Kitchen Nightmares

:

Season 1
  • Network: FOX
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 19, 2007
Season #: 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 2 out of 12
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Critic Reviews

  1. Kansas City Star
    Reviewed by: Aaron Barnhart
    90
    Since CBS doesn’t want us to see "Kid Nation" in advance, I guess I’ll just have to declare Kitchen Nightmares the best new reality show of the fall.
  2. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Doug Elfman
    88
    As usual, he's demanding, brutal and fearless. He repeatedly insults egotistical managers and chefs and yells, "Just smell that for me!" And they do.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Alynda Wheat
    83
    Mary Poppins it ain't--which is fine because the snooty broad couldn't begin to handle this. [21 Sep 2007, p.74]
    All this critic's reviews
  5. Variety
    Reviewed by: Phil Gallo
    80
    Kitchen Nightmares is shockingly good storytelling and hilarious. This may be the most compelling show of the new season
  6. Arizona Republic
    Reviewed by: Randy Cordova
    80
    He is just as blustery and foul-mouthed here as he is on "Hell's Kitchen." But he is also oddly endearing, mainly because he genuinely seems invested in the fate of each restaurant.
  7. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    75
    This show is more entertaining than most unscripted series, but that praise doesn't raise the heat high enough.
  8. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    70
    It is loud and manipulative and ugly to behold, but it isn't dull.
  9. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Ginia Bellafante
    70
    The subtext of Kitchen Nightmares is that ordinary middle-class business owners need brash and brilliant moguls to save them from a sad reliance on their own mediocrity. It is an ugly message that Mr. Ramsay makes undeniably hypnotic.
  10. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Ray Richmond
    50
    Kitchen Nightmares pushes all of the proper emotional buttons to draw we viewers in. But we're never for a moment able to suspend the notion that we, the audience, are being played.
  11. Detroit Free Press
    Reviewed by: Mike Duffy
    50
    If you like watching culinary train wrecks, this is your show.
  12. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    30
    Leave it to Fox to take something the Brits did pretty well and muck it up.
  13. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    30
    The show's boorishness is exceeded only by its dissimulation; not one frame of this thing--from the diners who seem not to notice that their table is surrounded by camera crews to the melodramatically villainous managers--is remotely believable.

Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Best TV Season of 2007
61
#61 Most Discussed TV Season of 2007
33
#33 Most Shared TV Season of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 85 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 74 out of 85
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 85
  3. Negative: 4 out of 85
  1. OldDuke
    Nov 12, 2011
    9
    After seeing 5 seasons of Kitchen Nightmares and showing how failing restaurants needs Gordon Ramsey's help, I've decided to write an reviewAfter seeing 5 seasons of Kitchen Nightmares and showing how failing restaurants needs Gordon Ramsey's help, I've decided to write an review after part two of Burger Kitchen. This is a very great show to me. I feel Gordon Ramsey's trying to help the people asking for help even if some of these people are too arrogant about asking for help. The show does show some good drama it also show how dirty some kitchens that either doesn't know how to take care of their kitchens or left it in an sorry state. To me the best part of this show is that it shows where the restaurants are at so people in the local area or people who's going to visit an area near it can go out to eat when it's new and improve. It also shows some success and failures so people get the 411 on these local eateries. Those in who are or aren't in the restaurant business should watch the show.… Full Review »
  2. RS
    Dec 11, 2009
    10
    This is a great show. Yes he can be rough and mean and almost done right hateful, but I would be to with dealing with some of these bone This is a great show. Yes he can be rough and mean and almost done right hateful, but I would be to with dealing with some of these bone heads he deals with. I live in the kitchen myself and to see some of these places makes me sick.… Full Review »
  3. RoxB
    Jun 27, 2009
    9
    This is an exceptional show. For the people who state that the show is staged, I say to you go eat at those filthy restaurants. Gordon Ramsay This is an exceptional show. For the people who state that the show is staged, I say to you go eat at those filthy restaurants. Gordon Ramsay is a chef of high standards and he tries to implement theses standards for the benefit of the customers. Love this show… Full Review »
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