The Real O'Neals
ABC | Release Date: March 2, 2016
CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
62
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews
Positive:
14
Mixed:
8
Negative:
3
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
VarietyBrian LowryFeb 29, 2016
Season 1 Review: Given the acerbic nature of Savage’s commentary, in fact, the tone of the series seems to offer a window onto the edge-blunting nature of ABC’s development process. That doesn’t invalidate the show, necessarily, but it does render it somewhat toothless. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineMatt RoushFeb 26, 2016
Season 1 Review: CBS sitcom The McCarthys covered similar ground--gay son coping with outrageous Roman Catholic family but The Real O'Neals freshens the premise with a more irreverent, fantastical approach. [29 Feb-6 Mar 2016, p.17]
60
We Got This CoveredMitchel BroussardFeb 24, 2016
Season 1 Review: It’s built a world teeming with fresh, absorbing issues that manage to avoid being squeamishly topical. Now it just needs to make the characters facing those issues feel as real as the issues themselves. Read full review
58
The A.V. ClubErik AdamsMar 2, 2016
Season 1 Review: The Real O’Neal has some jagged edges, but its overall tone isn’t dark enough to wring any humor out of teenage eating disorders. Read full review
50
Philadelphia InquirerEllen GrayMar 1, 2016
Season 1 Review: Plimpton and Ferguson are good at not being good together, but the writing so far is uneven. If not for Galvin, who's both touching and funny as a boy who knows he likes boys but hasn't a clue where to take it from there, The Real O'Neals might be just another not-quite-real sitcom family. Read full review
40
Yahoo TVKen TuckerMar 2, 2016
Season 1 Review: The first couple of episodes were directed by Todd Holland, whose work on Malcolm in the Middle reminds you that he knows how to be clever with broad material, but here, the scripts fail his talent. Read full review
40
RogerEbert.comBrian TallericoMar 2, 2016
Season 1 Review: To be blunt, it’s just not funny enough. There are moments in the premiere that seemed promising, but the next three available for press just kind of sit there. I kept waiting for it to be edgier, smarter, and just funnier. Read full review
40
Boston GlobeMatthew GilbertFeb 29, 2016
Season 1 Review: The Real O’Neals may improve, but the first episodes are cartoonish, unrealistic, and predictable. Read full review
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