White Famous

:

Season 1
  • Network: SHOWTIME
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 15, 2017
Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 20
  3. Negative: 4 out of 20
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Critic Reviews

  1. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Oct 16, 2017
    60
    It feels altogether too on-the-nose, a rigged game in which almost all the points are awarded to Floyd. ... Pharoah, an "SNL" veteran who has not done much straight acting, pulls his weight throughout, but working with Rapaport, as with Coleman and the low-key excellent Jacob Ming-Trent as Floyd's wisdom-dispensing friend and roommate Ron Balls, lifts him to that vaunted next level.
  2. Los Angeles Daily News
    Reviewed by: Rob Lowman
    Oct 12, 2017
    60
    Pharoah, though, almost makes it worth it. He has a solid presence that lifts the show. You just wish it were a better show.
  3. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Oct 12, 2017
    60
    The promising White Famous delivers a more agreeable take on industry satire. ... Floyd is almost too good to be true. [16-29 Oct 2017, p.15]
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  5. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Daniel Fienberg
    Oct 4, 2017
    60
    Consistently watchable due to a versatile and charismatic lead performance by Jay Pharoah, White Famous still feels like an impersonal relic of television past.
  6. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Oct 10, 2017
    50
    The show tries to do too much and isn’t always sure if it’s satire, a straight-on sitcom or an African American “Entourage.” Pharoah has a lot of heavy lifting to do, but mostly carries it off.
  7. CNN
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Oct 13, 2017
    45
    One suspects star power had plenty to do with Showtime giving the go-ahead to this once-over-lightly version of making it in Hollywood -- the kind of material that, in comedy terms, feels more like open-mic night than a headliner.
  8. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Darren Franich
    Oct 6, 2017
    42
    White Famous is the oldest trick in Hollywood's book, a phony Horatio Alger story that's really a vanity project struggling to validate its own vanity. [13 Oct 2017, p.48]
  9. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Margaret Lyons
    Oct 12, 2017
    40
    The problem with White Famous is its lack of problems. Every potential conflict resolves itself without consequence or development.
  10. Variety
    Reviewed by: Sonia Saraiya
    Oct 10, 2017
    40
    [There] are the few instances where that Floyd offers up a goofy, introspective side to his character. The rest of the time, he’s a stubbornly shallow protagonist in a stubbornly shallow show.

Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Most Shared TV Season of 2017

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
3.5

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 24
  3. Negative: 13 out of 24
  1. RMoore1138
    Feb 3, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Racist "comedians" are neither funny or original. This is just another attempt at comedy by a dime a dozen comedian relying on race to elevate his career.… Full Review »
  2. dell221
    May 11, 2018
    2
    tried to watch this show it is just not funny like most comedians trying to do a comedy they try way to hard. I don't know if this guy hastried to watch this show it is just not funny like most comedians trying to do a comedy they try way to hard. I don't know if this guy has funny stand up or what but his acting skills are terrible. I see why this show got canceled after 1 season. how is Jamie Foxx in this and it still sucks? I think this guy is on Saturday night live. a show that just sucks badly and needs to be put out to pasture.… Full Review »
  3. NancyA
    Feb 16, 2018
    7
    The most brilliant performances are by the visiting players: Tobolowsky, Foxx &, funniest of all, Jack Davenport. I agree with the NYTimesThe most brilliant performances are by the visiting players: Tobolowsky, Foxx &, funniest of all, Jack Davenport. I agree with the NYTimes reviewer with regard to the facile plot resolution. The star doesnt have the chops to keep up with his supporting cast. The child is not directed effectively, and his role comes off as false. Likewise the idealized parents. Fantastic soundtrack.… Full Review »
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