Daily Comedy News with Johnny Mac
Daily Comedy News with Johnny Mac

Ted Lasso Season 4 Premiere Details as Ricky Gervais’ ‘Alley Cats’ Gets Roasted

August 5, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

“I’m not sure what there is to report other than the fact that I didn’t laugh once.” That’s how The Guardian opens its review of Ricky Gervais’ new Netflix animated series Alley Cats, and host Johnny Mac doesn’t disagree. The show, which premiered August 7th, follows a group of cats who “shoot the breeze like a bunch of pub bores,” with Gervais voicing the lead cat, Gust. The review calls it “lazy and pleased with itself,” leaning on shock value — jokes about fat people, blind cats, and intellectual disabilities — without the craft that makes transgressive humor land. Episodes run just 15 minutes but “feel much longer.” Johnny Mac sums up the general mood: “Uh-oh, somebody didn’t like the new Ricky Gervais show.”

Ted Lasso Season 4: A New Team, A New Arc

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (02:03) **Ricky Gervais' 'Alley Cats' Gets Roasted** - Johnny Mac reads a scathing Guardian review of Gervais' new animated Netflix series, calling it lazy and unfunny.
  • 2 (03:35) **John Oliver on Emmys, Late Night Camaraderie** - The Hollywood Reporter catches up with John Oliver, who discusses Emmy wins, his relationship with HBO, and the low stakes of late-night wars.
  • 3 (04:40) **Conan O'Brien Must Go Season 3 Date** - Season 3 of the travel series will premiere on HBO Max on Friday, August 21st, with four episodes.
  • 4 (04:50) **SNL Season 52 Ticket Lottery Open** - The lottery for free tickets to dress rehearsal or live shows is open until August 31st, 2026, with winners chosen at random.
  • 5 (05:45) **Jay Leno to Receive Burbank Film Festival Award** - The "worst person who ever lived" will be honored with the Biffs Vanguard Award at the Burbank International Film Festival.
  • 6 (06:14) **Ted Lasso Season 4 Premiere Details** - Season 4 premieres today, with Ted Lasso returning to coach a women's second division soccer team, the Lady Greyhounds.
  • 7 (08:39) **Daily Show 30th Anniversary Talk** - Jordan Klepper and Ronnie Chang discuss the show's legacy, with Chang noting its existence relies on strong American free speech protections.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

Johnny Mac recaps comedy news, led by a brutal Guardian review of Ricky Gervais’ new Netflix animated series Alley Cats, calling it lazy, shock-driven, and unfunny. John Oliver discusses Emmy nominations, HBO’s value of awards, and late-night camaraderie, plus mentions Conan O’Brien Must Go season three arriving Aug. 21. He shares SNL Season 52 ticket lottery details and notes Jay Leno will receive BIFF’s Vanguard Award and a “Jay Leno Day” proclamation in Burbank. Ted Lasso season four premieres at 9 p.m. Eastern with Ted coaching a women’s team and several returning and absent cast members, with comments from Jason Sudeikis and new cast member Tanya Reynolds. Other items include The Daily Show’s 30th anniversary chat, Mo Gilligan’s Big Chicken documentary, Pete Davidson co-parenting statement, Michael Che special tapings, Judd Apatow on a Nikki Glaser screenplay, Maddie Kelly on obstacles for women in comedy, and UK backlash to the BBC canceling Live at the Apollo.
 
00:15 Guardian Slams Alley Cats
01:06 Why Shock Humor Fails
01:49 John Oliver Emmy Talk
02:51 Conan And SNL Tickets
03:59 Jay Leno Day In Burbank
04:28 Ted Lasso Season Four
06:57 Daily Show Turns Thirty
08:04 Mo Gilligan Big Chicken
09:03 Pete Davidson Co Parenting
09:35 Che Special And Glaser Film
10:24 Women In Comedy Debate
11:11 BBC Cancels Apollo
 

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Daily Comedy News is hosted by Johnny Mac and releases every weekday. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite app. Part of the Caloroga Shark Media network. For transcripts and show notes visit www.dailycomedynews.com

Daily Comedy News with Johnny Mac is a daily podcast covering comedians, stand-up comedy, late night television, and the comedy industry. New episodes every morning. Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.  

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Daily Comedy News with Johnny Mac