User reviews

I can't comment on the whole series but this show has the potential to be something special. I'm not a black straight woman in New York, I'm a gay guy in the U. K. That being said this show taps into something we all feel. The lead actress is exceptional. I don't remember seeing her in anything else but she owns this role. She's a genuine talent and I really don't say that often. I can the characters pain and the humour she's using to work through it. Introducing the characters as airport workers is very clever. We've all interacted with airport workers, we've all had people who by doing their jobs have made or ruined our day. This story, whilst showing us how this black single woman in New York, who feels alone despite being around hundreds of people everyday, feels, it taps into a human experience I can relate to. I can't wait to watch more.

Natasha Rothwell's character shows a true depiction of many people who feel such lonely emotion. Surprisingly she looks like a woman I know who once worked as a flight attendant about 15 years ago and today is doing very well as a manager - and, unlike Rothwell's character, she has had a long-term steady boyfriend. Ironically, I can't help but imagine my friend when I see Ms. Rothwell. But the sadness and humor of this series' premier episode is very emotional and Ms. Rothwell really makes the viewer feel her sorrow and frustration. Unfortunately I have not experienced such dire feelings, but this show certainly makes me want to follow the character's development. Altogether it's a very interesting storyline.

"How to Die Alone" is a witty and thoughtful dramedy by Natasha Rothwell, starring Mel, a transport assistant at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The show explores themes of loneliness, accountability, and courage in the face of life's unexpected challenges. The show begins with an unseen interviewer asking real-life New Yorkers why people die alone, which are themes throughout the series. Mel's life is tumultuous when her best friend Rory (Conrad Ricamora) bails on their plans, causing her to confront her disappointments. Her finances are in shambles, and she has strained relationships with her mother, Beverly (Ellen Cleghorne), and older brother, Brian (Bashir Salahuddin). Her friend circle is nonexistent. An accident on the eve of her birthday leaves her in the hospital. Rothwell, known for her roles on HBO's "Insecure" and "The White Lotus," is highlighted in the show. Her work on these series earned her production company, Big Hattie Productions, a development deal with ABC Signature. "How to Die Alone" is Rothwell's first solo effort as a creator, skillfully crafted, anchoring important themes and conversations in comedic musings. "How to Die Alone" is a relatable and introspective series that explores the human experience of a passenger, Mel, who is stranded at JFK. The show features funny moments, such as Mel's rivalry with her co-worker Patti and the antics of her baggage-handler friends DeShawn, Shaun, and Terrance. The series also explores the positions we hold in others' lives, as Mel does. The standout episode, "Trust No One," takes Mel to Brian's home for Thanksgiving, highlighting the tension between her siblings and the interjection of their critical mother. The show also provides a glimpse into the complex inner workings of an airport, showcasing the moving parts needed for air travel. The show highlights the difference between being alone and loneliness, and how Mel struggles to reimagine her life and her dreams. The show emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and the need to rely on oneself for support.

How to Die Alone is an absolute gem of a show-brilliantly smart, funny, and truly inspiring. From the very first episode, I was hooked. Natasha Rothwell delivers an incredible performance, bringing humor and heart to a story that feels fresh, relatable, and real. The writing is sharp, the characters unforgettable, and the blend of comedy and insightful storytelling is rare. It's one of those shows that makes you laugh, think, and feel all at once. If you're lost, dating, confused, whatever. It's worth a watch. I loved every minute and hope it gets many more seasons. It deserves a much bigger audience!

I loved, loved, loved Natasha in insecure. This was the show that introduced me to her talent and personality. I liked her right off the bat as the fun and funny side kick. I followed her right over to White Lotus season one. Her talent continued to show forth. I expected them to re-prize her in some form or fashion in season two, which left me disappointed. I was so glad to see her return to my TV screen on this show, and it did not disappoint. She bought the humor only as she could. I loved the entire cast of mostly unknowns. Each held their own, from the brother, mother, neighbors, and coworkers. I hope to see a seasons 2.

Don't listen to the other negative comments who didn't watch past episode 2! This is a great watch with entertaining and lovable characters! It's a great and easy to follow storyline with that keeps you captivated!

I found certain aspects of Mel's life relatable and found myself loving her character after by the first episode. I believe there's a character viewers would be able to relate too in some capacity, along with the lessons Mel learns in each episode.

If you love shows like Insecure or Dear White People, then you will love this show! Also, it's Natasha Freaking Rothwell, she's a killer actress and deserves all her flowers!

It is sad and funny because the characters are real. They are all flawed in a way that is realistic and true. That good friend who isn't really that good of a friend because it is always about them, they just Always assume you can drop everything for them until one day when you need them.... I am really looking forward to seeing how it continues and builds these characters because no one is aggressively narcissistic or terrible, just normal flaws everyone has. There is love, friendship, work issues, etc. And the airport setting feels unique and not overdone. The cast is very young and fresh and interesting.

I have watched three episodes now. It's fun to watch, but at the same time deals with real world problems.

Parts of it are just comedy, then other parts deal with the life of simple people working at an airport in service jobs.

It's about how people around you don't see your worth, also about how oneself might not see one's worth.

We have the highest amount of single households ever, which makes people feel lonely or be scared. That's obviously one of the main topics of the show.

Don't expect it to go super deep, but if you like some feelgood comedy with some portions of drama it is definitely one of the better shows out there.

This is one of the better sit coms of 2024! In my top 5. The cast is incredible! I enjoy the humor, acting, self- depricating writing/humor, the imaganative story telling and incredible characters. Highly reccomend!

Great for binge watching! So nice to watch something so fun and that really looks at the challanges of just being alive in such a humerous and loving way. Love the diversity of all the diffrent characters.

This show is compelling, funny and makes for happy veiwing.

Great for cozy fall watching.

Says my review is not long enough. So blah blah, blah, blah and blah and more blah. Okay, blah.

I had cancelled my HULU account but re-subscribed to watch this. How to Die Alone is a modern day fairytale (to me at least) that features a main character that is often stereotyped in real life. People like her don't usually have multiple love interests on TV. This show offers an amusing perspective on relationships and how you can sabotage them without trying. Its an easy watch with new and talented faces. Natasha Rodwell is fun and refreshing to watch. Hope this show gets one or two more seasons. There were so many times I got a good chuckle and I had to stop myself from binging it all at once.

Natasha Rothwell is a talented actress for sure, but the writing... was unsatisfying. I'm convinced that at least some of it was written during the writers' strike and/or by AI. The exchange between the protagonist and Elisa, which was supposed to be the crux of her character development, was underwhelming and bizarre in ways that seemed tasteless. I think you have to have little media literacy, a small repertoire of films you've watched, or have not been watching this show attentively to come away from the viewing experience with no question marks. It's unfortunate, because I think a show that dealt seriously and provocatively with both loneliness and the politics of desire would have been a breath of fresh air. Swarm is an example of a show that tackled similar themes in surprising, thoughtful ways. HTDA is a little too cookie cutter, like it was pitched as Crazy Ex Girlfriend meets Harlem without much additional inspiration. With all of its resources, the Hollywood apparatus could produce higher quality projects if it wanted to, but it doesn't. It expects people to watch anyway based on the synopsis and a few rushed reviews.

Binged this show in one setting. Makes relatable, humorous, sad, pathetic and triumphant feelings come up all at once. A true Charlie Chapman like piece of cinematic magic. The main characters journey with themselves post thier trauma looks like a mid life crisis gone awry and how they relate to others at work and in friendships is hilarious and sad at the same time. Needed this diverse cast and unique storytelling and perspective. I love the characters growth and struggles in its midst. The ending leaves me wanting more, annoyed at karma and cracking up all at once. The main characters perspective through the entire show is shown as trauma informed and hopefully they get a season two to really explore the why more. The relationships between characters new and old all have a fully fleshed out story line which I attribute to great writers. Takes away from the typical narrative of romantic/ friendship comedy and is a true tragic comedy for the modern population with unique relationship pitfalls, self sabotage, the will to do better, community support to defeat fears, and the humor in it all. I'm sold and my heart wants better for the main character.

I really cannot believe someone said this was charming. I agree with the person that it feels like an AI bot wrote this garbage.

That girl Natasha is obviously a very good actress but to be honest she's down as a writer and that's perhaps even worse.

Where to start?

This is definitely not a comedy. The storyline with the brother is maybe the best unintentional joke of the program. No matter what that would never and I mean ever happen in real life.

There's no one to root for as they are all horrible people which is maybe why you leave every episode feeling as empty as the series. What a total waste of time. IF you get an opportunity to read this, watch something that you'll like, something creative, funny or that will make you feel anything as this will make you hallow, that's exactly what this trash is. Hallow. Look elsewhere.

For something billed as a "comedy", there isn't a great deal of humor. There are a few very brief humorous "sight gags" - things you see which are slightly funny. Maybe 1 per episode, perhaps 2. The dialog and character aren't funny in ANY way.

Overall, the best descriptor I can think for this after watching half the season.. is Melancholy ... passive sadness. And that comes across is almost all scenes and settings, certainly all the dialog.

All the actors do good jobs. There was no point where I felt acting was sub-par. The problems is the writing.. it's depressing and morose. There's no "funny" here anywhere.

If I were labeling a genre for this it would be drama, not comedy.

I lasted 5 episodes then just realized it's depressing and I wasn't enjoying anything about it. I didn't "dislike" it, really just wasn't gaining anything from it - other than my own sense of melancholy.

Pass ------------