SMILF

:

Season 1
  • Network: SHOWTIME
  • Series Premiere Date: Nov 5, 2017
Season #: 2, 1
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
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Critic Reviews

  1. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Ben Travers
    Oct 30, 2017
    83
    You won’t spend long dwelling on the title, but you’ll want to stick with this story.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ruth Kinane
    Oct 27, 2017
    83
    SMILF finds its resonance--comical and emotional--in a no-frills attitude and unapologetic realism. [3 Nov 2017, p.57]
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  3. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Troy Patterson
    Dec 15, 2017
    80
    Three episodes in, I am charmed by Shaw’s way of sketching her character, Bridgette Bird, in brazen strokes of absurdity and delicate gestures of woe. ... Shaw proves herself a fantastically nimble performer, by turns tough and impish.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Lorraine Ali
    Nov 6, 2017
    80
    If you’re predisposed to finding humor and humanity in the depths of desperation, SMILF delivers with crass wit, sharp insight and empathy.
  6. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Nov 3, 2017
    80
    None of SMILF would work beyond the struggling single-mom trope if it weren't for Shaw truly announcing herself here as a creative force. ... Showtime looks to have found something special with SMILF.
  7. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Alex McLevy
    Nov 3, 2017
    75
    Shaw’s performance as Bridgette is superb, and never feels less than deeply authentic. ... SMILF can sometimes be all over the map, narratively, but in ways that feel true to life, a messiness of necessity for a woman who resists the daily indignities with a fierce determination and blunt openness.
  8. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Jen Chaney
    Nov 3, 2017
    70
    SMILF is not quite a great series yet. But in its initial trio of episodes ... it’s obvious it has the potential to get there.
  9. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Nov 3, 2017
    66
    It’s an admirable portrait of a character in a social class that’s underrepresented on TV, but it’s more depressing than entertaining. The struggle is real--but it’s not funny.
  10. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Kelly Lawler
    Nov 2, 2017
    63
    Shaw has crafted a fascinating and complicated lead character, even if the series is messy in its tone and plotting.

Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Most Shared TV Season of 2017

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 38
  3. Negative: 9 out of 38
  1. shqu
    Nov 6, 2017
    2
    I hated this show so much I could barely watch 15 minutes of the first episode. I raised 2 children as a single mother, with no child supportI hated this show so much I could barely watch 15 minutes of the first episode. I raised 2 children as a single mother, with no child support and a very modest salary, and this bears almost no resemblance to my life. From getting up at 5 to make lunches and breakfasts, get everyone dressed and out the door on time so as to arrive at work by 8 am, and then doing the reverse at the end of the day, every bit of energy I had went to my kids and my job. Yes, I missed having a relationship and doing fun things, but I can honestly say I never even had the energy for a sex fantasy. That early scene gives such a completely misleading picture of a single mother's life, which is all about taking care of (and loving) the kids, the job, the finances, the ancient car, the old house, the laundry, etc., while trying to keep a few precious friendships alive. I would love to see a show that REALLY portrays the life of a single parent, but it would probably be too boring to develop an audience..… Full Review »
  2. BillySpandex
    Dec 6, 2017
    1
    I'm not going to waste my time with a comprehensive review of this show, because all that can be said is that... "it's trash". Who is thisI'm not going to waste my time with a comprehensive review of this show, because all that can be said is that... "it's trash". Who is this show for? I grew up in a single parent household, and nothing about this show resonates with me. The characters are vacuous, the plot is non-existent, and it's just unbelievably dumb.… Full Review »
  3. StanCliffBroad
    Jan 24, 2018
    1
    This show isn't just bad, it's dysfunctional. Edgy? No, just a spherical object banging itself against a wall, whilst trying to normalizeThis show isn't just bad, it's dysfunctional. Edgy? No, just a spherical object banging itself against a wall, whilst trying to normalize everything that's bad in society today. It did one thing right, it ticked ALL the progressive boxes in the first episode.… Full Review »
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