TALKSHOW with Spike Feresten

:

Season 1
  • Network: FOX
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 17, 2006
Season #: 3, 2, 1
Metascore
42

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 6 out of 12

Critic Reviews

  1. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    80
    It's hilarious, really, and refreshing, and original and - absolutely - an acquired taste.
  2. Detroit Free Press
    Reviewed by: Mike Duffy
    75
    Feresten makes a rather engaging talk show host.
  3. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Doug Elfman
    63
    Scenes that work are funny... Scenes that fall flat are merely blah, rather than stupid.
  5. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    60
    Feresten... is engaging in a slightly weird, self-mocking, Letterman-esque way, with only occasional forays into dippy post-frat humor.
  6. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    50
    It all seems familiar, which isn't necessarily bad, but it makes the show somewhat stale.
  7. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Paul Brownfield
    50
    The trouble with Feresten isn't his comedy; it's his difficulty creating any intimacy with the audience or the camera. He's got the irony down cold but the empathy not so much.
  8. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    30
    Feresten's not awful, and the show he has built around himself with video segments has a few laugh-out-loud moments. But he clearly needs to find his identity behind the desk.
  9. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    25
    He's polite-looking and very likable - but aside from some quick ad libs during on-location segments, he doesn't get any chance to establish, much less assert, his personality.
  10. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Adam Buckman
    25
    As a talk-show host... he's a rank amateur who exhibits no discernible skills.
  11. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    20
    If there's a silver lining, "Talkshow" will likely make its often-overlooked lead-in, "Mad TV," resemble "Your Show of Shows."
  12. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Ray Richmond
    20
    Pretty much everything gets tossed against the wall and precious little of it sticks, or even actually makes it as far as the wall.
  13. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Virginia Heffernan
    10
    Spike Feresten keeps emphasizing how bad and cheap and lame his new weekly show is on tonight’s debut... He’s right.

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Best TV Season of 2006
74
#74 Most Discussed TV Season of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 38
  3. Negative: 5 out of 38
  1. RollieD
    Feb 15, 2009
    1
    One of the most excruciating hours on tv. It is so painful to watch: the host is unfunny, he does not interview well, let alone have any One of the most excruciating hours on tv. It is so painful to watch: the host is unfunny, he does not interview well, let alone have any interesting guests that are above the D-list, and his skits are simply not funny. The only reason this show gets a 1 instead of a 0 is because he now has Olivia Munn providing funny skits to his show. Otherwise, standing in a dmv line for an hour will give you more laughs than this so-called "talkshow."… Full Review »
  2. BryanqC.
    Feb 7, 2009
    2
    No talent, unfunny hack. The show is not even remotely clever. Why must he remind us every show how cheap the show is? Paper coffee No talent, unfunny hack. The show is not even remotely clever. Why must he remind us every show how cheap the show is? Paper coffee cups.....yeah, we get it, Spike. I'm reminded of the phrase, "Couldn't ad lib a fart at a bean-eating contest."… Full Review »
  3. marinat.
    Dec 9, 2007
    10
    i love spikes sense of humor and make a point to watch his show every saturday. i dont think the critics know a good show when they see one. i love spikes sense of humor and make a point to watch his show every saturday. i dont think the critics know a good show when they see one. I think spike is great on camera! i enjoy his show very much!… Full Review »
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