The Deep End
ABC | Release Date: January 21, 2010
CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
38
METASCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 23 Critic Reviews
Positive:
1
Mixed:
14
Negative:
8

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
63
Chicago Sun-TimesPaige Wiser
Season 1 Review: There's nothing original about the series that wasn't already covered in "L.A. Law." Read full review
60
The Hollywood ReporterRandee Dawn
Season 1 Review: The show benefits from a true insider's feel of the biz, and that helps spackle over the softer spots. Given half a chance, Deep should get along swimmingly. Read full review
50
People WeeklyTom Gliatto
Season 1 Review: The premiere delivers a show that's more winkingly cute than it really needs ro be. [25 Jan 2010, p.42]
50
Deseret NewsScott D. Pierce
Season 1 Review: While it's not a great show, it does do for lawyers what "Grey's Anatomy" did for doctors--create what could be a watchable soap opera on top of cases that involve real issues and real drama. Read full review
42
Entertainment WeeklyKen Tucker
Season 1 Review: There's nothing here you haven't seen elsewhere. Read full review
42
NewsdayVerne Gay
Season 1 Review: Nice cast. Otherwise, charmless. Airless. Lifeless. (Blah, blah and blah.) Read full review
42
San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa TimesChuck Barney
Season 1 Review: The problem is there's nothing here that hasn't been done before, and often done better. Even more disheartening: The cast, which includes Matt Long and Billy Zane, is stocked with forgettable and/or boorish characters. Read full review
40
Boston GlobeMatthew Gilbert
Season 1 Review: It’s actually kind of depressing just how obviously “The Deep End’’ has been constructed of used parts from the likes of “LA Law,’’ “The Practice,’’ “Boston Legal,’’ “Damages,’’ “Eli Stone,’’ and “The Good Wife.’’ Read full review
40
Dallas Morning NewsTom Maurstad
Season 1 Review: Judging by the pilot, it seems a safe bet that soon enough everyone will have slept with everyone else on the show. But unless the storytelling evens out, there won't be anyone watching. Read full review
40
New York Daily NewsDavid Hinckley
Season 1 Review: Trouble is, it doesn't feel all that fresh. Arrogant, idiot superiors have been a bedrock of humor-infused dramas from the ancient Greeks right up through "The Devil Wears Prada" and "Ugly Betty." Read full review
40
VarietyBrian Lowry
Season 1 Review: The network has cast a strong ensemble adrift in a bland workplace environment. Read full review
40
Pittsburgh Post-GazetteRob Owen
Season 1 Review: The pilot offers a deft introduction to the characters and their situations. It's just unfortunate that more care wasn't taken to create a show that feels fresh--The Deep End is rather moldy. Read full review
40
TV Guide MagazineMatt Roush
Season 1 Review: If you’ve never seen a legal show before, maybe you’ll get something out of this; otherwise, it’s about as refreshing as wading in a kiddie pool on a scorching summer day. Read full review
40
Newark Star-LedgerAlan Sepinwall
Season 1 Review: Basically, The Deep End is "Grey's Anatomy" with lawyers, and the execution is as cynical and flat as that premise sounds. Read full review
40
Zap2it (Inside the Box)Rick Porter
Season 1 Review: Despite being populated with likable actors giving mostly solid performances, it's hard to escape the feeling that you've seen this before. Read full review
37
USA TodayRobert Bianco
Season 1 Review: Honestly, Deep End is the type of high-gloss, dim-bulb broadcast hour that makes you despair for broadcast hours. Read full review
30
The New York TimesAlessandra Stanley
Season 1 Review: The Deep End is a pale imitation without smart writing, imaginative casting or even a clever conceit. Read full review
30
SalonHeather Havrilesky
Season 1 Review: At first glance, The Deep End looks more like plastic food: shiny, colorful and perfectly appetizing, yes, but ultimately unsatisfying. Read full review
30
Washington PostHank Stuever
Season 1 Review: Buffed up with glossy polish and thoroughly lacking in sparks between characters, the only good news about this show is that it appears to have a script and actors and sets, which means it's not a reality show or "The Jay Leno Show." Read full review
30
Los Angeles TimesMary McNamara
Season 1 Review: Poorly conceived, badly written and indifferently acted, The Deep End is a jumble of terrible ideas from start to finish. Read full review
25
San Francisco ChronicleTim Goodman
Season 1 Review: The Deep End is stupid. It is obvious and ridiculous and badly acted for the most part. Read full review
25
Boston HeraldMark A. Perigard
Season 1 Review: Here’s the kind of firm even “Boston Legal’s” Denny Crane would have the sense to close down. And I don’t think I’ve ever sat through so many penis jokes in the 8 p.m. hour. Read full review
20
Miami HeraldGlenn Garvin
Season 1 Review: In the case of ABC's turgid legal melodrama The Deep End, you might not want to show up at all. Read full review
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