Vice Principals
HBO | Release Date: July 17, 2016
CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
56
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 34 Critic Reviews
Positive:
15
Mixed:
11
Negative:
8
Watch Now
Buy on
Stream On

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
91
The A.V. ClubDanette ChavezJul 13, 2016
Season 1 Review: Hill and McBride are able to strike a balance between biting comedy and introspection. Read full review
91
Entertainment WeeklyDarren FranichJul 10, 2016
Season 1 Review: Meticulously unhinged. [15 July 2016, p.62] Read full review
83
Entertainment WeeklyClark CollisSep 11, 2017
Season 2 Review: The two leads remain horribly entertaining as small men with huge chips on their shoulders. [15 Sep 2017, p.68]
80
Vox.comEmily VanDerWerffSep 15, 2017
Season 2 Review: Vice Principals season two is beautifully shot by director David Gordon Green, and the performances (especially from Goggins) carefully walk the line between funny and infuriating. Read full review
80
TimeDaniel D'AddarioJul 18, 2016
Season 1 Review: It subversively places white resentment at its center and dares us to look away, telling us that arson, violence, and outright bigotry are light comedy even as something in our minds tells us that’s not quite right. The show comes closer, in its twisted way, to suggesting why Americans embrace the politics of division than does much on-the-ground journalism. Read full review
80
Wall Street JournalDorothy RabinowitzJul 14, 2016
Season 1 Review: There isn’t much that can pass for comedy here, but there’s plenty of compelling viciousness and two powerful performances. Read full review
80
Boston GlobeMatthew GilbertJul 14, 2016
Season 1 Review: It’s not a knowing satire like “Veep” or a subcultural ensemble riff like “Silicon Valley.” It’s a more obvious comedy about ignorance, insensitivity, ambition, and delusion, like “Eastbound & Down,” and it’s enjoyable if you don’t expect too much from it. Read full review
80
Sioux City JournalBruce MillerJul 5, 2016
Season 1 Review: Vice Principals is as profane and outrageous as HBO comedies get. Once you realize where this is headed, you’ll want to stay after school just to see how it all plays out. Read full review
75
IndieWireBen TraversSep 14, 2017
Season 2 Review: That it gets a bit lost after the first few episodes is forgivable, in part because Vice Principals is a fine comedy for anyone who loves its two stars. Read full review
75
Boston HeraldMark A. PerigardJul 18, 2016
Season 1 Review: McBride is convincing, not surprisingly. He has a special knack for inhabiting the skin of imbeciles, and I mean that in a good way. Goggins proves he is one of the finest character actors working in television. Read full review
75
IndieWireBen TraversJul 18, 2016
Season 1 Review: As to its relevance outside of disposable chuckles, there’s a lot to admire--namely Goggins and Hill’s propulsive direction--in this maniacal, hilarious, ass hole of a show. Read full review
75
The Detroit NewsTom LongJul 15, 2016
Season 1 Review: The level of profanity here would likely give any real life vice principal a heart attack, and Gamby’s stupidity is world class. Eventually you realize he’s just a lonely, sad jerk in need of validation. Comedy, you’ll recall, is just tragedy upside down. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleDavid WiegandJul 15, 2016
Season 1 Review: The first episode doesn’t begin to suggest how far Vice Principals will go and how funny it will become. However, you can readily appreciate the chemistry between McBride and Goggins. Read full review
75
Slant MagazineChris CabinJul 11, 2016
Season 1 Review: Vice Principals is the story of an unlikely partnership, and Goggins and McBride prove deliriously entertaining in evoking Neal and Lee's rocky relationship and oft-guarded passions. Read full review
70
Yahoo TVKen TuckerJul 15, 2016
Season 1 Review: The stakes in this show are very low; so is the humor, sometimes delightfully so. Read full review
Current TV Shows
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 92 The Pitt: Season 2
2 90 The Celebrity Traitors UK: Season 1
3 88 Rivals
4 87 Hacks: Season 5
5 87 Industry: Season 4
6 87 Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal:...
7 85 The Beatles Anthology
8 85 The Traitors [UK]: Season 4
9 85 Bait: Season 1
10 84 Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
11 83 Lord of the Flies
12 83 Riot Women: Season 1
13 83 For All Mankind: Season 5
14 81 The Muppet Show (2026)
15 80 Outlander (2014): Season 8
16 80 The Other Bennet Sister: Season 1
17 80 The Mighty Nein: Season 1
18 80 The Comeback: Season 3
19 80 One Piece (2023): Season 2
20 80 Dark Winds: Season 4
SEE ALL