VividSimon Simply Perfect

Listonixio Fresh and Exciting

Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Maidexpl Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

Charles Herold (cherold) The Grinder started around the same time as another sitcom, Life in Pieces. I would say the two shows are about equally as funny, and yet I've watched far more episodes of The Grinder. I think it's because, while Life in Pieces has a bunch of characters with their own stories the intersect, resulting in a very funny but somewhat disconnected experience, The Grinder is very tightly focused, with a very clear sense of the world it is creating and, as the season moved on, an increasing focus on the story arc.The cast is amazing. Everyone is excellent, and Rob Lowe's vain but well-intentioned celebrity is the part he will spend the rest of his life trying to equal. The story has become increasingly focused as the season has progressed. At first it was simply a matter of tossing the characters together, but as things progressed the series has really worked at making me want to watch not just for laughs but also to find out what happens next.Definitely a series everyone should check out. Also, Life in Pieces; I really need to watch more of that.

MotoMike So, let's face it ... we all have seen too much bad TV, too many cookie-cutter legal dramas, too many predictable cop shows, way too many sitcoms that were forgettable. The Grinder is the reward, and Rob Lowe knows it; every time he looks out into the distance and says " (pause) ... or ... is it!?", he knows he earns a gold star. He's the center of a very good cast that teams him with Fred Savage; their chemistry as contrasting brothers is so effortless that it's a pleasure to watch. But Mary Elizabeth Ellis is also a major pleasure as Savage's wife, and his two kids also nail it.So this is a show ("subtextually", as Toby Loobenfeld might be told) not only about a family (how original is that?) but about bad TV, and bad acting and - shudder - how the ad that starts with "I'm not a doctor, though I play one on TV" can be transmuted into someone believing in their identity as a glamorous TV star. (Wasn't that the basis for "Sunset Boulevard"?). Rob Lowe is the perfect choice for this role, but the writing is what makes this show a very particular pleasure. I have no idea whether it will last, but every episode is a gem.

btadcock I don't care for the direction the show has taken. Sleeping with psychologist, turning Fred Savage and his marriage into a joke not in a fun way. This is just my thoughts and prior to this I wouldn't miss the show. Not as entertaining now. Fred Savage's character is intelligent but with the new direction Dad has no faith in him. Grinder was conceded and an ego maniac, but he was funny now he is just stupid doesn't know he's be taken advantage of. Fred Savage's character has his kid's and wife looking at him like he's an idiot. Rob Lowe's character is trying to tell Fred Savage's character how to improve his sex life. Why not have Rob Lowe's character be in training and make fun of the mistake that he makes. Fix Rob Lowe's character up with girl in the office.

yerlo It helps there is no laugh track to point to funny stuff. I can find it myself, thankyou. Lowe is superb as this narcissistic, over-the-top, cheesy but still likable character--how did the writers do that? And how does Lowe pull it off? He plays it so straight! The spoof of crime dramas adds another great element, then carrying that persona into "real life' is actually believable in some weird (mystical?) way. Savage does a great job as the frustrated brother. I get him. Where has he been all these years? All other actors also do a great job. Even the kids are great. Love the whole family. Immensely enjoyable. Might take watching a couple episodes to pick up the full flavor of the humor, but worth it. And I don't have to cover the eyes or ears of kids--or my own, either. Refreshing for "modern" sitcoms that often border on porn.