Jimmy Carr's new panel show, Am I the A**hole?, is based on the popular Reddit subreddit Am I the Asshole? (AITA). The concept sees members of the public share stories of questionable behaviour, with Carr and panellists GK Barry and Jamali Maddix deciding who is the biggest 'arsehole' of the day. The show aims to replicate the online forum's judgmental spirit but falls short, offering a confusing and outdated viewing experience.
The format lacks coherence, as trivial matters like vaping or going halves on a first date are debated with the same intensity as more serious issues such as putting pubes in someone's food or ending friendships with psychic readings. This equal billing makes the show's moral compass feel arbitrary and nonsensical. Carr's trademark shock humour, including obligatory paedophile jokes, further detracts from any meaningful engagement with the stories.
The presence of online content creators cheapens the show, and the overall tone feels stuck in the early 2010s, reminiscent of Cards Against Humanity or early Vice. Despite this, the panellists deliver strong performances: Barry is a perfect hype-woman with deadpan wit, Maddix offers straight-talking observations, and Carr brings his characteristic edge. However, these individual talents cannot save a show that feels lazy and derivative.
Am I the A**hole? is a disappointing addition to the panel show genre, failing to justify its existence beyond capitalising on a popular internet trend. It may entertain die-hard Carr fans, but for most viewers, it will feel like a missed opportunity.
