Netflix’s new workplace comedy overtakes Bridgerton in audience ratings but critics stall

Virgin Radio

31 May 2024, 15:40

Tires steers into Netflix with mixed reviews but high audience praise.

Rev up your engines, Netflix fans, because there's a new show in town that's causing quite a stir.

The latest workplace comedy, Tires, has rolled onto the streaming service, and it's proving to be more divisive than a Bridgerton ball scandal.

Created by and starring American stand-up comedians Shane Gillis and Steve Gerben, along with frequent collaborator John McKeever, this auto repair shop comedy is leaving critics and fans in a right old collision course.

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Tires, which debuted on Thursday, May 23, has got people talking for all sorts of reasons.

The show is set in a struggling auto repair shop filled with a crew of mechanics who are either too lazy or too incompetent to turn the business around.

Think The Office meets Superstore, but with more oil stains and less paperwork. It’s a laugh-a-minute, or so the fans say.

But here’s the kicker: while critics have been slamming the brakes on Tires, with the show currently sitting at a measly 43% on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences are hitting the gas and loving it.

The viewer score is a whopping 91%, even beating out Netflix’s darling Bridgerton, which holds a still-impressive 87%.

Critics have described the humour as 'juvenile' and the show itself as 'cheap'. One might say it’s the comedic equivalent of a car with a dodgy MOT.

Yet, some critics begrudgingly admit to chuckling at a few of the jokes.

Shane Gillis, who has a bit of a controversial history after his stint (and swift exit) from SNL, seems to have brought his loyal fan base to the party, which might explain the strong viewer support.

“Tires is refreshingly self-aware, turning the typical ‘bro comedy’ on its head,” says one fan on Rotten Tomatoes.

“The jokes are on the ridiculousness of the workplace culture, not endorsing it.”

It seems the show has cleverly parked itself in a space where it can mock the very behaviours it portrays, a nuance that some critics might have missed while checking under the bonnet.

For those worried that Tires might steer too far into the realm of 'laddish' humour, fear not.

The show appears to be poking fun at the stereotypical auto shop antics rather than glorifying them.

This might just be why fans are rallying around it, finding a deeper appreciation for its comedic undertones.

With episodes running at a breezy 20 minutes each, Tires is an easy watch for those wanting to see if it’s to their taste. So why not take it for a test drive?

You might find yourself pleasantly surprised, or at the very least, it’ll be a quick pit stop in your Netflix binge session.

As Netflix continues to pump out content faster than a Bridgerton dance card fills up, Tires is proving that not every show needs critical acclaim to win the hearts of viewers.

Sometimes, a bit of lighthearted, greasy comedy is just what the mechanic ordered.

So, whether you’re a fan of Shane Gillis, a sucker for workplace comedies, or just in need of a good laugh, Tires might just be the tune-up your Netflix queue needs.

Grab your spanners and get ready to laugh, because this is one repair shop where the comedy never breaks down.

Tires is available to stream on Netflix now.