Dead Pixels (2019–2021) User Reviews

A Good Gamer Comedy

[atlasmb · 7/10 · 26 August 2020]

This British series has come to the states with an irreverent sense of humor that is refreshing. Though it lampoons those who dedicate their lives to online games, especially RPGs, it does so lovingly.

This is a show aimed at adults. But the version I am watching is liberally peppered with censoring beeps and pixelations, which is annoying.

Fortunately, the writing is so strong and the acting is so good that it is still a joy to watch. You don't have to be an avid gamer to enjoy the humor, but the more you know about their virtual world the more you can appreciate the inside references, which are abundant.

The three main characters see the real world as mere distractions from their calling, which is to thrive in the virtual world of Kingdom Scrolls, their online addiction.

In one scene, Meg (Alexa Davies) stops to berate a young woman waiting for a bus, because she does not deserve to wear the game-culture paraphernalia she displays. As only someone her age might do, Meg sees the affront as a serious appropriation of virtual cultures. Such "badges" must be earned by being a "slave to the game."

The juxtaposition of people and their avatars, real world and fantasy world, real life and virtual existence is a conceit rife with comic opportunities. "Dead Pixels" does a good job of mining real comedy gold.

Great start to new series

[davefoots · 8/10 · 31 March 2019]

Have just watched the 1st episode. Absolutely hilarious.

The in game antics balanced against the gamers real lives - spot on.

Can't wait for next week.

Moderately funny but lacking substance

[j3thr0s · 6/10 · 8 June 2022]

This show is about two misanthropic, self-loathing recluses who spend all their time playing an online game together and treating their friends very poorly.

It's not bad and it has some really funny moments, but overall it lacks the depth and variety of, for example, Fresh Meat. The childish, petulant and selfish behaviour of Megan and Nicky gets a little wearing and repetitive and you do wonder why Alison or Russell would put up with them at all. In particular, Megan's incessant graphic and generally quite weird descriptions of how horny she is just aren't very funny.

In summary, it's somewhat enjoyable but quite forgettable.

Genius

[Molemeister · 9/10 · 4 April 2019]

If you're a gamer, you'll love all the in jokes. If not, you'll still love the subtle humour. Best comedy in years IMHO. Not one for Vince Vaughan fans though...

Must be good as Ive watched it all several times.

[cush1465 · 9/10 · 4 May 2019]

Rude and crude but also funny in parts. Maybe you have to be into or at least aware of computer gamers that have this addiction to fantasy worlds to enjoy it to the full. For me personally I loved it and fingers crossed for a second series !

Gameshow parody

[pumiliawolmary · 7/10 · 12 April 2019]

This series is funny and rude and ultimately hugely enjoyable. It's about people coping with their boring jobs by existing in their favourite violent game show as graphic animes where they live their "real lives". Loved it to bits

Bonkers

[donaljoconnor · 10/10 · 27 January 2021]

Love this show! The acerbic putt-downs are some of the best. Not surprising since it has shows like Peep Show and Succession in it's DNA. The cast are perfect. A really great fun watch.

Niche & Original

[deepfrieddodo · 7/10 · 23 February 2021]

Niche comedy probably best enjoyed by gamers, although the humour feels fairly inclusive and more rips into the central character's life choices. You would expect a series purely about one fantasy game would be quite limiting, but each episode does feel different enough whilst providing a series arc.

The laughs definitely come from Nicky and Russell (a role really evidently made for Jamie Demetriou - as seen in Avatards - but still brilliantly played by Mumeni nonetheless), with Alison providing a funny outside view. The concept of Meg is good, but doesn't provide many laugh out loud moments. Still, really easy watch, funny for the most part, and pretty original.

Funny witty sharp writing -- even if you're not a gamer

[rd-82309 · 9/10 · 12 August 2021]

I've just made it through the first season, and starting on season 2. This is a laugh-out-loud funny show with sharp dialogue, and damaged but relatable characters. I am not a gamer, so I suspect there are some game-specific jokes that I am not getting, but I haven't noticed. The obsession with gaming works as a stand-in for anything that divides those who are in the social mainstream from those who feel like outsiders, outliers, or social misfits. Those who are different, for whatever reason, can feel as if they live in a different reality than others around them. This show uses gaming to explore characters who live like this. As a female, I appreciate the two women characters who, while being very different, are both strong, smart and mouthy. No cutesy simpering bimbos here. Nice to watch women who aren't prissy shrinking violets but who are tough,clever and amusingly vulgar. The only thing that I occasionally find jarring is the recurring violence directed at (virtual) animals. A bit of this can be slightly funny for its cringe or shock value, but there is too much of it for my taste. Minor criticism though, because the show is just so well done overall.

Not too bad

[ianpoggel · 7/10 · 31 March 2019]

Just watched the first episode, not bad but very simular to "The Guild", ( one of my fave shows), looks like it was inspired by it....anyway looking forward to the next episode.

Must watch

[ant30002000 · 9/10 · 10 May 2019]

Hysterical ! It's a must watch if your a gamer and have a sense of humour

An unexpected treat

[remedy305 · 7/10 · 5 March 2021]

I honestly never imagined that I would enjoy this series half as much as I did. I have no interest in online gaming which should have stopped me watching from the outset. The setting is a modern flat, Alison lives in the real world while Meg and Nicky spend most of their time plaing a random online gaming quest. What makes the show great is the superb acting of Alexa Davies with excellent support from Charlotte Ritchie and Will Merrick. The speed at which Alexa can deliver her lines is amazing. The real story is how these two views on life manage to live together in one small flat. The conflicts and the compromises. Worthy mention also to the other two gamers both if whom add colour to the story, Usman and Russell.

Watch The Guild

[ianjones-70655 · 3/10 · 8 April 2019]

Dan_emma pretty much covered it all with far more grace however.... this is a poor imitation of The Guild. Save your time and watch that. As a 36 year old hard gamer with over 10 years of playing WoW, i cringed and winced at so much in this. It was not funny and not representative of the culture. SouthPark was closer 10 years ago That said my partner, who watches the full range of MIC and TOWIE type programs really enjoys it so.....

early days maybe it needs time to find its groove

Really promising start and hoping for a second series.

[jhardingrathbone · 9/10 · 14 May 2019]

I'm not an MMORPG player but I have dabbled in the past, as well as being a huge single player gamer. Gamers need to get behind and support content like this, because outside of Go 8-bit I can't think of anything else gamer related on TV, despite gaming being a bigger market than films now.

The acting is good, and the interactions between the different characters are amusing, but Russel steals it for me. Plenty of laugh out loud moments for me (and my husband who isn't a gamer!) and that's rare for me with comedy. There is lots of satire here and it's a genuine shame there weren't more episodes in the series.

Exceedingly funny, Puritans need not apply

[rander-88123 · 8/10 · 26 August 2021]

John Cleese of Monty Python once said, "woman are not funny." in most cases, he's right, which is why in couple's comedies, the man is almost always the joker, the woman the straight man. In this one, the girls are very funny. The lead is outstanding, moving from rage to calmness and offering cutting wit all the time. The other outstanding comic is the American airline pilot who plays the video-game in the cockpit while his co-pilot sleeps or completely ignores his wife and kids to play. I hope there is a third season, the first two were terrific.

some of you are too harsh, but justified

[rooviews · 7/10 · 12 April 2019]

Usually, when I really enjoy or hate something I check the reviews to see if people are agreeing with me. Shocked to see so many people not liking this! I'm not shocked at the little amount of reviews for this, though. Marketing was terrible and only saw it once all episodes were released as it was on my all4!

Now, I'm not a gamer and I've never seen "the guild" so i can't speak on whether it's a blatant rip off or if it's just a similar premise.

I agree with some points people are saying like dialogue issues, but I don't think it's very clunky too often. I was a big fan of fresh meat and I have watched it twice, so for me It was really enjoyable seeing the different style back again!

I could be nitpicky and wonder why the sex noises sounded like a washing machine door closing or why they never got fired from work, but at the same time who cares about that?? I don't want a work subplot! Give me Kingdom scrolls banter!!

I also agree that Meg being really sexual was a bit odd sometimes, but I do feel that's a common theme in shows like this. I've never heard anyone say the word "nubbin" before and I was confused everytime she said it. It was very odd.

But I am a sucker for romance!!!! I did not expect there to be an underlying romance plot and I was very pleased once it was hinted at. I really hope there is a series two so we can see how this develops! Their relationship was really cute and i gotta see it happen.

I think Nicky was a really cute character and even though when the characters got angry and it seemed a bit off, you can actually imagine it and see someone acting like this. Though, that scene with Meg at the bus stop was mega weird. But- could still see it really happening. I did enjoy the character of Meg, but I feel she's much suited to other roles like when she played Aretha in "raised by wolves" (by the way, go watch it. It's amazing. And also, overly sexual sometimes. )

Of course, Usmund was a hit with the audience. He was charming while also being a terrible, terrible father. I hated the kids' voices though. Were they said by a middle aged woman?? Russel was funny, albeit being annoying as hell. Though, that was his character!

This show is a bit of a hit or miss for people and for me I really enjoyed it. There's no harm in trying anyway, as the episodes are only 23 minutes!! Go check it out :)

Ps- that scene where you find out their rooms are right next to eachother is the best thing I've ever seen. Seriously.

A solid start....

[philiphsheldon · 8/10 · 3 April 2019]

I can see this series being re-commissioned, it will be interesting to see how these characters develop. The first couple of episodes seem a little forced, but by episode 3 I was really quite enjoying it. If you haven't seen it, give it a try. Well worth a watch.

An American View

[grmells · 7/10 · 19 August 2020]

Just watched episode one and it is obvious it is a British show. Not just the accents but the phrases used for what Megan wants from the guy and of course all the bleeped dialog that makes it OK for US broadcast. While I have grown up with video games (original Atari 2600 buyer) I have never gotten involved like the characters and don't identify with them but their interaction is still fun.

gut wrenching funny

[howboutthisone_huh · 9/10 · 3 February 2021]

The best part of this show are the gamers writing reviews criticizing and nitpicking as if this were a game itself; it's like looking at a comedy infinity mirror. imeo, This is one of the most original comedy shows I've seen in quite a while (next to ghosts) but I have to admit I haven't watched 'the guild'. When I have 4 mins to spare maybe I'll watch an episode but not until I finish bingeing this with a box of tissues, and praying to the media gods it doesn't get cancelled.

BETTER THAN THE GUILD.

[baroncoco · 10/10 · 1 March 2021]

Not sure how the Guild gets so much respect just for coming first, but it doesn't matter: this is better written, has a better cast, much better effects, up and down the block it's better. All four main characters are great; if the Brits ever regain their sanity, gotta hope for more seasons.

UK version of the guild

[Stuzey · 5/10 · 8 April 2019]

3 episodes in, I wouldn't say it's awful, but a lot of it has been done before, South Park had it's warcraft episode and of course The Guild, both over ten years ago. With such a specific story, a group playing an MMORPG, it's difficult to avoid the cliches and they haven't. The american guy is Clara from the guild, the grind of killing masses of low level mobs for limited exp.

Maybe, given time it can grow into it's own show

This could really take off

[davidtpeck · 10/10 · 27 May 2019]

Hopefully another series will be commissioned. I always think first series are hard to judge, by the 2nd and 3rd you get to know the characters more, meaning more jokes and subtle in house jokes. Definitely deserves another outing, if you like IT crowd and/or gaming you'll get more out of it

Hilarious. And a real gem.

[Tyanneh · 10/10 · 14 April 2021]

As a person who used to play games a lot, I really enjoyed this show. The references were on point and it really brought back the memories of the time when I played a mmorpg game for 8 hours a day. The grind is real ;D

The show is incredibly funny. And I fell for main characters who are socially awkward and prefer spending time in imaginary world. Especially Meg who is both extremely real and funny.

The game itself is a little bit unrealistic at times but I guess they needed to make it more appealing to the viewers.

Ps. I am not a critic, so I am not trying to review the quality, actors etc. This is my subjective opinion about the show.

Good. Really got potential imo

[popey-20973 · 9/10 · 4 April 2019]

Watched all six episodes on All4 and really enjoyed it I hope a second series is commissioned. I enjoyed fresh meat and it has that feel to it so hopefully it'll go on for as long! Really got potential in my view

For the love of all that's holy...

[cimorellisteve · 8/10 · 5 August 2021]

I need help, I don't play or even like video games. Obviously I have zero clue with 90% of the Gamer Jargon, that being said I really enjoy this show. It's funny and original and isn't afraid to make fun of itself.