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Random 1
SERIES: A&E, Tuesday 10:00p (60 minutes)

Random 1
Critic Score
Metascore: 52 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
9.0 out of 10
based on 7 reviews
read critic reviews
how did we calculate this?
based on 54 votes
read user comments
rate this tv show

Starring Andre Miller, and John Chester

Two men drive through America performing random acts of kindness for people they meet along the way.

GENRE(S): Reality (Non-Competitive)
CREATED BY: Andre Miller
John Chester
FIRST AIR DATE: November 1, 2005

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

75
People Weekly Jennifer Wulff
The camera work is shaky, the music is gritty, and the endings aren't always happy. But the fact that you can almost smell the B.O. on some of the people piling into that truck makes it a raw, more real alternative to the usual sugary sweet. [21 Nov 2005, p.43]
70
The New York Times Alessandra Stanley
"Random 1" is not nearly as melodramatic [as "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"], but it doesn't manufacture its miracles. It offers small, random acts of kindness, and that is sometimes a much better deal.
Read Full Review
60
Boston Globe Matthew Gilbert
Ultimately, ''Random 1" is a portrait of the giving spirit in action, not a fantasy show about happy endings.
Read Full Review
50
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Rob Owen
It's uplifting, but not hugely entertaining. After a while, I sort of think the show will feel tired; once you've seen one good deed done, you've seen them all.
Read Full Review
50
Salon Heather Havrilesky
The meandering pace of this show feels a little tedious... Still, "Random 1" does offer a more inspiring aftertaste than the saccharine "Scooby-Doo" endings of "Three Wishes."
Read Full Review
30
Hollywood Reporter Ray Richmond
There's something a little bit annoying at the core of this reality travelogue that surrounds the means by which the ends are achieved.
Read Full Review
30
Flak Magazine Joey Rubin
Unfortunately, what could be an inspiring antidote to the never-ending stream of unreal "Reality TV" turns out to be a jumbled, mediocre program with little going for it except its intended goodwill.
Read Full Review

What Our Users Said

Vote Now!The average user rating for this tv show is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 54 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

graphics chik gave it a10:
Best "REAL" Show Ever!!!!! Why did A&E cancel this and leave stupid shows like "Dog the bounty hunter" instead???? Random 1 was and is the best show I've seen in a long time....I was an A&E fan until you pulled Random 1.

Troy m gave it a10:
This is the best show on television, period. Anyone who thinks otherwise is missing the point. Assuming it's real (which it looks like it is), I'd much rather see normal, abnormal, white, black, poor, not-so-poor, common everyday folks get the benefit of help in their lives without having to be a "contestant" or have their story approved by some corporate interest i.e. Sears, ABC et al. T.V. is for US! We watch it, buy the stuff it sells us, and (unfortunately) follow it blindly when it tells us what's going on in the world (weapons of mass destruction, anyone???). When I watch this show, in some small but significant way, I feel like the viewer does matter. We are all people, after all.

JAY M gave it a10:
A real show with real people helping real people,what a concept.A breath of fresh air with all the crap on air.I look foreward to a new season.

Lois B gave it a10:
This is a wonderful show that touches my heart and softens me to others in a world that doesn't value kindness or helping others. It is a miracle it ever got on TV.I heard about it from word of mouth and will help to spread the word. What a breath of fresh air!

Sheryl L gave it a10:
Are you kidding me? I missed at least one episode due to a change of nights but, luckily, caught it and taped it at midnight! This is, finally, a show that "pays it forward" and I, for one, applaude it 100% Puleeeease don't pull it! It's not always positive but it's not for the lack of the team's efforts! And, let's face it, life isn't always positive but it only takes a couple of great outcomes to keep me coming back for more!

scott m gave it a10:
this show fills my heart with joy,every once and while you need a leg up.

Film Guy gave it a9:
This show is what reality TV is supposed to be. It's real, not manufactured, not prize patrol or makeovers. This is TRUE documentary - unplanned and raw. The American public is used to high production value faux reality with actors and professional "hosts". People like Mr. Pringle Fringle are the reason why a show like this is needed - To change the expectations (and hopefully attitudes) of the viewing public. I would suggest one of those shows where people eat bugs or have to loose weight to win prizes for people who think this show isn't genuine.

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