The Critic (1994–1995)

Jay Sherman is a New York film critic who has to review films he doesn't like for a living.

Creators:

Al Jean, Mike Reiss

Stars:

Jon Lovitz, Nancy Cartwright, Christine Cavanaugh

2 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Jon Lovitz	...	Jay Sherman (23 episodes, 1994-1995)
Nancy Cartwright	...	Margo Sherman (23 episodes, 1994-1995)
Christine Cavanaugh	...	Marty Sherman (23 episodes, 1994-1995)
Gerrit Graham	...	Franklin Sherman (23 episodes, 1994-1995)
Doris Grau	...	Doris Grossman (23 episodes, 1994-1995)
Judith Ivey	...	Eleanor Sherman (23 episodes, 1994-1995)
Nick Jameson	...	Vlada Veramirovich (23 episodes, 1994-1995)
Maurice LaMarche	...	Jeremy Hawke (23 episodes, 1994-1995)
Charles Napier	...	Duke Phillips (23 episodes, 1994-1995)
Kath Soucie	...	Various Characters (23 episodes, 1994-1995)
Park Overall	...	Alice Tompkins (10 episodes, 1995)
Russi Taylor	...	Penny Tompkins (10 episodes, 1995)

Storyline

Jay Sherman is a TV movie critic who is forced to review the most pathetic films to which is he always says "It stinks" for his reviews. In addition to the film parodies, the show also deals with his personal life working his tyrannical media mogul boss and his love-life and family.

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Plot Keywords:

critic | jay sherman | parody | gag humor | eccentric | 

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 January 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

El crítico

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Television, Film Roman Productions, Gracie Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (23 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the only TV show ever reviewed on Siskel and Ebert. Due to the fact that it was a television show and not a movie, they decided to fore-go the thumb vote. Both critics generally liked the show but gave the advice that it needed to focus more on the movie parodies and less on sitcom staples.

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Quotes

Jay Sherman: You don't think I'm gay, do you?
Doris: No man in his right mind would sleep with you.
Jay Sherman: Thank you!

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Crazy Credits

After the credits are over, a theater usher would tell Jay that the show is over and Jay's responces differ from every episode (i.e. "get away zit-face", "I have no where to go", "is the snack bar still open?" and "I'm stuck to this chair")

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Connections

Referenced in Showbiz Today: Episode dated 11 May 1995 (1995)

User Reviews

Well, like most of America's cultural elite, I worship Pan, goat god.

Like most Simpsons watching fanatics that are also latched tightly to the Family Guy, I couldn't help but walk (never run) to buy this series when it came out. Jay Sherman is my inspiration for my excessive amounts of film reviews. He was never afraid to speak his mind about the garbage distributed by Hollywood ever week. His classic line, 'It stinks' inspired me to find those horrible films and make sure I warned others before it was too late. He is a God among Gods in my book!

Created by the same team that did The Simpsons, Sherman great to life through not only the witty banter that leapt from his mouth, but also his surrounding characters. Parodying some of cinema's finest, you cannot help but laugh at this obese critic that wants nothing more than to have respect and eat his Charleston Chew. Duke Phillips is one of the funniest characters created and provides some of the funniest social commentary on the extremely wealthy in our country. Sherman, in my eyes, represents the little man. While making $270,000 a year, he doesn't rise above anyone else. He reminds all of us of who we are, whether it would be running a marathon or trying to clean-up his hometown of New York, Sherman represents our desires and wants. One of our biggest desires is to see good cinema. We pay top dollar to see good movies, why does Hollywood continually fill our plate with all the bread we can eat before giving us the main course? Suddenly, we are too full to enjoy it.

I would like to applaud Jay Sherman for his fight against a repetitive and uncreative Hollywood. As an avid film-goer it is nice to see the battle being fought in the animated world. Sadly, I only wish this series could have lasted long enough to endure some of the garbage released today. We need a new Jay Sherman to help us wade through and poke fun of today's Hollywood.

I HIGHLY recommend this series to anyone that is as upset with Hollywood as I. This series will make you laugh at a large man that loves food and life.

He is our, and especially my, hero!

Grade: ***** out of *****