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  • USA
  • Oct 28, 2014
  • USA
  • Oct 28, 2014
Benched

Summary Former corporate attorney Nina Whitley (Eliza Coupe) tries to adjust to her new job at the underfunded and understaffed Public Defender’s office that includes Phil (Jay Harrington), Cheryl (Maria Bamford), and Micah (Jolene Purdy) as well as facing her ex-fiancé, Trent, (Carter MacIntyre) at the District Attorney’s office.

Created By: Damon Jones, Michaela Watkins

  • USA
  • Oct 28, 2014
  • USA
  • Oct 28, 2014
Benched
Season 1
Season Premiere: Oct 28, 2014
Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 14 Critic Reviews
63
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 13 User Ratings
7.3
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary Former corporate attorney Nina Whitley (Eliza Coupe) tries to adjust to her new job at the underfunded and understaffed Public Defender’s office that includes Phil (Jay Harrington), Cheryl (Maria Bamford), and Micah (Jolene Purdy) as well as facing her ex-fiancé, Trent, (Carter MacIntyre) at the District Attorney’s office.

Created By: Damon Jones, Michaela Watkins

Where to Watch

Season Episodes

View All Seasons
Episode 1 • Oct 28, 2014 • 23 m
Pilot
Episode 2 • Nov 4, 2014 • 22 m
Downsizing
Hoping to be accepted back into the corporate world, Nina gives a speech, but it goes awry; the gang struggles to fit in.
Episode 3 • Nov 11, 2014 • 22 m
Hooked & Booked
Phil tricks Nina into believing that public defenders voluntarily go to jail; Phil and Boring Larry take Carlos out for a night on the town.
Episode 4 • Nov 18, 2014 • 21 m
Sell It
Nina realizes she may need help influencing jurors; Phil and Trent face off in front of a grumpy judge.
Episode 5 • Nov 25, 2014 • 22 m
Shark, Actually
Nina is worried she is being played by a private defense lawyer assigned to her case; Phil tries to impress a cute stenographer.
Episode 6 • Dec 2, 2014 • 22 m
Rights & Wrongs
Nina is forced to compromise when her refusal to lose cases to Trent begins to clog up the court system; Carlos quits smoking.
Episode 7 • Dec 9, 2014 • 22 m
Curry Favor
Nina finds a new friend in a forensics analyst; Nina's new friend takes the meaning of loyalty too far; Carlos is forced to stay with Phil for a few days.
Episode 8 • Dec 16, 2014 • 22 m
Diamond Is a Girl's Worst Friend
Nina makes a bet when she is assigned one of Phil's former defendants; Micah criticizes Phil's and Carlos' behavior in court.
Episode 9 • Dec 23, 2014 • 22 m
A New Development
Nina discovers that Trent and the district attorney's office are involved in a plot to arrest the city's homeless; Cheryl turns to Nina for help.
Episode 10 • Dec 23, 2014 • 22 m
Solitary Refinement
An old friend asks Nina to set her up with Phil; Nina goes on an ill-fated double date; a female judge begins paying attention to Carlos.
Episode 11 • Dec 30, 2014 • 22 m
Campaign Contributions
Nina insists on helping Phil win an award; Trent brings his 10-year-old "little brother" to court for one week.
Episode 12 • Dec 30, 2014 • 22 m
Brief Encounters
Nina must make some hard choices after secretly reuniting with Trent; Morris calls out Phil for being glib.

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 14 Critic Reviews
63
50% Positive
7 Reviews
50% Mixed
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 14 Critic Reviews
63
50% Positive
7 Reviews
50% Mixed
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
91
Oct 28, 2014
From the writing, to the cast, to impactful details like the spot-on styling and sets, Benched exudes confidence and commitment.
FULL REVIEW
80
Oct 28, 2014
It's rare to come across a comedy that displays such admirable focus and delivers such smartly packaged slices of diverting escapism. More, please.
By Maureen Ryan FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 13 User Ratings
7.3
77% Positive
10 Ratings
23% Mixed
3 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 13 User Ratings
7.3
77% Positive
10 Ratings
23% Mixed
3 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
9
MaLoFe
Oct 29, 2014
After one episode there is the urgent feeling it might be a 10, but it will have to proof it's tendency's to be the best screwball-lawyer-show of this season and since a loooooong time! Eliza Coupe is so good, but her nearly unknown acting-partners level up with her for a good working ensemble.
Report
SEASON 1
8
notforbreakfast
Nov 1, 2014
Witty, smart, stylish, and fun are all words up that can be used to describe the eccentric new USA series "Benched". The writing is sharp, and the acting is even sharper.
Report
SEASON 1
70
Oct 27, 2014
This may all seem assembled from a paint-by-numbers kit, but it clicks nicely, thanks to a lively group of supporting players who include Fred Melamed as a judge and Jolene Purdy as an intern.
By Neil Genzlinger FULL REVIEW
60
Oct 28, 2014
It’s a breezy, amusing half hour with a lead character whose insecurities poke through her confident exterior.
By David Hinckley FULL REVIEW
50
Oct 28, 2014
Te pilot episode was written by Michaela Watkins ("Trophy Wife") and Damon Jones ("Peep Show"), who write to Ms. Coupe's comedic strengths while also peppering the background with amusing comic gags (viewers who pay closer attention will reap the most laughs from "Benched"). A second episode sent for review was less funny than the pilot and the plot was also a head-scratcher.
By Rob Owen FULL REVIEW
50
Oct 27, 2014
Aside from the occasional line that’s slightly bluer than what can be gotten away with on most network fare, there’s precious little here to distinguish the series.
By Brian Lowry FULL REVIEW
40
Oct 29, 2014
Benched is nowhere near as funny as it thinks it is, mainly because Watkins and Jones seem to believe that the endless humiliations of a thin, attractive, previously well-compensated blond woman are all it takes to make people laugh.
By Mary McNamara FULL REVIEW
See All 14 Critic Reviews
6
metabad
Dec 31, 2014
The pilot showed promise which has yet to be fulfilled. The following episodes where a bit of a letdown. I like Eliza Coupe and the rest of the cast is likable, too. There is funny stuff in there but it's still not enough for calling it a good show. If the writing improves, it's good to go.
Report
SEASON 1
6
Skayt26
Nov 17, 2014
Good start. But many (too many) easy jokes.I think we quickly turn round with Benched. The team is endearing... and the dynamic which was installed was... not too bad
Report
SEASON 1
See All 4 User Reviews

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