Metascore
48

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 19
  2. Negative: 5 out of 19

Critic Reviews

  1. Reviewed by: Joanne Ostrow
    Jul 11, 2014
    60
    Neither ["Welcome to Sweden" or Working the Engels] is awful, neither will make you cancel other plans.... A few bright ideas enliven the half-hour. But how many meddling mother jokes can they pile on before we’re weary?
  2. Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    Jul 9, 2014
    60
    There’s a hint of “Arrested Development” in the air, but Working the Engels is ultimately a much more common kind of dysfunctional family sitcom.
  3. Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Jul 10, 2014
    50
    The show’s humor is more often graceless and crass.
  4. Reviewed by: Bruce Miller
    Jul 7, 2014
    50
    The fish-out-of-water aspect intrigues but it also frustrates.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Kyle Anderson
    Jul 2, 2014
    42
    Aggressively forgettable summer fodder with a scary absence of originality or voice. [11 Jul 2014, p.64]
  6. Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Jul 10, 2014
    40
    The show never allows itself to stand down from ill-fated, continuous attempts at heightened hilarity.
  7. Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    Jul 9, 2014
    40
    In the end, this Canadian import would be okay for a summer evening if there was more to like in the characters. There just isn’t.
  8. Reviewed by: Allison Keene
    Jul 9, 2014
    40
    Though the series may have some passing connection to Arrested Development in terms of setup, it isn't able to capture the depth or tone or charm that elevates a comedy out of just being mediocre to being something really great. That requires more work.
User Score
3.4

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 7 out of 11
  1. Jul 11, 2014
    2
    I was very disappointed with this polite...The B word is thrown around too, too much on sitcoms, Unnecessary-I was hoping for a Seinfeld show,I was very disappointed with this polite...The B word is thrown around too, too much on sitcoms, Unnecessary-I was hoping for a Seinfeld show, clean, funny, with unpredictable humor...with out the constant bi+&*ch humor what a waste of 30 min. I rate this show Awful...I didn't laugh once. I was really waiting for the punch line and it never came. Full Review »
  2. Jul 17, 2014
    9
    Love Andrea Martin and seeing her back on TV again. Kacey Rohl is totally different from her character on Hannibal - and really charming in aLove Andrea Martin and seeing her back on TV again. Kacey Rohl is totally different from her character on Hannibal - and really charming in a lighter kind of role. Full Review »
  3. Jul 20, 2014
    0
    I can't believe I sat and watched the entire pilot. I can't believe how bad this show is. The actors, while capable, are dragged to the floorI can't believe I sat and watched the entire pilot. I can't believe how bad this show is. The actors, while capable, are dragged to the floor by the script. If the pilot was used to sell this show, someone got a bad deal. Full Review »