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The TV Set Review

Release Date: Apr 06, 2007
Rated: language
Runtime: 1 hr. 29 min.
Genres: Comedy
Director:Jake Kasdan
Cast:David Duchovny, Sigourney Weaver, Ioan Gruffudd, Judy Greer, Fran Kranz. Full cast + crew

Movies.com Critics

3.0

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… funny enough … Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

4.0

65

out of 100

Metascore^®
Generally favorable reviews
based on a weighted average of all
critic review scores.
50

out of 100

Variety
Results are breezy though toothless, with too much repetition and not enough originality.

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50

out of 100

The Hollywood Reporter Frank Scheck
Whether outsiders will find much to appreciate in The TV Set is another question because the film fails to provide the thematic resonance of similarly themed predecessors like the brilliant "Network."

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63

out of 100

USA Today Claudia Puig
The TV Set skewers the television industry in a manner that occasionally feels familiar and at other times is humorously incisive.

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63

out of 100

Chicago Tribune
For all its bright writing, TV Set is contrived and predictable, another morality lesson from a poisoned pen telling us what we've heard before.

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70

out of 100

Los Angeles Times Kevin Crust
In general, the movie doesn't necessarily reveal anything we don't already know but delivers it in a personable, entertaining manner.

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70

out of 100

The New York Times A.O. Scott
At times The TV Set seems to unfold almost entirely without exaggeration.

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70

out of 100

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern
Smart, funny and authentically terrifying. It's a comedy that explains how network television succeeds in being so horribly awful.
91

out of 100

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum
If only for the comedy glory of Sigourney Weaver as a TV network president who confuses acid reflux with gut instinct, this very smart, very funny movie about the making of a network sitcom is a cut-glass gem of a showbiz conceit.

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See all The TV Set reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 16+

Sharky, cynical look at TV world needs more bite.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this indie comedy is a candid, insider look at Hollywood -- specifically the TV industry. And nearly everyone behaves badly: Lying is par for the course, swearing is common, stupidity trumps quality, and the writer doesn't necessarily get a happy ending. There's also some sexual content, smoking, and drinking amid all the backbiting and cynicism.

Families can talk about what they think the TV industry is really like. How accurate do you think the movie is? How do shows get made? How do they get picked to go on the air? Does taste dictate what goes on TV, or do shows help shape the public's taste? Why are reality TV series so compelling? Are networks "dumbing down" TV?

The good stuff

Messages: Couples fall apart; a writer, forlorn over having sold out, begins popping painkillers. Almost all of the Hollywood players lie.

What to watch for

Violence: Nothing of note. Though it's obvious that selling out is painful. ...
Sex: Sexual banter and some kissing. An actress undresses in the wardrobe trailer.
Language: This is Hollywood, and its inhabitants like to play it blue. "S--t" and "f--k" are de rigueur.
Consumerism: Because the movie's about making TV shows, series' names are bandied about with abandon, as are some luxury products that Hollywood types tend to indulge in (Mercedes, Passat, etc.).
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Drinks abound at gatherings, smokers light up, and the lead character pops pills.

Common Sense Media

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.