The Return of Jezebel James: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 13 Ratings

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5.2

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5.2	Your Score
5.2	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 13 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

FOX | Season Premiere Date: March 14, 2008

Starring: Scott Cohen, Ron McLarty, Dianne Wiest

Summary: Parker Posey is a book editor who asks her estranged sister to carry her baby.

Creator: Amy Sherman-Palladino

Genre(s): Comedy

Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E7. Sarah Takes a Bullet
Air Date: unknown
tbd
S1:E7. Par 4 Sec 2
Air Date: April 18, 2008
tbd
S1:E6. Paragraph Two, Section Three
Air Date: unknown

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Storm

Potential pours from the screen, but the premiere has plenty of problems. People seem to be uncomfortable and trying too hard, just as they do on their first day in school or on the job. Read full review

Alynda Wheat

Sherman-Palladino forces the sisters on each other out of an almost crippling sense of joint self-interest that's as painful as it is illogical. Read full review

Jennifer Frey

There is too little Ambrose/Posey interaction in the pilot, but in the second episode--when Coco moves in and the two start haggling over the surrogacy contract--Sherman-Palladino's knack for chick dialogue shows some of its old promise. Read full review

James Poniewozik

It's a weird, tone-deaf mismatch of talents, styles and genre. Read full review

David Hinckley

Everything feels forced, right down to the dialogue, wherein the characters all talk the way writers write when they're stretching to set up a joke. Read full review

Robert Bianco

Even if the performances were better and the scripts were funnier, Jezebel would still be saddled with one of the most preposterous, off-putting setups in sitcom history. Read full review

Diane Werts

Our mouths may be open, but more likely agape than laughing. Read full review

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User Score

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5.2

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User Reviews

AmandaE.

Apr 23, 2008

Absolutely loved this show... just cant seem to find it on again. The premier was a bit shaky, but i think it will all be great, if i could find it again.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

KevinG.

Mar 15, 2008

Everyone seems unable to allow the sit-com format to grow beyond what it has been. I believe in the sit-com, and I enjoy shows that don't so readily recall other, older shows. I knew while watching The Return of Jezebel James that critics would pick it apart, assume that everything Everyone seems unable to allow the sit-com format to grow beyond what it has been. I believe in the sit-com, and I enjoy shows that don't so readily recall other, older shows. I knew while watching The Return of Jezebel James that critics would pick it apart, assume that everything different is simply an unsuccessful attempt to be like everything that came before. They're wrong. I really enjoyed the show; it was moving and funny and quirky. It moved quickly past the obligatory set-ups, and some may see these early (you can see them acting, blah, blah, blah) scenes as rushed or insincere. If you're familiar with the format, fluent in the TV sitcom language, you see that these "obligatories" are not important. Instead, we see highlighted wonderful acting, great moments of emotion, humor and drama, and an unconventional storyline--for the sitcom format, I mean (surrogate motherhood themes don't have to be confined to hour-long dramas). The show works, and clearly has potential to be something a lot of people would want to watch. I hope Fox gives it a chance.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

SeanF.

Nov 22, 2008

I'm going to have to really strongly disagree with the critics on this one. I didn't even hear about this show when it was on. But a very good program. Parker Posey, Lauren Ambrose, and Amy Sherman-Palladino all teaming up for a sit-com (in a tired genre, and I thought this show I'm going to have to really strongly disagree with the critics on this one. I didn't even hear about this show when it was on. But a very good program. Parker Posey, Lauren Ambrose, and Amy Sherman-Palladino all teaming up for a sit-com (in a tired genre, and I thought this show took a unique approach to it). With all the tripe and garbage that clouds the airwaves, I can't believe this program was canceled. Then again how many brilliant and insightful shows over the years have been nearly immediately canceled. I saw some similarity to the Gilmore Girls (mainly that I thought Parker Posey was similar to Lauren Graham's character), but this show is also very different and seems to be aimed at an older demographic. Amy Sherman-Palladino is a genius, so I assume she'll be back sooner than later, with another brilliant program. Shame on Fox and the critics for this not still being on the air. I can't believe this show was promoted correctly, or stayed with long enough by the Fox Network.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

TomF

Mar 15, 2008

What a waste of Parker Posey.

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ChrisS.

Mar 22, 2008

That 2 is based on the leads only. I have nothing but respect for lauren ambrose but this show is shit, and the surregete mother story line in this show was actually on six feet under (were ambrose got her start!). What a waste of two fine actresses.

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JonH.

Mar 16, 2008

Oh it pains me! I'm a fan of Parker Posey and I cringed through this whole show. I might try the second episode to see if it's any better... but I couldn't watch when it was first broadcast. The problem with the show is it seems like a sitcom that only sorta wants to be a Oh it pains me! I'm a fan of Parker Posey and I cringed through this whole show. I might try the second episode to see if it's any better... but I couldn't watch when it was first broadcast. The problem with the show is it seems like a sitcom that only sorta wants to be a sitcom full of talent who have no real experience in a sitcom - from the creator to the main two stars. There's so much talent here it was painful to watch how incredibly unfunny it was. You'd get the impression that Posey wasn't a great comic actress... and maybe not even a very good actress... from this first episode. We all know both to be untrue. The laugh track is absolutely horrible as well. Even when there were parts that made me slightly smile it was ruined by the riotous laughter of the laugh track. It was like being in a movie full of idiots who don't get what's funny and what's not. With some major retooling the talent here could possibly do something cool. I doubt they'll get the chance. If Posey wants to be in TV (and more Posey is never a bad thing) something playing more to her natural comedic talents would be much better than sticking her into some half-baked sitcom.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

BrandonS.

Mar 25, 2008

Canceled already! Thank God.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

SEE ALL 8 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

29

Series Overview
Season 1

29
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: March 14, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E7. Sarah Takes a Bullet
  Air Date: unknown
- tbd
  S1:E7. Par 4 Sec 2
  Air Date: April 18, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E6. Paragraph Two, Section Three
  Air Date: unknown
- tbd
  S1:E5. I'm With Blank
  Air Date: unknown
- tbd
  S1:E4. The Return of the Crazy Jackal Shillelagh Lady
  Air Date: unknown
- tbd
  S1:E4. Return of The Crazy Jakal Shillelagh Lady
  Air Date: March 28, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E3. Needles & Schlag
  Air Date: March 21, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E2. Frankenstein Baby
  Air Date: March 14, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E2. Frankenstein Baby (Part 2 of 2)
  Air Date: March 14, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: March 14, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E1. Pilot (Part 1 of 2)
  Air Date: March 14, 2008