Animals.

Some of the reviews for this show, are...misguided? I mean, the first review said you should watch "The Simpsons" if you want a funny animated comedy. A bit outdated. "Animals" has its own charm and a lot of laugh-out-loud moments, at least for me. You'll be able to recognize a lot of the voices from the alt-comedy world. Off the top of my head there's Nathan Fielder, Nick Kroll, Jason Mantzoukas, etc. I've yet to watch the third episode, but the first two were unlike anything I had seen before. It's a blend of crude humor, surprising emotion, and outright funniness.

Yes, the animation is not good. But, it is purposefully NOT GOOD. The whole point is these animals are caricatures of humanity, which is obvious if you pay even a little attention to the dialogue. These rats aren't suppose to seem like life-like rats, because they aren't, they're just an embodiment of human emotion and stupidity.

All in all, this show is not for everyone. That's obvious. It might even take you a few viewings to really understand what the creators are hoping to achieve, but its a great show with vast potential and I hope HBO keeps it running.

Also, "The Simpsons" is whatever, go with "Rick and Morty" if you want an awesome animated comedy that isn't this one.

My first experience with this show happened about a year ago. I was in the hospital recovering from a life-threatening medical emergency. Was loopy from medications and alternating between consciousness and Lala land.

Hospital TV had HBO, and an Animals marathon was playing. I didnt know if was a real show or a dream. But the dialogue had me tuned in on some level. So smart. Now it's one of my favorite shows.

...which I watched in its entirety yesterday. I came across the show quite by accident. I was flipping through channels when HBO's Animals caught my eye. I figured it was going to be another attempt at stealing South Park's thunder as kings of adult cartoons. I was wrong. Like South Park, the minimalist animation keeps the focus on the dialogue which is a social commentary on sibling rivalry, sexual identity, steroids, bullying, how the roots of traditions need to be tested, and just some situations that show how people - shown as animals - in different phases of life deal with situations in general. The show has an improvisational spirit, and everything said has a reaction that is hilarious, but not in a staged or forced way.

Each episode of the first season is named after the primary animal that is the focus - "Squirrels", "Rats", "Cats", "Dogs", etc. All of them are living in New York City. In parallel with these animals dealing with what is for the most part, every day life, there is an ugly tale of human life going on in which there is corruption in high places, adultery, and murder. The humans never speak in recognizable words. They just speak gibberish like the adults in Charlie Brown do - "wah wah wah blah blah" - or something similar. It is the animals who speak and often eloquently so. Only in the last episode does the ugly tale of human behavior that has been building in all of the episodes intersect with the stories of the animals, and then in the most ironic way possible.

Happened about this show totally by happenstance. Looking for something to watch while at the office. Gave it a shot just based on the sheer volume of funny people associated with it. 100% glad I found it. Overarching human (no voices)story is dark and twisted, but the animal stories weaved within are funny and cleverly done by some of the funniest in the biz. I think the animation is actually underappreciated. While the animation in is simple in its motions, the artistic style and detail is very well done. Give this show a shot for sure. It is a strange but inventive and funny show.

If you're a fan of South Park, Archer, Rick and Morty, or other irreverent adult cartoons, then you might like Animals.

Keep in mind that Animals is a dialogue-driven cartoon, and the animation kind of takes a backseat. The writing and improv drive this show to hilarious places. The animal characters are all voiced by funny actors, some of whom you'll quickly recognize. Some voices I remember are Aziz Anzari, Adam Scott, Chelsea Peretti, and Jason Manzoukas (the dude who plays Rafi in The League - such a funny actor). The real stars, however, are relative unknowns. Mike Luciano and Phil Materese are the main writers, directors, and voice actors. They have great chemistry playing different versions of Mike and Phil thru all the Animals episodes. It sort of reminds me of the great dynamic that Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland have in Rick and Morty.

I saw Animals advertised on HBOgo and decided to give it a try. The first two episodes (Rats, Pigeons) can drag here and there, but they're still really funny in their own right. The payoff comes at Episodes 3 (Cats) and 4 (Dogs). Those episodes are some of the funniest television I've seen in years. I don't want to spoil anything. I'll just say this show will make you see your dogs and cats in a different light. In a good way though. You might empathize with your dogs or cats a little more in a strange, acid-trippy, "I can now speak with animals" sorta way.

It's a bummer seeing the relatively low IMDb ratings of this show (as of 2/27/16). I only watched the first 4 episodes and am eagerly waiting to watch the rest once they're released. I never write reviews of shows, but this one compelled me to say something. Imaginative and well-written, well-directed shows like this aren't easy to find.

Animals is more of a slow burn. There is an over-arching story involving human characters intertwined in all the animals' episodes. In this world, the human characters don't speak. The animals don't shut up. The humans are despicable. The animals are complicated. It's fun.

I recommend this show if you enjoy some cheeky banter between animals. You'll never see a dogpark in the same way again.