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Reaper
SERIES: CW, Tuesday 9:00p (60 minutes)


8.9

based on 27 reviews
read critic reviews
how did we calculate this?

based on 79 votes
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Get more information on this show at TV.com.

Starring Bret Harrison, Ray Wise, Tyler Labine, Rick Gonzalez, Donavon Stinson, Missy Peregrym, Allison Hossack, and Andrew Airlie

The Devil comes to collect Sam's soul and gives him a new job of sweeping up with a Dirt Devil.

GENRE(S):	Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
CREATED BY:	Michele Fazekas Tara Butters
FIRST AIR DATE:	September 25, 2007

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...

100

Chicago Sun-Times Doug Elfman

It's a lot of fun. It's funny. And stars Bret Harrison and Tyler Labine have better chemistry than most duos on TV.

100

San Francisco Chronicle Tim Goodman

The writing and acting are hit out of the ballpark on this one, and that's not a vibe you pick up out of nowhere.

Entertainment Weekly Gillian Flynn

Wise steals this, show, and his costars aren't easy prey. What's more, the dynamic is quite clever. [28 Sep 2007, p.94]

Kansas City Star Aaron Barnhart

Reaper is remarkably well-paced and hilariously well-written.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Melanie McFarland

Besides being the funniest pilot, it has the best cast.

Newark Star-Ledger Alan Sepinwall

The CW's Reaper and NBC's "Chuck," the two shows featuring the aforementioned Sam and, um, Chuck, are an unusual pairing in that they're not only both good--with ABC's "Pushing Daisies," they're the best new shows of the season.

USA Today Robert Bianco

Wise has been given a great chance to shine, and he makes the most of it, stealing scenes with such aplomb it may almost be a sin. Still, the show has to be carried by Harrison and Labine, and they seem up to the task.

LA Weekly Robert Abele

Kevin Smith directs the pilot episode with his typically expert comic timing. But he also handles the dark action bits nicely. Because even though Reaper is generous with its humor, it’s not entirely wink-wink.

Philadelphia Inquirer Jonathan Storm

Reaper is right up there with the best new shows of the season, better, actually, than NBC's "Chuck" because it dares to be more radical.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Rob Owen

Wise is one lucky devil. And so are viewers who appreciate lighthearted, supernatural dramas.

The New York Times Alessandra Stanley

Reaper is not at all grim; it’s actually quite rewarding.

Washington Post Tom Shales

Reaper works on its own cleverly devilish level and proves one of the happier, snappier surprises of the season.

Los Angeles Times Robert Lloyd

Tyler Labine makes a most excellent wacky bearded sidekick, and Rick Gonzalez and Valarie Rae Miller round out the Scooby Gang. Auteur of slackerdom Kevin Smith ("Clerks") directed the pilot, which maintains a nice fairy tale tone even as it stresses the banality of the infernal.

Orlando Sentinel Hal Boedeker

Wise's acting is the most awesome asset.

Philadelphia Daily News Ellen Gray

Geek TV is really the stories of people who've had greatness, not geekiness, thrust upon them, mostly in the form of unrequested superpowers. It should probably disturb me, but somehow doesn't, that the best of these, the CW's Reaper.

Boston Globe Matthew Gilbert

All the details have color, and so do the characters, right down to Sam's guilt-ridden parents, with whom he still lives. And there are fleeting hints of drama in the scenario that will surely gain momentum and weight.

Hollywood Reporter Barry Garron

Reaper is a fun show to watch but not to think about. The concept is imaginative, and the characters are enjoyable. The pilot is a hugely entertaining hour of TV.

Newsday Diane Werts

It's all sharp and snappy.

Variety Brian Lowry

In pulling these tried-and-true elements together, Smith and series creators Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters also garnish Reaper with several deft little touches--like pegging the Dept. of Motor Vehicles as a hiding-in-plain-sight portal to Hell, or the appropriate strains of Blue Oyster Cult's 'Don't Fear the Reaper.'

Chicago Tribune Maureen Ryan

With its young, often winning cast and its sparky, humorous dialogue, Reaper pays homage to the memorable shows created by Joss Whedon.

Miami Herald Glenn Garvin

Reaper is a hilariously fractured commentary on Gen Y.

New York Daily News David Hinckley

If I sound too enthusiastic about a series that ends up, in the pilot, being a bit too obsessed with special effects, I apologize. The Devil made me do it. Or at least Ray Wise did

New York Post Adam Buckman

Of course, it's a ridiculous, far-fetched sce nario, but it works be cause the producers of Reaper never take their subject too seriously.

Detroit Free Press Mike Duffy

With its sharp writing, wonderful cast and wacko spirit, Reaper is one helluva good time.

Arizona Republic Randy Cordova

There are lots of laughs and thrills here, and just the occasional misstep: Someone, anyone, please get sidekick Tyler Labine to tone down the obnoxious Jack Black impression.

PopMatters Michael Abernethy

The series is essentially light-hearted: Sam is a sweet-natured superhero with a dust-buster. He may be working for the source of all evil, but one can’t help but cheer him on.

New York Magazine John Leonard

Reaper is strictly for fans of movies like Superbad.

The average user rating for this tv show is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 79 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Mike M. gave it a10:
Programs that have characters you want to see every week are hard to find this show might have two of the best on TV today in Tyler Labine's Sock and Ray Wise's slick portrayal of the devil. Keep this show on the air.

L M. gave it a10:
Reaper is fun and unique, a nice break from the usual TV shows.

S T. gave it a10:
This show is the only reason to watch the CW! It's original and hilarious! The people at CW should listen to the critics and the fans, and keep this show!

Kit H. gave it a9:
It's rare that we get a show with such likable characters as the leads in Reaper. Even Ray Wise, who plays Satan, has a certain charm while exuding a quiet menace. While early episodes have been slightly repetitious, later episodes have improved by leaps and bounds, especially Ep13 when more of the underlying story arc is revealed. Excellent! Keep up the good work!

Bill M. gave it a9:
Well-written character-driven show. Ray Wise _is_ the devil now in my mind. Funny and amusing, not trying to be something that it isn't. This show accomplishes what it sets out to do better than any other of the 2007 season.

Russell H. gave it a10:
Fantastic show just gets better and better.

John M. gave it a10:
I don't know why I started watching this show but I am hooked. I love the cast interaction and the quality acting by all the cast. I think the devil is perfect for his role and the way Sam deals with what is thrown at him is funny. The slacker crew really comes through and even though I want Sam to get Andi (and Sock to get Josie) I want to see more of the Devil's daughter. I hope this show lasts and lasts.

Reaper SERIES: CW, Tuesday 9:00p (60 minutes)

Reaper
SERIES: CW, Tuesday 9:00p (60 minutes)