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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed shows.
Lewis Black's Root of All Evil
EMAILPRINTSERIES: Comedy Central, Wednesday 10:30p (30 minutes)
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 6 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 46 votes
Read user comments
Rate this show >
Show Info
Genre(s): Comedy
Created By:
Scott Carter
David Sacks
First Air Date: March 12, 2008
Summary
Starring Lewis Black
Comedians debate pop culture subjects with The Daily Show's Lewis Black as the judge.
Episode Guide & More Info: More about this show at TV.com
Also On The Web: Official Show Site
What The Critics Said
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...
New York PostLinda Stasi
If the "opening statements" don't have you on the floor calling for a back brace--because you've thrown your spine out from laughing--then you are either in a coma or watching a different channel.
Read Full Review >Hollywood ReporterBarry Garron
Black, a thinking-man's blowhard, carries the concept off with shameless aplomb, while his debating helpers are equal parts witty and wise.
Read Full Review >Pittsburgh Post-GazetteRob Owen
Depending on the subjects mocked and viewers' personal sacred cows, Root of All Evil won't appeal to everyone on a weekly basis (future episodes include Donald Trump vs. Viagra, Paris Hilton vs. Dick Cheney and Las Vegas vs. the human body), but it is a successful attempt to re-package stand-up comedy for prime time.
Read Full Review >VarietyBrian Lowry
Comedy Central's programming usually falls squarely into the sublime or the ridiculous, so consider Root of All Evil a rare tweener in terms of quality--one that proves a whole lot of Black is preferable, albeit marginally, to a black hole.
Read Full Review >Entertainment WeeklyStaff (Not Credited)
The debaters make the most of this arbittary contretemps, but Black is a weak link. [14 Mar 2008, p.71]
Boston GlobeMatthew Gilbert
The material isn't nearly strong enough to support a full half-hour of TV.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this show is 5.2 (out of 10) based on 46 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Timma ??? gave it an8:
No doubt Lewis Black's stand up genius is all but absent in this show, which is a true disappointed. And some of the episodes are flat out terrible. But there are also some hilarious ones. It often depends on the comedian advocates. Greg Giraldo or Patton Oswalt usually mean you can expect a good show. The performance certain others has been... lacking. As another reviewer touched on, check out the different episodes. You will get a sense very quickly as to whether or not it will be a good one.
David V. gave it a4:
It needs more Lewis. As others have pointed out I too hate how the audience is dead while there is a laughtrack running. Gets cloying but Lewis manages to save the show at the end...barely.
Jared F. gave it a0:
a mostly dull show, it is on at rathr late times and provides alot of dry humor.
Arnie H. gave it a10:
This show is hilarious---Black, and his two comic advocates put on a trial that is as witty, smart and fearless---thsi stuff goes into Bil Hicks territory and I can give no greater compliment.
x'tt gave it a0:
What a perfect example of packaging ruining what could have been something great. The idea is nice -- arguing and debate, but why do we have to laugh every 10 seconds? I swear I've never seen a show with such stupid over-use of laugh tracks. It would be much more amusing without the fake laugh tracks!
Crimsonw W. gave it a9:
This show is funny!They make a point not scared to say the truth about crap.
The Shade gave it a7:
The material doesn't always work, but when it does it leaves me breathless with laughter. It's well worth checking out each new episode, though I strongly suspect that the whole conceit will wear thin before long, even if it has a decent size audience. Check it out while you can.
