The War at Home: Season 1
  • Network: FOX
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 11, 2005
  • Season #: 1 , 2
Metascore
28 out of 100

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 21 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 21
  3. Negative: 14 out of 21
view
per page
  1. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    12
    Yes, it's "Married ... With Children" all over again, except that it's not played as broadly, or as successfully.
  2. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    50
    Would be revolutionary -- if the year was 1980.
  3. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    10
    Has absolutely nothing going for it.
  4. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    38
    You can think of it as Titus with kids added and talent removed.
  5. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    50
    While the cast is quite good, and they even manage to rip a laugh or two out of the material, it's not enough to sustain a whole show.
  6. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Tom Gliatto
    25
    The only good thing is Anita Barone. [19 Sep 2005, p.48]
    All this critic's reviews
  7. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    12
    If "The War at Home" spent more time on good jokes instead of recycling every gimmick ever seen on TV, it might merely be mediocre, but it's worse.
  8. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    10
    The network thinks this is razor's-edge television because the characters turn to address the audience during cut-ins. But all the bellowing is straight from The Honeymooners, the jokes from Mandingo and the dialogue... from about sixth grade.
  9. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Alessandra Stanley
    70
    Not all the jokes are funny, but the characters are winningly unlovable.
  10. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Storm
    60
    You may also laugh at some of these jokes, because Michael Rapaport, who plays Daddy Dave, delivers them with such bravado.
  11. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Tom Shales
    0
    The problem is not just that it's crude and gross, but that its crudeness and grossness are so pathetically forced and contrived.
  12. Orlando Sentinel
    Reviewed by: Hal Boedeker
    20
    A coarse, exceedingly obnoxious show.
  13. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Doug Elfman
    0
    If this is America, I want out.
  14. Kansas City Star
    Reviewed by: Aaron Barnhart
    60
    There’s nothing especially novel on “The War at Home,” except the way the familiar elements -- punch lines, fantasy sequences, sassy kids, talk-to-the-camera confessionals, bleeped profanity -- come together.
  15. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Melanie McFarland
    0
    This is awful.
  16. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Ray Richmond
    10
    What this show does prove is that you can be racy and still somehow tediously tame.
  17. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Gillian Flynn
    25
    It's one limp comedy that pretends to be frank and daring about race, gender, and sexual orientation--and instead is glib, tired, and slippery. [11 Nov 2005, p.59]
    All this critic's reviews
  18. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Paul Brownfield
    60
    The result is a show that tilts toward the familiar except for the man in the middle of it. Rapaport... is a fresh choice as a man-boy whose wife and kids dance circles around him.
  19. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Sid Smith
    50
    "War" is sometimes funny.
  20. Variety
    Reviewed by: Phil Gallo
    20
    An uninspired collection of cliches, sex jokes and uninvolving characters.
  21. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Joy Press
    10
    A template of clichés the writers don't even bother to fill in.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
3.7 out of 10

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 83 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 63
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 63
  3. Negative: 42 out of 63
  1. Antony
    7
    I do not think this show was as bad as users and critics make it out to be. Originally, I generally disliked 'War' because I felt Arrested Development was the better of the two sitcoms. The fact that War took over Arrested's Sunday night time slot made me angry. I think that is the reason why there is so much hostility towards The War at Home: the derivative and unoriginal sitcom had taken over the Emmy Award winning Arrested Development's coveted spot. But upon watching The War at Home on DVD it did have its funny moments. There was good comedy chemistry between Michael Rappaport and Anita Barone. Kyle Sullivan was funny as Larry, especially the episode of him playing the lead role in 'Annie Get Your Gun' and when he punched his dad out and bloodied his nose and then proceeded to cry and run away like a little girl. That was hilarious! Yes, parts of the show was offensive but, from my observation, in order to be hilarious you gotta offend people and step on toes and 'War' is hilariously offensive.… Full Review »
  2. ihatematacritic
    10
    This is the best show i have ever seen. I don't understand you guys :| . From now on i will never rely on metacritic for anything. This isn't right. Do not listen to other reviewers ..This show was my favorite..ever.! Funny as hell.… Full Review »
  3. DanielH
    6
    Whoever likes a shallow sitcom will probably be satisfied with this show.
See all user reviews »