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The Return of Jezebel James
SERIES: Fox, Friday 8:30p (30 minutes)

5.4 based on 22 reviews read critic reviews how did we calculate this? based on 12 votes read user comments rate this tv show

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

50

Philadelphia Inquirer Jonathan Storm

Potential pours from the screen, but the premiere has plenty of problems. People seem to be uncomfortable and trying too hard, just as they do on their first day in school or on the job.

50

PopMatters Marisa Carroll

This is dicey subject matter (especially for those viewers who have struggled to become pregnant or know someone who has), and at times the tone seems blasé, even offensive.

42

Entertainment Weekly Alynda Wheat

Sherman-Palladino forces the sisters on each other out of an almost crippling sense of joint self-interest that's as painful as it is illogical.

40

Hollywood Reporter Barry Garron

Plaudits to Ambrose for her effort to bring some honesty to her scenes, but it isn't enough to keep the show from imploding.

40

Washington Post Jennifer Frey

There is too little Ambrose/Posey interaction in the pilot, but in the second episode--when Coco moves in and the two start haggling over the surrogacy contract--Sherman-Palladino's knack for chick dialogue shows some of its old promise.

30

The New York Times Ginia Bellafante

Everything about Jezebel feels too broad.

30

Time James Poniewozik

It's a weird, tone-deaf mismatch of talents, styles and genre.

30

Los Angeles Times Mary McNamara

All evidence to the contrary, the show has the potential of being very funny, but only if the writers can choose subtlety over shtick even a quarter of the time.

30

Newark Star-Ledger Alan Sepinwall

It's a very special, frustrating kind of bad, one with the power to actually change history.

30

Chicago Tribune Maureen Ryan

Sadly, although Jezebel is packed with Sherman-Palladino’s trademark snappy banter, it’s a cold, brittle misfire.

30

TV Guide Matt Roush

Even without a death slot on Fridays, this strained story would be a tough sell.

30

Variety Brian Lowry

Jezebel James might have fared better shaped into an hourlong dramedy, instead of being shoehorned into a lightly serialized sitcom format that plays poorly to her strengths as a writer.

25

New York Daily News David Hinckley

Everything feels forced, right down to the dialogue, wherein the characters all talk the way writers write when they're stretching to set up a joke.

25

San Francisco Chronicle Tim Goodman

Not many women will want to come back after seeing it because the first 30 minutes are a complete and utter mess.

25

New York Post Linda Stasi

Even rousing viewers to stay awake would be a big accomplishment.

25

USA Today Robert Bianco

Even if the performances were better and the scripts were funnier, Jezebel would still be saddled with one of the most preposterous, off-putting setups in sitcom history.

20

San Jose Mercury News Charlie McCollum

Somewhere, things went very wrong, and the comedy turns out to be a flat, unappealing mess.

20

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Rob Owen

Miscast and only intermittently funny, Jezebel James misfires on all cylinders.

20

Orlando Sentinel Hal Boedeker

Despite the cast, Jezebel James is not a momentous arrival.

10

Newsday Diane Werts

Our mouths may be open, but more likely agape than laughing.

10

Miami Herald Glenn Garvin

As for the lack of laughs, you're just going to have to take my word for it, unless you want to risk serious brain damage.

10

Boston Globe Matthew Gilbert

The show is a full-fledged Fox flop.

The average user rating for this tv show is 5.4 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Sean F. gave it a9:
I'm going to have to really strongly disagree with the critics on this one. I didn't even hear about this show when it was on. But a very good program. Parker Posey, Lauren Ambrose, and Amy Sherman-Palladino all teaming up for a sit-com (in a tired genre, and I thought this show took a unique approach to it). With all the tripe and garbage that clouds the airwaves, I can't believe this program was canceled. Then again how many brilliant and insightful shows over the years have been nearly immediately canceled. I saw some similarity to the Gilmore Girls (mainly that I thought Parker Posey was similar to Lauren Graham's character), but this show is also very different and seems to be aimed at an older demographic. Amy Sherman-Palladino is a genius, so I assume she'll be back sooner than later, with another brilliant program. Shame on Fox and the critics for this not still being on the air. I can't believe this show was promoted correctly, or stayed with long enough by the Fox Network.

Amanda E. gave it a10:
Absolutely loved this show... just cant seem to find it on again. The premier was a bit shaky, but i think it will all be great, if i could find it again.

Brandon S. gave it a0:
Canceled already! Thank God.

Chris S. gave it a2:
That 2 is based on the leads only. I have nothing but respect for lauren ambrose but this show is shit, and the surregete mother story line in this show was actually on six feet under (were ambrose got her start!). What a waste of two fine actresses.

Jay gave it a7:
I was looking forward to see this. BOth Posey and Ambrose fan and needed something new to see and this has the potential to get better and let the tightness loosen. I didn't like the Gilmore Girls (and hate the quick talking) but will give this a few more tries to see if the actresses keep me coming back.

Jon H. gave it a2:
Oh it pains me! I'm a fan of Parker Posey and I cringed through this whole show. I might try the second episode to see if it's any better... but I couldn't watch when it was first broadcast. The problem with the show is it seems like a sitcom that only sorta wants to be a sitcom full of talent who have no real experience in a sitcom - from the creator to the main two stars. There's so much talent here it was painful to watch how incredibly unfunny it was. You'd get the impression that Posey wasn't a great comic actress... and maybe not even a very good actress... from this first episode. We all know both to be untrue. The laugh track is absolutely horrible as well. Even when there were parts that made me slightly smile it was ruined by the riotous laughter of the laugh track. It was like being in a movie full of idiots who don't get what's funny and what's not. With some major retooling the talent here could possibly do something cool. I doubt they'll get the chance. If Posey wants to be in TV (and more Posey is never a bad thing) something playing more to her natural comedic talents would be much better than sticking her into some half-baked sitcom.

Tom F gave it a2:
What a waste of Parker Posey.

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