Picket Fences

Often engaging, inventive, well acted and wickedly funny, Picket Fences keeps shooting itself in the foot with tastelessness disguised as daring. Irritating as it may frequently be, however, Picket Fences also seems the new fall drama most likely to become habit-forming. You may love it, you may hate it, but you're liable to be hooked. [18 Sept 1992, p.D1]

Creator Kelley delights in making fun of his characters, and he can't sustain the bizarre tone. [18 Sept 1992, p.5]

Unfortunately, Skerritt sleepwalks through most of the show, Baker allows her bemused mom role to settle into an assembly-line dog trot, and the Brock children take precocity to a new level of annoyance. [18 Sept 1992]

Picket Fences seems to have no reason for existence other than for a very smart writer to test just how smart he is. In this case, too smart by half. Unfortunately, "Picket Fences" may be just smart enough to divert people from the better dramatic series at 10, "I'll Fly Away." [18 Sept 1992, p.58]

Picket Fences clearly aims to be a kinder, gentler [Twin] Peaks, but the goosey, paradoxical mood for which it strives — heartwarming creepiness — is, at this point, more of a turnoff than a turn-on.

From the creator of "L.A.Law," Picket Fences has all the oddball characters and eccentric behavior that made "L.A. Law" the hit it has been. But in this setting, they ring a false note that's more grating than ingratiating. [18 Sept 1992, p.1]