The Hill

:

Season 1
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 2 out of 11
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Critic Reviews

  1. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: Gloria Goodale
    91
    The dealmaking and image-shaping are eye-opening, but the single most unnerving aspect of the show is just how young the army of political aides who make the system run really are.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Alynda Wheat
    91
    The access is such that you almost wish every member of Congress had a TV crew. [25 Aug 2006, p.81]
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  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Joe Leydon
    80
    A slickly produced and irresistibly engrossing docu series that offers a multilayered look at various forms of politics.
  5. Baltimore Sun
    Reviewed by: Tom Dunkel
    70
    Those unschooled in the ways of Washington may have trouble following some of the political machinations and plot nuance, but there's no mistaking passion when you see it.
  6. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Paul Farhi
    70
    There are no big tricks, no screaming fireworks, no shocking pull-back-the-curtain exposés on "The Hill." Instead, it's a solid and useful look at some smart, passionate people trying do something they think is right.
  7. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Barry Garron
    60
    [It] gets high marks for capturing the spirit and idealism of the staff but only passing grades for storytelling.
  8. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Anita Gates
    60
    The series is slick and usually interesting, but until the final episode (covering the debate over withdrawal from Iraq), not completely compelling television.
  9. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Joanna Weiss
    50
    The insular nature of D.C. culture -- and the lack of natural light in Congressional hallways -- seems to impose monotony.
  10. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Robert Abele
    50
    The problem is that seemingly everything is touched on... but the narrative is little more than a series of snapshots of how a congressperson’s office runs.
  11. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    38
    It's not a very artistic or compelling documentary.
  12. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Tad Friend
    30
    Its creators apparently didn’t want to compromise their vision by making the material needlessly comprehensible.

Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Best TV Season of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 2 out of 5
  1. MauriceF
    Sep 11, 2006
    10
    The dealmaking and image-shaping are eye-opening, but the single most unnerving aspect of the show is just how young the army of political The dealmaking and image-shaping are eye-opening, but the single most unnerving aspect of the show is just how young the army of political aides who make the system run really are. And on a sour note, the access is such that you almost wish every member of Congress had a TV crew. I like it… Full Review »
  2. [Anonymous]
    Aug 25, 2006
    0
    I usually like documentaries, but this is just bad and sloppy. It's most dramatic topics are so boring it sickens me. I highly recommend I usually like documentaries, but this is just bad and sloppy. It's most dramatic topics are so boring it sickens me. I highly recommend not watching it.… Full Review »
  3. John
    Aug 25, 2006
    0
    What a sappy show. Why would anyoe care about this guy's boring life? Politics has never been worse.
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