'Avenue 5' Episode 1: Hugh Laurie gets a thumbs-up but the space comedy fails to impress viewers

Many viewers gave Hugh Laurie a thumbs-up for his performance as Ryan Clark, the captain of a vacation spaceship
UPDATED JAN 20, 2020
Hugh Laurie as Captain Ryan Clark (HBO)
Hugh Laurie as Captain Ryan Clark (HBO)

'Avenue 5' premiered on January 19 and the Hugh Laurie starrer show has left audiences divided on if they like the show or not. The consensus is now 50-50 with one half finding the premiere episode too messy or falling flat if not for Hugh Laurie's performance, while the other feels that the show is flat out hilarious.

One fan wrote, "I just watched #Avenue5. It gave me a headache. It stabs at comedy are just that... Stab. Stab. STAB!!!" Another viewer wrote, "Like Hugh Laurie's accents, #Avenue5 is all over the place."

Another viewer wrote, "I feel like @hbo and #avenue5 just tried to shit all over @SethMacFarlane and @TheOrville...then failed."

Some even hoped that the show would improve drastically for them to get interested. One fan wrote, "Disappointed with #Avenue5. Didn't really hit for me at all. Hope it improves drastically." Another shared, "Wow, 'Starship Titanic', I mean #Avenue5 was aggressively mediocre. (sic)"

Another fan wrote, "Watched #Avenue5 premiere tonight — intrigued, but not blown away yet. I'm very confident in the onscreen and b-t-s talent on the show. Solid start."

Some viewers, however, did like the show. One viewer wrote, "Just watched the #Avenue5 pilot. I'm already super invested, and I'm so happy for @joshgad! Looking forward to next week's episode! (Also, as a cashier who's dealt with many a 'Karen', Karen makes me tense up.)"

Another viewer wrote, "#Avenue5 is the space vacation I never knew I needed." One of them even appreciated creator Armando Iannucci and shared, "One episode in #Avenue5 is already holding the belt for best comedy on TV. What say you @thewatchpod? Armando Ianucci is still the king. And @hughlaurie, man you can do it all."

One viewer shared, "Holy shit is #Avenue5 ever good. If you enjoyed Veep you gotta watch it. 'I'm a nihilist!' 'No you aren't.' 'Whatever!' 'Oh Jesus Christ.' (sic)"

A few fans are also excited to see a Hugh Laurie comedy. One viewer wrote, "My god, @hughlaurie went from 0-60 in #Avenue5. I am thoroughly entertained by this. Thanks @Aiannucci."

Another shared, "The only good thing about #Avenue5 is Hugh Laurie is fantastic changing accent." Another fan also shared how this show was the surprise of the season and shared, "Beautiful meta touch! Totally grabbed me — #Avenue5! Got Hugh in a really fun role —Let's diss both! This is the surprise of the season, yet far!"

'Avenue 5' next episode will air on HBO on Sundays at 10 pm ET.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

The 'Stranger Things' series finale is set to drop on New Year's Eve and will be two hours and eight minutes in duration
8 hours ago
Although ‘Heated Rivalry’ was renewed early for season 2, creator Jacob Tierney says fans shouldn’t expect new episodes anytime soon.
9 hours ago
As ‘Stranger Things’ nears its finale with Season 5, a chilling fan theory may finally explain what the Upside Down truly is.
9 hours ago
'Stranger Things' Season 5 Volume 2 will premiere on Netflix on Thursday, December 25
18 hours ago
Set to premiere in 2027, the show is officially a full reboot of J.K. Rowling's beloved novels
18 hours ago
The zombie apocalypse series centers on a group of students who find themselves trapped inside their school, fighting to survive the deadly outbreak
20 hours ago
While 'Bridgerton' Season 4 is set to premiere on Thursday, January 29, 2026, fans can watch the first episode on Wednesday, January 14
20 hours ago
‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 drops it's penultimate set of episodes on Netflix on Christmas Day
1 day ago
Rhea Seehorn explains what Carol’s choice means and how it changes the story moving forward to Season 2
1 day ago
Netflix has secured a new MGM deal to stream all 10 seasons of 'Stargate SG-1', bringing the iconic sci-fi series back into orbit
1 day ago