The Kids Are Alright

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Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 16, 2018
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
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Critic Reviews

  1. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Oct 15, 2018
    83
    Kids Are Alright has some fine, funny lines and also plenty of companion story lines to follow besides Timmy’s. It’s the best of the fall season’s new comedies from a network that’s become well-practiced in turning back the clock and making shows like these tick.
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Oct 16, 2018
    80
    All told there's much to like in The Kids Are Alright, partly owing to the era being ripe with possibilities and partly because Doyle's sense of humor about his childhood rings mostly true as it reflects and finds well-earned comedy in nostalgia.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Oct 16, 2018
    80
    If there is nothing formally to distinguish The Kids Are Alright from that mass of American sitcoms, if it is modest in its ambitious and familiar in its beats, it has energy, plenty of well-milled jokes and a fine cast of actors that sit convincingly in their parts from the start. ... What The Kids Are Alright has going for it most of all is McCormack, who makes the most of a role cut to her talents.
  5. CNN
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Oct 16, 2018
    75
    A terribly generic name for a surprisingly distinctive and personal sitcom.
  6. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Oct 12, 2018
    63
    It's good. Showrunner Tim Doyle, the former executive producer of "Last Man Standing," obviously knows his way around big Irish Catholic American families of the late 20th century.
  7. TVLine
    Reviewed by: Dave Nemetz
    Sep 24, 2018
    50
    Michael Cudlitz has a few nice moments as gruff but tenderhearted dad Mike, but ultimately, the show isn’t funny or heartwarming enough to overcome how familiar it feels.
  8. Reason.com
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    Oct 12, 2018
    45
    The kids are a ratty little mob of thieves, snitches, and dissemblers, which can be sporadically amusing. But the plot of the pilot seems likely to be repeated even more often than the money jokes.

Awards & Rankings

70
#70 Best TV Season of 2018

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 23
  3. Negative: 4 out of 23
  1. Iamcritical86
    Nov 15, 2018
    9
    Unlike the majority of comedy sitcoms that have aired in the past few years, the pros really outweigh the cons for The Kids Are Alright. MaryUnlike the majority of comedy sitcoms that have aired in the past few years, the pros really outweigh the cons for The Kids Are Alright. Mary McCormack's brilliant role as Peggy is definitely worth a mention. The part seems to suit her tremendously. She has that evil look in her eye. She's deceiving, manipulative and cleverly conniving. She really is the epitome of a true woman who is on a mission to be top b%tch! Unlike most other comedy sitcoms where the writing clearly needs improvement and the performances seem forced and over rehearsed, The Kids Are Alright seems to break those awful barriers, delivering performances so fresh that they look as if they're happening for the first time. I'd also like to give credit to the set designers for their attention to detail in bringing the '70's to life from the actor's wardrobes right down to the furniture and decor of the house. The little things make such a big overall difference. Keep up the good work you guys. Great show, EXCELLENT actors, fantastic writing, direction and set design. I see a lot of potential here and possibly some Emmy worthy performances! The only reason I didn't give this show a 10 is because I'd like to see a little more physical comedy.… Full Review »
  2. Ariadne
    May 12, 2019
    10
    This show is funny and just slightly irreverent. As a Catholic, I was worried they'd be making jokes at our expense, but they don't. TheThis show is funny and just slightly irreverent. As a Catholic, I was worried they'd be making jokes at our expense, but they don't. The religion that comes up is not preachy nor insulting. It's just a fun half hour with a working class family in the early 70s trying to make it as best they can, along with their very large brood of sons.… Full Review »
  3. walkjaw
    Feb 26, 2019
    10
    This show is phenomenal. If you were to create a mashup of The Wonder Years (minus the sappy wallowing) and Malcolm in the Middle (minus theThis show is phenomenal. If you were to create a mashup of The Wonder Years (minus the sappy wallowing) and Malcolm in the Middle (minus the devoted-but-incompetent parents), you'd be getting close to this show's premise. It may seem formulaic (decade-specific throwback like "The Goldbergs" and "That 70s Show", family comedy with a strong mother character, etc.), but it somehow throws off every one of those old tropes to be something unique.

    Mike and Peggy (Michael Cudlitz and Mary McCormack) are the show's heart, but the kids are all surprisingly well cast (you'd think with 8 boys that there'd either be no distinguishing them or that some of the kids would be permanently relegated to the background) and together create a fantastic family arc that draws you in and makes you feel like you're one of them. The show's producers and writers know exactly how talented their cast is, and they've created a sitcom that uses the actors' strengths to push boundaries ("Strasser's Yard Work is STILL in my head) while remembering the heart and loving affirmation at the series' core.

    My one complaint about the show is it's only 30 minutes a week.    … Full Review »
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