Red Band Society

:

Season 1
  • Network: FOX
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 17, 2014
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 36
  3. Negative: 4 out of 36
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Critic Reviews

  1. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    Sep 16, 2014
    33
    It’s hard to imagine something more tone deaf to the realities of sickness and suffering, but here, in the wake of “The Fault in Our Stars” and other doses of teen weepies, Red Band Society thrives on the same ballad-drenched idea that 500 mg of platitude and hollow uplift cures all.
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Sep 17, 2014
    30
    A moving, emotional and even competent show could have been made about sick or dying young people. But instead, Red Band Society wants to take your emotions and manipulate them--and then, only then, will it predictably and with malice drop the Coldplay anvil on you.
  3. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Margaret Lyons
    Sep 17, 2014
    20
    I'm not lobbying for a show about suffering, necessarily. But Red Band makes hospital stays seem like a spread in an Urban Outfitters catalogue. Come for the osteosarcoma, stay for the funky vintage vinyl and artfully draped twinkle lights.
  5. Slate
    Reviewed by: Willa Paskin
    Sep 16, 2014
    20
    Red Band is larded with quirk, twee, and pop music, all of which set my teeth on edge even as they sent my tear ducts into spasm.

Awards & Rankings

68
#68 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014

User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 78 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 78
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 78
  3. Negative: 10 out of 78
  1. OpinionatedGuy
    Sep 18, 2014
    8
    To call this show "the cancer version of Glee without the musical" or the "TV version of The Fault in Our Stars" is not how you shouldTo call this show "the cancer version of Glee without the musical" or the "TV version of The Fault in Our Stars" is not how you should describe this show. Yes, this could be Fox’s new Glee but it stands out alone without the stigma of being one.

    I would like to start this review with what’s wrong with the first episode. The setting of the hospital felt weird and unrealistic. It’s weird to see patients wearing the clothes in the show as if they never had a disease at all. Aren’t they supposed to wear their PJs or those hospital clothes? I find this part quite troubling. Also, is it actually possible to decorate your rented hospital room as if you’re in a college dorm? I don’t think most hospitals would allow this. If otherwise, that’s pretty cool but if this doesn’t happen on most hospitals, then it’s not realistic to me as far as I know.

    Another downside to this episode is that the adult characters seemed to be uninteresting. Even if the funny, witty Nurse Jackson, played by Oscar winner Octavia Spencer is not interesting enough to know her backstory.

    What really stole the show are the teenage characters which they have to carry the show and they did it wonderfully. They’re very likable and as a teenager writing this review seemed to be biased but hey, I like them! While they’re not the realistic portrayals of an average teenager, they’re not the unrealistic portrayals of an average teenager either. The way they think has a point and it makes sense and it’s something that comes from an average teenager, it’s just that it can be chessy and melodramatic at times. But nonetheless, this makes them likable for me to watch.

    While I do like them, it seemed like the most cliched character in the show was Kara. She is that cheerleader with a lot of problems that she uses her mean attitude to make herself better and I felt like I have seen that in another teenager book/movie/show. But her conflict is just enough to pass on how cliched the character is. I want to see the character develop and reflect on the things she has done.

    The character I relate to the most was Charlie. I think he is the most realistic character in the show. His thoughts are the ones that are realistic without being melodramatic. My concern for this character is how they will develop this character even though he has a coma. Will he wake up in the middle of the show? Time will tell.

    The teenage cast of the show played their roles well. It’s just enough to make me believe that they’re playing their characters as themselves, not just a bunch of teenage actors acting their characters.

    The tone of comedy and drama are balanced perfectly in this episode. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and has its fair share of light hearted moments.

    Lastly, the plot sure knows how to set up the storylines coming for some of the characters especially Kara, Charlie and Jordi.

    I hope this show grows a little bit more with many upcoming episodes along the way but this first episode of Red Band Society sold me to keep tuning in for more.    … Full Review »
  2. Hollywoodsucks
    Oct 26, 2014
    0
    Horrible show. The sappy dialogue, overtly obvious characters and constant stream of inaccuracies make for a giant horse pill of a show to tryHorrible show. The sappy dialogue, overtly obvious characters and constant stream of inaccuracies make for a giant horse pill of a show to try and swallow. If I was playing a drinking game where I took a drink every time there was something wrong in the show, I would have alcohol poisoning within the first ten minutes of the show! As a nurse, I am offended by the writers' idea of a hospital and the people in it. writing about something as serious as fatal illness and the healthcare it requires is risky because it's inevitable that mistakes will be made. In this show's case it seems they went out of there way to get everything wrong and then add a little extra wrongness in for added spice. If this show survives the season I will lose the last shred of respect I hold for tv storytelling.… Full Review »
  3. nutellaisgreat
    Oct 2, 2014
    0
    If you've had cancer or seen someone have cancer then you know that red band society is stupid and lying. People who have cancer are sicklyIf you've had cancer or seen someone have cancer then you know that red band society is stupid and lying. People who have cancer are sickly and throw up. Instead of spending money and time on a stupid lying tv show that is so untruthful and false spend it on researching how to cure cancer. end this show now.… Full Review »
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