The Ex List

:

Season 1
  • Network: CBS
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 3, 2008
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24

Critic Reviews

  1. Slate
    Reviewed by: Troy Patterson
    60
    We bailed after the first of these dudes entered the frame, jolted by his frankly cheesy display of torso--"infomercial abs" was the damning phrase. But, until that moment, The Ex List had commanded our full attention in a way that the previous shows hadn't.
  2. Orlando Sentinel
    Reviewed by: Hal Boedeker
    60
    This slight but charming comedy, which debuts at 9 p.m. Friday, offers a good cast along with questionable dialogue and a dicey premise.
  3. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    50
    Despite a poor job of establishing its characters and their relationships (wait, those two aren't a couple?), The Ex-List begins with a strong, romantic premise.
  5. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    50
    Unfortunately, when the show wanders off to the personality-deprived supporting characters, it collapses.
  6. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    50
    It’s more unfortunate when good actors are stranded in shows that don’t quite work, as is the case in The Ex List.
  7. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    42
    The Ex List--based on an Israeli hit ("Mythological Ex"), with whiffs of "How I Met Your Mother" and "My Name Is Earl" - is a flat-out great idea for a TV series. But Ruggiero (who's since left the show) needed a strong partner to reign in her worst impulses, like a running gag about shaved genitalia.
  8. Salon
    Reviewed by: Heather Havrilesky
    40
    The Ex List tries to pull off an impossible balancing act: We're supposed to believe that Bella is at once pathetic and admirable, hapless and perkily resilient. As a result, this scrounging-single fable is an unrealistic, clumsy, cringe-inducing mess.
  9. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    40
    There's probably a good, breezy romantic comedy somewhere inside The Ex List. But the premiere just made me cranky.
  10. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    40
    Bella, played by Elizabeth Reaser of "Grey's Anatomy," is pleasant, and viewers will appreciate how she works to keep urgency from devolving into desperation. But she's stuck in this guy-of-the-week plot that leaves little room to do anything but hope each guy has enough unique quirks so the jokes can change.
  11. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Tom Shales
    40
    It has a promotable gimmick that could help it find a few fans--literally. If only the premise or the show were as bright as the light in the heroine's eyes.

Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Best TV Season of 2008
88
#88 Most Discussed TV Season of 2008

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. RaeK.
    Oct 25, 2008
    10
    Cute show, especially the about the surfer dude. My son is an extra, sits at their table, has a wonderful smile and cute dimples. The stars Cute show, especially the about the surfer dude. My son is an extra, sits at their table, has a wonderful smile and cute dimples. The stars are cute too. But what can a momma say! I liked all the episodes so far, not bad for an older woman to watch! Reminds me of my youth!… Full Review »
  2. Tom
    Oct 4, 2008
    9
    The show kind of...well it's not that good but i would watch elizabeth reaser read the phone book for an hour.
  3. SuzieS.
    Oct 4, 2008
    9
    The show was very funny and interesting when the psychic came on. She's what made the show!
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