The Carmichael Show

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Aug 26, 2015
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 45 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 45
  3. Negative: 15 out of 45
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User Reviews

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  1. johnsa
    Oct 4, 2015
    2
    Yet another cliche sitcom which brings virtually nothing new to the table. The character structure is painfully formulaic in nature. Not a single character has any more depth beyond what the i assumed at first glance. The most irritating aspect of the show however is the feeling i get that the directors assume this is something ive never seen before. The show's flow is occasionallyYet another cliche sitcom which brings virtually nothing new to the table. The character structure is painfully formulaic in nature. Not a single character has any more depth beyond what the i assumed at first glance. The most irritating aspect of the show however is the feeling i get that the directors assume this is something ive never seen before. The show's flow is occasionally interrupted by an awkward attempt to assign itself value in discussing important social issues. the majority of these efforts fall short however, as a lack of engaging dialogue makes any attempt to discuss "more important things" feel very forced. filled with painfully unfunny cliches about african american families, its tough for me to personally find anything else to look forward to while watching this show.… Expand
  2. Mamalaw
    Sep 21, 2015
    3
    Misguided Millenials give their "take" on race and 'Black" lives in 2015. Fraught with stereotypes as Carmichael tries to play the young wise man who knows so much more than his elders. Clearly he didn't have any elders in his family to educate him about what it really means to be African-American, which is much more than knowing rap lyrics, keeping a big Bible on your table and having aMisguided Millenials give their "take" on race and 'Black" lives in 2015. Fraught with stereotypes as Carmichael tries to play the young wise man who knows so much more than his elders. Clearly he didn't have any elders in his family to educate him about what it really means to be African-American, which is much more than knowing rap lyrics, keeping a big Bible on your table and having a heavyweight Black woman yell at you. So. Tired. Of. These. Stereotypes. What's worse is that Carmichael and the woman who plays his girlfriend are so awkward and awful. No chemistry; bad timing; they don't look like they would really be together in real life.

    Please, please, please get rid of this show. David Alan Grier, Loretta Divine and Lil Rel deserve their own show and so much better.    … Expand
  3. jasonstover
    Mar 1, 2018
    0
    I am not impressed. Though Hulu did try to force this show as it does with some, I figured id try it for a few episodes. The opening sequence says it all. Young black man at odds forever with his family.
    I didnt like the very "Tyler Perry/Meet the browns" feel the show has. I dont know why shows like this think they need to emulate Tyler Perry style to make it. It hurts the feeling this    I am not impressed. Though Hulu did try to force this show as it does with some, I figured id try it for a few episodes. The opening sequence says it all. Young black man at odds forever with his family.
    I didnt like the very "Tyler Perry/Meet the browns" feel the show has. I dont know why shows like this think they need to emulate Tyler Perry style to make it. It hurts the feeling this show potential had. Between the actors all forcing their lines almost over top of the line before theirs, and the constant rolling joke you know is going to be done next (none of which are funny and some of which are very cringy) the show does its hardest to get social media buzz but only manages a BET mid afternoon on a weekday status. The show also very unflatteringly tries to rewrite social norms in the face of national political and social incidents. Charmicheal and the gun, Carmichael's mom and the protest, The outrageously over southern baptist scenes, even a character covered in 30 metric tons of gold jewlery. They even try self esteem as a black person, a black womans place in the world, and the N word.
    Without going to these events and social situations so awkwardly the show had a chance. If these were more subtle to the actors they would have been more relate able. Good Times, Madea, and a list of 5000 other shows and movies already covered this material a hundred times. I think if they would create a show revolving around a proud African American family it should focus on the relationships of those in the family and not feel like strangers who are forced to read lines together.
    Overall it was a dud and its not a huge loss its gone. Hopefully the next one like it can find its own path rather then try to build off of people like Tyler Perry and be its own show with real characters.
    And if I could tell these shows one thing that is a huge turn off. Please, please, please stop doing the: "You are not as black as me" gag. Its so old and overdone it really kills any potential for comedy.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Reviewed by: Gail Pennington
    Aug 26, 2015
    75
    More thought-provoking than the typical current sitcom and with more laughs per half-hour than most, The Carmichael Show deserves more than a short summer run.
    Read full review
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Aug 26, 2015
    70
    Although the series is not as philosophically unsettling or politically unpredictable as his stage comedy, which gambols in the depths of human self-deception, it is unusually topical and thematically pointed for a people-on-a-couch comedy in the year 2015.
    Read full review
  3. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Aug 26, 2015
    70
    The Carmichael Show improves as it goes, especially when veteran performers Loretta Devine and David Alan Grier come on screen.
    Read full review
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