The 1/2 Hour News Hour

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Season 1
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
2.8

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 380 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 97 out of 380
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 380
  3. Negative: 273 out of 380

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User Reviews

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  1. dare-as
    Feb 21, 2007
    2
    (2) for concept, (0) for execution, neither news nor entertainment
  2. AlyceN
    Feb 21, 2007
    2
    I chuckled once or twice. I like to watch funny people making fun of liberal shibboleths. These are not funny people.
  3. MelodyC
    Feb 21, 2007
    0
    Heroically, historically bad. The Plan 9 from Outer Space of TV comedy.
  4. JayW
    Feb 21, 2007
    0
    between the obvious canned laughter and the overly kinetic "news anchors", this was a piss poor take-off on the very good Daily Show with John Stewart. Do Conservatives just not have a funny bone because this was a real disappointment.
  5. DrunkenMaster
    Feb 21, 2007
    0
    How funny is the "half hour news hour"? Well, if you find the realization that Barack Obama's initials = BO hilarious, this is right up your alley. Otherwise (ie, if you have an IQ higher than that of a Basset Hound), stikck with The Daily Show. Raving rightwing reactionaries just aren't funny.
  6. MarkD
    Feb 21, 2007
    0
    Wow ... just ... wow. This show is historically bad, not because it's partisan, but because it just isn't funny. There is a fine line between satire and hateful insults, and this show is on the wrong side. But that's what happens when you start a show not to be funny, but to further an ideological agenda. The fact that this is on what is supposed to be a NEWS network Wow ... just ... wow. This show is historically bad, not because it's partisan, but because it just isn't funny. There is a fine line between satire and hateful insults, and this show is on the wrong side. But that's what happens when you start a show not to be funny, but to further an ideological agenda. The fact that this is on what is supposed to be a NEWS network doesn't help, either.… Expand
  7. ChefClark
    Feb 21, 2007
    0
    To effectively review this show, you need to observe it with a politically-neutral viewpoint. To review this show on comedic merit, it is absolutely horrible. Its structure of set-up, punchline, set-up, punchline, combined with its poor sketch acting and a LAUGH TRACK creates a dismal production that should never have even made it to a pilot episode.
  8. Damien
    Feb 21, 2007
    0
    Bathroom humor just isn't funny. Nice how they added a canned laugh track to it. Awful, just awful.
  9. dough
    Feb 21, 2007
    10
    Aww, the poor liberals don't like satire about the truth. They have the daly show, kind of. How about decent review without politics.
  10. StewartL
    Feb 21, 2007
    0
    I would have given it a 1 had they had Bush doing fart jokes.
  11. DanielA
    Feb 21, 2007
    0
    They should probably try to spend more time on being funny and less on trying to be "right wing." I have never seen material is forced and, well, stupid. And this is coming from a regestered Independent. One of the least funny television shows I have ever seen.
  12. RossA
    Feb 21, 2007
    1
    A satire doesn't work if you parody a different world altogether (whatever planet Fox lives on, because its not mine rofl). However, that complete lack of cohesion made this show unintentionally funny, so I give it a 1 for mockery purposes. Fox's ultimate paradox is that it has a parody news show on the worst news station on television. Before it gets to make fun of "good" news A satire doesn't work if you parody a different world altogether (whatever planet Fox lives on, because its not mine rofl). However, that complete lack of cohesion made this show unintentionally funny, so I give it a 1 for mockery purposes. Fox's ultimate paradox is that it has a parody news show on the worst news station on television. Before it gets to make fun of "good" news stations, it might want to consider getting its own. This show will be canceled in 6 episodes, tops.… Expand
  13. JohnM
    Feb 21, 2007
    0
    Painfully unfunny. The use of a laugh track is pathetic at best. What is a comdey show doing on a news network. It should be on FX channel or some other fox channel.
  14. AndrewS
    Feb 20, 2007
    0
    No where near as funny as the regular programming on fox news.
  15. JC
    Feb 20, 2007
    0
    When I was a kid we did fake news shows that even embarassed us then. This show is worse. The critical scorn has nothing to do with its politics, it is just the very worst program possible with no rival in decades. In one case, a line that could have been very funny was delivered as if the person saying it had no idea what the actual humor was. It took me a while to notice that "hey, that When I was a kid we did fake news shows that even embarassed us then. This show is worse. The critical scorn has nothing to do with its politics, it is just the very worst program possible with no rival in decades. In one case, a line that could have been very funny was delivered as if the person saying it had no idea what the actual humor was. It took me a while to notice that "hey, that was actually funny". One of the problems with this show is that it has to make up stuff about the people it is supposedly making fun of, such as Cindy Sheehan (a completely non-violent person) going on a shooting spree. It doesn't have a clue about reality and therefore has to make up lies to ATTEMPT to be funny. It also tends to be nasty. Contrast that with other shows that are genuinely funny that take reality and real clips and let the absurdity of ALL of us stand out on its own. The "real" world is silly enough and doesn't need help. That the writers have to resort to falsities may be a pretty good example of how people of this persuasion seem to be way out of touch with reality. This could be a window into the distorted, paranoid, and fearful mind of many cons.… Expand
  16. andrewO
    Feb 20, 2007
    0
    so bad... i mean i would watch, IF IT WERE AT ALL FUNNY
  17. AbeI
    Feb 20, 2007
    10
    It was a riot. I would like to see it every night.
  18. EmmaM
    Feb 20, 2007
    1
    Unbelievably horrible!!! This show is painfully unfunny.
  19. AlmaC
    Feb 20, 2007
    10
    Enjoyed it a lot
  20. EdwinC
    Feb 20, 2007
    10
    This was a very funny show. Weedend update has been lame for two years now and this is very refreshing. I hope this has a looooooooong run on fox news.
  21. PoDawg
    Feb 20, 2007
    0
    Awful
  22. eclipsgtboy
    Feb 20, 2007
    10
    I love it. Finally a show that gives back a little something to the lefties. Of course they don't find it funny! It touches their golden man, Barack Obama. There is SOOOOO much material out there. Go for it!
  23. JeffK
    Feb 20, 2007
    1
    The only thing I really found funny was how poorly the laugh track was applied.
  24. JeffM
    Feb 20, 2007
    1
    The premise is stupid, the jokes dumb and juvenile, and the performance are so dull, it looks like even the actors hate doing it. Comedy only works if everything is up for grabs, narrowing down to make fun of a select group of people to pander to a "base" is why this will inevitably fail.
  25. DavidP
    Feb 20, 2007
    0
    Chewing on tinfoil and repeatedly whacking my big toe with a sledgehammer would be more fun than watching this again. Good Lord, was this show horrible.
  26. JohnB
    Feb 20, 2007
    10
    At last the answer to those smug arrogant fools on Weekend Update. And this is actually funny!
  27. HughJass
    Feb 20, 2007
    7
    This is a little funnier than the critics say. Not extremely funny, but still funny.
  28. JakeL
    Feb 20, 2007
    0
    The worst thing you can imagine -- on a bad day.
  29. KlarthL
    Feb 19, 2007
    0
    Awful... so awful.
  30. NoneofYourbusiness
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    Absolutely brilliant. One of the best shows on TV can't wait until it goes beyond promos and gets better production values.
  31. MichaelT
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    Watched it three times, showed to alot of friends......... I haven't laughed so hard since Sienfeld
  32. johnf
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    funny, very funny
  33. BrianB
    Feb 19, 2007
    0
    Good lord... if you want to copy Stewart and Colbert, please do it well. Without laugh tracks.
  34. CoryK
    Feb 19, 2007
    1
    Attempt at balancing out liberal-biased satire? Maybe. Funny? No, not at all.
  35. BrentH
    Feb 19, 2007
    9
    It's no wonder the "mainstream media" newspaper quotes trash "The 1/2 Hour News Hour" and hurriedly predict the show's demise after one episode. It's about time fair balance included poking fun at liberal sacred cows. Kudos to FOX and Joel Surnow. Keep the laughs coming!
  36. MyraT
    Feb 19, 2007
    0
    Stale, predictable, about as subtle as a sledgehammer, with nasty intolerant undertones. In other words typical right wing "humor."
  37. JordanM
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    Well, it must be the best show ever made, cause a lot of liberal drones hate it!
  38. R.Skelly
    Feb 19, 2007
    2
    this is an awkward, desperate and ultumately woeful attempt at political parody.
  39. MichaelC
    Feb 19, 2007
    0
    Horrific. Brain-dead monkeys on meth couldn't write worse material. I suppose it makes sense - how can you comment wittily on reality when you're living in the reality-free echo-chamber of Limbaugh and O'Reilly?
  40. kevinc
    Feb 19, 2007
    0
    Nice use of the laugh track over and over again. This shows they couldn't get a live audience to laugh at anything.
  41. MatthewM
    Feb 19, 2007
    0
    Satire requires deflating power - hard to do when you are part of that power. Pretty dull stuff.
  42. GregS
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    If John Stuart is a 10, then this is at least as good. Pay attention to the Liberal critics rating of this show. All the more proof that the Left is too stupid to ever be trusted with any judgement.
  43. lizh
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    I loved it. At first it was a bit shocking to hear jokes about the left, it's so unusual I felt a little naughty listening to it and enjoying it. It's about time there was another voice on TV. Keep up the good work.
  44. SteveG
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    I loved it. It is about time.... It will be a must see for the people sick and tired of the left bashing the right.
  45. JobB
    Feb 19, 2007
    0
    Potental to be funny falls flat.
  46. JudS.
    Feb 19, 2007
    0
    Hahaha. Yet another indication this "news" network is just trying to find shows that get ratings, despite the lack of journalism. Fox is just a horrible, terrible, awful channel.
  47. dougm
    Feb 19, 2007
    7
    Nice ironic Twist to the typical garbage called political humor. Canned laugh has got to go though, let the satire speak for itself
  48. BrianM
    Feb 19, 2007
    1
    Am I missing something here? After the show finished, I thought isn't comedy at it's best when practiced by the anti-establishment. It's just not funny when the Bush administration does one liners and zingers about the ACLU.
  49. RonR
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    Superior humor!
  50. JPosa
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    Great show. The liberals are all crying foul on this one. The truth hurts, doesn't it. Fox is laughing all the way to the bank. HA,HA,HA!!!
  51. BobY
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    I expected poor comments from the pathetic left. It's about time some conservative humor poked at them.
  52. GINAR
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    This show is great and alot of us conservatives would like to see this come about, it just shows that the left has no sense of humor and I think this is great comedy!
  53. KrisK
    Feb 19, 2007
    2
    relegated to the hellish hours of 3AM and plugged between other boners like Girls Gone Wild and Enzyte, it might do wonderfully. Some of us get punchy enough to laugh at anything, even this, at 3 AM.
  54. CarlaW
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    Great Fun! Illustrates the absurd by being absurd.
  55. JenniferD
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    Excellent! Finaly TRUTH in journalism!!!
  56. BillW
    Feb 19, 2007
    8
    Finally, a show that exposes the truth about liberals and liberalism in very funny way. Illustrating liberal absurdity through satiric humor.
  57. pata
    Feb 19, 2007
    0
    i can't believe this show was actually approved. i felt like i was watching a public access teen news program from a year ago. the jokes were totally outdated and the whole feel was cheap. those two actors/anchors should be ahshamed of themselves for taking this job. i'm sure they will be.
  58. jonr
    Feb 19, 2007
    0
    It was terrible and unfunny. Larry the cable guy was more insightful!!!
  59. David
    Feb 19, 2007
    7
    Enjoyed the gags, especially the ACLU bits. It's a fun change of pace from the standard comedy news that i'm used to seeing on SNL or the Daily Show. Refreshing.
  60. EZ
    Feb 19, 2007
    0
    Small focus, silliness, and poor delivery plague this show. It's so bad the hosts even try to explain their jokes sometimes (which makes them even worse).
  61. CiaraT
    Feb 18, 2007
    10
    I thought the show was hilarious and I hope to see it become a regular series. Take that liberals hypocrite's!
  62. Sean
    Feb 18, 2007
    2
    Pathetic attempt! I was going to give it a chance being a moderate voter ... a daily show rip off that doesn't even give the daily show any street cred.
  63. alh
    Feb 18, 2007
    6
    What's funny is watching all the KommieLib media critics pan this show. It's as automatic and reflexive as their love or hate of any other issue/politician/celebrity. Liberal/Democrat/AnybodyButFox - good ....... Conservative/Republican/Fox baaaaad. The show's not great, but it will (probably get better). If not, it deserves to go. We don't want it stinking up the What's funny is watching all the KommieLib media critics pan this show. It's as automatic and reflexive as their love or hate of any other issue/politician/celebrity. Liberal/Democrat/AnybodyButFox - good ....... Conservative/Republican/Fox baaaaad. The show's not great, but it will (probably get better). If not, it deserves to go. We don't want it stinking up the place. Big Al… Expand
  64. HankC
    Feb 18, 2007
    0
    terrible and offensive
  65. DavidH
    Feb 18, 2007
    1
    Be you liberal or conservative, I think we can all put aside our partisan differences and agree that this show is awful
  66. PaulM
    Feb 18, 2007
    0
    Middle schoolers could write better parody.
  67. [Anonymous]
    Feb 18, 2007
    0
    Sick.
  68. NealW
    Feb 18, 2007
    10
    Great show....silly and fun.
  69. Chelsea
    Feb 18, 2007
    0
    Actually worse than expected. Political bias aside, this was just plain horrible.
  70. jr
    Feb 18, 2007
    9
    Odd intro, but very funny obama segment and t-shirt parody. Ill watch it again.
  71. MikeH
    Feb 18, 2007
    10
    OK Libs...it's all fun and games until the joke's on you. I'll laugh really hard the first time this gets better ratings than your liberal counterpart...and it will happen. I thought it was hilarious! - A God Fearing, All American Conservative
  72. TracyH
    Feb 18, 2007
    9
    I find it hard to believe all of your critics have negative comments. Can you say "liberal bias?"
  73. JohnStewart
    Feb 18, 2007
    0
    very, very, very poorly done
  74. DavidO
    Feb 18, 2007
    10
    It is about time that the "right" has its own program. The fact that all the liberal reviewers came in against the show is a strong prediction of potential success! As usual, they (liberals) can dish it out, but they can't take it!!! Keep going 1/2 Hour News Hour!!
  75. RuffyR
    Feb 18, 2007
    10
    I loved it!
  76. IanS
    Feb 18, 2007
    0
    So painful to watch, its comparable to an awful high school production
  77. ChrisA
    Feb 18, 2007
    1
    This just sucks.
  78. Dave
    Feb 18, 2007
    0
    Fox is doing fake news? This is news??
  79. JasonS
    Feb 18, 2007
    0
    Completely fails to be either original or funny.
  80. DanielM
    Feb 17, 2007
    0
    oh-my-god that this show is discraceful
  81. KurtA
    Feb 17, 2007
    0
    The only thing that is missing is real laughs from a live audience... check that TV audience.
  82. LennyT
    Feb 17, 2007
    0
    So bad it makes you feel sorry for FNC. Trite.
  83. Sara
    Feb 17, 2007
    0
    The president skit looked more like a parody of conservative thought processes. "Well, after two years of a democratic congress, the economy is in ruins and we're internationally hated, but luckily, the conservatives are back in charge." Unlike, you know, how things are after six years of a Republican one. Seriously, who thought that was a good idea?
  84. KevinK
    Feb 16, 2007
    0
    This show sucks!
  85. TimM.
    Feb 16, 2007
    6
    No, it's not great. But why in the world would TV critics - the most liberal group of writers in the industry - like right wing humor?? The fact that TV critics would fawn over The Daily Show and hate guys like P.J. O'Rourke is predictable. I was amused by the Coulter stuff, but the moment you put her on TV, the left jumps out of its skin. Bottom Line: Reviewing right wing fare No, it's not great. But why in the world would TV critics - the most liberal group of writers in the industry - like right wing humor?? The fact that TV critics would fawn over The Daily Show and hate guys like P.J. O'Rourke is predictable. I was amused by the Coulter stuff, but the moment you put her on TV, the left jumps out of its skin. Bottom Line: Reviewing right wing fare is Mission: Impossible for the Critical left.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

100
#100 Best TV Season of 2007
3
#3 Most Discussed TV Season of 2007
41
#41 Most Shared TV Season of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
13

Overwhelming dislike - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 10 out of 11
  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Barry Garron
    20
    A look at the first episode suggests that, just as A.M. radio is the unassailable province of the right, TV might better be left to the left.
    Read full review
  2. Orlando Sentinel
    Reviewed by: Hal Boedeker
    0
    "Weekend Update" on its worst night isn't this bad.
    Read full review
  3. Slate
    Reviewed by: Troy Patterson
    0
    You couldn't skewer a cube of tofu with material this dull.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »