The FXX comedy Dave is on track to surpass Atlanta as FX Networks’ most-watched comedy series, according to Deadline.

The show stars viral rapper Dave “Lil Dicky” Burd and chronicles the titular character, a suburban resident who has aspirations of becoming a successful rapper.

Dave has reportedly accrued 4.8 million viewers per episode for five episodes on linear, video-on-demand and streaming viewing. This is just behind the first season of Atlanta, which averaged 5.2 million viewers per episode in its first season. FX’s hit Atlanta has been nominated for and won several Emmy and Golden Globe awards in the comedy series categories.

Despite garnering huge ratings, Dave has not gone without criticism. Many viewers pointed out how Dave seemed derivative of Atlanta, another FX comedy starring Donald Glover. Both shows feature their protagonists trying to forge a career in music. There has also been criticism of Lil Dicky in regards to race, including his controversial history with the n-word.

As Deadline states in its report, “There are asterisks to the Dave-Atlanta comparison. Both totals include linear, VOD and streaming, but Dave is benefiting from streaming on a much bigger platform, Hulu via FX on Hulu; Atlanta was available on the now-defunct FX Now. On the flip side, Atlanta‘s primary network is flagship FX, while Dave is an FXX original. The comedy-centered offshoot network has a slightly smaller reach and lower profile, though Dave’s tally includes repeats on FX.”

Dave was created by Burd and Jeff Schaffer. Kevin Hart and Scooter Braun also serve as the show’s executive producers.

 

READ MORE:

Is Kevin Hart’s ‘Dave’ Just A White Version of ‘Atlanta’?

 

Photo: FX