Family Ties

NBC | Release Date: September 22, 1982

CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION

68	METASCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

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Critic Reviews

Critic score Publication By date

Marisa CarrollJan 28, 2022

Season 1 Review: Indeed, it’s Gross’ winning performance that makes the hit-or-miss first season of Family Ties worth your time. His impeccably dry delivery showcases the show’s humor, to be sure, but his good-guy aura makes him truly extraordinary. Read full review

Terry KelleherJan 27, 2022

Season 1 Review: Broad strokes like these might be expected in a Norman Lear comedy of the '70s, but Goldberg's better instincts seem to be leading him to something subtler and more credible. [22 Sep 1982, p.4B]

John J. O'ConnorJan 27, 2022

Season 1 Review: The cast is pleasant enough. The rest depends on how cleverly Gary David Goldberg, the creator and producer of the series, can bring a sense of freshness to an overworked device. Read full review

Tom ShalesJan 28, 2022

Season 1 Review: Writer Gary David Goldberg, who also created the series and is the executive producer, should get some credit for trying to bring off something vaguely meaningful within the sitcom format, but at this point, he hasn't done a great deal of succeeding. Read full review

Noel HolstonJan 27, 2022

Season 1 Review: There is, however, a certain warmth to the show -- maybe the openly affectionate relationship between Steve and Elyse (which grosses out daughter Mallory) -- that makes me hope that creator-writer Gary David Glodberg learns how to better translate his intriguing premise into scripts. [22 Sep 1982, p.E1]

Howard RosenbergJan 27, 2022

Season 1 Review: Despite being written by producer Gary David Goldberg (one of the brighter young comedy minds in TV), the script speaks the narrow, doctrinaire language of bumber stickers. [22 Sep 1982, p.7]