The Listener

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC , CTV
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 3, 2009
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
42

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 14
  3. Negative: 4 out of 14

Critic Reviews

  1. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Nancy DeWolf Smith
    70
    The plots are complex enough to sustain mystery, and if the mean streets of Toronto aren’t all that scary, this is a good thing for a show that is trying not to shock, but to entertain.
  2. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Paige Wiser
    63
    His light blue eyes are so piercing you may forget that his special skill isn't X-ray vision. But he's supported by writing and characters that may induce eye rolling.
  3. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    58
    In a word, The Listener is boring. Or, if you prefer alliteration, listless.
  5. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    50
    It's all dopey--and as believable as a telepathic paramedic, a supermodel detective and a partner who doesn't notice he's riding around with a psychic.
  6. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Daniel Carlson
    50
    Listener is a serviceable supernatural drama with legitimate narrative potential that's undercut by its visually bland presentation and geographically nonspecific execution.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    42
    This guy Toby the Listener wouldn't even qualify for NBC's Legion of Substitute Heroes.
  8. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    40
    For the moment, it would be nice if the show could just make the present more compelling.
  9. Philadelphia Daily News
    Reviewed by: Ellen Gray
    40
    The writers, while showing a certain lack of imagination in feeding Toby the voices of passers-by--no, it's unlikely that woman who passes you on the street, guys, is thinking what they think she's thinking--have at least invested their lead with a mildly intriguing backstory.
  10. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    40
    Canadian actor Craig Olejnik sports choppy black hair and piercing blue eyes--the only standout attribute in NBC's The Listener, an otherwise generic procedural drama.
  11. The New York Times
    40
    A co-production with the Canadian network CTV that is a ponderous exercise in the paranormal. Yes, here the science fiction is intentional, but The Listener is plagued by the same gloomy lack of urgency that afflicts “Flashpoint.”
  12. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    30
    Actually, it's really just more of a bore (bore ... bore).
  13. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Tom Shales
    30
    The premiere is filled with flaws that may well be endemic to the series, one of them being that the characters behave so stupidly that one loses sympathy for them.
  14. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Joanna Weiss
    30
    A show so stunningly derivative that it feels a little bit insulting.
  15. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    20
    Chemistry is just one of the ingredients lacking in the Canadian-made The Listener, NBC's new drama about a psychic paramedic. Others include but are not limited to plot, dialogue and acting skill.

Awards & Rankings

97
#97 Best TV Season of 2009
69
#69 Most Discussed TV Season of 2009
46
#46 Most Shared TV Season of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 28
  3. Negative: 3 out of 28
  1. MelissaN
    Aug 12, 2009
    10
    A show the whole family can sit down together and watch. A likable cast and a different story line from the normal doom and gloom dramas. A show the whole family can sit down together and watch. A likable cast and a different story line from the normal doom and gloom dramas. Then to find it cancelled. It had one of the best cliffhangers I've seen in a while and we don't even get to see what happens. Not nice.… Full Review »
  2. Mari
    Jul 30, 2009
    10
    I love this show. I'm really sad that NBC decided not to show the last 4 episodes in favor of doing re-runs. I would've watched. I I love this show. I'm really sad that NBC decided not to show the last 4 episodes in favor of doing re-runs. I would've watched. I accidentally caught this show during one of the beginning episodes and purposely watched it last week only to find out I'd have to watch the rest online! So sad.… Full Review »
  3. KatieG
    Jul 26, 2009
    8
    I thought it was interesting, I think that it is a little different, but I think they could go deeper into the characters, and hopefully they I thought it was interesting, I think that it is a little different, but I think they could go deeper into the characters, and hopefully they will develop them more as the show continues. Also it definitely helps that Craig Olejnik has such AMAZING eyes!!… Full Review »
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