your mind. This is NOT a comedy series mocking autistic people. If you find that it is then you have had an Epic Fail.