SERIOUSLY, i really do not get what's up with all the negative reviews. This show is genuinely funny, i do not get why people are saying that it seems like a bad show and that it's lame and dry. This show is just like an ordinary sitcom out there. It's not trying to be something it isn't. There are even a couple of good laughs here and there and it doesn't push any "Asian Agenda" as many are claiming. I feel that people are unsatisfied because of Ken Jeong's character. Maybe most are not used to seeing Ken Jeong as a normal but quirky family man and that's why people see this show so negatively. If you want to watch a show where Ken Jeong is acting weird and quirky like how he does on "Community" or in "The hangover", then i can get why people are disappointed. But then again, the title is "Dr Ken" and he has a family. What do people expect??? A guy selling drugs? A crazy doctor? It does not make sense. All in all, i liked this show and its entirety. Makes me laugh and is actually interesting. It has proper characters and it is refreshing to watch.
31 Reviews
Such great potential, should've been kept on air
fiona-tamburrini10 February 2019
I agree with the other poster who said that this show should've been on HBO so that it would've had more freedom. There's an edge to it,but you feel that just as a great line was going somewhere, there was an edit. Ken is brilliant as always and the son is tv gold, I hope we see them work together again soon, and for much longer.
Had some good moments, but could have been better
leoducharme10 January 2019
I remember watching this show and thinking that it would be ten times better if it was on HBO and he could be free to do whatever he wanted. Anyone who has seen Ken Jeong's bloopers knows that he is a fantastic improviser, and when he does it he can make you cry laughing. If he had that kind of freedom this show would probably still be on air.
Oldest recipe in the TV-series cookbook...
Dr_Sagan4 October 2015
To sum it up, this is a family sitcom with a fake laugh track, shot entirely in a studio, where the main character tries to balance his career, his marriage, and his family.
So you have seen it a gazillion times. Over and over, in sooo many forms, yet, every time it remains essentially the same.
Ken Jeong, an actual doctor who turned into a comedian (best known for the Hangover movies and the Community TV-series) tries to be funny, but he doesn't try to be different.
You expect to catch a few jokes here and there, and, ...well...at least smile with them, but the relatively fast pace with the loud fake laughs makes this show tiresome really quick. You might want to like it, because Jeong is otherwise a good comedian, but it doesn't let you to.
Overall: I don't think that it will go far. It's the oldest recipe on TV and the execution doesn't have to offer something new.
So you have seen it a gazillion times. Over and over, in sooo many forms, yet, every time it remains essentially the same.
Ken Jeong, an actual doctor who turned into a comedian (best known for the Hangover movies and the Community TV-series) tries to be funny, but he doesn't try to be different.
You expect to catch a few jokes here and there, and, ...well...at least smile with them, but the relatively fast pace with the loud fake laughs makes this show tiresome really quick. You might want to like it, because Jeong is otherwise a good comedian, but it doesn't let you to.
Overall: I don't think that it will go far. It's the oldest recipe on TV and the execution doesn't have to offer something new.
Why are there so many haters?
ms-fit9 October 2015
Look l just read all the previous reviews and don't get how they didn't laugh.
Yes it is a fast paced show for a short period of time, sure they could have dragged out the story lines, but why would you.
Everyone in our family were laughing at different bits in the show. It is a fun family show that depicts things that happen in everyday life, obviously these days people are so sensitive that they can't even laugh at the things we all know to be true.
Don't read what the haters are saying, watch the show and decide if it's the kind of humour that's for you.
Yes it is a fast paced show for a short period of time, sure they could have dragged out the story lines, but why would you.
Everyone in our family were laughing at different bits in the show. It is a fun family show that depicts things that happen in everyday life, obviously these days people are so sensitive that they can't even laugh at the things we all know to be true.
Don't read what the haters are saying, watch the show and decide if it's the kind of humour that's for you.
Sigh,...Really?
jimel982 October 2015
Ken Jeong can be one of the funniest people out there and since he's involved in making the show, not just staring in it, I'm hopeful. I'm not going to suggest it be dumped, I cannot stand when a show with promise is given no chance to hit it's stride. I can only hope there's a stride to hit with this. It wasn't funny to me. Two maybe three times the show gave me a chuckle, but that was about it. Maybe I expected too much but all I got was a formulaic sitcom, not a thing was special about it, not even Ken Jeong and if HE can't be special, just a bit of a jerk, is there hope? Another irritant was Tisha Campbell-Martin as Demona. As my wife and I watched the entire episode we both agreed, she was irritating. Jonathan Slavin proved his comedic genius on the murdered "Better Off Ted" so I KNOW he's got the chops to help this show survive. Dave Foley, always good.
But, please, tone down the animation and improve the writing before we all see the shark jump and eventual sinking into the abyss of cancellation. There are too many GOOD people in this cast to give up just yet, but it could be painful to watch future episodes.
But, please, tone down the animation and improve the writing before we all see the shark jump and eventual sinking into the abyss of cancellation. There are too many GOOD people in this cast to give up just yet, but it could be painful to watch future episodes.
As a Nurse....
MsFussyBritches10 October 2015
The pilot was painful. I couldn't get thru it. Typical sitcom shtick that I am not a fan. I am more of the Arrested Development variety.
However, As a Nurse (if you saw the 2nd episode you might get the reference) I find a lot more humor in the 2nd episode. Perhaps it comes from my being in health-care and seeing the US health-care system and arrogant doctors skewered. The 2nd episode was much more enjoyable.
I'm going to keep watching. I think the early reviewers jumped the gun reviewing off the pilot. Pilots are always rough and rocky. They rarely show the true potential.
I <3 Ken Jeong.
However, As a Nurse (if you saw the 2nd episode you might get the reference) I find a lot more humor in the 2nd episode. Perhaps it comes from my being in health-care and seeing the US health-care system and arrogant doctors skewered. The 2nd episode was much more enjoyable.
I'm going to keep watching. I think the early reviewers jumped the gun reviewing off the pilot. Pilots are always rough and rocky. They rarely show the true potential.
I <3 Ken Jeong.
Trying too hard makes it come across as creepy, not funny
ed-268119 October 2015
I haven't seen this actor before, so came into this with no specific expectations. I'm sure they're just trying to be funny with the script and the overacting, but instead of coming across as funny, it comes across as being really creepy. This show is a total failure IMHO, so bad I can't even bear to give it a second chance after the horrible pilot. It's rare that I hate a show that much, I'm usually willing to at least give a show one more shot after the pilot since pilots can be pretty rough work. I just can't see this show lasting, although many shows I thought were bad do last and ones I've really loved get cancelled. I guess only time will tell, but my verdict is "skip it!"
As a physician, many of the sentiments and jokes are right on
chao6007714 December 2015
While the writing on the show is sometimes inconsistent, the overall theme is to be applauded. Like the Cosby show many years ago, the stories do not hinge on the ethnicity of the core cast, but rather how all peoples/families deal with similar conflicts and tribulations, but with a little spin. The teenage daughter and son could be anyone's child, and that is what makes the family aspects work for me. The physician aspect is much more fleshed out and rings so true on many levels (speaking as one with a physician in the family). Of course many of the jokes are just things that a care giver would think and not necessarily say, which is the strange attraction of the Dr. Ken character. He is an unfiltered, un-PC mirror for the health care community. This is a solid twist on the Dr. in television, more like Newhart than Marcus Welby, and in some ways more realistic than the hyper-aggrandized Hollywood babble of shows like House or even Quincy ME.
too safe sitcom
SnoopyStyle12 May 2017
Ken Park (Ken Jeong) is a wise-cracking HMO doctor. With wife Allison (Suzy Nakamura), he has two kids; Dave (Albert Tsai) and Molly (Krista Marie Yu). D.K. (Dana Lee) is his old-world dad. Pat (Dave Foley) runs the clinic. Damona (Tisha Campbell-Martin), Clark (Jonathan Slavin), and Julie (Kate Simses) are the nurses.
The Hangover's Ken Jeong tries to do a standard network sitcom show. Asian-Americans have had a troubled past until recently. This may be trying to be too safe. There is nothing terribly funny here. I can only recall a couple of notable shows, both dealing with his parents. It's not surprising that the dad got included as a regular. Ken may be best as a wacky side character. He struggles as a traditional central lead.
The Hangover's Ken Jeong tries to do a standard network sitcom show. Asian-Americans have had a troubled past until recently. This may be trying to be too safe. There is nothing terribly funny here. I can only recall a couple of notable shows, both dealing with his parents. It's not surprising that the dad got included as a regular. Ken may be best as a wacky side character. He struggles as a traditional central lead.
Gone from great to bad
katiswan20 February 2016
This show started out great. A cute little family and funny co-workers (some very stupid and scary) but every week it gets worse. The wife is cute but I am tired of shows showing how smart the mom is and the dad is stupid. The kids are smart and the dad doesn't know anything. This man is a doctor and he looks like the world's new view of men. If he is a man lets make him stupid and his opinion is always wrong or if he is smart then he must be gay. The kids are sweet but they play rude and disrespectful little brats. Every week I think next week it will get better. It went down hill fast from there. Now you couldn't pay me to watch it. Last night was the last. The writers gay agenda is killing this show. If that was your intention to begin with JUST SAY SO. Don't pretend you are something you are not then when you have an audience SURPRISE.
i give it 10 out of 10 !!!
sfu-7211918 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
why are there so many negative reviews for this TV Series? i personally love it! i think it's a hilarious comedy.
ken Jeong overacted in the show,said a bunch of really lame jokes and was being a selfish "bitch". but these are the reasons why i like this show so much. you don't get to see people do that in real life. i mean, normally. besides, he also showed a good side of himself.
doctor ken's family also did a good job in the show. especially, Albert Tsai. i bet you will love this cute little boy! :) anyway, it won't hurt,so just give it a try.
i am looking forward to season 2!!!!
ken Jeong overacted in the show,said a bunch of really lame jokes and was being a selfish "bitch". but these are the reasons why i like this show so much. you don't get to see people do that in real life. i mean, normally. besides, he also showed a good side of himself.
doctor ken's family also did a good job in the show. especially, Albert Tsai. i bet you will love this cute little boy! :) anyway, it won't hurt,so just give it a try.
i am looking forward to season 2!!!!
It's watchable
cwamne_h25 November 2016
Dr. Ken is a family show that focuses on the life of a Korean-American doctor. Ken has a wife Allison, who is Japanese-American and a therapist. They have have 2 kids, the typical teenage daughter and the smart odd young son. The show is about Ken's family life and his work life, in both he's a bit clueless to things.
I would say this show is passable, it's nothing you'll be very excited to watch, but it's something you can watch. The problem is there's nothing fresh to the show, besides the fact that it's culturally mixed, which is great. But it's not very funny, the writing is basic, and the delivery on acting is just okay.
The cast and characters are great, but the writing is too weak and it doesn't seem like there's much effort in making the show. The actors are fine, just needs better production and writing.
I would say this show is passable, it's nothing you'll be very excited to watch, but it's something you can watch. The problem is there's nothing fresh to the show, besides the fact that it's culturally mixed, which is great. But it's not very funny, the writing is basic, and the delivery on acting is just okay.
The cast and characters are great, but the writing is too weak and it doesn't seem like there's much effort in making the show. The actors are fine, just needs better production and writing.
Not funny at all
chiluvr122812 December 2015
I rarely give new sitcoms a chance because most of them are so awful (NBC I'm talking to you) but I thought I would give Dr. Ken a chance since it comes on after Last Man Standing which I do like. The pilot was awful but I watched a few more episodes because sometimes a show improves after a few episodes. This one didn't. Ken Jeong portrays his character, who is a doctor, as some kind of college kid complete with the immaturity and unfunny comments. Why some people find him hilarious is beyond me.
As in most sitcoms these days, the wife wears the pants in the family and just doesn't seem believable as his wife. The daughter is okay, the son gives me the creeps.
The staff at the hospital aren't bad except for the young, female doctor with the long brown hair who apparently is a total screw up in her personal life.
There is nothing remarkable about this sitcom. The writing is awful and the acting is sub-par. It reminds me of Cristela which was in the same time slot last year and was about a Hispanic family instead of an Asian one. Thankfully it was canceled after one season. I have a feeling this show will be canceled also. It appears for every new sitcom that is aired, only one or two a season are worth renewing. This isn't one of them.
As in most sitcoms these days, the wife wears the pants in the family and just doesn't seem believable as his wife. The daughter is okay, the son gives me the creeps.
The staff at the hospital aren't bad except for the young, female doctor with the long brown hair who apparently is a total screw up in her personal life.
There is nothing remarkable about this sitcom. The writing is awful and the acting is sub-par. It reminds me of Cristela which was in the same time slot last year and was about a Hispanic family instead of an Asian one. Thankfully it was canceled after one season. I have a feeling this show will be canceled also. It appears for every new sitcom that is aired, only one or two a season are worth renewing. This isn't one of them.
It's ok
bill73822124 November 2020
It's a pretty run of the mill sitcom. A lot of jokes jokes go for the obvious. A lot of the appeal for it, at least for me, was Ken Jeong coming fresh off of Community, and bringing a number of his co-stars in for cameos. But watching through it, nothing was really anything more than adequate. Other sitcoms do the jokes better, but if you like the cast it works. The best analogy I can think of is it's like oatmeal, it'll work for what you want, but it's bland and there are better options.
Pretty disappointing
mattjohnson5326 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I saw a lot of trailers for it and I thought maybe this was going to be a fun show but sadly I'm a bit disappointed with Ken Jeong (which is strange, I usually like his humor). I liked him in "The Duff" movie where he councils a student. He's likable and wasn't trying so hard to make you laugh. His comedy was more natural. I think he's overdoing it on this show. It's not really original nor is it intelligent (even though you feel like you're suppose to enjoy his humor). For a character that is portraying a doctor (since he was once a real medical doctor) one would think there would be clever jokes written from his real life experiences as a doctor but I think since he is mostly coming up with the script himself, he may end up like M. Night Shyamalan. M. Night Shyamalan has been notorious for trying to do everything himself in his movies that they start to become too blasé and rather boring. Same problem here with Dr. Ken, he starts to get too predictable and rather boring.
Puzzled
martin-intercultural26 May 2017
Watched a few episodes on the plane. The main character is Asian-American and so is his wife, but this seems to have few repercussions on how they interact with the world around them. Dr. Ken in particular quickly starts bordering on inexplicable. An incarnation of David Spade from "Just Shoot Me", only on steroids -- manic, compulsive, clowning around every second of every scene. It gets tiring rather quickly.
Fresh off the boat is better...
simple-619691 February 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I am another fan of Ken but this is disappointing... I would have expected a stereotype Asian family but instead it's just another typical American family story that struggles to be funny.
I admit I expected more from Ken but I can still see that he's trying hard...
I'm a Korean myself. I would put a lot more that'll introduce Asian culture in it. Cuz I just see an American family that's Asian.
The tension between Ken's parents' and parents' in law due to the Japanese occupation. or the fact that Koreans and Japanese are in a way conservative, hard working, drinking culture, patriarchal attitude, food conflict on what they should eat... Japanese? Korean? American? ...
then it would help build a more actual like similar atmosphere of what a Korean and Japanese family would look like together.
also what's with ken's parents' accent? his wife's parents' have a perfect American accent but Ken's parents have a weird not Korean, Japanese/ Chinese accent... anyway a little too late for that...
But I hope it'll start settling down.
I admit I expected more from Ken but I can still see that he's trying hard...
I'm a Korean myself. I would put a lot more that'll introduce Asian culture in it. Cuz I just see an American family that's Asian.
The tension between Ken's parents' and parents' in law due to the Japanese occupation. or the fact that Koreans and Japanese are in a way conservative, hard working, drinking culture, patriarchal attitude, food conflict on what they should eat... Japanese? Korean? American? ...
then it would help build a more actual like similar atmosphere of what a Korean and Japanese family would look like together.
also what's with ken's parents' accent? his wife's parents' have a perfect American accent but Ken's parents have a weird not Korean, Japanese/ Chinese accent... anyway a little too late for that...
But I hope it'll start settling down.
Love this show!!!
zwiers-0430821 August 2020
Wanted to like it, but was disappointed
angie_blaney28 March 2017
I like the two main actors in this show, so when I stumbled across it, I was prepared to like it right out of the gate.
It is a show built AROUND a laugh track.
The actors actually pause in between their lines, waiting for the laugh track (before the laughing begins - which is how you can tell it's a track and not a live audience). It's really unnatural.
The sole purpose of a laugh track is to make poor writing and mediocre acting into something that is somewhat palatable. Shows like the Office and Scrubs didn't use laugh tracks - they weren't needed. They had excellent writing and excellent acting, and their longevity and success were built on it.
It's a shame. The actors here are better than what the show is giving them to work with.
It is a show built AROUND a laugh track.
The actors actually pause in between their lines, waiting for the laugh track (before the laughing begins - which is how you can tell it's a track and not a live audience). It's really unnatural.
The sole purpose of a laugh track is to make poor writing and mediocre acting into something that is somewhat palatable. Shows like the Office and Scrubs didn't use laugh tracks - they weren't needed. They had excellent writing and excellent acting, and their longevity and success were built on it.
It's a shame. The actors here are better than what the show is giving them to work with.
Really, what's up with the haters?
sogeumi-997-4820037 April 2017
As a doctor, this is one of the very few medical shows I can actually watch and enjoy as I'm not completely turned off at the gross inaccuracies, like those of House and Grey's. It is also really, really funny! Smart, fast-paced, and easy to watch. Yes, it's not a high- budget, drama-filled thriller, and there are some cheesy scenes, but overall, a great show. I really hope it doesn't get cancelled!!!
Lazy Writers
popitarts19 November 2015
I watched a few episodes and tried to like the show but the writing. Oh the writing.... You know a TV show or movie has had lazy writers when they break out the name Dave for a character. It's also a good sign of when parents don't love their kids or just don't love them enough to give them a real name.
PROJECT ----> Go into any department store, or better yet a Walmart and page the name Dave to come to the red courtesy phone. Guaranteed no less than 5 goobers show up that's how overused the name is, especially in the rural places in America. It's also "almost" a guarantee that any TV show or movie that has that named used for a character that it has been written by lazy writers. So if they're too lazy to spend a couple of seconds to give their characters a better name then they were too lazy to write a good script.
This show is a good example of lazy writers.
PROJECT ----> Go into any department store, or better yet a Walmart and page the name Dave to come to the red courtesy phone. Guaranteed no less than 5 goobers show up that's how overused the name is, especially in the rural places in America. It's also "almost" a guarantee that any TV show or movie that has that named used for a character that it has been written by lazy writers. So if they're too lazy to spend a couple of seconds to give their characters a better name then they were too lazy to write a good script.
This show is a good example of lazy writers.
aaargh
angelorwez12 August 2022
This show makes sitcoms look bad...
this Dr ken guy is annoying as hell...jeong is definitely not made for tv...
bad in community...too animated in hangover...
please go be a doctor...tv and Film ain't for you...but what do i know...apparently he's lovable...
generic comedy...not good at all...
this Dr ken guy is annoying as hell...jeong is definitely not made for tv...
bad in community...too animated in hangover...
please go be a doctor...tv and Film ain't for you...but what do i know...apparently he's lovable...
generic comedy...not good at all...
Worthless
brunomiguelpires8 December 2017
One of the worst shows i've ever seen in my life. Calling this comedy is an offense to comedy. Poor jokes, together with vulgar acting make for a show that is just a waste of time. The jokes attempts are so bad and so forced that it's just to sad to be broadcasted. Thankfully, it was canceled. Canceling this should be considered public service.
I think it's actually pretty damn good! and i'll tell you why...
machina-495447 December 2015
Chemistry between characters are extremely good!
Just like how big bang, friends, will and grace, how i met your mother and entourage went (10 amazing seasons), albeit being a little bit low budget, all the actors have amazing chemistry with each other.
Of course the humor is not as whacky and flabbergasting as entourage, but lets face it, this is a family oriented show, and for the humor that's in it, i find it much more appealing than "modern family" i couldn't stand modern family for some weird reason...probably because of that Spanish wife chick who's stereotypically bimbotic married to the grandfather and Phil cuz he's an idiot.
KEN JEONG smashes it in both departments for me, as a family man, and as a doctor. He's sarcasm is off the roof and somehow reminds me of Ari Gold in entourage (we all love ari gold don't we?? ;)
I hope the show really does go on. certainly put a smile on my face.
Just like how big bang, friends, will and grace, how i met your mother and entourage went (10 amazing seasons), albeit being a little bit low budget, all the actors have amazing chemistry with each other.
Of course the humor is not as whacky and flabbergasting as entourage, but lets face it, this is a family oriented show, and for the humor that's in it, i find it much more appealing than "modern family" i couldn't stand modern family for some weird reason...probably because of that Spanish wife chick who's stereotypically bimbotic married to the grandfather and Phil cuz he's an idiot.
KEN JEONG smashes it in both departments for me, as a family man, and as a doctor. He's sarcasm is off the roof and somehow reminds me of Ari Gold in entourage (we all love ari gold don't we?? ;)
I hope the show really does go on. certainly put a smile on my face.
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