Free Ride

:

Season 1
  • Network: FOX
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 1, 2006
Metascore
45

Mixed or average reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 26
  3. Negative: 8 out of 26

Critic Reviews

  1. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    60
    There's a breezy charm to the show.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Paul Brownfield
    60
    "Free Ride" is a bit more than passably good, but like "Arrested [Development]" it feels hard to love.
  3. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    50
    More of an amusing diversion than a laugh riot.
  5. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Tom Gliatto
    50
    The show... is partly improvised, a stunt used to richer effect on ABC's upcoming Sons & Daughters. [6 Mar 2006, p.41]
    All this critic's reviews
  6. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    50
    It's made of familiar slacker material that's slightly freshened with an improvisatory feel as the actors um-and-ah their way to their punch lines. And it's blissfully missing the canned laughs that make the likes of ''That '70s Show" so obnoxious. Still, ''Free Ride" is far from essential TV viewing.
  7. Detroit Free Press
    Reviewed by: Mike Duffy
    50
    [It has] just enough funny, semi-improvised moments to make you wish it was better.
  8. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Barry Garron
    50
    When the show clicks, as it does in several scenes, the improvised performances have a more natural look and feel than typical sitcom scripts. Elsewhere, the comedy feels forced and staged.
  9. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Adam Buckman
    50
    Portions of "Free Ride" show promise, due mainly to the show's star -- Dean -- whose character remains grounded and sane, against all odds.
  10. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Alessandra Stanley
    50
    Mr. Dean is appealing as Nate and Mr. Sheridan is amusing as Dove, but the tone of the series is uneven.
  11. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    50
    What you get from this sometimes outlandish family comedy is a sweet Ride, but one that is neither funny nor believable enough to command your loyalty.
  12. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Alynda Wheat
    50
    Free Ride can't milk any fresh laughs from this fish-back-in-water tale. [3 Mar 2006, p.96]
    All this critic's reviews
  13. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Joy Press
    50
    Everything about Free Ride is slightly exaggerated and artificial, including the odd facial expressions.
  14. Salon
    Reviewed by: Heather Havrilesky
    40
    It's not that bad, which leads me to believe that it could actually be good, if it weren't so neutered and lovable.
  15. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    40
    A fresh approach can take you only so far when the material is this tired.
    All this critic's reviews

Awards & Rankings

81
#81 Best TV Season of 2006
49
#49 Most Discussed TV Season of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 58 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 58
  3. Negative: 22 out of 58
  1. JulesB.
    Sep 16, 2007
    10
    This was a funny show. I wish you would bring it back. Parents who have kids going off to college or graduating from college and coming home This was a funny show. I wish you would bring it back. Parents who have kids going off to college or graduating from college and coming home again LOVED this SHOW!! I hope it goes to DVD. Nate, his parents and Nate's best friend were hilarious!!!!… Full Review »
  2. sucksddean
    Feb 6, 2007
    0
    awful. the lead actor kid, josh?? whatever his name is - i cannot stand him.
  3. dennismennis
    Feb 6, 2007
    0
    family members should not be able to vote! the show was cancelled because it was awful. if people tuned in and gave it ratings then the family members should not be able to vote! the show was cancelled because it was awful. if people tuned in and gave it ratings then the network would have kept it-let it go mothers, fathers, grandmas, granpas- your actor relitives took part in a crappy show and most of them are bad actors!!… Full Review »
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