The Book of Daniel

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 6, 2006
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 23
  3. Negative: 3 out of 23

Critic Reviews

  1. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    88
    "Daniel" is not that controversial, but is really pretty damned, oops, darned good.
  2. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    88
    Witty, earnest, intelligent, overdone, overly ambitious, wildly entertaining and superbly cast.
  3. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    80
    Darkly comedic and richly entertaining.
    All this critic's reviews
  5. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Doug Elfman
    75
    A well-written and well-cast, if broadly drawn, show.
  6. Detroit Free Press
    Reviewed by: Mike Duffy
    75
    An offbeat treat worth rooting for.
  7. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    75
    A program that gets stronger as we get to know its characters better, and the quality of the cast helps tremendously.
  8. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    70
    Whimsical and busy, "Daniel" is overly ambitious but highly watchable, with an interlocking web of smart-ass, squabbling but ultimately loving characters.
  9. San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times
    Reviewed by: Charlie McCollum
    70
    "The Book of Daniel" turns out to be something rare to network television these days. It is a rich family drama that isn't afraid of dealing with real issues in a real way and with humor, falling somewhere between "Six Feet Under" and the late, lamented "Once and Again."
  10. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Melanie McFarland
    70
    Borders on terrific at times and falters in others.
  11. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Sid Smith
    70
    While the story and drama aren't always successful, and occasionally border on the cloying or trite, "Daniel" is something fresh, mildly provocative and amusingly performed.
  12. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Amy Finnerty
    70
    Thankfully, we are spared the misty earnestness of "Seventh Heaven."

Awards & Rankings

45
#45 Best TV Season of 2006
10
#10 Most Discussed TV Season of 2006
62
#62 Most Shared TV Season of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 181 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 90 out of 181
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 181
  3. Negative: 88 out of 181
  1. LCrisholm
    May 8, 2007
    2
    Tom Shales said it best: Tries desperately to be as incessantly offensive as often as possible on every subject possible -- and fails even at that.
  2. MarthaR
    Jan 21, 2007
    10
    Refreshing - crazy like life - I should know - I'm a Bishop's daughter!
  3. MJohnson
    Oct 22, 2006
    10
    It was thought provoking and such a relief to see a program grappling with common, though hidden, issues. It might have tried too hard to It was thought provoking and such a relief to see a program grappling with common, though hidden, issues. It might have tried too hard to deal with a lot in a short time. Considering that most of what's offered on network TV is violent and graphically so, The Book of Daniel almost made me believe that NBC was a humane and compassionate network. I don't think that anymore.… Full Review »
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