John from Cincinnati: Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 10, 2007
  • Season #: 1
Metascore
51 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 24
  3. Negative: 7 out of 24
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  1. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    10
    Watching HBO's surfing drama "John From Cincinnati" is like sitting through a bad play at a tiny experimental theater.... In short, if Gary Busey were a TV series, he would be "John From Cincinnati."
  2. Kansas City Star
    Reviewed by: Aaron Barnhart
    20
    A truly baffling series about surfing, screwed-up families and miracles.
  3. Orlando Sentinel
    Reviewed by: Hal Boedeker
    20
    A pretentious and talky botch, John From Cincinnati won't fill the void left by The Sopranos.
  4. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Tom Gliatto
    38
    The tone of the first three episodes is grubby yet also precious. [11 Jun 2007, p.41]
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  5. Salon
    Reviewed by: Heather Havrilesky
    20
    This show needs a miracle even more than the damaged inhabitants of Imperial Beach do.
  6. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Melanie McFarland
    30
    The only thing a person can be certain of after watching "John From Cincinnati" is this: Any die-hard "Deadwood" fan interested in keeping the veins in his forehead intact should not bother with it.
  7. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Nancy DeWolf Smith
    20
    In the three episodes HBO made available to reviewers, however, the only moment of transcendence for the viewer occurs when some of the characters take to the sea on their boards and ride the waves in an "Endless Summer" moment that comes as a blessed relief after the inexplicable chaos of what precedes it -- and is over too soon.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 253 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 144 out of 202
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 202
  3. Negative: 54 out of 202
  1. LisaB
    10
    I loved it and so did all my friends. It draws you to think which is uncomfortable for people who like things in a nice neat box.
  2. BarryT
    10
    10++++ I LOVE thisshow! Quirky, strange, mesmerizing, with the richest cast of characters, wonderful subplots--and the big question. I couldn't wait until the next show, then the next season. I watched each episode on On Demand at least twice to pick up all the subtleties. Now I just found out HBO cancelled it. HBO, PLEASE reconsider! Please put John fro Cincinnati back on the air.… Full Review »
  3. Teds.
    10
    the show is awesome,PERIOD. We need a little out of the norm in relief of the daily grind.
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