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What About Brian
SERIES: ABC, Monday 10:00p (60 minutes)


9.1

based on 21 reviews
read critic reviews
how did we calculate this?

based on 134 votes
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Get more information on this show at TV.com.

Official Show Site

Starring Barry Watson, Matthew Davis, Sarah Lancaster, Rosanna Arquette, Rick Gomez, Amanda Detmer, Raoul Bova, and Amy Jo Johnson

This mix of comedy and drama follows the lives of a group of seven friends, including its only unmarried member, Brian (7th Heaven's Barry Watson), who works at a videogame company in Los Angeles. J.J. Abrams (Lost) is among the executive producers.

GENRE(S):	Comedy, Drama
CREATED BY:	Dana Stevens
FIRST AIR DATE:	April 16, 2006

The premiere airs Sunday 4/16 at 10:00p, with the show shifting to its regular Monday timeslot on 4/17.

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...

Chicago Sun-Times Doug Elfman

There's peril in traveling the well-worn path of unrequited love and adulterous wives. But what makes this beginning of "Brian" work is that the characters are nicely drawn archetypes, not stereotypes.

Detroit Free Press Mike Duffy

It's styled as a sort of laid-back Gen X updating of "thirtysomething," replacing that show's neuroses-fueled, East Coast edge with a more casual, lighthearted California vibe.

Entertainment Weekly Gillian Flynn

Brian's writing, while witty, tends to be oversize. [21 Apr 2006, p.64]

Washington Post Tom Shales

Most of the actors make their characters zesty and likable, if on occasion too glib for their -- and our -- own good.

Variety Brian Lowry

While "What About Brian" strikes some of the familiar chords about love, angst and the terror of young adulthood that have viewers swooning over "Grey's Anatomy," the show does so in a more laid-back tone, which should make its leap from a post-"Desperate Housewives" launch to its regular Monday moorings a commercial challenge.

Chicago Tribune Sid Smith

"Brian" is easy, harmless viewing, sliding down the gullet as smoothly and reassuring as a glass of California merlot.

Hollywood Reporter Barry Garron

Ironically, the differences among the characters that make the show interesting and even, at times, compelling, also test its credibility.

San Jose Mercury News Charlie McCollum

There's not a lot wrong about "Brian.'' But there's not a lot right about it, either.

People Weekly Tom Gliatto

This is all nicely produced with mild offbeat tweaks along the way... But none of this is original either. [24 Apr 2006, p.39]

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Rob Owen

"What About Brian" isn't a terrible show, it just doesn't offer enough unique reasons to make a weekly appointment with this gang of friends.

New York Daily News David Hinckley

It's not only unimpressive. Parts of it are uncomfortable.

USA Today Robert Bianco

The dialogue ranges from ridiculous to tiresome.

Los Angeles Times Paul Brownfield

"What About Brian" is "Prison Break," except the prison is a man's feelings and escape involves eluding the warden of his doubts, and we're talking maximum-security misgivings.

TV Guide Matt Roush

Like a sunnier version of thirtysomething, lacking only the inspired casting, the insightful writing and the wrenching realism.

The New York Times Alessandra Stanley

The series is sentimental in a sleek way, and there are surface glints of humor in the script, but mostly, "Brian" is a blander, less distinctive version of "Thirtysomething."

Boston Globe Matthew Gilbert

[It] looks like a TV commercial with plots. The people are pretty, their homes are pretty, their problems are pretty, and it's all pretty shallow.

Orlando Sentinel Hal Boedeker

What About Brian traffics in flimsy liaisons, soapy squabbles and sophomoric sexuality.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Melanie McFarland

Beautiful people, perky and unrealistic dialogue and male characters who have all dropped their huevos in jars of vinegar.

Newsday Verne Gay

"What About Brian"... wants to be "thirtysomething" for twentysomethings, but it is clichesomething.

Arizona Republic Bill Goodykoontz

It [is] such a cloying, annoying mess you can barely expend the effort to hate it.

New York Post Adam Buckman

[The] characters are so charmless, it's as if they were created on purpose to actually repel viewership - a TV first.

The average user rating for this tv show is 9.1 (out of 10) based on 134 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

David W. gave it a10:
Great characters; great feel. It's about friendshp ... and even if it gets a bit too contrivefd in going for the feel-good ... who cares! What about caring? What about considering?. What about loyalty?

Jeroo D. gave it a10:
Over-all, the show is really great, that s why im giving it a 10! i hope the show makes a comeback!

K H. gave it a9:
I really enjoyed this program, it seemed to move very quickly and I wanted the story line to slow down a little. Yet I found most of the characters genuinely likeable with their flaws and all. Too bad it's been gone so long, guess for good. But I enjoyed it and was really looking forward to another season.

Rhonda B gave it a10:
I hope this show it not cancelled. I loved it!!!!!!

Mandy R. gave it a9:
I love the show. I'm 32 married with kids

Felan P. gave it a10:
This show is awesome, the cast act so natural. Storyline is great. Brian O'hara has sex appeal and great chemistry with co-star Brigitte. WoW, we love this show and watch it even when I have exams around the corner. Its better than reality shows and is at the top with desperate housewives/ greys.

Kellie D. gave it a10:
I love this show!! Please say it will return!

What About Brian SERIES: ABC, Monday 10:00p (60 minutes)

What About Brian
SERIES: ABC, Monday 10:00p (60 minutes)