This smart, hilarious Prime Video show deserves way more love
This smart, hilarious Prime Video show deserves way more love
Critics love it, fans swear by it, but somehow ‘Upload’ still isn’t on most people’s radar.
Prime Video has dropped some massive comedies over the years, from “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” to (the much darker) “The Boys.” But when it comes to half-hour originals, there’s one show that somehow still hasn’t gotten its due. “Upload” is sharp, original, surprisingly emotional… and totally slept on. It’s been praised by critics, renewed for multiple seasons (including Season 4 which just dropped) and quietly built one of the most consistent runs of any Prime Video comedy. And yet? Most people I know have either never heard of it or given up after Season 1 without realizing how much it has evolved. If you like shows that balance weird sci-fi ideas with heart, satire, and relationship messiness, “Upload” is the under-the-radar gem you need to stream next.
Best under-the-radar comedy TV show on Prime Video
Why ‘Upload’ is the most underrated comedy series on Prime Video
I came to this show really late. But better late than never because “Upload” is clever, emotional, and weird in all the right ways. It’s set in a near-future world where your consciousness can be uploaded into a digital afterlife. Now, I thought maybe the show would catch on in the last few years with the age of AI upon us, but still it didn’t catch on the way it should have.
There’s no single reason why “Upload” got overlooked, just a bunch of different things. First off, the release schedule was brutal. Season 1 dropped in 2020, and Season 2 didn’t come out for nearly two years. By the time Season 3 hit, it was hard for casual viewers to remember what happened, let alone catch up. And with Amazon focusing its big promo energy on shows like “The Boys” and “The Rings of Power,” “Upload” just never got that same push. It charted here and there on Prime’s Top 10, but it never got the momentum it deserved.
The tone is another reason it probably slipped through the cracks. It’s a romantic comedy, sure, but also a dark satire about tech companies, digital immortality, and late-stage capitalism. It swings between laugh-out-loud moments and existential dread. It’s not a straight-up sitcom, and that makes it harder to sell in a trailer. If you’re looking for something light, this might seem “too sci-fi.” If you’re into sci-fi, it might seem “too funny.” But that blend? That’s what makes it great.
And then there’s the cast — which is stacked, by the way — but it doesn’t have any A-listers driving headlines. Robbie Amell is perfect in the lead, and Andy Allo absolutely steals scenes, but they’re not household names. Creator Greg Daniels (who did a few little-known shows called “The Office” and “Parks and Rec”) brings his signature style, but for whatever reason, “Upload” never got that same cultural lift. It’s got the same sharp writing and warm character beats, just in a digital afterlife instead of a paper company or small-town parks department.
The wildest part? Critics love this show. It has glowing Rotten Tomatoes scores across all three seasons, but few awards, no big buzz, no real mainstream recognition. And yet it keeps delivering. “Upload” might not be a trending topic, but it’s one of the smartest, most thoughtful comedies Amazon Prime’s ever made. If you like shows that actually have something to say about the big themes of death, love, AI, and who gets to control your forever, this is the one. Don’t let it get buried.
What is ‘Upload’ about?
“Upload” starts with a crash, literally. Nathan Brown, a charming app developer, dies unexpectedly and has to make a split-second decision: let his body die for real, or upload his consciousness to a digital afterlife run by a shady tech giant. He picks the upload. And that’s where the show takes off: into a sleek, satirical version of the afterlife where everything costs money and your data plan determines how nice eternity is.
Once he’s in, Nathan realizes nothing about his new “life” makes sense. His wealthy girlfriend controls his account. His memories are glitchy. And the whole afterlife system feels more like a luxury prison than paradise. But then he meets Nora, a real-world customer service rep (called an “Angel”) who helps manage the uploads, and their connection flips the whole show. What starts as a weird digital rom-com becomes a deeper mystery about who Nathan really was, what happened to him, and who’s profiting off death.
At its core, “Upload” is about identity, control, and what it means to be alive when you’re no longer living. The world of the show is packed with clever little ideas (like ads in your dreams and in-app purchases for hugs), but none of it feels like a gimmick. It’s all there to ask real questions: What would we give up for convenience? Who actually gets a second chance? And how do you move forward when your body’s gone but your heart still wants something real?
Upload
In 2033, people who are near death can be “uploaded” into virtual reality hotels run by 6 tech firms. Cash-strapped Nora lives in Brooklyn and works customer service for the luxurious “Lakeview” digital afterlife. When L.A. party-boy/coder Nathan’s self-driving car crashes, his high-maintenance girlfriend uploads him permanently into Nora’s VR world.
After you watch the first episode of ‘Upload,’ let us know what you think in the comments below.
Other underappreciated comedy TV shows on Prime Video
If you’re into weirder, more philosophical comedy, start with “Forever.” Maya Rudolph and Fred Armisen play a married couple stuck in a quiet suburban rut, until a sudden twist (no spoilers) sends the show in a totally unexpected direction. What starts as a gentle relationship sitcom turns into this strange, funny, sad meditation on marriage, routine, and what comes next. It’s low-key brilliant and one of the most original things Prime has ever made.
Want something a little messier and more honest? Go with “Catastrophe.” Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan star as two strangers who hook up, accidentally get pregnant, and try to build a life together. It’s sharp, cynical, and weirdly romantic. The chemistry between the leads is unreal, and the writing cuts deep in the best way.
Or if you want something a little messier and more personal, give “Overcompensating” a shot. It follows Benny, a closeted former high school football star trying to survive his freshman year of college by doubling down on frat-boy energy and keeping his real self hidden. The show leans into all the classic college stuff like parties, hookups, and identity crises, but it’s got way more heart than you’d expect. It’s funny, sure, but also surprisingly tender in how it explores masculinity, queerness, and that desperate need to belong when you’re not ready to be seen.
Prime Video
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