Vinyl

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Feb 14, 2016
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 155 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 104 out of 155
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 155
  3. Negative: 26 out of 155
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User Reviews

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  1. lynnar
    Mar 2, 2016
    10
    I think it depends how old you are. The show captures the era perfectly. Come on. Plato's Retreat? Andy Warhol's Factory? The Brill Building. The clothes. Anyone who grew up during that time can totally relate to this series. It is very authentic. It pulls you in just visually. What can you expect on the first few episodes? To me, it took you on a very high ride. And takes the audienceI think it depends how old you are. The show captures the era perfectly. Come on. Plato's Retreat? Andy Warhol's Factory? The Brill Building. The clothes. Anyone who grew up during that time can totally relate to this series. It is very authentic. It pulls you in just visually. What can you expect on the first few episodes? To me, it took you on a very high ride. And takes the audience smack back to 1973. Not sure what one would find boring. It"s a time when people actually communicated with one another, got stoned, had wild sex and did not have to worry about aids. Not walked around with ear phones, looking into a phone and has forgotten how to have a conversation on a one to one...in person.… Expand
  2. royphishooh
    Feb 15, 2016
    3
    Despite Bobby Cannavale's outstanding performance, portraying Robert Plant with a cockney accent and having an English punk band (The Nasty Bitz, led by Mick Jagger's son) in 1973 New York were a bit strange. Nothing special really. I hope it gets better - The New York Dolls tribute band were very good.
  3. mayr
    Mar 28, 2016
    10
    I love this show and am completely obsessed with Bobby Cannavale! Why do I have to use 150 characters, I don't have that much to say, uuuggghhhhhhhhhhh
  4. mangalam
    May 6, 2016
    1
    Very poor history, whit a predictable develop and overacted characters - the eternal cliche of drugs, alcohol, sex and people making funny faces when doing it, as you never see in real life - The only strong point in the series is the music and the era, but is unfortunately saturated, with so many classic songs entering all the time, wasting the dramatic effect and reducing it to a boringVery poor history, whit a predictable develop and overacted characters - the eternal cliche of drugs, alcohol, sex and people making funny faces when doing it, as you never see in real life - The only strong point in the series is the music and the era, but is unfortunately saturated, with so many classic songs entering all the time, wasting the dramatic effect and reducing it to a boring History channel documentary.
    Sometimes it feel like a bad, bad copy of Mad Men.
    Cant believe that Mr. Scorsesse directed the pilot. So much coke, maybe.    … Expand
  5. cbader
    Jun 23, 2016
    5
    Had high hopes for this show but alas it was a let down. I just finished episode 5 and found the characters unlikable and the story line could not hold my interest. Frankly a little boring. Not surprised its been cancelled.
  6. weirdcryo
    Feb 15, 2016
    9
    Great actors, visually it's almost impeccable, the music is diverse and well selected, the story has its ups and down but at the end it's well connected but I have to admit that found that the ending was weird.
  7. JennetP
    Feb 14, 2016
    6
    A disappointing but not terrible series about the music business, emphasis on business. Our flawed, fallen hero, compellingly played by Bobby Cannavale, has succumbed to greed and corruption as the head of a foundering record label, but there remains in him a purist's passion for music. Would that the same passion burned (audibly) in the creators of "Vinyl." Scenes dealing with musicA disappointing but not terrible series about the music business, emphasis on business. Our flawed, fallen hero, compellingly played by Bobby Cannavale, has succumbed to greed and corruption as the head of a foundering record label, but there remains in him a purist's passion for music. Would that the same passion burned (audibly) in the creators of "Vinyl." Scenes dealing with music history are beautifully photographed but filled with such plot-bloating anachronism that I couldn't figure out what year we were in--or even which half of the 1970s, at times. Worse, some of the mash-ups and remakes of classic songs are real head-scratchers. Is that really supposed to be Bo Diddley singing "Bo Diddley" without the Bo Diddley Beat? I'm not being pedantic; I'm not a music critic or card-carrying audiophile, just someone who has loved rock for more than 50 years. Having expected a lot musically, as well as dramatically, from a Jagger/Scorsese collaboration, I found the pilot a let-down.… Expand
  8. Flange77
    Feb 14, 2016
    2
    Longest two hours of my life. An uneven, tedious, cliche-ridden, smutty bore, full of uninteresting caricatures, hammy performances and very cheap thrills. It feels like too many cooks and HBO was afraid to give notes.
  9. shadow47
    Feb 15, 2016
    9
    Great show. Started a bit slow but ramped up to a brilliant finish. Bobby Canavale is brilliant. So are all the other actors here. I'll be tuning in every week.
  10. samuelreeds
    Mar 20, 2016
    3
    WE GET IT, Richie does coke. 20/50 scenes in the show do not need to reinforce this. I'm voting a three because there are a few snippets of good writing in the show. I try to connect with Richie, but it's hard to empathize with a person who has the genetic traits of a scumbag and the lack of room for dialogue due to the drug use. Although character doesn't really make the show for me, IWE GET IT, Richie does coke. 20/50 scenes in the show do not need to reinforce this. I'm voting a three because there are a few snippets of good writing in the show. I try to connect with Richie, but it's hard to empathize with a person who has the genetic traits of a scumbag and the lack of room for dialogue due to the drug use. Although character doesn't really make the show for me, I still have yet to understand the characters in what is close to an understandable depth.

    NOTE TO Terry Winter if you're reading: huge fan of your work, I know there's been some decent well written character revelations.

    COMMENTS on the pilot: I know that this story/series was originally intended for a film adaption, but a two hour pilot episode was even hard for me to bare. Not too mention, HALF of the plots spawned in the episode have been left unexploited. Don't insult the viewer with its time, dangle something in their face, and don't follow through on it.    … Expand
  11. RogerE
    Feb 15, 2016
    8
    Definitely an entertaining start to a show about the music business in the late 70's, but at the outset, I must confess my bias. As a musician, and a music connoisseur, the soundtrack was every bit fascinating as the fictional tale based on historical figures. Bobby Cannavale is the standout lead actor along with the awesome Olivia Wilde. However, Vinyl has yet to prove its worth in orderDefinitely an entertaining start to a show about the music business in the late 70's, but at the outset, I must confess my bias. As a musician, and a music connoisseur, the soundtrack was every bit fascinating as the fictional tale based on historical figures. Bobby Cannavale is the standout lead actor along with the awesome Olivia Wilde. However, Vinyl has yet to prove its worth in order to last multiple seasons. Even though the premise of the show is solid, (showcasing the decadence of 70's and 80's, slow corporatizing of the music industry, the dominance of radio, drugs, money, crime, birth of punk rock) it can all be fit into a mini-series that would be concise and predictable. Even with its famed producers, actors and directors, whether Vinyl is in for the long haul will be hard to state this early, but if you enjoy a show based on music and some history, this is a perfect tale of fiction and fantasy interwoven to tell many stories about human life, entertainment, and the excesses.… Expand
  12. mistermess
    Mar 15, 2016
    10
    Vinyl keeps you watching. It is typical sex, drugs and rock & roll of the early 70's with some disco and jazz mixed in. Very engaging! I hope there are many seasons to this show. I am a fan of Richy Finestra, the main character. Ray Romano plays a serious role which is different and Olivia Wild is beautiful and at the same time shows great acting with her emotions!
  13. Joline
    May 12, 2016
    2
    For a hip hot try especially on hbo - this is one boring disaster.
    Holes big enough to put another series in.
    Over the top acting from amazing actors.
    So -- Mediocre plotting. Writing. Directing. Terrible dialogue. Not even from then.
    I turned it off half an hour in humming the ambiance and the set decoration.
  14. Knighthawk81
    Feb 16, 2016
    5
    Whoa, what is going on here. HBO has been hyping this series up, it has a great pedigree, and it seems like a potential slam dunk. But the pilot was underwhelming to say the least, and boring to be blunt. I'm not sure where it's going, and nothing about that two hours made me care. What's worse, the final sequence was beyond confusing. This feels like a series that might be a giant,Whoa, what is going on here. HBO has been hyping this series up, it has a great pedigree, and it seems like a potential slam dunk. But the pilot was underwhelming to say the least, and boring to be blunt. I'm not sure where it's going, and nothing about that two hours made me care. What's worse, the final sequence was beyond confusing. This feels like a series that might be a giant, high-profile miss.… Expand
  15. roosevelt323
    Feb 16, 2016
    3
    i had high hopes for this series. How can Scorcese and Terrance go wrong? but they proved me wrong.
    The pilot.... so far... was somewhat boring and misguided. Is it a 70's series? a rock n roll series? or a series about a record exec whom happens to be in the 70's. Bobby C is phenomenol... as always... but the plot... the name dropping... and the direction of this series is lacking    i had high hopes for this series. How can Scorcese and Terrance go wrong? but they proved me wrong.
    The pilot.... so far... was somewhat boring and misguided. Is it a 70's series? a rock n roll series? or a series about a record exec whom happens to be in the 70's. Bobby C is phenomenol... as always... but the plot... the name dropping... and the direction of this series is lacking flavor, substance, and entertainment. Boardwalk Empire it is not...
    .    … Expand
  16. geedup
    Feb 22, 2016
    5
    Meandering.The show is only 3 episodes in, and I am finally getting what it supposed to be about. And, I get it, they are making characters, plots, etc. But, damn, get to the story/action/something. Every 20 minutes there seems to be a part of the episode wich applies to what the hell is going on. The rest is eye/ear dressing. The music is great though, which keeps me from turning this off
  17. LamontRaymond
    Feb 14, 2016
    4
    I'll update this review, but after the first hour, I'm seriously bored. NOT a great sign for a series with such pulpy and rich source material. Cannavale's character doesn't engender much sympathy or excitement, which is a problem. I was happily surprised that they featured the Dolls' "Personality Crisis" in the first major set piece. Great freakin' song.
  18. shoulderoforion
    Feb 29, 2016
    2
    After the first 15 minutes of watching and being made to want to shoot cocaine into my eyeballs while being assaulted with second rate proto punk I switched this off
  19. Digitank
    Feb 21, 2016
    0
    Couldn't event finish the pilot.. Boring, unfocused and especially the music really sucks. Worst show on HBO i saw in years. Although a series about the music business would have so much potential, which was clearly missed here.
  20. yosemite
    Feb 19, 2016
    1
    Too much smoking….too much swearing ….too much stress and anger. The show promised sex,drugs and R&R…instead we got crap. I think Martin's shelf life has expired
  21. DonMega
    Mar 21, 2016
    9
    Good show. If you enjoy music and movies like goodfellas or anything that Scorsese has made in the past you will enjoy this. The acting by Bobby Cannavale is great. The music is very good. But again I'm guessing newer generations of tv viewers might not like this, personally I look forward to watching this every week.
  22. Luckee
    May 24, 2016
    9
    This is my first review. I'm not good at writing. I loved this show. The main character did a great job on portraying a person on cocain. I wasn't around during the era. But I like seeing that time period.
  23. TisAFineBarn
    Jun 1, 2016
    10
    Its like the Wolf of Wall Street but with more sex and drugs.. 10/10
    Its like the Wolf of Wall Street but with more sex and drugs.. 10/10
    Its like the Wolf of Wall Street but with more sex and drugs.. 10/10
  24. Kaleeshi
    Mar 9, 2016
    5
    A missed opportunity to show the world what happened behind closed doors in the offices of the record companies and in the lives of scouts producers and artists that made a difference and lead interesting lives. Unless it meant to show how uninteresting their lives really were as what happened was only taking place in the music and the illusion it created for its listeners.
  25. serebreny
    Jun 17, 2016
    10
    Funny film. Good music, nice scenario in Scorsese style. I am not a fan of Bobby Cannavale, really, but his character seems nice. If you love movies like Almost Famous, Wolf of Wall Street etc I think you need watch this TV-show.
  26. Grandbazaar
    Apr 18, 2016
    5
    After watching the whole first season, I've yet become attached to any of the characters. The idea behind the series and the acting is great. But the characters are so flawed with no sense of improvement that is is impossible to get attached to them. Their were at least 2-3 episodes where nothing interesting was going on and did nothing to advance the story line. Unless there is a dramaticAfter watching the whole first season, I've yet become attached to any of the characters. The idea behind the series and the acting is great. But the characters are so flawed with no sense of improvement that is is impossible to get attached to them. Their were at least 2-3 episodes where nothing interesting was going on and did nothing to advance the story line. Unless there is a dramatic turn of events, I will not be back for season 2.… Expand
  27. Kasasafras
    Apr 17, 2016
    10
    I **** love this show! No complaints!!! Give me more!!!!!!
    For every episode I've watched, all season including the finale, when it ended I said, "That was **** great!"
    Great job everyone!!!
  28. DrSacha
    Apr 18, 2016
    8
    Bobby is brilliant. Great show. Scorsese's signature! Music is awesome. Make wanna turn back to 70's ! Intense but a bit superficial. Most people who don't like the show must have only watch the pilot! Go throw 2 or 3 episodes and you'll see... you won't regret
  29. martinex
    Feb 29, 2016
    8
    I got a different take from this show. To me it's an accurate depiction of how recording artists get manipulated and eventually screwed over by record producers. Andrew Dice Clay does an impressive cameo as the psycho, coked up station owner. Good stuff.
  30. spud
    Jun 23, 2016
    3
    Assuming that they could recreate the success of Mad Men (the way he had assumed he'd be able to recreate the success of the Beatles), Mick Jagger brings us this ambitious -though ultimately tired- period piece. Bobby Cannavale's excellent performance is the best thing about this show.
  31. VonSeux
    Feb 18, 2016
    8
    2 exploxive hours of cinema quality film, this **** is so intense it makes buildings collapse. Not for everyone I think, the noise is omnipresent and it's a wild world. But dig into it if you're for a raw ride.
  32. FleshWorld
    Apr 2, 2016
    9
    It's a beautiful mess. But I can't miss an episode - you have to see what's coming. The episode with the kid playing Life on Mars at the Bar Mitzvah was incredible. George Mastras and the rest of the writers are crafting something special here - it might take another 5 - 10 episodes to really take shape. But it's getting there.
  33. dierregi
    Jun 27, 2016
    4
    Much as I like the music of the 70s and wanted to like this series, I found it seriously flawed. Too much Scorsese's obsession with gangsters and too little solid plot bog down the whole series.

    The pilot is an overlong 2 hours, with a loose plot revolving around Richie Finestra trying to save his record company. The timeline moves constantly back and forward, also in the following    Much as I like the music of the 70s and wanted to like this series, I found it seriously flawed. Too much Scorsese's obsession with gangsters and too little solid plot bog down the whole series.

    The pilot is an overlong 2 hours, with a loose plot revolving around Richie Finestra trying to save his record company. The timeline moves constantly back and forward, also in the following episodes, making it annoying to follow.

    Another problem is the focus on Richie, the typical Scorsese anti-hero: an obnoxious, violent, self-obsessed male character. Despite a crowd of supporting actors, we spend two thirds of each episode with Richie. He snorts cocaine making an exaggerated noise, wanders aimlessly and tends to be boring and delusional, like most drug addicts. And we certainly get plenty of close-ups of Richie's powdered nose….. especially in episode 5 (certainly not the best).

    Finally, there was no need to add a sub-plot involving a homicide. The story of the music industry in the 70s seemed to me gripping enough without any excursion in Gangstersland.

    What is good is the music. It is fun to see famous musicians interacting with Richie (Robert Plant, Lou Reed and the Velvet, David Bowie, etc…) although none of the actors look much like the original.

    Also, the atmosphere seems perfectly recreated, with make-up, clothes, hair, etc… giving a genuine 70s vibe. Finally, the feeling of a time of transition in music is created by the strong link with the 60s and the Factory scene. The 60s were over but the "music of 70s" was not quite there yet.

    Watch out for all the "children of famous parents" of which "Vinyl" seems to be a roll call. Among the most annoying James Jagger (son of the Mick) who - with his exaggerated British accent - is either the greatest actor in the show or just naturally obnoxious.    … Expand
  34. Sukhvirlam12
    Mar 4, 2016
    10
    Great show! Don't get any of the reviews here, wtf is wrong with you guys. Anyways its a great show, really interesting perspective. Watch it, one of HBOs best.
  35. russiangamer
    Jan 13, 2017
    9
    Отличный сериал, с прекрасной атмосферой и музыкой, отличными актёрами и не таким прекрасным, но всё же неплохим сюжетом.
    Отличное сериал, если бы было продолжение, то смотрел бы запоем. Надеюсь на возвращение.
  36. Bluesmanuk
    Feb 27, 2016
    8
    A very good show that takes me back to an era that seemed better than it perhaps was in reality, although the reminder of an era of great and prolific music creation is enjoyable. Some of the impersonations of rock and pop icons does at times leave a slightly cringed smile on the face but it's good to see that the producers have fully immersed into the music of the time by featuring someA very good show that takes me back to an era that seemed better than it perhaps was in reality, although the reminder of an era of great and prolific music creation is enjoyable. Some of the impersonations of rock and pop icons does at times leave a slightly cringed smile on the face but it's good to see that the producers have fully immersed into the music of the time by featuring some of the stars of the day. It's gritty, down to earth and on the whole, very enjoyable, although at times I tend to left with the feeling that some of the acting is a little OTT and slightly unrealistic.… Expand
  37. kzanzi
    Apr 7, 2016
    9
    If you are a fan of this era in time, I think the show will appeal to you. It took a few episodes for the story to develop for me but I find the characters of Richie and Zak to be intriguing. I hope it gets renewed.
  38. Crashmax
    Apr 19, 2016
    9
    Great series, in my view under estamated. Very strong performance from Bobby Cannavale. Also great to see all musical hero's from the 70's cone alive. Must see for music lovers.
  39. daveman2000
    Aug 4, 2016
    10
    One of the best shows I have seen in a long time.

    Great acting, amazing music, superb writing. I would recommend this how to anyone. It is quite disappointing that the show was cancelled.

Awards & Rankings

79
#79 Best TV Season of 2016
32
#32 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016
67
#67 Most Shared TV Season of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 39
  3. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. TVLine
    Reviewed by: Michael Slezak
    Apr 6, 2016
    83
    Vinyl may hit one or two questionable notes in its first five episodes, but fueled by a beautifully realized sense of place and Cannavale’s certain-to-be-Emmy-nominated performance, it’s definitely worth a spin.
    Read full review
  2. Colorado Springs Gazette
    Reviewed by: Terry Terrones
    Apr 6, 2016
    83
    Vinyl throws audiences an unexpected twist late in the pilot. This late hard left changes this series from a story about a failing business and turns it into something more significant.
    Read full review
  3. The Wrap
    Reviewed by: Amber Dowling
    Feb 16, 2016
    80
    At times there seems to be too much going on in the pilot, between Richie running away from gun-wielding lunatics, attempting to sign new talent, working to keep his existing roster, finagling a deal to sell his company and balancing his precarious home life. But it’s no greater a flaw than most pilots attempting to set up the scheme of things face, and the action never seems bogged down or tied up in specifics.
    Read full review
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