• Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Feb 26, 2002
Season #: 2, 1
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 29
  2. Negative: 2 out of 29

Critic Reviews

  1. Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    Jun 14, 2013
    83
    Watching Ellie is smart and likable -- it earns its gimmicky premise.
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Barry Garron
    Jun 20, 2014
    80
    "Ellie" is a smart, daring show, full of memorable characters capable of humorous banter in one moment and physical comedy the next. [25 Feb 2002]
  3. Denver Post
    Reviewed by: Joanne Ostrow
    Jun 20, 2014
    80
    Sharp, funny and demanding of its lead actor, 'Watching Ellie' is NBC's best sitcom attempt in years. [26 Feb 2002]
  4. Detroit Free Press
    Reviewed by: Mike Duffy
    Jun 20, 2014
    75
    There's an engaging free spirit at the heart of "Watching Ellie." [26 Feb 2002]
  5. The Detroit News
    Reviewed by: Tom Long
    Jun 20, 2014
    75
    Whether viewers will feel too challenged by Ellie to smile along remains to be seen. Hopefully they won't; TV needs crazy-vain-brave risk-takers badly. [26 Feb 2002]
  6. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Bianculli
    Jun 20, 2014
    75
    It's not as novel or successful a concept as "Curb Your Enthusiasm," the HBO series from "Seinfeld" co-creator Larry David. But based on the first two episodes, "Watching Ellie" is exponentially better, and more daring, than the derivative vehicles churned out by [Michael] Richards and [Jason] Alexander. [25 Feb 2002]
  7. Reviewed by: Howard Rosenberg
    Jun 20, 2014
    70
    Each episode is supposed to represent 22 minutes in Ellie's life. That's nice, but an ever-present clock on the side of the screen is a gimmick that should be dropped. Otherwise, this show has a very nice comfort level. Best of all, it feels fresh.
  8. Reviewed by: Caryn James
    Jun 20, 2014
    70
    It comes as close to resurrecting the old show as you can without hauling Jerry Seinfeld himself back on television.
  9. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    Jun 20, 2014
    70
    Louis-Dreyfus fits easily and naturally into the leading role of a vehicle built for one. She makes it a pleasure to watch Ellie - and to listen to her, too, when she sings in each episode. [26 Feb 2002]
  10. Houston Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Ann Hodges
    Jun 20, 2014
    67
    Watching Ellie is better than bad, but it could be - no, should be - a lot more fun than it is. [26 Feb 2002]
  11. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: John Levesque
    Jun 20, 2014
    67
    "Watching Ellie" rises and falls on the ability of Louis-Dreyfus to pull laughs out of familiar story lines. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. [25 Feb 2002]
  12. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Monica Collins
    Jun 20, 2014
    63
    Watching "Ellie" becomes an ordeal in watching the clock. You see your life ticking away, wasting time watching "Ellie." [26 Feb 2002]
  13. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Phil Rosenthal
    Jun 20, 2014
    63
    It could have been worse. It could have been "The Michael Richards Show" or Jason Alexander's "Bob Patterson." [25 Feb 2002]