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  • 2002
  • NBC
  • 2002
  • NBC
Watching Ellie

Summary Julia Louis-Dreyfus, best known as Elaine from Seinfeld, stars in the real-time sitcom about a Los Angeles singer/voice over actress. Each episode will represent a half-hour of Eleanor's life. Some of the innovations of the show include a clock time used on the screen to count the show's 22 minutes as the episode is shown. Created by Bra...

Created By: Brad Hall

  • 2002
  • NBC
  • 2002
  • NBC

Watching Ellie

Season 1 Premiere: Feb 26, 2002
Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 51 Critic Reviews
49
User Score Available after 4 ratings
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Summary Julia Louis-Dreyfus, best known as Elaine from Seinfeld, stars in the real-time sitcom about a Los Angeles singer/voice over actress. Each episode will represent a half-hour of Eleanor's life. Some of the innovations of the show include a clock time used on the screen to count the show's 22 minutes as the episode is shown. Created by Bra...

Created By: Brad Hall

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 51 Critic Reviews
49
31% Positive
16 Reviews
37% Mixed
19 Reviews
31% Negative
16 Reviews

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

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 51 Critic Reviews
49
31% Positive
16 Reviews
37% Mixed
19 Reviews
31% Negative
16 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
83
Jun 14, 2013
Watching Ellie is smart and likable -- it earns its gimmicky premise.
By Ken Tucker FULL REVIEW
70
Jun 20, 2014
Louis-Dreyfus fits easily and naturally into the leading role of a vehicle built for one. She makes it a pleasure to watch Ellie - and to listen to her, too, when she sings in each episode. [26 Feb 2002]
By Matthew Gilbert FULL REVIEW
60
Jun 20, 2014
Watching Ellie is hardly another Seinfeld, a comedy that became a cultural landmark. Rather it's a quirky little series that leans too heavily on a gimmick.
By Hal Boedeker FULL REVIEW
50
Jun 20, 2014
If the material were better, she wouldn't have to mug and grimace and cavort so strenuously; push wouldn't have to keep coming to shove. ... It's an in-your-face affair, and after a while, your face gets tired. [15 Apr 2003]
By Tom Shales FULL REVIEW
40
Jun 20, 2014
I watched the pilot three times, thinking I'd get used to the timer. But each time, I found myself looking at the timer more than I did at Ellie. And, I'll tell you something: for the first half of the pilot, I liked the timer a lot more than her. And I'll tell you something else: the timer is only one of several things I hate about the pilot. [26 Feb 2002]
By David Zurawik FULL REVIEW
25
Jun 20, 2014
Shooting a comedy in real time may be an interesting exercise for the producer, but it doesn't make the story more interesting, or add to the laugh ratio. In fact, that little timer is downright distracting. [26 Feb 2002]
By Robert P. Laurence FULL REVIEW
0
Jun 20, 2014
In what has to be one of the most difficult achievements in modern television history, NBC has managed to make "Watching Ellie" exponentially worse in this "new" version.
By Tim Goodman FULL REVIEW

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Details

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Production Company:
  • Hammond's Reef
  • NBC Studios
Initial Release Date: Feb 26, 2002
Number of seasons: 2 Seasons
Genres:
All Details

Awards

Motion Picture Sound Editors, USA
• 2 Nominations
Online Film & Television Association
• 1 Nomination

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