This Could Be Netflix's First Big Flop

In theory, Netflix seems to have played their cards right with BoJack Horseman . They've snagged a fresh creator and a talented animator for an adult cartoon where "humans and anthropomorphic animal-people coexist." Allison Brie, Aaron Paul and Amy Sedaris all voice main characters. Will Arnett plays the title character. The show critiques Hollywood and fame culture, through the eyes a washed-up horse-actor whose '90s fame has spiraled to relative obscurity and a severely bruised ego. Since the series is online, it's not subject to ratings or censorship, and can include as much scandalous content as possible.

Even with all of those things working for it, the trailer for BoJack Horseman doesn't work. The humor barely trots along, with tired sexist stereotypes and Hollywood cliches intertwining into a world that could easily be Family Guy Goes to Hollywood. Seriously, do we another cis-male protagonist who is being nagged into commitment by his significant other? Although Will Arnett can usually breathe life into any tired plot or trope, even his performance feels strained, like a Job impression at a cocktail party. This could easily be a case of "unsatisfying trailer/pilot, excellent show" syndrome, but it's also seriously possible that Netflix is producing their first truly bad original series. Fans will have to wait until August 22 to find out.