Better Things

:

Season 1
  • Network: FX
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 8, 2016
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 116 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 97 out of 116
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 116
  3. Negative: 7 out of 116
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User Reviews

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  1. holly0297
    Oct 19, 2016
    10
    Very real. Very funny. Very much needed series (along with just a few others) to aid television in its quest to hold on to its "Golden Age." The writing is great. The adult actors are great; the kids are a little stiff but they'll improve their timing and delivery within a few episodes. The girls are adorable too. Not cookie cutter cute; just out-of-the-box beautiful like their "Mom"Very real. Very funny. Very much needed series (along with just a few others) to aid television in its quest to hold on to its "Golden Age." The writing is great. The adult actors are great; the kids are a little stiff but they'll improve their timing and delivery within a few episodes. The girls are adorable too. Not cookie cutter cute; just out-of-the-box beautiful like their "Mom" played by Pamela Adlon. Adlon has long deserved her own series. She is like your big sister's hilarious, wise, & cool best friend you might like to trade your big sis for. One complaint: too few episodes. We want more, Pamela!… Expand
  2. tosca555
    Nov 16, 2016
    10
    Love, love, love, Better Things, but I knew I would. Loved Pamela in Lucky Louie & Louie, I am thrilled that she has her own show, I have been waiting for someone, somewhere to wise up and see what so many of us see in her! I see only better things to come. Well deserved!
  3. avan1976
    Mar 3, 2017
    9
    Another quick-take-on-real-life type show. It feel very much like Loius CK in the suburbs with three teenage daughters (which is awesome). Pamela, who plays the lead character, it thoroughly engaging and the way she deals with the problems of life in a humble but dry ways anchors the entire series. Was never bored. Would particularly recommended for people with school-aged kids.
  4. StanCliffBroad
    Nov 8, 2016
    8
    A real slice of life. The kids work well together, though suspension of disbelief is surely tested in thinking they're related. I'm hoping the script continues to bring a smile to my face and ring the empathy bell.
  5. Tony1984
    Nov 25, 2017
    5
    If you like Louie C.K. (Whats with these guys and sexual weirdness?)then you will enjoy Better Things. However if not, you will find this distinctly average and unoriginal , predictably jammed packed with cliched tropes. Especially the sardonic jaded heroine single mom with truly obnoxious children. There are a couple of smiles but very few. The shallow pointless materialisticIf you like Louie C.K. (Whats with these guys and sexual weirdness?)then you will enjoy Better Things. However if not, you will find this distinctly average and unoriginal , predictably jammed packed with cliched tropes. Especially the sardonic jaded heroine single mom with truly obnoxious children. There are a couple of smiles but very few. The shallow pointless materialistic narcissism of Californian life is on full display and it’s not funny, even ironically. I gave up after episode 4, which ended in a smash the patriarchy march. Yip, really funny stuff.… Expand
  6. MatthewRobinson
    Jul 26, 2017
    9
    Better Things is easily one of the better TV shows there is today. You have Pamela Adlon (Sam Fox) as the single mother raising three daughters in the stressful and super expensive Los Angeles. Then there's those three daughters of hers. All are young and with their own personalities and idiosyncrasies. Then there's Fox's mother Celia, who is sweet, sentimental, as well as crazy. All theseBetter Things is easily one of the better TV shows there is today. You have Pamela Adlon (Sam Fox) as the single mother raising three daughters in the stressful and super expensive Los Angeles. Then there's those three daughters of hers. All are young and with their own personalities and idiosyncrasies. Then there's Fox's mother Celia, who is sweet, sentimental, as well as crazy. All these dynamics going down in one neighborhood in the suburbs of LA. If you haven't seen this show you're missing out on a potential classic comedy-drama.… Expand
  7. rubrandonm
    Sep 6, 2017
    8
    FX has continued to establish "reality comedy" as a mainstay of American television. With Adlon rocking the single mother lead and the script giving a legitimate look into both single motherhood and femininity, this show is one of the best new FX shows.
  8. charles321
    Sep 26, 2016
    10
    I came across this show by randomly selecting it with knowing absolutely nothing about it. I never even heard of it. I just really needed something to watch to help my boredom. I am so glad that I chose this show. It is so funny. I love how close the mother is with her daughters and how the daughters feel like they can tell their mom absolutely everything.
  9. erolsabadosh
    Sep 22, 2016
    10
    Brilliant show! Extremely well written, wildly funny and exceptionally well executed. I really can't find any fault with it, you'll either love the characters and dig the honesty or you won't, but if you do then it's a real treat. One of the best new shows in my opinion.
  10. mtc1954
    Sep 30, 2016
    10
    Great show. It is what most 30 minute shows aren't and want to be; funny ironic real poignant clever deep sad and happy. Lenny Kravitz and David Duchovny guest starred in the same episode. Beyond rare.
  11. reviewfrom19842
    Dec 2, 2016
    9
    Wow I was complete hooked by the first episode

    Sam/Pilot 9/10
    Period 9/10
    Brown 7/10
    Woman Is the Something of the Something 7/10
    Future Fever 8/10
    Alarms 7/10
    Duke's Choice 8/10
    Scary Fun 9/10
    Hair of the Dog 8/10
    Only Women Bleed 9/10
  12. preciouskiki
    Sep 9, 2016
    9
    I watched the premiere episode of "Better Things" on FX last night (10 pm Thursdays), and I really enjoyed it. In fact, I enjoyed it enough that I am emailing a few friends to tell them to be on the lookout for this interesting new comedy. I like the backdrop of life as working actress and single mother of 3 kids. Looking forward to more episodes and will adjust this review if my opinionI watched the premiere episode of "Better Things" on FX last night (10 pm Thursdays), and I really enjoyed it. In fact, I enjoyed it enough that I am emailing a few friends to tell them to be on the lookout for this interesting new comedy. I like the backdrop of life as working actress and single mother of 3 kids. Looking forward to more episodes and will adjust this review if my opinion changes. It was co-created by series star Pamela Adlon and comedian Louis C.K., so if you like his type of offbeat and irreverent humor, you would probably like this, too.… Expand
  13. JaneHamilton
    Jun 30, 2017
    3
    I really wanted to like this show. She's great. I loved her as Bobby Hill, Louie, "The Facts of Life" even "The Sure Thing". But it just doesn't live up to the hype. There's a lot of "look at me" directing choices that detract from the story. As a fellow single mom I get where she's coming from. However I never get the sense that she views parenting as anything but a source ofI really wanted to like this show. She's great. I loved her as Bobby Hill, Louie, "The Facts of Life" even "The Sure Thing". But it just doesn't live up to the hype. There's a lot of "look at me" directing choices that detract from the story. As a fellow single mom I get where she's coming from. However I never get the sense that she views parenting as anything but a source of aggravation. Where is the tenderness? Why is Dad not involved? The kids are not little so he had to be involved for years. It was frustrating. Here's a crazy suggestion, establish some boundaries. Of course it's crazy when three girls do whatever they want, whenever they want. It's hard to relate to her burden when a lot of it is self induced. I gave up halfway through episode 4.… Expand
  14. zouz123
    Sep 10, 2016
    5
    Even though the first episode was only ~20 minutes long, I got bored pretty fast. The actors are trying too hard to make us laugh, and most of the time it doesn't work. I felt sorry for the overly hyperactive lead actress, but I blame the people who told her she's a good comedian. Anyway, not my kind of show.
  15. Lexman
    Feb 1, 2017
    4
    Better Things is Louie Lite, all the real life drama none of the humour. I watched the whole season and one season was enough for me. Other then the little one (Duke) I couldn’t warm up to the daughters, obnoxious, spoiled and boring, good examples of bad parenting. The British mother… well she’s on a sitcom of her own, totally out of place with the show. As the title indicates there areBetter Things is Louie Lite, all the real life drama none of the humour. I watched the whole season and one season was enough for me. Other then the little one (Duke) I couldn’t warm up to the daughters, obnoxious, spoiled and boring, good examples of bad parenting. The British mother… well she’s on a sitcom of her own, totally out of place with the show. As the title indicates there are better things on TV to watch.… Expand
  16. ruslangab
    Nov 19, 2016
    10
    The best tv show of 2016! Bravo Pamela Adlon and Louie C.K.!!! Hope for 2nd season!
    The best tv show of 2016! Bravo Pamela Adlon and Louie C.K.!!! Hope for 2nd season!
    The best tv show of 2016! Bravo Pamela Adlon and Louie C.K.!!! Hope for 2nd season!
  17. olimpia
    Dec 24, 2016
    2
    I thought I was going to see the B side of a Hollywood actress but it developed into the story of the struggle of a mother and her three problematic girls. Only for mothers with problematic girls.
  18. NotchFilter
    Sep 9, 2016
    2
    What a dismal show.

    The coming attractions of the past month had set the bar pretty low, yet the pilot episode didn't even clear the lowered bar.

    If you're having a really good day, and want to quell the happiness, this looks like the show to watch.
  19. LeZee
    Aug 18, 2017
    8
    Mother, daughter, granddaughters. The story of women.
    SEASON 01:
    Not realistic, but very close to one than any other series I have seen. Most importantly, it was focused on the softer side. That does not mean there's no issues in the story, and with its characters. Well, it's about a single mother with three daughters, who is an actress of small roles. Adding her mother to the list who    Mother, daughter, granddaughters. The story of women.
    SEASON 01:

    Not realistic, but very close to one than any other series I have seen. Most importantly, it was focused on the softer side. That does not mean there's no issues in the story, and with its characters. Well, it's about a single mother with three daughters, who is an actress of small roles. Adding her mother to the list who lives in the next door, it is about four women and their lives. A pure, women oriented tale, focused on the things what every woman, young, old, middle-aged go through in their lives.

    A short and sweet series, not exactly a comedy. More a drama type, but there are enough fun in the narration to earn the genre, comedy. Awesome characters. Each one was so distinct from another. Most of the tale was told from the mother's perspective, but there are some scenes, where characters around her gets needed recognition on the subject it deals with in the each episode. I liked all the ten episodes, felt like it should have been at least 13 episode season.

    It was not a big league series or the actors that I know very well. Still a good one, and for all, including the men. It definitely needs some lifting. It was received well, but lacks the strength in the viewership. It has been nearly a year since it was originally aired, but I checked it out only recently and liked it very much. In a month, the second season is going to be out and this time I'll be updating at the realtime. So can't wait for the next few weeks to go by. I definitely suggest it to you to go for it.

    8/10    … Expand
  20. teddyluke
    Aug 22, 2018
    10
    Love this show so real and funny. Better Things doesn't fell like I'm watching a fake tv family, it feels like I'm watching real people just living their lives.
  21. All_ButTrU4
    Dec 18, 2021
    8
    Not much to say beyond it being a solid start of a real touching dark comedy that's written by juggernauts in their fields. Unexpectedly delightful despite the unimpressive performances of the kids
  22. karrezza
    Mar 10, 2019
    7
    I saw her on LSSC so found it on HULU. As a woman at 50 I do like the premise, and very relatable for much of it. What is hard to swallow is the snottiness of two of kids. First two episodes, the two older are such basic a-holes, but for brief seconds, and she rolls over for them. They won't leave her room? Invite friends over in middle of night? An 8 yr old crying over earrings, thenI saw her on LSSC so found it on HULU. As a woman at 50 I do like the premise, and very relatable for much of it. What is hard to swallow is the snottiness of two of kids. First two episodes, the two older are such basic a-holes, but for brief seconds, and she rolls over for them. They won't leave her room? Invite friends over in middle of night? An 8 yr old crying over earrings, then whining at bedtime? My kid stopped that at 5. Plus I really tire of TOBACCO being in shows. Why is she smoking at this age for TV?
    The main thing holding me from binge watching is when I don't care about the characters. It is harder to watch, with the ungrateful brats, stereotyped as the "common brat teens and her tolerating it. I hope it improves there, as mom is likeable at least. I will try S1 Ep3 tonight. She so far, is the interesting person that will keep me watching for now. But time to show these kids as more dimensional than "I am the have parties while mom's gone, house mess, kids over, I want weed, "So and so does it!" type older daughter, the "I am the uber-feminist teen" yet will be rude to my independent hard working mom, until it is conveniently popular when giving a speech at her school that was well received, THEN mom is suddenly cool for 5 minutes. Not sure yet why her agent tried to screw her chance at a sitcom, though it didn't work out anyway. I guess will be a developing plot line. At least she finally told her gets GFTO of the car and they for a short brief respected her (or were really more worried of their own a$$es.
    The 7 is for her character, but the children so far are a 3 tops, as being nothing more than cookie cutter child antagonists right now divided into three ages.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Best TV Season of 2016
59
#59 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 31
  3. Negative: 1 out of 31
  1. Las Vegas Weekly
    Reviewed by: Josh Bell
    Sep 8, 2016
    60
    The sometimes clichéd showbiz material isn’t as effective as the family dynamics.
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  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Sep 8, 2016
    80
    Better Things isn't groundbreaking when judged merely as a single-mom sitcom, but it finds its freshness in how Adlon examines it in her personal world; the stories and struggles are familiar even though they are contained within a world most people aren't part of, and she makes whatever daily struggles she faces with her family relatable.
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  3. The Atlantic
    Reviewed by: David Sims
    Sep 8, 2016
    90
    Better Things is its own beguiling blend of sitcom moments and true-to-life frustration.
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