Royal Pains

:

Season 1
  • Network: USA
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 4, 2009
Season #: 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 57 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 57
  3. Negative: 6 out of 57
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User Reviews

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  1. cherryb.
    Aug 21, 2009
    10
    Its not a house wanna its nothin like it house is based in a hospitable and pretty much no where else and all house does is treat patients with a small back story to every episode royal pains is a good show compared to the crap they show these days it focuses on hank himself not only the patients its interesting,humorous, and enjoyable.
  2. CHRISM.
    Jul 31, 2009
    3
    Even the promos have to involve Burn Notice cast member Jeffrey Donovan. This show is painfully slow, and in a day when the economy is in the tank, where does anyone get off thinking Americans want to watch rich people whine about there botox and breast implants. Costanzo must have a family member in the biz otherwise I don't know how he keeps getting jobs. It's not called Even the promos have to involve Burn Notice cast member Jeffrey Donovan. This show is painfully slow, and in a day when the economy is in the tank, where does anyone get off thinking Americans want to watch rich people whine about there botox and breast implants. Costanzo must have a family member in the biz otherwise I don't know how he keeps getting jobs. It's not called acting when you do the SAME THING IN EVERY MOVIE YOUR IN ie. Road Trip, Joey. Total Rip Off of much better shows like House, McGyver, and Burn Notice, but I guess if your trying to save time and don't mind watching a melting pot of pure mediocrity than this is the show for you.… Expand
  3. MaryAnnB
    Jun 7, 2009
    8
    My husband and I were hating this show 10 mins. into it. Then suddenly it turned around. And the rest was great! I hope they can keep this up. The blend of comedy and seriousness was pretty good. Thanks Royal Pains it was a pleasure watching you.
  4. TylerW
    Jun 5, 2009
    7
    Royal Pains has a lot of potential, but may not get the justice is deserves. While there are some rough edges to carve out, namely the pace, (it felt very squeezed, but that isn't uncommon for pilots) the story is easy to follow, but not at all boring. The writing could use a little work here and there, but ultimately is passable. What really sets Royal Pains apart from most other Royal Pains has a lot of potential, but may not get the justice is deserves. While there are some rough edges to carve out, namely the pace, (it felt very squeezed, but that isn't uncommon for pilots) the story is easy to follow, but not at all boring. The writing could use a little work here and there, but ultimately is passable. What really sets Royal Pains apart from most other series on television is the acting. Mike Feuerstein gives a great depiction of an unfortunate but proud and intelligent doctor, while Paulo Costanzo easily fills the shoes of witty relief with such finesse, he turns the most simple of scenes into sublime ones. Hopefully, this could finally showcase his indivual talent... if the writing can keep pace with such a skillful duo.… Expand
  5. soniab
    Jun 6, 2009
    10
    Love this show! The writing is fresh and funny and has the dramatic element as well.
  6. AlexR
    Jun 8, 2009
    10
    A great guilty pleasure!
  7. PaulD
    Jun 5, 2009
    10
    Hot chicks... fun.... makes me want to become a doctor.
  8. R.M.P
    Jul 14, 2009
    3
    This series started out well but it is becoming tedious with the love interest taking over the intention of the show which seemed to be a doctor working for the rich and sometimes the poor with interesting cases. Actually the writing sucks but that is just my opinion.
  9. andreap
    Jul 21, 2009
    7
    As one of the critics said, it may not be the stuff Emmy dreams are made of, but it's still goofy, broad-strokes summer fun, and Mark Feuerstein is really likable and looks great too.
  10. MikeW.
    Jul 9, 2009
    7
    Costanzo's role is second banana and comic relief, but I find his character annoying and intrusive. The show has great potential for lighthearted summer entertainment if they just reign him in.
  11. Bonger
    Jun 15, 2009
    0
    This show is aptly named as it is a royal pain and will not be watched in this household.
  12. SethK.
    Jul 20, 2009
    7
    Not that great of acting but a good story line. They need to keep Tucker Bryant in the show because he adds interest and kept the show rolling in his episodes. It is a House wanna be but with worse actors. Still interesting and a good show.
  13. AdrienneH.
    Aug 30, 2009
    9
    Fun escapism in an unrealistic but charming Hamptons setting.The characters are superly played and make up for the mostly over-the-top plot lines.
  14. samanthaz
    Jun 22, 2009
    6
    The concept is great. The acting awful! Mark Feuerstein is tolerable but Paulo Costanzo is irritating and awkward at best!
  15. ZackD
    Jul 13, 2009
    9
    Similar to House, but with more comedy and women. All around good show.
  16. TerryA.
    Jul 16, 2009
    5
    I love to see how the other half lives, and love the challenges the doctor faces. But the stars are not a plus. The doctor is bland, the brother is obnoxious. There is absolutely no chemistry or decent dialogue between the doctor and his hospital director love interest. She is so non-descript that I couldn't pick her out of a line-up. Glad to see Christine Ebersole and Bruce Campbell I love to see how the other half lives, and love the challenges the doctor faces. But the stars are not a plus. The doctor is bland, the brother is obnoxious. There is absolutely no chemistry or decent dialogue between the doctor and his hospital director love interest. She is so non-descript that I couldn't pick her out of a line-up. Glad to see Christine Ebersole and Bruce Campbell trying to show how it's done.… Expand
  17. phineasb.
    Aug 11, 2009
    1
    Canceled my Season's Pass because the brother is too, too annoying and is a major part of the storyline. I'd watch it again if the brother went home or had occasional cameos, but apparently HE is the story. Not worth my annoyance.
  18. BJS.
    Aug 21, 2009
    10
    Only thing worth watching on cable.
  19. ss
    Aug 28, 2009
    9
    Fun, and sweet. Interesting plot developments to come. I hate the thought of having to wait until next summer to see them.
  20. IsisLogic
    Sep 2, 2010
    7
    Easy watching. Not cerebral. Just enjoyable way to pass some time. Love seeing Henry Winkler. Might not be something you make time to watch, but thankfully you can catch a repeat often.
  21. Tubie
    Nov 3, 2010
    7
    Fun show, it's rare for a show about doctors to impress or hold me interested anymore but this show manages that. It's fun to watch and the cases are interesting so far. Let's see how it all turns out for season 2.
  22. Lost_Hero9
    May 7, 2012
    10
    This show has an interesting hook in the first episode. The first 30 minutes or so it just doesn't look good for the main character as he's in a lot of stress due to the whole doctor schedule. He pretty much losses everything, his job, his wife in the pilot episode. But after his brother walks in, his life is refreshed. At first, I didn't like how the episode was going and was but afterThis show has an interesting hook in the first episode. The first 30 minutes or so it just doesn't look good for the main character as he's in a lot of stress due to the whole doctor schedule. He pretty much losses everything, his job, his wife in the pilot episode. But after his brother walks in, his life is refreshed. At first, I didn't like how the episode was going and was but after his brother Evan walks in, it all changed. Royal Pains is nothing like the House Series. Its more unique and takes place surrounding their own built company. Every episode leaves a cliff hanger that makes you want to keep coming back for more. I highly recommend this show to anyone who's interested in medical, adventure, comedy, drama etc.… Expand
  23. Cyliann
    Jun 14, 2014
    1
    A series that used to be watchable product now spiring down from mediocrity with excess drama and laughably staged accidents with convenient Hank or associates always 2 feet away from it, more than often having several of those accident happen in the same place with very short timespawns.

Awards & Rankings

66
#66 Best TV Season of 2009
57
#57 Most Discussed TV Season of 2009
24
#24 Most Shared TV Season of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    75
    No one's ever going to say Royal Pains, with its pun title (although Scott is the only royalty around, most of the upper-class patients prove to be real pains), is a classic addition to the medical genre, but it certainly is zippy fun.
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  2. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    40
    Royal Pains is a crappy but watchable series about a “concierge doctor” in the Hamptons, radically unambitious but better at balancing the guilt with the pleasure.
    Read full review
  3. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    70
    The one-liners are broad, the plots preposterous. And yet it all works in a lighthearted-summer-fare kind of way, helped along with almost pornographic images of Hamptons wealth.
    Read full review
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