Living Biblically

:

Season 1
  • Network: CBS
  • Series Premiere Date: Feb 26, 2018
Metascore
47

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8

Critic Reviews

  1. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Diane Werts
    Feb 26, 2018
    63
    The series works overtime to place itself in a “real” world and treat faith earnestly, yet undercuts itself by resorting to every sitcom trick in the TV book.
  2. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Feb 27, 2018
    58
    This is an amiable enough little comedy series that doesn’t use religion as a punching bag.
  3. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Feb 26, 2018
    58
    Living Biblically is made in such a way that it won’t offend most anyone. It also won’t make many laugh. That’s splitting the difference in all the wrong ways. The show is exhausting.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Darren Franich
    Feb 20, 2018
    50
    It's a catchy concept ... But Living Biblically replaces Jacobs' playfully twisted tone with expired gags about the Jonas Brothers, Twilight, and Blockbuster Video. [23 Feb/2 Mar 2018, p.98]
  6. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Daniel Fienberg
    Feb 26, 2018
    40
    It isn't really much like the A.J. Jacobs book it's allegedly based on, so don't go looking for Jacobs' quirky and obsessive look at religion and the Bible. It is, however, a mediocre-yet-well-meaning look at how religion, specifically Catholicism, can sometimes help people in times of trouble. It's less specific and pointed and more generic and well-meaning.
  7. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Feb 23, 2018
    40
    A few lines generate a mild chuckle, but Living Biblically mostly feels stale and unfunny--the kind of show that gives broadcast network comedies a bad name.
  8. Variety
    Reviewed by: Sonia Saraiya
    Feb 20, 2018
    40
    Ferguson is an able lead, but the sitcom’s structure forces him to do way too much narrative exposition--about the Bible, about other characters, about the essential plot of the show.
  9. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Chris Barton
    Feb 26, 2018
    30
    Even setting aside the show's lack of interest in the complexity of faith, it's greatest sin is simply not being funny enough. The characters are too thin and familiar to generate laughs on their own, and some jokes rely too heavily on references while others just don't make sense.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 20
  3. Negative: 7 out of 20
  1. JamesBradford
    Mar 10, 2018
    0
    "Living Biblically" fails on all levels. It is nothing more than an extremely milquetoast formulaic sitcom. It wants you to think that the"Living Biblically" fails on all levels. It is nothing more than an extremely milquetoast formulaic sitcom. It wants you to think that the concept of a man struggling to consolidate his Christian faith with his everyday life is edgy and insightful, and perhaps in better hands it could be. But here the depth only goes as far as a man trying not to wear mixed fabrics, or destroying his phone because it constitutes a "false idol".

    The cast is absolutely all-star. Everyone here has done exceptional work. I can't imagine how pained they must be doing promotion for this show, talking about how great the experience is and how they believe in the product, because there's no way they could be oblivious to how bad it actually is.

    The characters are straight out of the "our lead is a straight white guy and everyone else exists to support his existence" handbook. There's the supportive wife, the black friend, the butch aggressive lesbian boss, the wacky for no reason other than to be wacky co-worker. They're all as one note as it gets.

    The writing is where things really fail. Aside from the paper thin premises of the first two episodes, the actual jokes are legitimately bad. In episode one we get jokes about how bad the Twilight movies are - so fresh, so timely! This is the caliber of material throughout the series.

    This sitcom is destined to fade away, and fast, with viewership incredibly low and reviews in the toilet. It's a must skip.    … Full Review »
  2. bluepeaceok
    May 14, 2018
    9
    luv this show a fun look into how we can see the world from a good place. it makes me happy inside
  3. Linkinnshadow
    Aug 1, 2018
    8
    Didn't expect much from the series after reading some reviews, but it really impressed me how it made me feel, It felt good watching theDidn't expect much from the series after reading some reviews, but it really impressed me how it made me feel, It felt good watching the season. It's not full terrifically fun but it gives really nice enjoyable moment and laughs.… Full Review »
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