• Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 27, 2002
Metascore
47

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 22
  2. Negative: 7 out of 22

Critic Reviews

  1. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    Aug 19, 2015
    60
    You could do worse than check this out. [26 Sept 2002, p.E1]
  2. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Storm
    Aug 19, 2015
    60
    This family show isn't in the same area code as that paragon of television, but for those of us who can't go time-traveling, it'll do in a pinch. [27 Sept 2002, p.E11]
  3. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    Aug 19, 2015
    50
    Alas, the trip turns out to be unacceptably bumpy. [27 Sept 2002, p.17D]
  4. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Staff [Not Credited]
    Aug 19, 2015
    50
    Purposeful, thought-provoking and unpredictable but also much too joyless and plodding. [27 Sept 2002]
  5. Detroit Free Press
    Reviewed by: Mike Duffy
    Aug 19, 2015
    50
    A blast of blahs from the past. [27 Sept 2002]
  6. The Detroit News
    Reviewed by: Tom Long
    Aug 19, 2015
    50
    This is, of course, the stuff of all serial dramas, but we usually see baby steps in some direction. That Was Then promises only chaos. [27 Sept 2002, p.1C]
  7. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Phil Rosenthal
    Aug 19, 2015
    50
    It's good to see Dr. Phil look-alike Jeffrey Tambor and "My So-Called Life" alum Bess Armstrong working as his bookie dad and frustrated mom, respectively. But someone should tell Tyler Labine that Jack Black wants his act back. [27 Sept 2002, p.49]
  8. Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    Aug 19, 2015
    50
    The show offers up a stale fantasy, but it does have a few fresh moments.
  9. Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Aug 19, 2015
    40
    Unlike The WB's funny, wistful, pop culture-filled "Do Over," the one-hour That Was Then goes for pathos instead of laughs and it mostly misses.
  10. Kansas City Star
    Reviewed by: Aaron Barnhart
    Aug 19, 2015
    40
    The plot twist at the end (of the first episode) may wind up redeeming future episodes of That Was Then, but for now you may find yourself wishing afterward that you could travel back in time and get that hour back. [27 Sept 2002, p.E1]