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.

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.

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).

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.

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

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.

What's best about Catastrophe is how engaging the characters of Rob and Sharon are, and how quickly we come to root for them.

It’s a charming and decidedly salty series.

Mr. Delaney and Ms. Horgan, as writers and actors, are able to make most of the serious moments believable and bearable, even touching (though the twist ending of the season finale feels like a miscalculation). And while the show’s humor, alternately subtle and pummeling, doesn’t always click, each episode has its moments.

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

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.

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

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