Pure Genius

:

Season 1
  • Network: CBS
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 27, 2016
Metascore
43

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 19
  3. Negative: 7 out of 19
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Critic Reviews

  1. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    Oct 31, 2016
    33
    A rare and probably untreatable case of a premise that comes off far more creepy than it intends.
  2. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Reviewed by: Gail Pennington
    Oct 27, 2016
    25
    The script is assembled from cliches, some so hokey the actors seem to have trouble keeping straight faces. The plot rarely holds together, and the technology is more new age (a real-life "Vulcan mind meld"?) than cutting age. Worst of all, both Prew and Mulroney are horribly miscast, and neither is a satisfactory entry point into the drama.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Sean O'Neal
    Oct 27, 2016
    25
    Pure Genius takes the human heart of Katims’ storytelling and replaces it with the CBS procedural’s coldly pristine machinery. It might net Katims his biggest audience to date, but it’s unlikely to make it feel much of anything.
  5. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    Oct 26, 2016
    25
    A show so ludicrously risible, it could be mistaken for an extended Saturday Night Live sketch.
  6. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Oct 27, 2016
    20
    The best thing about Pure Genius is that it's laugh-out-loud funny, which CBS can't say about any of its new sitcoms. Of course, Pure Genius is a drama that's not actually supposed to be funny, so there you go.
  7. Yahoo TV
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    Oct 27, 2016
    20
    I found Bell to be one of the least likable protagonists in a prime time series in a while, which is really saying something in a season that has given us Notorious and Bull. ... Mulroney, not one of the liveliest of TV leading men, doesn’t just bring gravity to his role, he weighs it down with cement blocks.
  8. Slate
    Reviewed by: Willa Paskin
    Oct 27, 2016
    10
    I have no idea what happened in the making of Pure Genius, but it is impossible to tell that Katims was involved, on the level of performance or intelligence.

Awards & Rankings

93
#93 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
6.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 42
  3. Negative: 9 out of 42
  1. GMAriya
    Jan 9, 2017
    10
    Pure Genius is my favorite show. Smart dialogs, interesting characters. A show without vulgarity and brutality. Each episode present anPure Genius is my favorite show. Smart dialogs, interesting characters. A show without vulgarity and brutality. Each episode present an intense psychological drama. I love the interactions of the brilliant minds when they finish each other sentences like weaving the ideas.… Full Review »
  2. snovasf
    Jan 27, 2017
    9
    Dr. House without neurotics. An interesting combination of the belief in humane approach and finding a scientific solution to a medicalDr. House without neurotics. An interesting combination of the belief in humane approach and finding a scientific solution to a medical problem. The slight overdose of melodramatic situations is compensated for me by a likable cast.… Full Review »
  3. chriscurry
    Jan 20, 2017
    10
    We really like this show. Please reconsider cancelling it. It is a very interesting show. I get so tired of the killing shows, this is soWe really like this show. Please reconsider cancelling it. It is a very interesting show. I get so tired of the killing shows, this is so refreshing to watch. Wish you would look at some of the comedies that should be cancelled, such as 2 Broke Girls, Outdoor, Odd Couple. 2 Broke Girls is so vulgar. I get tired of these shows and usually there is nothing else on at the same time that is worth watching.… Full Review »
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