Speechless (2016)

:

Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 21, 2016
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 54 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 54
  3. Negative: 10 out of 54
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User Reviews

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  1. rwwonwheels
    Dec 22, 2016
    1
    As a wheelchair with Cerebral Palsy. I find "Speechless" to be an insult to the entire disability community. While humor can serve as a vehicle for education and enlightenment, this show is a complete disaster. The adults are unstable and the dialogue doesn't even try to even remotely emulate the real-life struggles of disabled children and their parents--while comedy is fine, real lifeAs a wheelchair with Cerebral Palsy. I find "Speechless" to be an insult to the entire disability community. While humor can serve as a vehicle for education and enlightenment, this show is a complete disaster. The adults are unstable and the dialogue doesn't even try to even remotely emulate the real-life struggles of disabled children and their parents--while comedy is fine, real life isn't a joke. The parents come off as scammers and the male caregiver for J.J. (the disabled student) comes off in multiple episodes as an inappropriate sex-crazed pervert in his interactions with the other characters on the show (especially the teenagers) in a disjointed and failed attempt at humor. Finally, I was disappointed to learn that apparently Micah Fowler, the actor that plays J.J., can actually speak with difficulty--the non-speaking nature of the main character reinforces the stereotype that all disabled can't speak and therefore are stupid. This show does ZERO to improve public perception of disability and only reinforces current negative perceptions.… Expand
  2. jes_fine
    Oct 3, 2016
    3
    This is a great premise poorly executed. Trying way to hard to be funny with Minnie Driver absurdly and unbelievably over the top. By the end of the second episode it just becomes wearing. I'll give it one more show but not optimistic. Too bad.

Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Best TV Season of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Ben Travers
    Sep 22, 2016
    91
    This self-aware, quick-witted and altogether engrossing comedy is actively anti-tokenism, mocking the very conceit that it even could be by putting the focus on Ray instead of J.J. and cleverly jabbing at those who fight for inclusion without caring to connect with the included.
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  2. We Got This Covered
    Reviewed by: Jon Negroni
    Sep 21, 2016
    90
    This is one of those rare pilots that lends about the same comedic weight to every main character (and a good deal of the supporting cast, as well).
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  3. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Joshua Alston
    Sep 21, 2016
    91
    In fact, all of the performances are winning, with Driver deserving most of the praise. ... Speechless is shaping up to be one of the fall’s best comedies.
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