Kevin (Probably) Saves the World

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Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 3, 2017
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 18
  3. Negative: 3 out of 18
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Critic Reviews

  1. Yahoo TV
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    Oct 3, 2017
    80
    This hour-long dramedy relies heavily on Ritter’s ability to sell its outlandish, at times confusing, premise, and to the degree that it succeeds, it’s almost entirely due to the star’s powers of persuasion over any objective standard.
  2. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Oct 3, 2017
    75
    Ritter brings solid appeal to the title role while Herbert Gregory has a strong grip on her “warrior for God.” Even so, Saves the World can be overly goofy at times and remains murky in terms of just what Kevin represents or is supposed to do as “the last of the righteous.” Whatever the potholes in the plot, Saves the World commendably aspires to be bracing and uplifting in times when a second coming of Touched By An Angel might just do a world of good.
  3. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Oct 2, 2017
    75
    The whole cast is solid and Ritter is the perfect choice to play Kevin Finn. He is as convincing in the dramatic moments as he is in the more comedic moments of the show.
  5. Colorado Springs Gazette
    Reviewed by: Terry Terrones
    Oct 2, 2017
    75
    This sounds sappy, but this series doesn't pontificate. Inspirational and playful, it teaches its endearing lessons in an entertaining way. Filled with light humor and heart, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World is a show with potential.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Kelly Connolly
    Sep 29, 2017
    75
    Accepting the celestial quirk takes a leap, but Kevin's dynamic with his grieving twin (JoAnna Garcia Swisher) anchors the tale and Ritter's charisma elevates it. [6 Oct 2017, p.53]
  7. TVLine
    Reviewed by: Dave Nemetz
    Sep 27, 2017
    75
    Kevin‘s dialogue is sprinkled with doses of biting humor that cut through all the self-help schmaltz. Ritter and Garcia Swisher have a genuine, combative brother-sister chemistry together, and glimmers of actual spiritual insight peek through at times.
  8. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Oct 3, 2017
    70
    We know this is sappy stuff, potentially, but it can be funny, too! Whether “Kevin (Probably) Saves the World” can walk that line is a question later episodes will have to answer. Meanwhile, for all its weird mythology, the values it espouses are simple: Be good, and if you can't be good, act good, which will lead eventually to being good.
  9. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Margaret Lyons
    Oct 2, 2017
    70
    Our Kevin here is played by Jason Ritter, scrappy and sincere, and strong enough to keep the whole thing afloat despite tonal inconsistencies that would sink other shows.
  10. Variety
    Reviewed by: Sonia Saraiya
    Sep 28, 2017
    70
    If you can stomach the feel-goodery of connecting to people through embrace, Kevin’s crash course in appreciating the wonders of shared humanity is a little sweet and a little funny--and best of all, original.
  11. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Oct 3, 2017
    67
    Quibbles about the premise aside, Ritter makes and sells this show. He balances the pathos and the comedy. In lesser hands, this hour just would not be appealing.
  12. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Oct 2, 2017
    63
    A huggable charmer with a big heart that can’t decide whether to go deep or skim the surface.

Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Most Discussed TV Season of 2017
70
#70 Most Shared TV Season of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 45 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 45
  3. Negative: 9 out of 45
  1. MartiYoung
    Oct 4, 2017
    10
    A show that offers HOPE and feel goods when our reality is crumbling. I love this show and will continue to watch! The entire cast is perfect.A show that offers HOPE and feel goods when our reality is crumbling. I love this show and will continue to watch! The entire cast is perfect. I'm excited to see where this show takes us, and I'm even more excited to see a show that's not about murder and loss cross my television. I love it!… Full Review »
  2. Ariadne
    Nov 6, 2017
    3
    After the first 3 minutes, I thought this was really well written. We got so much information about the family and characters and their backAfter the first 3 minutes, I thought this was really well written. We got so much information about the family and characters and their back stories in just a couple of scenes. But throughout the show it went from serious drama with a side of comedy to comedy with a side of light drama to sappy happy ending. This show needs to decide what it's going to be and then stick with it. If anyone can pull it off, it's Jason Ritter, but give him a good script to work with.

    Update: It's just not working for me. Right from the statement "find what the universe wants of you", as if the 'universe' is sentient. I get they didn't want to get religious, but the very nature of the show has religious connotations. So I'm done. I still gave it a 3, though, because, well, Jason Ritter.    … Full Review »
  3. Ededed
    Apr 19, 2018
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Not as bad as I feared. The premise is weak. Only 36 righteous people in each generation save humanity from destruction. Pu-lease! How did we get down to just one and a weak one at that? What I like is the “warrior’s” attitude and direct approach and the idea that if one just lets go of their personal baggage things can get better. We do need to help each other.

    What doesn’t work in this show is the tired idea that a person who is selected by God to save the world or even their own little piece of it have to keep their mission a secret. The idea that you have to look and act like some kind of crazy loon in order to do the bidding of the universe (or is it God, since the word choices in the scripts sometimes border on being agnostic) might enable the comedic situations, but makes the overall story suffer. If something like this were to happen to me, the first thing I’m going to do is tell the good news to my family and friends.

    Addendum:
    So now we learn the mission was a long shot and the warrior didn’t actually know if Kevin was to actually find the new righteous. Weak. Just weak. Then the weakness continues: Shortly after he finds one. The identity of this first one was to be surprise, but it was obvious after learning the driver had a baby on the way. Too predictable, too anticlimactic! Lowering my score for this show. The miracle would be if this show survives to season two.    … Full Review »
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