The Black Donnellys

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Season 1
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 222 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 196 out of 222
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 222
  3. Negative: 23 out of 222
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User Reviews

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  1. BrendanD
    Jun 27, 2007
    0
    For future reference, neophyte Soprano-wannabe writers: mob violence barely worked for Tony and his gang, and after a couple of seasons, it became really tedious and downright boring. Yet at least it incorporated something at least in part based on fact: the Italian mafia. You know what nationality DOESN'T have a mafia? THE IRISH! What's worse is that the writers of The Black For future reference, neophyte Soprano-wannabe writers: mob violence barely worked for Tony and his gang, and after a couple of seasons, it became really tedious and downright boring. Yet at least it incorporated something at least in part based on fact: the Italian mafia. You know what nationality DOESN'T have a mafia? THE IRISH! What's worse is that the writers of The Black Donnellys (including Paul Haggis, who may or may not be the greatest unintentional comic of all time) don't seem to realize that there's a difference. Look, nationalities in this country (the non-mutt kind, I mean) have a lot to say about who and where we've been and who and where we'll be. But when you put up the equation Sopranos - Italians + Irish = x, you have to remember that x equals bull-crap. You cannot simply swap out one nationality for the other and keep everything else the same. Do you think anyone would believe a bunch of Italians cavorting around in drunken stupors at a wake? Of course they wouldn't. You know why? Because that's what the Irish do, not the Italians. This was as stupid an idea as the attempt to make black kids white (or vice-versa) in various Saturday Morning kids' shows. It's ridiculous, and Haggis ought to be stripped of his Oscar, as well as any residual acclaim he gets for creating the World's Greatest Comedic Hero, Cordell Walker, for attaching his name to something that's so vapid, even George Bush (the one from "That's My Bush," not the president) could see through it.… Expand
  2. JerriannW
    Mar 2, 2007
    0
    Paul Haggis should be banned from Hollywood.
  3. NoelA.
    Oct 1, 2007
    10
    Incredible show. Hooked!
  4. JimmyO
    Mar 5, 2007
    10
    Excellent Irish Mob Show. Its about time the Italians get what they deserve
  5. AlexA
    Feb 9, 2008
    9
    A true original.
  6. emily
    Mar 12, 2007
    10
    I loved this show. I disagree with a lot of the critics and believe this is a compelling story with heart and a talented cast. I never want it to end!
  7. LeeR
    Mar 21, 2007
    10
    This has got to be one of the best shows on TV. The acting is supurb as well as the story line. This show receives a 10 in my book!
  8. Helen
    Mar 4, 2007
    10
    I absolutely loved it. Hopefully, the show will continue to do well and keep me entertained - Studio 60 wasn't cutting it. Its time slot couldn't have been more perfect. Also, love the cast.
  9. MalloryD
    Mar 5, 2007
    9
    technical and artisitc reviews aside; This show is entertaining and Im hooked!
  10. TiffanyR
    Apr 5, 2007
    10
    Totally captivated! The Black Donnelly's is well written, has a great cast of actors, fabulous cinematography. I'm ususually not a big television watcher, but this one is worth viewing. I hope NBC keeps it going, if not I hope they turn it over to another network.
  11. billyl
    Apr 8, 2007
    10
    one of the best shows ive ever seen a shame that its cancelled
  12. EmmarieJ
    May 3, 2007
    10
    This show needs to be saved!!! The writing and acting was great. If this show is to be cancelled (which I hope it doesn't) it should not be replaced with such a stupid show like Wedding Crashers! Who in their right minds would watch a show like that???
  13. AriannaS.
    Aug 30, 2007
    10
    Great show I don't understand why it was canceled. The only time I saw anything about before the show actually aired was in the movie theaters. I think given time the show would have been a hit at least it is with me!
  14. ChristianO
    Aug 3, 2007
    8
    I really liked this show. It kept me watching every week, but I can't find it anymore. Oh, and I think Brendan D's comments are ridiculous. Read a book dude.
  15. gina
    Aug 7, 2008
    10
    Love the show! definitely has underground following.
  16. MalikB
    Feb 27, 2007
    1
    haggis' imaginative uses of others' imaginations make me hate anything he does before he does it. he's a hack, pure and simple. except when it comes to racial jokes, apparently, he's oscar-worthy.
  17. Erik
    Feb 27, 2007
    3
    Jon I, I couldn't make it past your first three sentences without falling out of my chair laughing. Malik, you're right on. This was a bad mish-mash of GOODFELLAS and BAZ LUHRMAN'S ROMEO & JULIET. There isn't a worse writer alive than Paul Haggis (having taken the place of fellow Oscar-winning hack Akiva Goldsman) and his painfully unsubtle, in your face irony (which Jon I, I couldn't make it past your first three sentences without falling out of my chair laughing. Malik, you're right on. This was a bad mish-mash of GOODFELLAS and BAZ LUHRMAN'S ROMEO & JULIET. There isn't a worse writer alive than Paul Haggis (having taken the place of fellow Oscar-winning hack Akiva Goldsman) and his painfully unsubtle, in your face irony (which practically beams with neon signs informing you of said irony). Hated it.… Expand
  18. ChanA
    Mar 13, 2007
    10
    Excellent ..
  19. ChrisW.
    Mar 13, 2007
    10
    What is there not to like about this show? You can compare this to The Godfather trilogy and the Boondock Saints.
  20. ScottC
    Mar 13, 2007
    10
    I love this show. There is nothing else like it on TV tight now!
  21. DebW.
    Mar 19, 2007
    10
    Love it!! My favorite new show!
  22. KarleneP
    Mar 19, 2007
    10
    Its a great alternative to us Sopranos lovers. My husband and I love it!
  23. anonymous
    Mar 21, 2007
    10
    I love, love, love this show. The acting and writing are exceptional and I find myself looking forward to the next episode as soon as Monday's is finished. Here's to a second season.
  24. PatriciaRude
    Mar 20, 2007
    10
    Excellent. I do care about all the Donnellys...even poor Jenny
  25. KathleenB
    Mar 20, 2007
    10
    I absolutely love this show. I am SO afraid that like other "too deep" shows, it won't last. It shows a reality in that murder is grisley, dirty and nasty; Not like these "slick murders" on other shows, where its almost clinical. clean, and "no big deal." And having suffered a great deal of angst for my family, I sympathise with poor Tommy Donnelly. Tucker is amazing.
  26. caseyc
    Mar 4, 2007
    10
    A TV show that makes you think the next day. my favorite in a long time.
  27. Heidi
    Mar 5, 2007
    1
    This gets better than a zero because Jonathan Tucker resembles a young Steven Weber. Beyond that I seriously can't imagine a worse way to rip off the Sopranos. At least that show was well-written. This is an immense waste. And someone please explain to me how this isn't a bad example of what The Godfather was a good example of--family "triumphing" in a downward spiral while This gets better than a zero because Jonathan Tucker resembles a young Steven Weber. Beyond that I seriously can't imagine a worse way to rip off the Sopranos. At least that show was well-written. This is an immense waste. And someone please explain to me how this isn't a bad example of what The Godfather was a good example of--family "triumphing" in a downward spiral while dragging a possible shining star down with them. This show is 'how not to do a crime drama.'… Expand
  28. MaryO
    Mar 6, 2007
    10
    Love Tommy
  29. hYpePROGRAMMING
    Mar 7, 2007
    9
    The pilot episode left me begging for more of the show's acting and scriptwriting. Yes, people may say the show is like more framiliar mob shows, but the show still deserves a chance and has a good chance of making it as a hit show. I have to disagree with the fact of saying this show has to do with the Irish at all. Nothing really "Irish" was in this show so far besides the fact The pilot episode left me begging for more of the show's acting and scriptwriting. Yes, people may say the show is like more framiliar mob shows, but the show still deserves a chance and has a good chance of making it as a hit show. I have to disagree with the fact of saying this show has to do with the Irish at all. Nothing really "Irish" was in this show so far besides the fact that it's the Irish mob which really don't even sound Irish they sound more from Boston and they don't really look that Irish. Of course maybe I'm being to harsh, but I'm still giving it a 9 for a great attempt at a show. The second episode I thought felt long and stretched out beyond the point. Based on the first episode I'd rate the show a 9 and as a total a 9, but for the second follow up episode the new episode would of received a 4 or 5.… Expand
  30. TomT
    Mar 7, 2007
    0
    Unbelievably bad! A dark brooding boring story about a bunch of completely uninteresting losers. One episode was all I could force myself to watch -- and even then I switched it off after the first half-hour. There's no way I would waste another minute of my life with this piece of crap! Note to NBC: Please please please ... bring back Studio 60!!
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Awards & Rankings

74
#74 Best TV Season of 2007
6
#6 Most Discussed TV Season of 2007
40
#40 Most Shared TV Season of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
45

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 30
  3. Negative: 12 out of 30
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Doug Elfman
    75
    These tall tales flow into a stream of consciousness. That's good. The acting is convincing. That's good. The Irish stuff is heavy-handed. That's bad.
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  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    58
    Haggis equates the slow revealing of character and plot with classy writing; you'll probably experience it as stuff you can see coming a mile away.
    Read full review
  3. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    50
    [It] ultimately succumbs to being an inferior story on a broadcast network that can't even remotely match two far better cable series ["The Sopranos" and "Brotherhood"].
    Read full review
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