The Increasingly Poor Decisions Of Todd Margaret: Season 1
User Score
6.3 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 4 out of 18

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  1. OrwellJames
    Apr 8, 2012
    2
    There was genuine potential in the concept - an unqualified temp uses business "bravado" to con his way into a high-profile role in a foreign country, and each time his con is nearly exposed he must double down with a new lie a little bit more invested than the last. This is what I expected after the first five minutes of the "Increasingly" Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret; a humorous cautionary tale about the dangers of the slippery slope.

    But make no mistake about it, from the very start Todd Margaret's decisions could not possibly get any worse. His lies are outrageous and he does a very poor job of covering them up (but boy does he try), and while these bits could be clever and funny, they will make you cringe far more often than you laugh. I had to fast forward a couple episodes because it was so painful to watch Todd say things that were so contemptibly stupid. This is one of the biggest flaws - a main character who is not relatable or likeable even on a comic level.

    Of course, Todd's idiotic charade couldn't possibly continue but for the stupidity of his supporting cast, and, while they always seem modestly suspicious of his lies, they never quite pin him down despite the sheer absurdity of his responses. Again, I recognize that this is a comedy, so hyperbole is acceptable and even desirable, but the dialogue is so bad it breaks the fourth wall, and Todd's lines actually cross the "so stupid it's funny" line straight into "just plain stupid" territory.

    I can't help but feel that Cross and Arnett have been desperately trying to capitalize on the success of Arrested Development, Arnett clearly with more success, but do yourself a favor and just demand Arrested Development. Running Wilde fell well short and Todd Margaret, I believe, falls even shorter despite its promising concept. Disappointing for sure.    … Expand
  2. l96ninja
    Feb 3, 2012
    10
    I've never literally lol'd more in my life than I have watching this show. David Cross' portrayal of Todd is phenomenal, at every wrong-turn and comedic failure, I find myself becoming more enamored with the hilariously stupid character. It's got just the right amount of "British" too; unlike The Office (U.K. version), so that the viewer isn't thrown off by the accents, but knows they're located in England. Throw in Will Arnett's now more involved role, and you've got the makings of a show so amusing you'll have trouble breathing.… Collapse
  3. alexandergreen
    Sep 8, 2011
    5
    At it's best, this is a mildly amusing series, with some okay moments. But at it's worse, it's a generally uncomfortable and unpleasant experience. Not in a hilarious way, in an unsettling way.
  4. pandaking
    Nov 20, 2010
    9
    Brilliant. I would imagine this show wouldn't be quite as funny if you weren't British, but as one I can tell you it's hilarious. Sure it can be too cheesy, or a little obvious at times, but every episode will have you in tears with laughter, and as a comedy show that means it's got it right.
  5. KundK
    Nov 4, 2010
    5
    Another comedy of cringes - this time about transatlantic misunderstandings and misadventures of a likable idiot. Piling on of embarrassments and gross-out moments (dead cat, vomit stained suit, adrenaline induced erection...) never really pays off in big laughs or real emotion. Fortunately, they went for the UK format of a six episode series. For the fans of Will Arnett and David Cross, I would recommend "Running Wilde" instead of this.… Expand
  6. batman
    Sep 29, 2010
    0
    i have always been a fan of David Cross but this show is very disappointing, not sure what they were going for, but they missed. it is awkward in an un-rewarding way. uncomfortable ala Larry David with no pay off. Embarassing actually.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
66 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. Salon
    Reviewed by: Heather Havrilesky
    Oct 22, 2010
    80
    Although every second of this comedy is far from genius, the disturbed mood and unique mean-spirited flavor of it all points to what the network comedies are so often lacking: bold choices that border on the absurd.
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  2. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Jesse Hicks
    70
    It's surprising that he's [Cross] written a sitcom so reliant on physical comedy, and cast himself in the rather one-dimensional, repetitive main role. The show's best lines possess a crackling absurdity.
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  3. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    70
    As long as you're OK with comedy-of-the-uncomfortable, then IFC's The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret is by far the funnier of the two David Cross-Will Arnett series airing this fall (the other being Fox's "Running Wilde").
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