Benders

:

Season 1
  • Network: IFC
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 1, 2015
Metascore
51

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
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Critic Reviews

  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Daniel Fienberg
    Sep 29, 2015
    70
    There's a lot of dudes-being-dudes banter, without any "Bro is me" self-pity that sometimes can bog the genre down. Led by Chris Distefano, Mark Gessner, Ruy Iskandar and Andrew Schulz, the cast has an easy rapport that carries Benders along even if, after three episodes, I can't quite isolate distinguishing characteristics for all of the guys.
  2. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Oct 1, 2015
    60
    Benders feels similar in its comedy style to all the Leary shows that have come before.
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Sep 30, 2015
    60
    There’s nothing in the early episodes of Benders that’s as explosively funny as any random 10 minutes of “Louie” or “Curb.” But it can impart a sort of calming buzz--if you lower your expectations for laughs in the same way that the show diminishes expectations that its characters will achieve any kind of triumph.
  5. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Molly Eichel
    Oct 1, 2015
    50
    Benders is produced by Denis Leary and his type of humor is all over the show.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Joe McGovern
    Sep 28, 2015
    50
    The show stumbles with labored one-liners and too-zany situations. [2 Oct 2015, p.68]
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  7. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Sep 29, 2015
    40
    Despite the occasional funny line or absurd situation--such as Paul’s grandfather wanting his help in euthanizing him in the premiere--the show feels completely disposable.
  8. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Sep 23, 2015
    25
    None of it is believable. If the show’s structure were obviously satirical, there would be credible room for over-the-top, but the show is meant as a straight-ahead sitcom, and the story lines all sound exactly like what a bunch of guys would come up with in a college dorm room, rank with the smell of soiled laundry, flatulence and pot-induced tall tales.

User Reviews

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User Score
4.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 3 out of 6
  1. RobertFromTN
    Oct 18, 2015
    8
    The pilot was a bit shaky, but the show is starting to find it's groove. It's very funny and engaging. With likable and fairly relatableThe pilot was a bit shaky, but the show is starting to find it's groove. It's very funny and engaging. With likable and fairly relatable characters it could end up turning into a highly successful show, especially among the sports-savvy viewers. It's not quite on the level of a show like "The League" but it could end up there. The best scenes are when the guys on the hockey team are sitting in the locker room having some back and forth conversation.
    While not perfect by any means, it certainly has all of the pieces in place to become a great show. Definitely worth watching for those who like "The League" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia".    … Full Review »
  2. Knighthawk81
    Oct 5, 2015
    2
    This was set up as a hockey comedy. There was neither much hockey or comedy in the pilot, and that's a problem. Not sure who this show isThis was set up as a hockey comedy. There was neither much hockey or comedy in the pilot, and that's a problem. Not sure who this show is aimed at, but it's obviously a less discerning viewer than myself.… Full Review »
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