The Kids Are Alright

:

Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 16, 2018
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
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User Reviews

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  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. 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 aUnlike 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.… Expand
  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. 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.
  3. manningn15
    Nov 26, 2018
    10
    The Kids Are Alright is my favorite new comedy of 2018 and one of my favorite new shows of 2018. The cast give stupendous and hilarious performances especially Mary McCormack and Michael Cudlitz. The writing is hilarious. The time period is great. I really hope it gets renewed.
  4. scottrat
    Dec 4, 2018
    9
    A surprisingly funny original (as opposed to reboot) series. Very quirky but hilarious (I will be singing "Strasser's Yardwork" for weeks to come). Only complaint is that the other brothers are not featured enough that we get to know them... though they seem to be working that out slowly.
  5. Barkybark
    Jan 9, 2019
    10
    Delightful upbeat comedy. Terrific writing, spot on performances, familiar yet really fresh take on another ABC family centric comedy. I really hope this one will be around for a long time!
  6. 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 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 offThis 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.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

70
#70 Best TV Season of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. 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.
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  2. 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.
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  3. CNN
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Oct 16, 2018
    75
    A terribly generic name for a surprisingly distinctive and personal sitcom.
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