It's an MRI that's lost its mapping capabilities. [30 Apr 2012, p.36]

Makes a nice first impression but quickly wears out its welcome.

Bell is an attractive lead, but the show... starts out by taking itself too seriously and working too hard to establish an atmosphere of teen angst mixed with noir mystery. It wouldn't hurt if the student-sleuth lightened up.

With no reward besides fleeting fame, what rational person would want to go through domestic upheaval merely for viewers' amusement?

It's just a plainer Ugly Betty. [9 Jan 2012, p.40]

In the end, though, tinkering around the edges won't be enough to ensure The Guardian's future if Baker's performance remains a void at the center of the drama.

What it lacks is wit, depending instead on Lawrence to do shtick. He overacts terribly, hammily mugging for the camera.

Too bad none of the five participants have much spark, and nothing unique seems to happen to anybody.

For this series to work, the main character—and the star's acting skills—must show signs of growth.

This would just be another substandard sitcom, if not for its alarmingly sexist bent.

Welcome to the family is nicely cast.... [But it] needs to punch up the writing. [28 Oct 2013, p.47]

The gutted-out city is perhaps the show's most compelling character. [26 Aug 2013, p.38]

Season 6 staggers from incident to incident as Nancy and family run from their enemies--and the authorities. [13 Sep 2010, p.50]

It's a gauge of how much reality programming has changed TV that I kept thinking that Mark Burnett could come in, push some situational hot buttons and produce a better show. [12 Jun 2006, p.39]

Despite the backstory, the humor is conventionally jolly. [30 Aug 2010, p.38]

Project Greenlight is a dream come true for a guy named Jones, but it looks like less of a thrill for the average viewer.

This is advertising with a side of bruthah (and muthah)-ly love. [10 Feb 2014, p.50]

Hard to leg-warm up to.

The premiere delivers a show that's more winkingly cute than it really needs ro be. [25 Jan 2010, p.42]

The animation is clunky (about on a par with The Pink Panther); the gags are gross and not even remotely funny.

"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers." I never came close to sharing that bloodthirsty sentiment from Shakespeare's Henry VI until I watched the early episodes of the fourth series to carry the Law & Order brand.

It's meaningful that a gay dad with a teen daughter can be conventional--it's a just not great comedy. [14 Oct 2013, p.44]

There are bright spots here, including Pompeo's skillful performance and the surprisingly touching relationship between Meredith and her mother, a renowned surgeon. But to be worthy of study, Grey's Anatomy needs more of a brain.

This is well-produced, but it could just as well be Mission:Colonial. [1 Oct 2012, p.38]

The show feels weighed down by its own clout. [25 Sep 2006, p.43]

Smits is breezily bold, but the show feels fussy--flushed out with "interesting" details and characters. [20 Sep 2010l p.54]

Every time he flaps into view in his baggy hoodedness, he looks like Batman in need of a tailor. [17 Jan 2011, p.40]

It's like watching a manor house sink beneath the waves with loud, hissing pomp. [16 Apr 2012, p.50]