"Haters Back Off" isn't amazing, but it isn't horrible either. The acting is really well done and the camera-work keeps you interested, but the show suffers from a lack of purpose or identity. It's labeled on Netflix as a TV Comedy; and, while I admit that there were some parts that gave me a good chuckle (the gay bar scene was gold), I found myself feeling awful or disgusted or pity more than I was laughing. The show feels like a drama, but it feels like a drama that doesn't want to be a drama. Miranda Sings isn't the kind of whoopsie-daisy-I-done-a- bad kind of lovable idiot, but instead is very aware of how she's hurting people which it makes it very uncomfortable to laugh at some of her antics. She ruins the lives of everyone around her and proceeds to push away the only people who could stand to tolerate her behavior. The only semblance of humanity can be found in the characters of Emily, Patrick, and Bethany (at the end of the season to an extent). It's depressing. I felt horrible watching the family rip into poor Emily who doesn't do anything to deserve it. I felt horrible watching Miranda and Uncle Jim team up to bully people. I felt horrible watching the funeral scene. I felt horrible knowing all these people were not only enabling Miranda when she is clearly someone who needs a lot of psychological help, but also abusing her detachment from reality for personal gain (I'm looking at you Uncle Jim and Owen). Yes, a comedy is always welcome to heartfelt episodes that tackle serious subjects every now and then as long as in the end the show is still funny. Sadly, "Haters Back Off" lacks a balance between its serious aspects and its comedy aspects, and that results in a very off-putting viewing experience. You are left to squirm in your seat as you are unsure whether you should laugh at certain scenes, or just feel bad watching them. As another reviewer stated, I too would much rather enjoy a full-blown drama with comedic elements with the exact same cast and story.
