Franklin & Bash

:

Season 1
  • Network: TNT
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 1, 2011
Season #: 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 21
  3. Negative: 2 out of 21
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Critic Reviews

  1. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Jun 1, 2011
    75
    Franklin & Bash sometimes tries too hard to be edgy, suffering some paper cuts in the process. It's otherwise a good deal of fun delivered with an abundance of energy.
  2. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Diane Werts
    May 31, 2011
    75
    Sometimes, you're not looking for great TV. Sometimes, you're looking for par-tay! And dudes paid "to mess with the zombie culture," while also acing the case, surely fits the bill.
  3. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Tom Gliatto
    May 26, 2011
    75
    The show works on its own undemanding terms. [6 Jun 2011, p.45]
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  5. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    Jun 1, 2011
    70
    So, it's not as intrigue-heavy as "White Collar," as satiric as "The Good Guys" or as beautifully located as "Hawaii Five-O"; Franklin & Bash is smart, it's fun and it's summer.
  6. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    May 31, 2011
    70
    Nobody will confuse this with "L.A. Law" in its prime, but the vibe is similar to that show's more whimsical side--a breezy tone that carries through the handful of episodes previewed.
  7. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    May 31, 2011
    70
    Viewers who want TV to wash over them as light entertainment may enjoy Franklin & Bash, but viewers who prefer thought-provoking TV programs that engage on a higher level may not be satisfied.
  8. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    May 31, 2011
    70
    It's quip-heavy, doesn't complicate things with too much plot, keeps the pacing brisk and litters the TV screen with beautiful people.
  9. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    May 31, 2011
    63
    The show is a string of one-liners occasionally punctuated by women in underwear (one even strips on the stand in court). The lines, if taken by themselves, are pretty funny. But, in the context of what this show is attempting to do, it's not as funny as it could be.

Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Most Discussed TV Season of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 42
  3. Negative: 4 out of 42
  1. knisone
    Jun 3, 2011
    8
    This is a summer series! It is light, energetic, and fun. The characters have enough depth that you do not get too serious yet you do careThis is a summer series! It is light, energetic, and fun. The characters have enough depth that you do not get too serious yet you do care about them. Seriously what do you expect from a cast of basically stereo-types. From the college buddies who are best friends to the office mistress trying (and succeeding) to sleep with the new guy, the eccentric boss. Nevertheless Breck Meyer and Mark Paul make for a good combination for seasoned vets of the acting game. Granted they haven't achieved an Abbott and Costello height of chemistry but if the the show stays on they could. The supporting characters are interesting enough to warrant their own storyline that you actually give a crap about. The stories are going to be cliche as will the resolutions but this isn't about that. It is about the ride there. The ride on this one is "FUN" You laugh and you enjoy the hour. Isn't that what you want out of a summer series? They had a girl stripping in court on the stand no less. Seriously when was the last "FUN" legal show you have watched? Granted you could say that about Kathy Bates' show however at times (David E. Kelley) it takes itself a little too seriously. turn your brain off for an hour. Watch it,m enjoy it then turn it back on because there is still world hunger.… Full Review »
  2. YorkMan
    Mar 3, 2016
    6
    F&B was a great show, for the first and second seasons. After that the main premise had run out of legs, and what was a decent 'buddy comedy'F&B was a great show, for the first and second seasons. After that the main premise had run out of legs, and what was a decent 'buddy comedy' became very contrived and lost its sparkle.
    By the time the fourth season came around, you just knew it would be the last. When one of the established characters fails to return for the third season, and then two more are written out for the fourth.... Well, you're getting to the 'Great Gazoo' stage, when the writers/producers know their original idea can't carry on much longer, and need to bring in some even more wacky and meaningless characters/storyline in an attempt to prop up the ratings

    As with most attempts in that vein..... It failed.

    My '6' rating is based on an average across the four seasons (oh what a night).

    Season One - 9/10
    Season Two - 8/10
    Season Three - 5/10
    Season Four - 2/10    … Full Review »
  3. justnother1
    Jul 27, 2011
    2
    I started watching this show bearing in mind a reviewer had called it sophomoric (is fratermorphic a word? Anyway it was both so I saidI started watching this show bearing in mind a reviewer had called it sophomoric (is fratermorphic a word? Anyway it was both so I said goodbye and went off to watch something less juvenile.… Full Review »
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