Boss: Season 1
  • Network: Starz
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 21, 2011
  • Season #: 1 , 2
Boss Image
Metascore
78 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 86 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: Tom Kane (Kelsey Grammer) is a powerful Chicago mayor who keeps his brain disorder secret from everyone.
  • Genre(s): Drama

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Oct 19, 2011
    100
    When you have a story as thoroughly involving as this one, evoking both "King Lear" and "Citizen Kane," and when the performances are this good, Boss almost directs itself.
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Oct 19, 2011
    100
    Starz has its channel-defining series in Boss, a wholly impressive new drama that comes out of the gate with gravitas, swagger, originality and intrigue.
  3. Slate
    Reviewed by: Troy Patterson
    Oct 21, 2011
    80
    Boss is electric with self-importance, and that is in itself is a hoot, given its particular combination of thematic pomp and expressionistic pulp.
  4. Time
    Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    Oct 21, 2011
    60
    Its early episodes are a mix of power and disappointment.

See all 24 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. aSsh0le
    10
    Great show worth watching, it may not be perfect or as good as Breaking Bad or Homeland, but compared to most other shows on other networks this is bounds and leaps ahead of them, I'd say this year Homeland, The Killing and Boss are the best new shows on TV.… Collapse
  2. adydanger
    8
    Grammer is amazing and the insightful look into Chicago politics is thrilling but what's missing is a sense of fun. If some of the characters smiled and cracked a joke once in a while the show would be near perfect.… Expand
  3. eTurkey
    7
    Three things you can't accuse the first season of 'Boss' being is boring, unimaginative and unintellectual. Two things you CAN point the proverbial finger at and single out is the program's constant ability to be a tad far-fetched and (at times) over-dramatic. It strangely happens quite regularly. One thing is certain however, this is a compelling television show and I couldn't recommend it enough to prospective viewers thinking about taking the plunge. After viewing all eight episodes I eagerly await the sophomore year with great anticipation!… Expand
  4. thatsme
    4
    I'm not getting it. It seems like something we've ALL seen before. Starz is probably hoping this a winner. I will continue watching, but I'm not a fan.… Expand

See all 25 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. Best of 2012, TV

    Best and Worst New Shows of the 2011-12 TV Season

    Best and Worst New Shows of the 2011-12 TV Season Image
    Published: May 23, 2012
    We've reached the end of another TV season, so it's time once again for our annual look at the best and worst shows. Find out which first-year series impressed critics and users the most, and see how the major networks compared.
    More »
  2. Awards, TV, Movies

    2011 Golden Globe Nominations Announced

    2011 Golden Globe Nominations Announced Image
    Published: December 15, 2011
    Get a complete list of film and television nominees for the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards.
    More »
  3. Best of 2011, TV

    Fall 2011 TV Scorecard: The Best & Worst New Shows

    Fall 2011 TV Scorecard: The Best & Worst New Shows Image
    Published: December 1, 2011
    The fall season is over, so it's time for our annual rankings of the best and worst new shows of the season. Plus, compare the records of the five broadcast networks, and see how 2011 stacks up to the year before.
    More »

Current TV Shows

Full List »
  1. Game of Thrones: Season 3
    User Score 9.1
  2. House of Cards (2013): Season 1
    User Score 9.0
  3. Shameless (US): Season 3
    User Score 8.9
  4. Archer: Season 4
    User Score 8.8
  5. Justified: Season 4
    User Score 8.7
  6. The Borgias: Season 3
    User Score 8.7
  7. Hannibal: Season 1
    User Score 8.6
  8. Africa: Season 1
    User Score 8.6
  9. Spartacus: War of the Damned: Season 1
    User Score 8.5
  10. Rectify: Season 1
    User Score 8.5
  11. Southland: Season 5
    User Score 8.5
  12. The Americans: Season 1
    User Score 8.4
  13. Banshee: Season 1
    User Score 8.4
  14. Legit: Season 1
    User Score 8.4
  15. Mad Men: Season 6
    User Score 8.4
  16. Louis C.K.: Oh My God: Season 1
    User Score 8.4
  17. Vikings: Season 1
    User Score 8.3
  18. Bates Motel: Season 1
    User Score 8.3
  19. Parade's End: Season 1
    User Score 8.3
  20. Psych: Season 7
    User Score 7.9
All Current TV Shows »