The Grinder
FOX | Release Date: September 29, 2015
CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
71
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 23 Critic Reviews
Positive:
17
Mixed:
6
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
88
USA TodayRobert BiancoSep 28, 2015
Season 1 Review: The half hour moves along briskly, sprinkled with a slew of funny lines and throwaway reactions and a few knowing winks at TV conventions--though not so many winks that they pull you out of the story. And through it all you have the pleasures provided by Lowe, Savage, Ellis and Devane, who mesh seamlessly. Read full review
88
St. Louis Post-DispatchGail PenningtonSep 4, 2015
Season 1 Review: The premise isn't unfamiliar, but Lowe and Fred Savage make terrific brothers, and lots of little twists keep the comedy coming. Read full review
83
The A.V. ClubErik AdamsSep 29, 2015
Season 1 Review: The Grinder is a very good pilot that suggests six or seven different directions for the show that follows--not all of them as sharp or as funny as the first episode. Read full review
83
Uncle BarkyEd BarkSep 28, 2015
Season 1 Review: This one looks like a keeper but certainly not a sleeper. Lowe’s recent track record and pre-sold star power already make The Grinder a comedy of which much is expected--and so far delivered. Read full review
83
Washington PostHank StueverSep 16, 2015
Season 1 Review: The writing is breezy and the cast seems to be having fun. Read full review
80
Yahoo TVKen TuckerSep 29, 2015
Season 1 Review: The show is very smart. Read full review
80
New York Magazine (Vulture)Matt Zoller SeitzSep 29, 2015
Season 1 Review: The Grinder has fun with the concept, kicking it around with wry contempt, then picking it up off the ground and dusting it off and studying it for a moment, then deciding it might be a fun challenge to see if they can make people care about a character, and a concept, that's not only played out but stomped flat. Read full review
80
The WrapMark PeikertSep 29, 2015
Season 1 Review: [A] very funny new sitcom.... Lowe and Savage have a crackling energy together. Read full review
80
Wall Street JournalNancy DeWolf SmithSep 24, 2015
Season 1 Review: After only one episode on preview, it is not clear how well or long this premise can work and still be so engaging. But so far, the new series works well in every way. Read full review
75
Newark Star-LedgerVicki HymanSep 29, 2015
Season 1 Review: Dean's goofy legal maneuverings--we're talking one step up from Mr. Brady's whiplash-busting briefcase toss--may strain the premise eventually, but after last season's wretched record for comedies, a sitcom that consistently amuses is worthy of acquittal. Read full review
70
The Salt Lake TribuneScott D. PierceSep 29, 2015
Season 1 Review: The pilot is funny but pretty much one-note; continued success will depend on the writers coming up with more for Lowe, Savage and the supporting cast to do. Read full review
70
Philadelphia InquirerTirdad DerakhshaniSep 29, 2015
Season 1 Review: The Grinder, which features William Devane as Dean and Stewart's father, has great energy. The nicely executed courtroom scenes are balanced with mordant scenes at home with the family. Read full review
70
The New York TimesJames PoniewozikSep 28, 2015
Season 1 Review: The Grinder is sharp enough as a showbiz sendup. (To its credit, the legal-drama-within-a-show would be entirely credible as one of the mediocre crop of new network series this fall.) But that element would wear thin pretty quick. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterTim GoodmanSep 22, 2015
Season 1 Review: As comedy pilots go this season, the end result is a rarity in that there were laughs. Read full review
70
SlateWilla PaskinSep 21, 2015
Season 1 Review: The Grinder is clever. It has a great time sending up the clichés of lawyer shows, while also reveling in them. Read full review
67
NewsdayVerne GaySep 28, 2015
Season 1 Review: The show they're in is amiable enough, but the premise is awfully thin and the pilot doesn't hint at much of anything beyond that. Read full review
65
Reason.comGlenn GarvinSep 25, 2015
Season 1 Review: The Grinder has its amusing moments, particularly in the way the celebrity-smitten townspeople unquestioningly accept TV stardom as a juridical credential, to the point that the judge allows Lowe to cite episodes of his shows as legal precedents. Read full review
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