BOJACK HORSEMAN

The struggles of stardom including relentless paparazzi, parties and searching for work are depicted in this surprisingly entertaining Netlflix original series. I used to ignore the original series that are projected on the front page of my most visited website but the obscure premise involving a washed up man-horse actor living in Hollywood was too much for me to pass up.
Upon first hearing about this show, you might be under the impression that it is another basic, animated, vulgar show that your younger cousins watch on adult swim for shock value, but after having watched the entire first season in less than a week, I can assure you that this is not the case.
Aside from a few time flashes, the entire season takes place in a fairly accurate representation of present day Los Angeles. The only small difference is that human sized animals co-exist with people, but that point is never addressed in the show, so from the start it doesn’t interfere with reality.
Bojack lives in a hilltop bachelor pad furnished with pictures of himself from his first (and only really) major work, “Horsin’ Around” a family friendly T.V. show from the 90’s where he played an adoptive father of three orphans. Bojack often reminisces on his television days by referencing parts of episodes and carrying tapes of the seasons with him everywhere he goes. Aside, from Todd (voiced by one of the shows producers Aaron Paul) a 20 something, unmotivated couch bum who stays in the mansion’s living Bojack has no real friends.
His agent, Princess Carolyn the cat, should have dropped him long ago but finds herself coming to his aid or covering up his mistakes after alcohol induced debauchery…which is pretty often.
The season jumps right into Bojack’s post-show years to depict an agitated, washed-up, B-list celebrity. Princess Carolyn suggests that Bojack write a memoir to help them both out financially as well as to get him off his ass. After a few unsuccessful attempts at writing the book himself, the star decides to hire a ghost-writer, Diane.
The private talks between the unlikely pair allow for flashbacks which the show uses frequently, to piece together Bojack’s past. When I began watching, I wondered how far into the series I would be able to get while chuckling, “ haha horses don’t drink whiskey.” but at the end of the first show I found myself intrigued by the tactful serious undertone that is woven into the humorous show.
Viewers cheer for Bojack to succeed while simultaneously hating his guts. What appears to be a comedic viewing develops into a more serious theme later in the season when the audience, as well as Bojack himself, find out more about his troubled past before and during his days of fame. With many possible paths to head down and a few stones unturned, the end of season one got me thinking not only about Bojack’s life but also my own.
I highly recommend this show to anyone who appreciates a bit of imaginative humor as well as those familiar with popular actors, as their are frequent jabs (like family guy but without the side clips and distasteful derogatories)