Boss: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 24 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 111 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 111 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

Starz | Season Premiere Date: October 21, 2011

Starring: Kelsey Grammer, Kathleen Robertson, Jeffrey Hephner

Summary: Tom Kane (Kelsey Grammer) is a powerful Chicago mayor who keeps his brain disorder secret from everyone.

Creator: Farhad Safinia

Genre(s): Drama

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E8. Choose
Air Date: December 9, 2011
tbd
S1:E7. Stasis
Air Date: December 2, 2011
tbd
S1:E6. Spit
Air Date: November 25, 2011

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Metascore

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Mixed:

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Critic Reviews

100

David Wiegand

Oct 19, 2011

When you have a story as thoroughly involving as this one, evoking both "King Lear" and "Citizen Kane," and when the performances are this good, Boss almost directs itself. Read full review

Uncle Barky Ed Bark

Oct 20, 2011

Grammer's performance is thoroughly engaging and convincing. And the events swirling around him never fail to snap, crackle and pop. Read full review

Nancy DeWolf Smith

Oct 21, 2011

Onto this short list of tightly written and intensely acted thrillers now comes Boss. Read full review

Troy Patterson

Oct 21, 2011

Boss is electric with self-importance, and that is in itself is a hoot, given its particular combination of thematic pomp and expressionistic pulp. Read full review

Linda Stasi

Oct 20, 2011

Lots of the characterizations work wonderfully, and the acting is fantastic. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Matt Roush

Oct 21, 2011

Ultimately, this is an easier show to admire than it is to recommend. Read full review

Hank Stuever

Sep 21, 2011

Boss works hard to resist the usual "this is how we do things in Chicago" nonsense and dutifully aims for a somewhat "Wire"-esque believability. Yet it can also feel like a burden to watch. Read full review

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User Score

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User Reviews

aSsh0le

Dec 31, 2011

Great show worth watching, it may not be perfect or as good as Breaking Bad or Homeland, but compared to most other shows on other networks this is bounds and leaps ahead of them, I'd say this year Homeland, The Killing and Boss are the best new shows on TV.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

Blahsum

Feb 10, 2012

It is rare that you find a show which doesn't care if its audience won't keep up. Boss makes no excuses - it powers ahead, but without falling into the Aaron Sorkin motor-mouth mode. Fans of the West Wing might enjoy this, but Boss is deeper, faster and meaner - in more ways that one. KelseyIt is rare that you find a show which doesn't care if its audience won't keep up. Boss makes no excuses - it powers ahead, but without falling into the Aaron Sorkin motor-mouth mode. Fans of the West Wing might enjoy this, but Boss is deeper, faster and meaner - in more ways that one. Kelsey Grammer plays the lead character as if he was born for it - and it is hard to think of anyone in TV that quite matches Mayor Kane's power, malice and sheer evil. But before you learn that lesson, you will learn to love Kane and root for him: through his political fights, his estranged relationships and his disease (which makes for some fantastic "Whu?!" moments in the show). Boss is exceptional and arguably my best new show of 2011.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Molaman14

Oct 22, 2011

Grammer is stunning in this new drama. The story is incredibly complex and intriguing, and it keeps the viewer wanting to see more. It looks like Starz has already ordered a 10 episode second season due to such an overwhelming positive response from critics. After one episode, I am addictedGrammer is stunning in this new drama. The story is incredibly complex and intriguing, and it keeps the viewer wanting to see more. It looks like Starz has already ordered a 10 episode second season due to such an overwhelming positive response from critics. After one episode, I am addicted already. I am praying that this show takes off with viewers just as well as it has with critics.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Even

Jan 9, 2012

Great show! Compelling storytelling about a conflicted man in power. It is masterfully directed and truly beautiful when it comes to scenography. Instant winner in my eyes.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

kozzy420

Dec 3, 2011

Awesome show, the acting and dialogue is just fantastic.
If you liked the political parts of The Wire you should check this out.
Grammer is just amazing in this as the main actor and gives his best acting of his career, to me its some of the best acting ive seen on tv since The Wire andAwesome show, the acting and dialogue is just fantastic.
If you liked the political parts of The Wire you should check this out.

Grammer is just amazing in this as the main actor and gives his best acting of his career, to me its some of the best acting ive seen on tv since The Wire and Carnivale.

Was not expecting much from this show but wow I have really been having a blast watching it, going to buy season 1 dvd when it comes.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

txrangersfan72

Nov 6, 2011

Gritty like Mad Men. Wielding power like Tony Soprano. Heartless like Charles Foster Kane. Boss' main character, superbly directed by Gus Van Sant and powerfully portrayed by Kelsey Grammer, Tom Kane, even shares the surname of Orson Welles' cold protagonist. At this writing, Boss has, inGritty like Mad Men. Wielding power like Tony Soprano. Heartless like Charles Foster Kane. Boss' main character, superbly directed by Gus Van Sant and powerfully portrayed by Kelsey Grammer, Tom Kane, even shares the surname of Orson Welles' cold protagonist. At this writing, Boss has, in 3 episodes, beaten every new network television show in terms of directing, writing, acting and entertainment. I've always thought highly of Grammer, but I've always said the only way for him to move past Frasier is to take on a role that is the opposite likeability of Frasier in every way. And, boy, has he finally nailed it. This is the next great television show. Watching Tom Kane deteriorate over the course of this show, especially given the public nature of his very existence, leaves the viewer salivating.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Broyax

Jan 4, 2017

Série politicarde sur la vie chiante comme la pluie d'un maire atteint d'une maladie incurable (c'est pour titiller la corde sensible, une ficelle grosse comme une maison) un maire qui se débat dans sa vie de politicard avec un tas d'autres tocards du même acabit dont on a rien à secouer etSérie politicarde sur la vie chiante comme la pluie d'un maire atteint d'une maladie incurable (c'est pour titiller la corde sensible, une ficelle grosse comme une maison) un maire qui se débat dans sa vie de politicard avec un tas d'autres tocards du même acabit dont on a rien à secouer et rien à branler.

C'est donc bourré de blablas sur une mise en scène à deux de tension. Le journal télé de TF1 en comparaison (une comparaison très con mais appropriée) et ses chats écrasés s'avère infiniment plus intéressant à suivre que cette série à la godille qui donne envie de jeter sa godasse dans la gueule de l'écran.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

SEE ALL 27 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

77

Series Overview
Season 2

75
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: August 17, 2012
Season 1

78
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: October 21, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E8. Choose
  Air Date: December 9, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E7. Stasis
  Air Date: December 2, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E6. Spit
  Air Date: November 25, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E5. Remembered
  Air Date: November 18, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E4. Slip
  Air Date: November 11, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E3. Swallow
  Air Date: November 4, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E2. Reflex
  Air Date: October 28, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E1. Listen
  Air Date: October 21, 2011