Bull (2016)
CBS | Release Date: September 20, 2016
CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
40
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews
Positive:
1
Mixed:
10
Negative:
8
Watch Now
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
67
Boston GlobeMatthew GilbertSep 16, 2016
Season 1 Review: The procedural, case-a-week format is filled with legal cliches, and Weatherly’s know-it-all character, aptly named Jason Bull, is tiring. Read full review
58
TVLineDave NemetzSep 19, 2016
Season 1 Review: As interesting as Bull‘s juror-research aspects are, the actual courtroom scenes are over-the-top, with witnesses arguing with lawyers (and, in one case, assaulting them) from the stand. Read full review
58
Uncle BarkyEd BarkSep 16, 2016
Season 1 Review: Weatherly is the here, the now and the only overriding reason to watch Bull. On his own or in the NCIS ensemble, his star quality is obvious and likely enough to carry Bull through a multi-season run. Read full review
50
The WrapAmber DowlingSep 20, 2016
Season 1 Review: Bull is certainly a light, breezy offering that could help you unwind after a long Tuesday. But if you’re looking for something with a little more meat and meaning, you’re going to have to visit another courtroom. Read full review
50
Pittsburgh Post-GazetteRob OwenSep 20, 2016
Season 1 Review: It's an OK CBS procedural where Weatherly's character, Dr. Jason Bull, always seems like the smartest guy in the room when he's running mock trials using a mock jury. Read full review
50
NewsdayDiane WertsSep 16, 2016
Season 1 Review: Bull is sleek in look, pace and technique--and crafty enough to indulge CBS’ trademark dollop of human feeling amid the flash. But it’s essentially breezy TV junk food, leaving behind a prefab aftertaste. Read full review
40
ColliderChris CabinSep 20, 2016
Season 1 Review: In following a case-of-the-week format with the series, the show must rely on its level of technical nuance and the wit of its characters, and Bull doesn’t let anyone but Weatherly really stand out. Read full review
40
The Salt Lake TribuneScott D. PierceSep 20, 2016
Season 1 Review: Weatherly is a very appealing star. The Dr. Phil thing would seem to be more a detriment than an advantage. Only the fact that Weatherly is so likable keeps Bull from being unbearably obnoxious. Read full review
40
The New York TimesNeil GenzlingerSep 19, 2016
Season 1 Review: No one in Bull’s crew stands out after the first episode; it’s a generic batch of hard-charging employees. Mr. Weatherly fares better, retaining some of the impishness of his “N.C.I.S.” character, Anthony DiNozzo, while growing up a bit. Read full review
40
Los Angeles Daily NewsRob LowmanSep 19, 2016
Season 1 Review: While the series tries to dazzle you with high-tech sophistication, it fumbles around when it comes to the human factors. Read full review
40
VarietySonia SaraiyaSep 12, 2016
Season 1 Review: Weatherly, who spent 13 seasons with “NCIS,” is an able charismatic lead--snarky and smart-alecky in a way that suggests both unnecessary toughness and vulnerability underneath it. ... But the show itself is totally ridiculous, in concept and execution. Read full review
37
St. Louis Post-DispatchGail PenningtonSep 20, 2016
Season 1 Review: CBS already has (and has had) a lot of shows like Bull, only better constructed and less annoying. Even Weatherly's most devoted fans may find this one a load of bull. Read full review
37
USA TodayRobert BiancoSep 19, 2016
Season 1 Review: There’s hardly a moment that’s believable, or an actor who isn’t wasted. Read full review
33
Washington PostHank StueverSep 15, 2016
Season 1 Review: There’s probably an interesting show to be made about this line of work, but Bull quickly lapses into the standard prime-time bull. Read full review
30
Los Angeles TimesRobert LloydSep 20, 2016
Season 1 Review: The courtroom scenes are both melodramatic and unconvincing. ... The production makes frequent use of man-on-the-street interviews and social media overlays, which makes it feel prematurely dated, rather than of the moment. It's a little ridiculous, and rarely convincing. Read full review
30
The Hollywood ReporterDaniel FienbergSep 16, 2016
Season 1 Review: Designed mostly as a showcase for Weatherly and generator of one-off episodes that go down easy after NCIS, Bull is still working to meet even that low bar, though I guess minor revisions to the original pilot helped. Read full review
25
The A.V. ClubMarah EakinSep 20, 2016
Season 1 Review: Bull isn’t trying to be a bad show. It just is. That’s probably because it doesn’t know itself. From watching the pilot, it’s evident that the show’s M.O. is taking buzz-worthy aspects of other shows and smooshing them all together into one program, thus attempting to create a new smash out of ingredients from others. Read full review
25
San Francisco ChronicleDavid WiegandSep 19, 2016
Season 1 Review: Weatherly is a solid actor as well, but his performance in Bull isn’t enough to overcome that show’s bad writing. Read full review
10
Reason.comGlenn GarvinSep 20, 2016
Season 1 Review: It's a wretched mess and arguably an offense against human intelligence. Read full review
Current TV Shows
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 92 The Pitt: Season 2
2 90 The Celebrity Traitors UK: Season 1
3 87 Hacks: Season 5
4 87 Industry: Season 4
5 87 Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal:...
6 85 The Beatles Anthology
7 85 The Traitors [UK]: Season 4
8 85 Bait: Season 1
9 84 Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
10 83 Lord of the Flies
11 83 Riot Women: Season 1
12 83 For All Mankind: Season 5
13 81 The Muppet Show (2026)
14 80 Outlander (2014): Season 8
15 80 The Other Bennet Sister: Season 1
16 80 The Mighty Nein: Season 1
17 80 The Comeback: Season 3
18 80 The American Revolution
19 80 One Piece (2023): Season 2
20 80 Dark Winds: Season 4
SEE ALL