About A Boy

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Feb 22, 2014
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 69 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 69
  3. Negative: 5 out of 69
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User Reviews

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  1. MRAButterfly
    Feb 24, 2014
    9
    Feel-good show reminiscent of "Calvin and Hobbes" among other "buddy stories." The pilot was well-done, and the show has a lot of potential to grow into something even better.
    "About A Boy," as well as "Growing Up Fisher" are two of the new shows on NBC worth getting excited about!
  2. Midwest
    Mar 5, 2014
    7
    I was determined not to like this. I was pleasantly surprised. The kid is adorable abd Mimi Driver bright and sassy. She is a strange off kilter Mother that works. So far, so good.We will see if the writers will keep the show hopping and not redo each week the same show.The neighbor is a hunk with a heart he can't hide. A good start to a whacky, but potentially cute series.
  3. handfed
    Feb 23, 2014
    8
    Great pilot, Walton is no Hugh Grant but he is more then adequate and Minnie Driver lights up the screen. Only problem I can see is that the pilot was a synopsis of the movie, can the second episode build on that? Are the writers up to the task? Warm funny not too mushy, so far so good.
  4. MethylONE
    Feb 25, 2014
    7
    This is cute, corny, a bit cliche, but overall entertaining and much better than most of the competition. I will be tuning in and hoping the writers can keep it fresh.
  5. lukechristiansc
    Apr 21, 2014
    7
    I had to remake this review because i had some different feelings on the show . turns out about a boy is not funny But Jason Katmis created a good show. About a boy star Benjamin Stockham is a complete embarrassment to the series . Grade A
  6. redinthehead
    May 14, 2014
    10
    Happy to read that this show is being renewed for the Fall 2014 line up. The cast is awesome!! Stories are funny, heartwarming, and clever. I look forward to the show's return!!
  7. ang
    Apr 15, 2014
    9
    Clever writing which does not dumb down the viewer. Minnie Driver is pitch perfect and all the cast work well together. I've seen all shows, look forward to it each week and was pleasantly surprised that it has remained entertaining.
  8. KIRAMH
    Apr 23, 2014
    5
    I really loved the movie. The Fiona character in the movie is annoying at first but slowly becomes open to the idea of her son benefitting from a friendship with Will. Unfortunately the TV show isn't hitting that mark. I've liked Minnie Driver in almost everything I've seen her in but in this she is UNBEARABLE! She's a snarky hypocrite, sitting on her high horse judging Will at every turnI really loved the movie. The Fiona character in the movie is annoying at first but slowly becomes open to the idea of her son benefitting from a friendship with Will. Unfortunately the TV show isn't hitting that mark. I've liked Minnie Driver in almost everything I've seen her in but in this she is UNBEARABLE! She's a snarky hypocrite, sitting on her high horse judging Will at every turn while preaching peace, love and understanding. He could have easily closed himself off to the lonely, suffocated Marcus but he doesn't. He continuously tries to help the kid from becoming a social pariah at school and the only thanks he ever gets is Fiona telling him to stay away from her son. She also goes so far as to tell OTHERS how horrible a person Will is. YES, he's an immature man-child. But he didn't initiate the relationship with Marcus. He tried everything to avoid it. So instead of thanking him for being kind, she stabs Will in the back whenever she gets the chance. (When she's not taking advantage of the free childcare, that is.) The only thing that might save this show is the relationship between Will and Marcus. The two actors have great chemistry. Hugh Grant is a hard act to follow, and David Walton makes a pretty great effort. And Benjamin Stockham is just a delight to watch no matter what he's in. If they tone down Minnie Driver’s character and make her a little more neighborly and a little less condescending, I might start watching it.… Expand
  9. ashfox13
    Apr 28, 2014
    10
    Wonderful new show, great acting, always a moral regarding friendship at the end of the show. Good chemistry with all main characters. Hope the show is around for a long time.
  10. MDIslander
    Nov 30, 2014
    5
    The pilot was great but by episode 10 of Season 1 the age appropriateness of Will 34 and 12 Marcus bein BFFs is now border-line boring ... and not to mention getting creepy.

Awards & Rankings

84
#84 Best TV Season of 2014
78
#78 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29
  1. Under The Radar
    Reviewed by: Lily Moayeri
    Feb 25, 2014
    70
    With Jason Katims (Friday Night Lights, Parenthood) as creator and producer, About a Boy could very well be the next universally appealing family show.
    Read full review
  2. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Feb 24, 2014
    80
    He [David Walton] and About a Boy are at its best in those disarming moments when Will lets down his guard and faces his grown-up responsibilities to teach Marcus how to enjoy the "total exuberance" of boyhood.
    Read full review
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    Feb 24, 2014
    40
    This About a Boy is as subtle as a chain saw.
    Read full review
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