After Lately

After Lately is an American television comedy show that aired on E! from 2011 to 2013. This comedic mockumentary plays out behind the scenes of the popular E! late-night talk show, Chelsea Lately, and displays a satirically exaggerated version of the backstage life of the cast and crew.

The show, which falls under the genres of sitcom and mockumentary, features the actual staff of the Chelsea Handler-led talk show 'Chelsea Lately' playing heightened versions of themselves. The series served as a faux-reality portrayal of the supposed events that occurred behind the scenes after the taping of the regular talk show, hence the name, 'After Lately'. This chaotic and comical spin on a 'behind-the-scenes' look is presented in a narrative format that immersively takes the audience into the lives and antics of the staff working on 'Chelsea Lately'.

Chelsea Handler, a comedienne and the host of the talk show 'Chelsea Lately', led the cast of 'After Lately'. Joining her is a team of comedians who serve as writers and performers on the original talk show — Brad Wollack, Sarah Colonna, Chris Franjola, Heather McDonald, and many more. The series showcases their interactions, fights, rivalries, and friendships that live in and out of the show's office. Much of the series' charm roots in the fact that these are real-life interactions, albeit exaggerated, mixed with entirely fabricated events.

A key feature that sets After Lately apart from other mockumentaries is its host of celebrity cameos. Visitors to the Chelsea Lately offices – a number of whom are Handler's real-life Hollywood friends – appear throughout the series playing exaggerated versions of themselves, further blurring the lines between reality and fiction, and making the show an appealing watch for celebrity enthusiasts.

Episode plots on After Lately vary greatly, evolving from simple office banter to outrageous adventures, and often touch upon the eccentricities and idiosyncrasies of a life in Hollywood. For example, a storyline might start with a simple office meeting and spiral into wild and unlikely escapades, complete with celebrity encounters, workplace shenanigans, rivalries, and friendship. The humor is often self-deprecating, with characters making fun of themselves and their co-workers, and the tone of the show can be described as irreverent and satirical. The series also touch upon the pressure and stress of working in a highly competitive, fast-paced entertainment industry and maintaining personal lives amid it.

A key element of After Lately is the juxtaposition of its scripted mockumentary style with the "inside joke" feel of the humor. This was primarily due to the cast's real-life relationships and experiences on which the series based its premises. Often bizarre and absurdly humorous, the show's charm lies in this unique self-awareness. Overall, this approach created a unique blend of scripted narrative, improv-like humor, reality-inspired events, and a parade of celebrity cameos, assisting the series in carving a special niche for itself in the television landscape.

At the core, After Lately served as a laudable attempt to invigorate the behind-the-scenes genre by pairing scripted comedy with elements of reality television. It effectively captured the crew's outlandish humor and camaraderie while stirring up a fresh approach to the sitcom genre. The series appeals to fans of Handler's distinctive humor, as well as to those intrigued by the inner workings of a successful late-night show.

Though the non-traditional format may not be for everyone, the show offers a unique take on the mockumentary style that proves to be effective. The recurring celebrity guests playing exaggerated versions of themselves provides a delightful, laugh-inducing layer to the overall charm of the series. In summary, After Lately is a playful, entertainingly skewed peek behind the curtain of the talk show world. This makes the series a treat for fans of Handler's original talk show, comedy enthusiasts, and those curious about the chaotic yet hilarious world of late-night television.