Emily's Reasons Why Not

Chicago Sun-TimesDoug Elfman

Finally, a "Sex and the City" clone comes through.

New York PostLinda Stasi

Like "Sex and the City" with its clothes on.

VarietyBrian Lowry

Breezy and fun, there are several reasons to sample "Emily," but also plenty of room for skepticism over whether this witty half-hour has the depth to survive a highly competitive timeslot.

Hollywood ReporterBarry Garron

Despite her position as editor, Emily lives in a world with high school values, where the ultimate achievements are being popular, fitting in, looking good and finding a hot date.

Pittsburgh Post-GazetteRob Owen

Lightweight and unaffecting.

Philadelphia InquirerJonathan Storm

You hope the show doesn't get stuck in sexual shenanigans week after week. Even 30-year-olds think about other things sometimes. But for now, it seems fair to follow Emily's lead and see what develops.

Washington PostTom Shales

Despite the limitations, and there are a bundle, "Emily's Reasons Why Not" logs a happy high on the delightful meter -- fresh and frisky much of the time.

TV GuideMatt Roush

It’s painfully derivative, but we’ve seen worse.

San Francisco ChronicleTim Goodman

Actually, "Emily's Reasons Why Not" does have its funny moments. The problem is twofold. The show tweaks and contorts itself so hard to get those laughs that the whole thing feels forced and unmanageable for two consecutive episodes, much less a season. And secondly, the premise is unlikely to hold up for any length of time.

Boston GlobeMatthew Gilbert

It's not half bad, but then it's not even a quarter original.

Entertainment WeeklyJennifer Armstrong

Emily comes off as a regressed teenager. [13 Jan 2006, p.70]

USA TodayRobert Bianco

Even at her worst, when she's contorting her face to match the coy, thought-revealing voice-over, you tend to root for [Graham]. Unfortunately for ABC, by the end of Emily's Reasons Why Not, you're rooting for her to find a better vehicle.

Miami HeraldGlenn Garvin

It also helps that Heather Graham as Emily is so appealing that it often distracts from the fanciful idiocy of what she's saying or doing.

New York Daily NewsDavid Hinckley

No matter how obvious the wardrobe might be, the scripts are even more so.

Detroit Free PressMike Duffy

Breezily prefabricated sitcom humor that lacks the fresh zing of anything remotely original.

Los Angeles TimesPaul Brownfield

The notion of Graham as a TV star is an enticing one, but she's starring in a show that's not big enough for her.

Chicago TribuneMaureen Ryan

It's just too bad the shopworn material on "Emily" is just a tad too weak to support Graham's talents, even though she tries (a bit too hard, truth be told) to give viewers a reason to watch.

Orlando SentinelHal Boedeker

This ABC sitcom strives for edgy sophistication, but the characters come off as superficial and mean.

Wall Street JournalAmy Finnerty

Judging from the first episode, "Emily" needs not only a new boyfriend, but also some more grownup material.

The New York TimesAlessandra Stanley

A tepid knockoff of "Sex and the City."

LA WeeklyRobert Abele

Based on the pilot of Emily’s Reasons Why Not, there’s no worry that this half hour from ABC... will be honest, or real, or even funny.

NewsdayDiane Werts

The show seems to have no point, rendering it agony how hard the proceedings work at making one.

SlateDana Stevens

There's so much not to like about Emily's Reasons Why Not.