Family Tree

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: May 12, 2013
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
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Critic Reviews

  1. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    May 10, 2013
    60
    Sunday's premiere is pretty light on laughs. A couple of moments inspire guffaws but they are few and far between. The show's second episode offers more humor.
  2. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Michael Landweber
    May 13, 2013
    60
    If the plot is thin, the show does offer other pleasures, including the actors’ improv skills, revealed in subtle and hilarious flashes of genius.
  3. Salon
    Reviewed by: Willa Paskin
    May 10, 2013
    50
    The results contain both fart jokes and erudition, but not so much heart. Family Tree is colder and flatter than Guest’s best work, missing its inspired kookery and high energy strangeness.
  5. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    May 13, 2013
    50
    Guest’s approach is as much about creating atmosphere and fostering discomfort as it is about belly laughs, but there’s a difference between being droll and positively arid.

Awards & Rankings

45
#45 Best TV Season of 2013
93
#93 Most Shared TV Season of 2013

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 31
  3. Negative: 4 out of 31
  1. MarcDoyle
    May 12, 2013
    8
    I agree with Tim Goodman completely quirky and hilarious. I'm looking forward to seeing the characters develop. It's a nice addition toI agree with Tim Goodman completely quirky and hilarious. I'm looking forward to seeing the characters develop. It's a nice addition to HBO's Sunday night lineup.… Full Review »
  2. jazzpoprocks
    Jul 4, 2013
    4
    The actors are great and expectations are high, but it's not funny at all. Other reviewers defend or 'explain' that it's not the show's fault,The actors are great and expectations are high, but it's not funny at all. Other reviewers defend or 'explain' that it's not the show's fault, it's you, by insinuating that only those with astute and fine tuned minds for such unique humor will appreciate the nil laughs. I expected something along the lines of The Office or at least totally sarcastic and absurd, because of the the genre but that is not the case at all. Nothing much happens, and you don't particularly sympathize with anyone. Everybody is so fake nice on the show case in point how is the monkey puppet thing funny? The money 'character' insults everyone, and everyone just deals with it and takes it in stride! After watching the excellent, superb (plus many more compliments) Moone Boy I wanted so much more for Chris O'Dowd. Moone Boy is ACTUALLY funny.… Full Review »
  3. mellowsongs
    Jul 2, 2013
    10
    Hilarious show! Amazing cast.
    It's not your typical sitcom with silly laugh tracks, which means that a lot people won't get the subtleties.    Hilarious show! Amazing cast.
    It's not your typical sitcom with silly laugh tracks, which means that a lot people won't get the subtleties. Christopher Guest is a comedy genius!    … Full Review »
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