Catastrophe

Along the course of these six episodes, the show touches on various rom-com tropes about disapproving parents (Carrie Fisher is, as always, a treat as Rob's cynical mother), secret meetings with exes, bachelor and bachelorette parties that spin out of control, etc. But they're all dealt with in such a specific and simple way that they feel unique to these characters and their world, rather than the obligatory stumbles on the path to a happy ending.

Horgan and Delaney, who wrote the show together, play their characters off each other to perfection. The result may well turn out to be the worst--by which we mean the best--new comedy of the year. [19 Jun 2015, p.56]

There's nothing revolutionary here, but man, what is here is some of the funniest, most soulful TV of the summer.

One of the smartest, most charming and funny shows you’re likely to see all year is Catastrophe.

While it does have structure to its episodes, with choices being made that keep things from ever feeling static, it's, at heart, a character piece; one which only really comes to life when Rob and Sharon are in the room together.

[An] endearingly ribald six-episode dramedy import from British TV.

Each episode intensifies, emotionally, suggesting the long arc of a story that’s just beginning.

Like all good sitcom characters, they sometimes drive us nuts. But we fall for them both and would like very much for this long shot to come in.

A powerfully charming rom-com in all the best ways (including being British).

The dialog is sharp and not always nice. It means Catastrophe has to earn its sentiment, which it does with aplomb.

Like last summer's happy surprise of an FX comedy, "You're the Worst," Amazon's latest show is the opposite of its title: It's anything but a Catastrophe.

It’s a charming and decidedly salty series.

Racy, amiable and honest, Catastrophe doesn’t feel the need to amp up its story with surprises either. It just does the exact thing it’s supposed to.

Catastrophe has its sweet moments but balances them against more outrageous comedy--including a hilariously ugly, profane discussion of childbirth in the series premiere--resulting in a thoroughly entertaining series.

It’s great writing with a savvy juxtaposition of comedy and sometimes ugly everyday real life.