Netflix's New #1 U.S. Series Proves Critics Wrong With A 96% Audience Score
Netflix has a new chart-topping series this week that began as a divisive workplace comedy. Two years and 30 episodes later, it's building momentum as one of the streamer's best original comedy series of all time. With a near-perfect audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and one of the funniest ensemble casts on any streaming platform, this series is finally proving that it deserves to be amongst the TV comedy greats after hitting its newly added third season out of the park.
Tires is Netflix's #1 show in the US following its 12-part season 3 drop last week. Even though it was critically panned in its first season, earning just a 38% Rotten Tomatoes critic score, it has shown tremendous growth as one of Netflix's strongest comedy shows, proving critics wrong with an outstanding 96% Rotten Tomatoes audience score for season 3. With its chart-topping status, near-perfect rating from viewers, and 2026 Emmy nomination, it's safe to say that Netflix officially has a new budding comedy franchise on its hands.
What Actually Changed Between Tires Seasons 1 & 3
Tires season 1 was made after co-creator and co-star Shane Gillis took a huge financial risk on an original concept first developed by co-creator and co-star Steve Gerben when he was still in college. Released in 2024 with six short episodes, Tires season 1 felt more like a proof of concept than a full-blooded season and certainly did not get as much attention and care as other Netflix projects with high production value and larger budgets. Netflix only acquired the series after the self-financed first season was completed, which is why there is such a jump in quality from season 1 to seasons 2 and 3.
Apart from the behind-the-scenes elements, Tires season 1 was somewhat rightfully torn apart by critics as it does, especially in retrospect, feel a rung below Netflix quality. That said, Gillis has been on a meteoric rise in the comedy world since 2022 when he released his stand-up special Live in Austin, so it makes sense that Netflix would want to partner with arguably the best new comedian of the 2020s. Season 2 also beefed up the series to twelve episodes, an updated approach which season 3 also adopted, and added several big-name draws such as Vince Vaughn, Andrew Shultz, and Thomas Haden Church.
Why Audiences Were Right About Tires Before Critics
A key reason why critics were quick to pile on Tires season 1 is that the production value did not match the quality of the comedy itself. There were also notable absences and deficits in key areas, particularly in the narrative category, which made the show more of a comedic showcase rooted in sketches and punchlines than a full-fledged story with a beginning, middle, and end. Decider wrote, "While we think there is room for Tires to grow into a decent and moderately funny workplace comedy, we don’t think there will be much of that growth during a six-episode first season."
Given that Gillis got his start in stand-up and sketch comedy, creating the sketch series Gilly and Keeves, which helped get him brief attention from Saturday Night Live, the lack of plot in Tires season 1 is not necessarily surprising to his fans. On the other hand, critics who had just discovered him through Tires season 1 seemed naturally more quick to judge based on traditional storytelling considerations. Still, Tires exists in a rare category that allowed it to develop even after its debut. Even though critics doubted it, Gillis and Netflix did not.
What is so outstanding about Tires season 3, however, is how the story is really brought to life through the core characters that were already established in the pilot episode. While the comedic elements remain at the forefront of Tires, there's a great newfound balance in season 3 that alternates between simple riffing and situational comedy that pertains to drama and action. It demonstrates a genuine depth and growth in the series hinted at in earlier seasons that is now finally realized, which is simply impressive from a creative standpoint.
Although there are fewer critic reviews of Tires season 3 than its debut season, they are unanimously positive, with ScreenRant giving it 9/10 stars. We noted, "Rather than tack on more A-list talent for short-lived cameos, Tires season 3 tripled down on its core cast and further established its identity as an original workplace comedy, not a showcase for famous comedians." It should also be noted that Tires season 2 improved to a 78% RT score, which is a pretty remarkable boost. Some metrics speak volumes, but Tires' #1 status in the US, combined with its 96% audience score, tells the true story of its latest hit season.