Vice Principals

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Jul 17, 2016
Season #: 2, 1
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 31
  3. Negative: 8 out of 31
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Critic Reviews

  1. Los Angeles Daily News
    Reviewed by: Rob Lowman
    Jul 25, 2016
    30
    Vice Principals has some weird twists, like Russell’s home life, that keep the show vaguely watchable at times, but it doesn’t have enough laughs and or a satirical bite to keep it propped up.
  2. We Got This Covered
    Reviewed by: Isaac Feldberg
    Jul 18, 2016
    30
    The kind of nasty, mean-spirited, generically offensive comedy that we just don’t need more of in 2016.
  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Sonia Saraiya
    Jul 15, 2016
    30
    It feels often as if the show cannot contain the anger and resentment it is trying to tap into, and instead of doing the work of converting it into comedy, it has just unleashed unpleasantness into the ether.
  5. The Salt Lake Tribune
    Reviewed by: Scott D. Pierce
    Jul 12, 2016
    30
    Crude comedy can be funny, but this is lots of crude and almost nothing in the way of comedy. Repeatedly dropping f-bombs doesn't make Vice Principals anything but lame. Neal and Lee are childish idiots, sure, but they're not amusing.
  6. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Jul 14, 2016
    25
    Vice Principals can be coarsely amusing in fits and spurts. But when it’s bad, it’s horrid.
  7. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    Jul 14, 2016
    25
    Anything even marginally appealing about Vice Principals is overwhelmed by the witless ugliness, rampant stupidity and utter cluelessness about the times in which we live.
  8. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Jul 22, 2016
    20
    If F-bombs and infantile name-calling are your special vice, the very thought leaving you gasping with laughter, then maybe Vice Principals will seem like a gnarly, nasty treat. ... Some vices just can't be excused. [25 Jul-7 Aug 2016, p.15]
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  9. The Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Kristi Turnquist
    Jul 15, 2016
    10
    Vice Principals isn't just a show to skip. It's a show to actively avoid.

Awards & Rankings

57
#57 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016
100
#100 Most Shared TV Season of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 94 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 72 out of 94
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 94
  3. Negative: 8 out of 94
  1. greedoinaspeedo
    Jul 18, 2016
    10
    Absolutely love it so far. It's more grounded and less cartoonish than Eastbound and Down but it is still signature Jody Hill comedy. Sad andAbsolutely love it so far. It's more grounded and less cartoonish than Eastbound and Down but it is still signature Jody Hill comedy. Sad and funny all at the same time, getting you to laugh and then making you feel a little guilty for it, I love it!

    It seems many people just don't really understand what Jody Hill does with his comedy. He is not endorsing the character's bad behavior, he's condemning it. This isn't a show that is reveling in the immature masculinity of these men, it is condemning it. The comedy treads pretty close to reality in some places but that makes the moments of true absurdity all the more funny. The relationship Gamby has with his daughter and her step father is a particularly amusing note.

    Don't watch if meanness in general puts you off and/or you can't understand nuance.

    Already the best comedy on TV next to Silicon Valley!    … Full Review »
  2. LamontRaymond
    Jul 17, 2016
    4
    It's half as funny as Eastbound & Down - Gamby (McBride) has none of the endearing qualities that Kenny F'n Power had, and all the annoyingIt's half as funny as Eastbound & Down - Gamby (McBride) has none of the endearing qualities that Kenny F'n Power had, and all the annoying ones. Walton Goggins seems like the far funnier & more watchable, but we saw very little of him in the pilot. Here's to hoping we get a good deal more of him. And that some of the supporting characters (like the new teacher who was looking out for the smart kid) get more prominent roles. Thought Gamby's daughter has potential to be funny, as does her new stepfather (Boardwalk Empire; All the Real Girls).… Full Review »
  3. DavidCall360
    Aug 14, 2016
    8
    Takes a bit to get going but once it does it definitely pays off. There have been times while watching this show that I've had residual laughsTakes a bit to get going but once it does it definitely pays off. There have been times while watching this show that I've had residual laughs for an hour. Any fan of Eastbound and Down is bound to enjoy this show as well. Also any fan of Walton Goggins is also in for a treat. It seems he can do no wrong.… Full Review »
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