Back in the Game
ABC | Release Date: September 25, 2013
CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
59
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews
Positive:
8
Mixed:
8
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
83
NewsdayDiane WertsSep 24, 2013
Season 1 Review: The cast throws this curveball that catches the plate for a strike. Read full review
83
Uncle BarkyEd BarkSep 24, 2013
Season 1 Review: Caan’s perfectly clipped delivery and his daughter’s well-timed comebacks make Back in the Game at least a standup double if not a sliding triple. Read full review
80
Miami HeraldGlenn GarvinSep 25, 2013
Season 1 Review: No matter who’s on screen or what they’re doing, Back in the Game is gut-bustingly hilarious. Read full review
75
New York PostMichael StarrOct 3, 2013
Season 1 Review: I don’t know if Back in the Game will have a long shelf life, or if it will turn Caan into a prime-time star (like son Scott on “Hawaii Five-O”), but I do think it’s worth a half-hour of your time. Read full review
75
USA TodayRobert BiancoSep 24, 2013
Season 1 Review: Most every move creators Robb and Mark Cullen have made is a smart one, starting with casting an entirely fetching Maggie Lawson as the mother and the great James Caan as her gruff, constantly inappropriate father. Read full review
70
TV Guide MagazineMatt RoushSep 25, 2013
Season 1 Review: While this Little League comedy doesn't quite measure up to the big leagues, we shouldn't be surprised if family audiences rally around the team, turning a solid base hit into something potentially worthy of extra innings. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesMary McNamaraSep 25, 2013
Season 1 Review: In this case familiarity breeds more comfort than contempt. Caan and Lawson spark when they spar, Crichlow's Lulu is a delight as is Gluck's Danny. And even Dick, though burdened with far too much sexual innuendo, has a few good moments. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterTim GoodmanSep 24, 2013
Season 1 Review: Back In the Game doesn't really scream long-term storytelling beyond the family dynamic, which is precisely why it's wedged between The Middle and Modern Family on ABC. ... But this is a series that would seem to need, at minimum, four episodes before the audience could begin to get a real feel for it. Even smushed between two high-caliber comedies, there might not be enough lift to let all the charms of Back in the Game play out. Read full review
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