Please Like Me

Please Like Me is a very thoughtful dark comedy, and there isn't anything else quite like it. The writing is amazing. From a first glance this show might appear to be about gay life in Australia, and I've read several descriptions of the show that say something like that, but it's just a really funny show about life, generally, with a main character and many side characters who happen to be gay. It can be dark and depressing at times, and sometimes silly, but always very insightful without trying too hard, being pretentious, or going for shock value like so many shows seems to do for a laugh. We could use a lot more shows like this one.

I was not immediately drawn in by Please Like Me. It wasn't particularly entertaining or interesting during the first two episodes I had watched by chance when my Netflix account had unlocked the show while traveling in Europe. Once the show was released on Hulu here in the US, I decided to give it another chance.

The characters quickly grow on you. The main character Josh goes from abrasive to endearing. Someone you can relate to and empathize with. The writing of the show has a certain humanization that makes all the characters entirely relateable, even when they are being awful. You hate the ones you're supposed to hate, and love the ones that are flawed. They grow on you; each one in their own way. It wasn't long before I was completely smitten with the characters and couldn't wait to see where they were headed.

The show has a uniqueness and genuineness that comes across on screen because they appear to shoot on location. You can tell they are in a real city, in a real house or flat, or hospital, or restaurant. It adds to the immersion you feel with the characters and their story line.

The tone of the show has a unique voice, and a particular feel of reality as a millennial. The fact that the main character is gay is not overplayed or exacerbated. It's not reminded with fanfare, but simply a vessel that story arcs carry.

Brilliantly acted, highly entertaining. Commit to the first season (series) if you do decide to watch it, as the first couple of episodes may not take right away.

Josh Thomas stars in the show that he created and writes. Each show is well directed and produced. It is a show with both awkward and relatable comedy that is realistic and natural. The best quality of the show is how honest and direct the character Josh is. The supporting cast are excellent, and the time share is well balanced.

It is good to see TV networks including progressive story lines rather than the old, tired gay story lines that cast characters as struggling, rejected, unhappy and depressed.

It's also refreshing to have a comedy that includes a sensible gay role model rather than reverting to the overtly flamboyant and eccentric overused stereotype.

The central character and type of comedy will probably split opinion. For those reasons, I would not criticise but rather appreciate it for what it tries to be, and in that respect, 10 out of 10 is well deserved.

If you haven't already, watch this show!

In one word, this show is fun.

From the teaser, to the entertaining title credits where Josh dances a funny little jig while he cooks up the name of the episode (Spanish Eggs for example), to the final scene, this show is all about the humor to be found in our own quirks and our quirky relationships with others...Josh and his first boyfriend Geoffrey, his dad and his Thai girlfriend Mae, his mom and his aunt, Josh and his aunt, Josh and Claire, Ted and Nev, etc.

The other thing that makes this a joy to watch is that the cast clearly enjoys what they're doing...it shines through their portrayals. There are also a few scenes where I swear they improvised, and improvised really well. Think 'Arrested Development meets generation Y'.

I stumbled upon this show on TV last holiday and I am so glad! Being 20-somethinng who still has a lot to figure out how life works, almost every character is relate-able for me. Josh with his uncertainty towards every decision he makes, Tom with his awkwardness, even Josh's mum dealing with meltdown after meltdowns also her friends she encounters soon.

One of the criteria(not always) of a good show for me is there is not a single character I hate, even characters that many ppl irritated with in this board (which I can see why), I could totally understand their behavior.

The best episode for me is when there is only 2 characters in the entire episode, Josh and his mum go hiking while engaging in heart-to-heart conversation. Everything about it is just so soothing, exhilarating, plus the beautiful Australian woods/forest/swamp (honestly idk what it's called) successfully made me cried with tears of joy and sadness half end throughout the episode.

If you're looking for meaningful yet light-heart show especially if you're 20-something and depressed, this show is an ABSOLUTE MUST-WATCH!