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Side Order of Life
SERIES: Lifetime, Sunday 8:00p (60 minutes)


8.7

based on 14 reviews
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based on 20 votes
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Get more information on this show at TV.com.

Official Show Site

Starring Marisa Coughlan, Jason Priestley, Diana Maria Riva, and Christopher Gartin

After her best friend is diagnosed with cancer, Jenny decides she needs to change her outlook in life.

GENRE(S):	Comedy, Drama
CREATED BY:	Margaret Nagle
FIRST AIR DATE:	July 15, 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...

Hollywood Reporter Ray Richmond

A very un-Lifetime-like drama with sharp comedic overtones, one so well-constructed that dudes won't even feel the need to check their gender at the door.

Variety Brian Lowry

The intriguing pilot takes its time, leaving an element of mystery surrounding the show's direction, but if the entree remains equal to this appetizer, the cable net may have a prestige show on its hands.

Los Angeles Times Robert Lloyd

The production itself is sunny and conducive to a good mood. Coughlan wears well, as does Jason Priestley in the role of the fiancé she puts on hold.

Baltimore Sun David Zurawik

There is nothing as original in Side Order of Life as the metaphysical puppet, but there is enough promise to return for a second week - to see whether Jenny is wise enough to learn from the pain.

The New York Times Alessandra Stanley

Ms. Coughlan somehow manages to lay low in the part and let supporting actors propel the comedy.

Boston Globe Matthew Gilbert

Coughlan smartly underplays Jenny's reaction to the thought of losing her friend. But Nagle and her writers plug a farcical charge into the show that is quickly annoying.

Chicago Tribune Maureen Ryan

The theme of the show is a metaphor for how McIntyre will start to dive into her life and listen to "wake-up calls from the universe." It's a slender concept, and the series may not stand out enough in this crowded summer season.

TV Guide Matt Roush

This warm and fuzzy show could grow on you.

New York Post Linda Stasi

The acting's good and the actors are good-looking. But, really, wouldn't you expect something more cohesive from the folks who brought you "American Beauty?"

USA Today Robert Bianco

Fun is notably absent from Side Order, which strains to be both quippy and profound.

Chicago Sun-Times Doug Elfman

Coughlan finds the nice subtle undertones so Jenny seems more real and less cardboard.

Entertainment Weekly Gillian Flynn

The whole ''mystical universe'' business worked for Steve Martin in "L.A. Story," but Coughlan is too perky and lite to seem a believable target for such ''live, love!'' magical messaging.

PopMatters Cynthia Fuchs

The series proceeds to follow Jenny’s remarkably bland course of revelation.

San Jose Mercury News Charlie McCollum

Side Order has the most problems. While there are enough appealing moments in Sunday's opening episode to leave viewers with an initial warm and fuzzy feeling, the show simply doesn't stand up to much scrutiny.

The average user rating for this tv show is 8.7 (out of 10) based on 20 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Joni R. gave it a10:
This show is refreshing. I read a review that was upset that Jenny was so cute and nice. Well, so was Mary Tyler Moore. It is really nice having a show you can watch with your daughters .

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
Great show. Wish Lifetime would decide when they are going to air this program and stick to a schedule.

Heather gave it a0:
i think this show was awful. i turned the first episode off less than halfway through

Jill gave it a10:
Excellent Show - I can really relate to what the characters are going through - there seems to be change in the air and It's nice to see on TV some of the things that I deal with in real life.

heather gave it a10:
Very real, smart and intriguing, Funny when it needs to be.

Dianne K gave it an8:
I finally caught 2 episodes of this show, which for some reason I had been avoiding. Much to my surprise, I enjoyed it very much! I like all of the characters, and there is no over-emoting here; just a sense of real people trying to figure out their lives. While there were amusing moments, there were also some very emotional scenes. What a winner this show turned out to be.

[Anonymous] gave it a9:
I laughed and that is not a small thing. Love the intrigue of the voice on the phone. Good show...worth watching.

Side Order of Life SERIES: Lifetime, Sunday 8:00p (60 minutes)

Side Order of Life
SERIES: Lifetime, Sunday 8:00p (60 minutes)