Howie Do It
NBC | Release Date: January 9, 2009
CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
35
METASCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 6 Critic Reviews
Positive:
1
Mixed:
1
Negative:
4

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
67
Entertainment WeeklyJessica Shaw
Season 1 Review: Turns out they do it [prank shows] pretty much the same as everyone else. But the sight of a bewigged Mandel blasting TV weathermen wannabes with water is pretty funny stuff. Read full review
60
The Hollywood ReporterRay Richmond
Season 1 Review: There have been far nastier hidden-camera efforts than this. Better ones, too. Yet to be sure, in the opening hour, Howie Do It at least delivers laughs more often than it inspires groans. Read full review
30
VarietyBrian Lowry
Season 1 Review: "I don't want it to end, but it did," the host gushes at the hour's close. Even for those who enjoy Mandel's puerile brand of comedy, that qualifies as a clear case of Howie overdoing it. Read full review
20
Boston GlobeMatthew Gilbert
Season 1 Review: It's sad, really, how unimaginative Howie Do It is. Given all the resources at NBC's disposal, and given the fact that NBC is desperate to regain ratings footing, this is the best the executives could come up with? Read full review
20
New York Daily NewsDavid Hinckley
Season 1 Review: Hidden camera gags often now settle for crude instead of working a little harder to achieve clever. Read full review
10
Washington PostTom Shales
Season 1 Review: Howie Do It not only drags contestants, and viewers, through gratuitous mud and muck but it also is haunted by the aura of plagiarism; the set-up of one sequence is highly reminiscent of a bit that David Letterman has done on his late-night talk show. Read full review
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