Kevin James retires from the Nassau County, Long Island Police force after twenty years (started at 21 this makes him 41). With his partial pension he and Wife Donna, played by Erinn Hayes, work through season one deciding how they'll make up some income by renting out their garage as an apartment (Common on Long Island). The chemistry was being built by wife Donna redirecting Kevin's mistakes along the way. The family was deadpan except for "Chale" the eldest daughters nerdy boyfriend in Country via a Visa and the retired friends were something that could of and should of been built upon. Chale fast became a season one bright spot as the chemistry between him and Kevin was wrought with tension and humor. THIS was something the audience expected would grow in Season Two, However show runner Rob decided the ratings were not up to par. The Ratings took a nose dive in season two as Donna was mysteriously killed off without explanation in the season two opener. Leah Remini was brought in to recreate the King Of Queens TV show, much to the viewers despair. The show needed to build on season one's characters of friends and family but has instead focused on Remini and James opening a P.I. agency. In short, the fun was taken out of the show, something even the canned laughter can't save as the ratings are showing. They left no room to bring back Kevin's wife Donna (Erinn Hayes) and the show is trapped in a corner. The friends and family are now all but forgotten as they were dropped from focus as a point of tension and laughter. Kevin James is likable and Leah Remini's old shtick doesn't work here. I don't see an out for this show to rebound and reconnect with the audience which is a shame. I liked season one but season two might just be it's downfall. It was a family show you could watch with your children (who know and love Kevin James) but that has been removed from the show in favor of the downtrodden banter James and Remini had in King Of Queens. If you want that, watch those re-runs, their still on.
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medicfl16 November 2017
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reddawn32925 June 2018So what else can be said that hasn't been stated already by other viewers? I didn't realize until just reading that Hayes was fired to add Remini. I assumed she chose to leave & Leah was then added. But now, I've changed my s1 rating to reflect s2. Not surprised the show was cancelled. S2 didn't even follow the original plot line & theme of the show. The kids were the focus of the show in s1, & hardly appeared s2. He's suppposed to be a retired stay at home dad needing a part time job. Smh. Firing Erin was a big error & karma bestowed her grace upon them. Bad decision, Kevin. Read Leah already has a new show on Fox.
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my_cup29 October 2018Seriously, this show wasn't terrible, but I'm not too sad that it was cancelled. What I am sad about, is that the crazy Dutch Rutger won't be around to make my evenings a hilarious laugh-a-thon. Give this man his own show!
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LGBen26 September 2017This was mostly a cute show last season, but the season 2 cast change is a big mistake: the firing of talented Erinn Hayes is a tragedy, as is the hiring of Leah Remini. I have zero interest in seeing The King of Queens II - 10 years later. The character interaction between James and Remini is stale. I cringed trying to watch the first episode ... bad jokes, canned laughter ... huge mistake.
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danielvasset20 May 2022I can't believe I'm the only one who liked this show and REALLY enjoyed the return of Leah Remini. Oh well. If they had managed to get some better actors as Kevin's friends then I'm sure the show would have been better. Heck, they should just have gotten the whole cast from KoQ!
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efrc53-671-27321612 October 2017Bad decision to fire Erinn Hayes. She was one of the few good things about the show and her character was a way better fit than Leah Remini's. The show's story relied heavily on Kevin and Erinn's interaction. Now that they've removed her, it's just painful to watch. The other characters don't have what it takes to carry the show, and inserting Remini just doesn't make sense at all. What were the producers thinking? Still watching but might stop soon if there's no improvement.
I can't remember having written a review before, but I just had to vent about how they've made a mess out of a pretty decent show. -
atlasmb27 September 2016If you watched "King of Queens", it is nearly impossible to watch this new show (also starring Kevin James) without making comparisons. During the first episode, give yourself some time to mourn the absence of Carrie (Leah Remini) and Arthur (Jerry Stiller). Kevin's wife on "Kevin Can Wait" is played by Erinn Hayes. Donna is a suitable foil for Kevin, but she is not as much of a ballbreaker as Carrie. Take a deep breath; you'll get through it. Good news: Gary Valentine is on the show (but Nicole Sullivan is not).
When you get to episode 2, you are rewarded by a genuinely funny script about how Kevin discovers that the entire house has been decorated to satisfy his wife's comfort, with no regard for his. The comic chemistry between the two heats up. She may not be Carrie (or Alice Kramden), but she's still running the household whether he knows it or not.
The supporting cast is fine, but the writing has not yet developed those characters as much.
Bottome line: the premise and the cast are fine, but the writing is what will make or break this show. Hopefully, the episodes to follow will be written with the skill displayed in episode two.
Update 10/4/16: After three episodes, I am enjoying it.
Update 10/4/17: With Leah Remini joining the cast full-time, now we know what Kevin was waiting for. -
derekmski7 October 2017Season 1 was really great in my opinion. Then they killed off his wife in season 2 and ruined it! I couldn't even finish the first few episodes they were so bad. I deleted all the recordings of Kevin Can Wait Season 2 and I deleted the scheduled recording for the show on my DVR. They successfully killed the show. Thanks CBS.
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brian-levesque-454-16843830 September 2016Why the hate? For whatever reason, lots of individuals feel that there is no room on television for old school sitcoms. Always complaining about the laugh track, or the formulas often times used such as the goofy husband with a strong character wife. I too have felt that way at times, but that is because TV is currently at it's all time best, so many different genre of shows available out there, and the comedies are so much more in depth and it's refreshing to see the new styles we get to witness each week (such as Modern Family, It's always sunny in Philadelphia), but I also enjoy being able to lay back and watch a good old school sitcom with newer material or recent topics. There should always be room for the Friends, Big Bang Theory, Seinfeld type sitcoms.
The pilot was decent, it's a pilot therefore obviously the chemistry isn't what it is after a handful of episodes (same as any other comedy). The 2nd episode I can honestly say had me laughing out loud most of it. Is it unique? No. Is it smart comedy? No. In fact, it's familiar which is nice. I enjoyed it as it brought me back to watching King of Queens and reminded me of just how much fun it was.
I suggest to those who want to watch it, avoid the message boards as unfortunately it's the people that have nothing better to do than troll and bash shows that they apparently don't like (although somehow watch the entire series ???) that share their input.
Again, good show and looking forward to seeing a full season.
Cheers! -
Alright, I know... Crazy. A 7/10? Maybe a little much, yes, but honestly, I think it deserves at least that much. The first episodes of this show were a little rough, but it's been getting better, honestly. There isn't really much to say about this show, though. It's a pretty average idea with pretty average acting and pretty average characters. So why does it get seven stars from me? Because it's really funny, once you get past all the canned laughter. I have to say that canned laughter is killing me. Example (Not an actual scene from the TV Show):
Kevin(to wife): Hey, honey, how are you? (small canned laughter)
Wife: Well,I haven't slept in three days because of my tooth, I've had two dentist appointments in the last week, and now I have a concussion from the petting zoo accident, so yeah, I'm doing GREAT(sarcastic)(canned laughter) ... how are you? (canned laughter)
Kevin: Well, before you got in the room, I was doing pretty good...(canned laughter)
Kevin: Emphasis on "was"... (canned laughter)
Kevin: Actually, honey, could you please go, I was really invested in the game, could you... you know move? (more canned laughter than a Disney show)
So while some of the jokes may be genuinely funny, they are lost in the waterfalls of canned laughter. Honestly, though, I'd recommend this show. It's not the best out there, but it's pretty darn good sometimes. Kevin James saves the day with his hilarious satire and clever jokes, but otherwise, the show has a long way to go. Once the other actors figure out that they're on national television, they may start actually trying to act well, but until then, we need to just wait... It will get better...(canned laughter) I hope...(canned laughter) I mean it might not, but you know... (Canned laughter and the generic whistle with the fingers)
Overall: 72/100 not amazing, but still pretty good. We just need to Wait it out. -
colleendegroat28 September 2017Season 1 was funny. ERINN HAYES was fantastic!!! I think it's so lame they let her go and brought in Leah Remini. I loved King of Queens but that ship has sailed. I can't even stomach the show now. Such a shame. They gave a poor performance about how the mom died. I am very disappointed that Kevin James decided to go this route.
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clestrada4 December 2017i love the show. what did all the Scientologist's crawl out of the woodwork to put the hit on Kevin cause he brought back LR? Sometimes you need a quick laugh in a short amount of time to get through the day and this show does it. No long commitment, funny characters, cute story, bingo you got a hit.
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blanbrn8 October 2016Glad that comedian and funny guy Kevin James is back with a sitcom as I miss and loved him on his "King of Queens" days. This time Kevin is a retired police officer with a family a house full of a wife and kids and guess what he has a lot of free time on his hands! Now wouldn't that be great doing the stuff you want to do like playing football and video games and racing with your kids. Yet on the other side their is always drama from the wife who always wants chores and housework done yet Kevin likes retired life and is a little lazy! And the headache is around from his daughters as Kevin has to deal with the boyfriends issue. Overall not the best still this series entertains with real life issues of life and family and it brings plenty of good laughs it's doesn't take things to serious and it's nice seeing the round man of sounds and laughs Kevin James back at doing his thing!
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BatsyCharky28 November 2018I liked the first season it was refreshing. But then they killed off Erinn Hayes and now it's just horrible I liked her she was fantastic and funny. Why they fired her is ridiculous she made the show interesting to watch. I even changed my rating.
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bahearn-6927027 September 2018What a difference from season 1, oh wait there is.....they fired the wife & down played the bantering with the son in law. Adding Leah Remini was a disaster.
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rogocop4 July 2020You had a chance to do something completely different than king of queens. Kevin and his wife a great chemistry on the show. It would have been a success but when you put in Leah Remini you ruined the show. It was like watching king of queens all over again. You had success with king of queens but you already did that, this was your chance to move forward and do something different but you ruined it.
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confidential-6789717 September 2020This show deserved to be cancelled for the away it treated Erin Hayes
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kc-halpin13 December 2017This show would easily be only a 5 if not for the truly funny episodes scattered sparsely throughout which demonstrate just how magical this show can be. The most recent season 2 episode "Trainer Wreck" is a perfect example of what this show should be. Make more episodes like this and it will EASILY become a classic like King of Queens. Kevin James and Leah Remini definitely have that spark that only comes around every 20 or so years as a comedic duo, but oh how the writers keep fumbling. It's like they don't trust Kevin and Leah to do what they do best. This show works best, just like King of Queens, with extended takes between just Kevin and Leah. It is their banter and fighting that is the spark in their relationship. With "Trainer Wreck" focusing mostly on them, this episode really shines. Gary Valentine finally has a good episode in "Trainer Wreck" as well. Again, not a problem with Gary or his ability, but just goes to show how horribly his character has been handled by the writers. The character Chale is also a BIG part of what makes this show hilarious. In season 1 it was Kevin/Chale that redeemed most episodes. While I like Leah being back, and there are definitely glimpses of that magical spark that I hope the writers can quickly cultivate, Chale seems to have fallen more into the background, and that is a bad thing. Some of the takes, such as pre-intro skit, are always cut short. In King of Queens, these skits were always given the time to naturally progress. In Kevin Can Wait, they are prematurely cut short right as they are reaching climax. Do the writers not think we can handle another 30 seconds before cutting to advertisements?! Please writers, stop limiting this show before its ratings tank so badly that it is cancelled. The ingredients are there. Please cook on the stove and stop microwaving the comedy.
TL;DR - Kevin and Leah are great, but writers are letting them down. Writers are letting Gary Valentine down (Uncle Kyle). Chale needs more time on screen. Stop with the canned jokes and let Kevin/Leah work their magic. Get Kevin James more directly involved in writing. Last episode "Trainer Wreck" is exactly what this show should be aiming for with each episode. -
jackknife-6307220 November 2017This show is a sham. The opening theme song states "I'm not your ordinary guy!" He is as ordinary as ordinary gets. The original premise of the show was to be about Kevin Jame's character's retirement from the police force. So what do they do after the first season? Kill off his wife, who was the only bright point on the show, bring back his former King of Queens co-star Leah Remini, and Kevin goes back to work. Completely veering from the original premise. They are trying to recreate King of Queens with another name. Period. Leah Remini looks tired and uninterested, Kevin James falls back on his tired physical comedy, and the supporting cast of friends and family just don't have what it takes to help propel the show forward. They have definitely lost the plot. Canned as canned gets.
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Kevin James is funny and likable... What more can you ask for? :)
Okay, so his brand of humour can be somewhat predictable at times, but it still manages to make me laugh out loud... Repeatedly... Which I absolutely love!!!
I truly miss seeing more lighthearted and positive sitcoms available on our TV schedule. In a sea of dark and gloomy shows, this is a welcomed addition to our television screens.
My advice for the show would be to slowly remove some of its cast members (mostly the kids unfortunately) from the story lines and focus more on his relationship with his wife, his friends and his brother. Maybe bring on Ray Romano as a regular. That would be absolutely AWESOME!!!
All that being said, I think this sitcom deserves a solid 10 rating, because I always look forward to watching the show and it makes me smile with each and every new episode. Honestly, who doesn't need more laughter in their lives?
Give it a try... And leave all your worries behind! :) -
duke78ro23 April 2017Kevin James is one of the greatest comedy actors and I was very excited about his new show.
The pilot was mediocre, but the show picks up pace and by the third episode, I could clearly see again the magic that made Doug in KoQ such a beloved character.
However, not the same can be told about most characters we're introduced because they're either non-believable, generic or plain boring. Most importantly, his wife, a total miscast and a very bland actress, who even when her lines should be hilarious, she somehow manages to ruin the fun out of them. Everybody compares her to Carrie and the fact that there's no chemistry between them and I agree. A strong personality should be opposed by another and unfortunately both in appearance and acting she is very dull.
The others are mostly ordinary and boring, the colleagues with the classical black guy thrown in the mix, the one liner little kids and the smart, determined teen who somehow is in loved over her heels with ... a geek?
This brings me to the script itself, a far-fetched pile-up of illogical ideas, talking about non-believable characters and nonsensical premises, a slob fat cop retired at 50 living in a big house with a trophy wife and his teen daughter who is disgusted at any interaction with her geek emotional boyfriend, yet she sacrifices anything to be with him and someday even marry him. Man, that was though to watch, even if, surprisingly, the English geek boyfriend plays so well, he's the only one actually having a chemistry with Kevin and the only genuinely funny character outside Kevin.
Fortunately, we still have Kevin and even though most characters seem just props for his antics, he totally delivers the old Doug as we know him.
I know it's probably hard to impossible, but I think what most of KoQ fans think: bring Leah Remini (Carrie), as the wife in second season and we'll have another nine years of classical humor bliss. -
tej197030 September 2017SPOILER: I thought that the first season was funny, though it mainly contained sophomoric humor (what else do you expect from Kevin James?!?). But, killing off Erinn Hayes' character, Donna, was a death sentence. She is what made the show funny because without a good "straight man" Kevin James is not funny. I am done with this show and if CBS is interested in making money in this time slot, they would cancel it and replace it with ANYTHING else.
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immadq27 September 2016I think most review Nazis are being unfair to this show. I watched Kevin can Wait and Big Bang theory back to back and honestly this show got genuine laughs out of me. the jokes remind you of sitcoms from a decade or so ago but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I felt that the daughter's boyfriend was an overkill and a lame way to include the whole millennial / tech savvy nonsense into one character and the writers may need to write him out of the show but apart from that it reminds you of King of Queens and has the typical endearing comedic style of Kevin James. This should has a future in my opinion and i highly recommend it.
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mink-835364 October 2016Most states and municipalities Police Officers have the option to retire at 20 or 27. The State I live in has a mandatory retirement at 276 years of service. You know why I know this because I am one. 45 years old, retired at 20 years of service with 43% of my base pay as pension. 27 gets you 63% of your base pay for a pension. with each year past 20 gives you 2.5%. So yes it is perfectly plausible for someone in their 40's to retire. Seeing as his wife works, he can stay retired. I on the other hand could of stayed retired but I chose to start a new career and work toward a new pension to supplement both my Social Security and State Pension in later years which would allow me to fully retire at 62 instead of 67 and have the same quality of life as I do now.
The more you know..........And all that jazz. As for the Show, it's hella funny and I like it. -
mary-179-67738318 July 2020I watched the first season of Kevin Can wait and honestly in my opinion the show failed because Kevin isn't a nice person. He is overly competitive, to the point that he sabotages his friends, family and daughters fiancé. The three episodes that stand out and turned me off. 1) It started off with stealing credit for a story, but when confessed I could move on. 2) Then couldn't handle his brother being labelled a hero and ruined his moment. This was just super sad and did put me off. 3) He then couldn't handle his daughters fiancé doing well on the sales floor. Kevin was just too unlikeable. It really turned me off. I don't want to watch someone so sad and bitter. Donna was a good character. The children were boring and were barely involved in any story except for the daughters fiancé.