$#*! My Dad Says (2010–2011) User Reviews (38)

More Shatner, Sasso & Sullivan and less (much less) Sadowski please.

[kojak-web · 5/10 · 16 January 2011]

Primarily this sitcom revolves around Henry, an out of work journalist, moving back in with Ed, his elderly and opinionated father. If you liked Shatner in Boston Legal, you'll find a lot to like in his portrayal of Ed.

However the big problem lies with Jonathan Sadowski who plays the other main lead Henry. He just doesn't have the comic acting credentials that this role needs, his timing and delivery are massively off. Originally the role of Henry was played by Ryan Devlin, but the series was retooled and the role recast because the studio didn't find him funny enough. You've got to wonder just how much worse he was than Jonathan! Let me be clear, without Sadaowski, I would have rated this series much higher (between 7 & 8 out of 10).

Despite all that, there's potential in this series. Henry's brother and sister-in-law are played by sitcom veterans Will Sasso & Nicole Sullivan and are well cast in their roles. They started off as supporting characters, but as the season has gone on, they've started to feature more prominently, and Henry's role has been scaled back somewhat.

LOVE the show, except for ONE thing ...

[carrietvardzik · 5/10 · 17 October 2010]

I would love to give this show 10 stars ... HOWEVER ... I just cannot get past the son, Henry. I thought I would give it a few shows to see if he gets a groove, but I am sad to say - he has not caught on.

The rest of the cast is SUPERB ... the writing is great. EXCEPT for when Henry is in the scene.

He is boring, lifeless and just one big yawn. He has no finesse whatsoever. His delivery is awful and he is bringing the show down to a screeching halt.

I have NO IDEA what they saw in him upon casting, but there is no chemistry at all that comes through when he is on screen.

By the way ... I just LOVED the gal that played the "Aunt" who was in the Navy. What a great character she was. I would like to see her come back as a regular.

I want the show to stay on the air, I really do ... I just think they need to rethink the role of Henry. I still think it early enough to recast. Seriously ... we all learned to love the new Darren, didn't we?

Bring it back!

[ComedyFan2010 · 7/10 · 2 January 2012]

I find it very disappointing that this show got cancelled. I think it is much better than a lot of other shows we have on TV.

It wasn't exactly what I expected. I thought there would be more rude, unPC, dirty humor. Instead it was more of a family sitcom. One problem I had is that sometimes the idea seemed to be great and yet it wasn't presented in it's full potential. There were episodes where it seemed like they wanted to make it more touching and contain life lessons than make it funny

I did like the cast. William Shatner was great in the role of Ed. I think he did it perfectly. It was actually the first time I saw him act (I never watched Star Trek or Boston Legal) and I must say I was impressed. I know there isn't much love for Jonathan Sadowski, but I think he did a good job. There were some moments in the beginning when I thought he could do better but for the most part he did it right. Will Sasso's character Vince was my favorite on the show and he did a great job, just as Nicole Sullivan who played his wife. I think I liked pretty much every storyline involving the two.

In this season there were some episodes that I loved, some that I hated, but all in all I enjoyed the show. I think the problems I mentioned would be easy to deal with and I feel like this show would have improved in the second season

Different and better than most sitcoms

[calgarywino · 25 October 2012]

It's too bad that the show got cancelled; I actually got a kick out of the show from the first time I saw it. Shatner is funny, has great timing and it looks like he is having fun, and his timing is great. It's cool that he can laugh at himself so well, many of us could learn from that. In fact the whole cast seems like they are having fun, especially Will Sasso.

In 'Goodson Goes Deep' he makes a great show of trying to leap the counter and then later slide across the hood of the car, not bad efforts for a man of his age ! Many have said that the acting is hammy, well, 'HELLO !' most sitcoms are hammy and have bad writing too. This has quite good writing and is directed at adults instead of 14 year old kids for a change !

We generally don't watch sitcoms but this one is fun, and when there is a gap in other programming or a spare half hour without the ever present kids we can crank up the PVR and have some laughs.

William Shatner is just a great watch

[patrickfilbeck · 6/10 · 29 October 2021]

As much as I refuse that Twitter accounts now also serve as the basis for TV sitcoms, I cannot deny that especially nowadays, in the days of "canceling" and the "moral upper hand" of the PC community, one such a sitcom already seems like a good relic from the old days. It's about meaningful dialogue of the different opinions and about being able to find each other funny. Laughing at yourself also plays a role; and that definitely has potential and definitely more than a stupid Twitter account. Unfortunately, not all jokes ignite, but the direction of coziness, the classic 90s sitcom breath that is breathed here and sympathetic actors make up for a lot. Above all, the role for the lovable Grumpy-Old-Shatner fits like a fist in the eye. It's really a shame that only one season of this was produced.

My brief 2 cents

[pocoflybait · 8/10 · 29 September 2010]

I wasn't expecting much out of the show. I had no idea it was based on a guy in his late 20's living with his Father who is in his 70's. The scenario of such a circumstance is certainly believable with the way the economy is these days.

I certainly wasn't expecting Shatner to make me laugh, boy was that a pleasant surprise. The guy plays the part of a blunt old man to the 'T'. His lines suit the title of the show. Give credit to the Gentleman that actually did record sh*t his Dad says, after all, the show wouldn't exist without it.

I laughed from start to finish. Keep in mind though, everybody has a different idea of what comedy should be. If you liked the type of lines Al Bundy had, then you might get a laugh out of this. It is simply...raw. Maybe it helps that I have a friend like this so I can relate.

Give it a watch, judge for yourself.

Great potential, lousy execution

[horrorflicklover · 2/10 · 10 December 2011]

I had a different review of this show before. But I think that wanting to like it led me to be more lenient on it than it ever deserved. It was a bad show. A great premise that failed due to absolutely wretched writing. Which shows you how much CBS cared about it in the first place.

It can't be that hard to work with the material that the Twitter/Facebook page provided. At least not if you're a WRITER. Sure, I probably couldn't have been much funnier. I'm also not in that career path, employed by a television network no less. This show WRITES ITSELF. The problem might be that the writers took that statement too literally. Is it really that hard to make a caricature of a cantankerous, witty old man when you were gifted numerous insights in to his personality?

The failings of this show were the flimsy plots and mediocre jokes. Provided, each episode might give you a couple of solid laughs. However, that means little, especially when you consider what we SHOULD have gotten from it. It should have been the breakout hit of the season.

If you didn't catch $#*! My Dad Says during its brief run, you didn't miss much at all. Just a lot of wasted potential. It tried to be edgy in certain avenues, but ultimately came across as a watered-down blow off.

Out of the Ball Park!

[fortress111 · 9/10 · 1 February 2011]

Shatner pulls another one out of his... @$$. Of course with the executive producers from Will & Grace, things can only be first class. Well... mostly. The funny lines of Shatner and his own comedy talents make up for the short falling of the rest of the show. Ideally, nothing is ever perfect. (In a perfect world, William Shatner would not have to buy hair...) Expect lots of star cameos and witty writing. Expect a lot of stepping on political correctness and spanking it's @$$. After all, that's what this series is all about... PC meets Old School.

Shatner does not look 79...more like 59... and "Henry" looks to be in his thirties...which he is (31). Therefore, the premise works, unlike "Retired at 35". Sadowski is superior to McClain by far...although we could have hoped for Zach Braff to take the lead role of "Henry". Second string ain't bad...but the snap of a seasoned star like Braff would have helped tremendously to support the wit of the lead "Ed" played by Shatner...brilliantly as usual.

The writing is coming along to support the premise and the main characters...but has not yet bloomed into its potential. Bottom line...the best new show of the season on any network. Perhaps the best show on any network... period. Including "Two and a Half Men" and "The Big Bang Theory." My VCR is set. I never miss it.

Pathetic show

[amerlyn · 3/10 · 24 September 2010]

Based on the first episode, this is a dull, boring, show, with a mundane and essentially stupid plot line, a real letdown for fans of William Shatner. Anyone hoping to encounter another "Denny Crane" (or even a vestige) will be highly disappointed. William Shatner is usually a very capable actor who does excellent work when given good material. The first episode of this show was not such a case. Every joke, of which most are lame and stupid, is emphasized by an overbearing and aggravating laugh-track, which apparently represents an audience howling over what is supposed to be witty and clever - but is neither. Lighting and production is typical unrealistic mundane sitcom. The rest of the cast seems capable, but it's hard to tell since they have to work with such weak material. Hopefully future shows will improve - maybe the producers will hire capable writers?

Missed

[PeachHamBeach · 10/10 · 9 December 2012]

I miss this show, especially since I didn't even know of its existence till after it was taken away. My mom and uncle recorded some episodes on the DVR and let me watch them. I adore Shatner, but also really appreciate the 3 other cast members immensely. I don't understand the hate Jonathan Sadowski has gotten for this. He is not a bad actor, whether he is being reactionary to Shatner's genius or doing his own thing. I suspect rather it is because they had another actor set to play "Henry" and Sadowski replaced him. Well, get over it already. Will Sasso is hilarious. Nicole Sullivan can be a little grating at times, but I think it's because her character is supposed to be. I laughed like a hyena at the "Spaghetti & Meatballs" episode! Very memorable guest/supporting stars like Jean Smart, Tim Bagley, and the always hilarious Missi Pyle.

They could have given it a truly fair chance. The fact that it is based on a twitter feed, a first in history for TV, is reason enough. I hate censored network TV! They always ax the stuff I like and keep the tripe I hate going for years!

Alright, so, when is this coming to DVD? I know I'm not the only one who misses it. Shall we get a petition going???

Not a Very Good Television Program

[tycoon-tyler · 1/10 · 23 September 2010]

I was looking forward to the translation of a hilarious book into a television series, and there is a lot of comedic situations that could be exploited for some excellent television. Unfortunately, the Delivery of the one-liners in this show are awful and are not at all supported by the lacklustre acting of both Shatner and Sadowski. The movement from the medium of a book, which captures moments in a hilarious quote from his father, to the television, which has to have a continuing episodic plot, causes difficulties that the writers of this show have not dealt with, and Shatner mumbling something about grape-nuts does not a good joke make. The (fairly annoying) laugh track that plays every few seconds seems to indicate that this is supposed to be funny, but ultimately Sh*t My Dad Says fails at the one thing that it was supposed to be. Read the Book (or the twitter feed) instead, which is actually funny.

On the edge! Surprised it's not on HBO!

[danieldeaseweitzelwalker · 9/10 · 20 November 2010]

I first read Kris King's "professional" critique on the show. Having watched nine episodes myself, I would never read or take anything Kris King ever writes to be worth anything. King slams "Sh*t My Dad Says", saying such things like the acting is "hammy". For the type of humour, it's to be expected. A lot of sitcoms start out with "hammy acting" and run for several seasons. And when King says it's "not funny, ever", just goes to show how biased King is towards the show. There are plenty of funny bits and not just what Shatner is saying. I don't appreciate King's obvious ignorance.

Admittedly, William Shatner (playing Ed Goodson) forces the one-liners in the first few episodes. That having been said, you can identify all the actors settling into their roles - Shatner most notably. Will Sasso has been the best in his role since the beginning. His "spaghetti and meatballs" bit was spot on and hilarious.

It's not easy to spew one-liners about Viet Cong and homosexualism and get away with it. Especially on CTV! I applaud CTV for pushing the boundaries and broadcasting this show. If I didn't know better, I would think it would be an HBO series. It's about time we have a show that rivals "All In The Family" for touching base on sensitive subjects and bringing light-heartedness to it.

Don't misunderstand my point of views - it doesn't mean I do or we should take those subjects lightly in the real world (despite the show being based off a real-life person). I strongly believe censorship and critics should really stop flaming this show for what it *isn't. If parents aren't passwording their digital and satellite receivers to block channels and adult rating levels, or paying attention to what their children are watching, it's their fault, not the creators of the show.

The critics aren't always right. I find them more biased and ignorant more often than ever. Lighten up. This show is good and getting better!

I Want To Like This Show...

[LadyBlanc · 4/10 · 22 October 2010]

...but I can't. After six episodes, it still really feels like it's scrambling to get its feet under it. The actors are mostly OK; Shatner is an old pro and delivers his lines as Ed with understated ease and great timing. Nicole Sullivan and Will Sasso are TV comedy veterans and clearly know what they're doing. Sadly, Johnathan Sadowski does not seem to be a strong enough actor to handle the anchoring straight man position on the show.

Then again, it might be the writing, which is quite uneven; Shatner is getting 85% of the good lines, while the writers don't really seem to know what to do with the rest of the cast. The subplots involving son Vince and his wife Bonnie are weak, strange, or both, for the most part. Henry just seems to be directionless and whiny, which makes it hard to like him as one of the two main characters. The supporting characters are probably meant to be quirky but come off as just sketchy and weird. The plots often moves in jerks and starts, without smooth flow or transition.

This show could be good, if the focus was clarified and the characters made more three dimensional and consistent. It would clear up a lot of the plot problems if these guys were presented as real people with clear motivations. I hope they can get this worked out, because I would like to see this show succeed, if only because I am such a long-time fan of William Shatner.

Shatner makes the role of non-conformist hilarious!!

[CaptainCraig · 8/10 · 13 October 2010]

Based on the Twitter feed which often contains vulgar language one might right away wonder how or why this is on network TV. The twitter feed isn't always vulgar though, often times the humor is in the raw unabashed truth of the non-PC, non-conformist, slightly behind the times father. While some colorful language might at times make some lines come across funnier its the situations thus far shown,through 4 episodes, that allow the cast to shine.

The show started off rocky I'll admit, maybe due to re-shooting for the recast role of Henry. However, each subsequent episode has shown the cast gelling and the show laying down roots to make a truly modest show into a good one.

Shatner owns the show. If you enjoyed how Shatner's Denny Crane refused to be bossed around on Boston Legal you'll right away understand Shatner's Ed Goodson on $#*! My Dad Says. You have to try a few helpings of the show but once you do I think you'll like it.

Overly Long Mad TV Skit

[bungebash · 5/10 · 24 September 2010]

I never really found Mad TV funny and to bring back some of the cast in this show was already on track to be downhill. The acting all seemed forced and maybe it's just having Shatner in the same room but seemed dry and too many pauses in dialogue. With the poor acting aside I maybe found myself...eek a chuckle under my breath once...by mistake. The jokes are dry and predictable and seriously, why do we need laugh tracks in ANY show. If I think something is funny, then I will laugh. I don't need to hear fake groups of people laughing every bombed joke. Big pass on this show, which I was really hoping to fill the gap in some cheap live action humor. I wish Better of Ted were back on the air...

it is good!

[ykrzeslo · 10/10 · 28 January 2011]

i really did not know what to expect from this. Then i saw it was a KOMUT show. So OK, let's give it a try. After half of the pilot i was hooked. William Shatner is excellent . He reminds me of my own father ( :-) ) The situations are also great (WS in a gay restaurant, i mean it's priceless). The only downside is Henry, he needs to get more lines or act a little bit better. The relations between WS and his sons are also greatly written. Full of humor but there's always a message underneath.The show will really take off if they have guest stars , noticeable guest stars (like all the Star Trek crew members :-) Jean Smart is great . There is chemistry between her and WS.

Cannot believe how bad this is

[robmirley · 1/10 · 21 December 2010]

I cannot believe some people have written positive feedback!! I wonder if they are the people who have stickers on the back of their car saying 'my other car is a Porsche'??? This show is AWFUL. No funny lines, canned laughter at every available opportunity and never in the right places, if there is a right place. William Shatner was simply brilliant in Boston Legal and I expected so much more from him. The script is very weak and simply just not funny. The whole show is based around one or two phrases that the writers father used on twitter, which were funny in that context but not in this show. I managed to watch the first episode but admit to turning the sound down as to avoid the fake laughter. Why not film in front of a live audience? Maybe the answer lies in the fact that it isn't funny. Very sad.

Shatner and the cast are all superb in this one:D

[spoku-1 · 9/10 · 29 December 2010]

I've been looking round to see some kind of comedy and instead of watching that 70s show reruns I've decided to give this one a try. Man it's paid off. I'm not going to brag about the story just give you a general idea. The show is about a son - dad relationship that never was and is supposed to be made up for. The guys are trying to get a long and all of the episodes show us how hilarious at times can it be. The Generatrion gap is the obvious one to bring out the differences and comedy but a lot of situational humor is served which I would say is in pair with MASH or even a one that is better, especially since it's really contemporary and up-to-date and touches upon real-life dilemmas. Every episode leaves you with something to think about and this is the quality which I love in a show. Not many sitcoms have this. This one does and in abundance. Furthermore, it makes you laugh. I really haven't thought a sitcom could've done it to me ever since "Married with children" has been taken off.

Give it a try, it's really worthwhile.

Spoku

Pilot OK, 2nd episode unwatchable

[teaparty_48 · 2/10 · 4 October 2010]

I really, really wanted to like this show. Boston Legal was one of my favorite shows ever, and while James Spader was the main reason for that, Denny Crane certainly had the endearing moments. So I was looking forward to more politically incorrect lines from the Shat.

Also, the twitter feed, and the book S#!t my dad says, were phenomenal. I read the book straight through in a night and couldn't stop laughing.

I had a bad feeling that they couldn't translate this to a TV show. And all my worst fears came through. No profanity, and the attempt to create the emotion of the book onto the screen. The show just wasn't funny. The laugh track, and the ridiculous side plot in the second episode, reek of trying to hard.

Repackage the show on HBO, leave in the profanity, and tell some of the stories out of the book. Then you've got me. Until then, this show will quickly become s#!t that no one is watching.

Where there's a Shatner...

[ddfcmp8 · 10/10 · 27 September 2010]

....There is DEFNINITELY potential, no matter how mediocre the writing, or the rest of the cast may be. I can't believe that people are so against this stuff. It's meant to be a little off-the- wall, as the title suggests, and that's pretty awesome compared to the usual, run-of-the-mill sitcoms you see these days. "Two and a HAlf Men" and "The Office" seem to be the only sitcoms that survive these ridiculous times on TV anyway, so why not give it a chance.

For starters, there is a pretty simple, perhaps even familiar, but all the same enjoyable story of a young man who, under certain circumstances, must bunk with his crazy dad for a while. Not so complicated, yes? Then there is the conflict of his father (always remarkably entertaining Shatner) as an emotionally rejective man with eccentricities up the wahzoo! A man who will not allow this to come to pass easily. Still, all i takes is a little heart and soul to connect mishapped father and son, and that's what happens to heal the story in the pilot.

NOW, it's what might come next that I am EXCITEDabout (should the show last, and I hope it does).

The cast member, other than Shatner of course vary in different areas. The lead man opposite the Shatman, Jonathan Sadowski, has some talent to burn, but he's got a lot to learn about holding his own, especially against seasoned actors like Shatner. That does not mean he's bad, in fact, he carries a great deal of miscommunication and generations gaps quite well. That shows much promise. Will Sasso and Nicole Sullivan need serious work. they're synthetically injected for background comedy that will grow tiresome in a while unless some more importance use is made for them. Tim Bagly of "Will and Grace" fame is, as usual,. on the mark with comedic timing and character support. His involvement will definitely help. as well.

What can I say, it wasn't perfect, but I really liked it and hope it succeeds. With any luck it will. There is always room for improvement, and I think with the write TLC, it will. Shatner's "Ed Goodson" ain't no Denny Crane", but he's sure crazy enough to carry a fun show for a couple of years, so hats-off to that, and may this show succeed!!!

Not Fun and Not Funny

[neeeche · 1/10 · 17 October 2010]

The TV adaptation of $h*! My Dad Says fails miserably with wrongly casting the dad and son. William Shatner is over the top and doesn't come off as effectively funny. He often comes across as an old man with constant constipation. There is no ease in the character that it creates more tension with the actor.

Jonathan Sadowski as Henry is really not doing any magic for the character. Really, Justin Halpern, is that how you want to be portrayed? Lackluster and corny. Writers are very interesting people, Sadowski on the other hand is a complete blah, whose character never shows his wit.

And seriously KoMut? The creators of the great Will & Grace. What happened? Terribly disappointing. You should have just made a show with an original concept rather than duplicating and overly written piece.

This is what happens when you exploit witty lines. The dialogue doesn't come out naturally. The whole thing becomes a glued project.

Pooping Birds

[bec1236 · 10/10 · 4 October 2010]

Sh#t My Dad Says is exceptionally funny. It has the combination of Cast and Crew which keeps this set rolling especially in moments of out take laughter! I find William Shatner's role as the light house to laughter which leads Will, Nicole, and Jonathan into a bay of belly laughs.Sh#t My Dad Says has came out of the starting gates with funny moments that takes place around the home including the back yard scenarios of pooping birds and disappearing lawn equipment.It even has the ever going battle with a grump of a neighbor on either side of the fence! I not only look forward to CBS on Thursday evenings but I find myself looking to the stars to see what's next! Sincerely, Sir Roderick Becton (Sir Becton)

Very disappointing.

[tony-segreto · 3/10 · 7 October 2010]

I have read the $#*! My Dad Says Twitter, I found it to be amusing, when I heard it was going to be developed into a TV show I was very intrigued on how they would go about doing it.

That is where the disappointment kicks in, they simply didn't do it. It is obviously filmed very cheaply and it really had little to no point.

William Shatner basically plays a boring role of Red from That 70's Show. His son is just down right boring. And the two other cast members that I have met so far were just yanked from MadTV.

The laugh track is also EXTREMELY annoying. I would not be surprised if this show got canceled before the end of the first season.

It would be much better if a group like Derrick Comedy or Reckless Tortuga just did 10 minute skits on certain instances.

If you are a huge William Shatner fan you might like it, however I tend to find his Priceline commercials more comical.

A solid comedy

[CaptRon-2 · 8/10 · 20 November 2010]

While opinions seems to vary greatly, I like the show and find the cast well balanced. Shatner, at 79 has great timing and his relationship with Henry is something we can relate to as our parents age.

The dad's advice is mostly right but he offers it with such a bitter pill that it is too hard to swallow. Who doesn't have a relative that is probably right in their wisdom but you just can't stand hearing the sound of their voice for one more minute.

For the distracters I will agree that the new character responsible for taking care of Shatner pulls the show down and I am hoping they write of his character quickly (nothing against the actor, it just doesn't fit with the mood - 2 is company, 3 is a crowd).

I hope the show gets a full session and I will definitely be tuning in for the long haul.

$#*! My Dad Says - Not a Sitcom, A $#*!Com

[officefan01 · 1/10 · 6 January 2011]

I've been watching the advertisements for about 4 months, and I decided to record the pilot episode. I watch a recording of The Big Bang Theory, followed by this, and I'm like, WOW! This is really terrible. It's about a 30-year-old man who moves in with his elderly father, who says a bunch of random $#*!, while the dad's other son and his wife stop by from time to time, and it seems like they serve no point to the show whatsoever. Everything about this show was bad, the acting, the writing, the gags, oh yeah, there are no gags. The plot is somewhat overused, and I hope this is the last sitcom based off a twitter account. The account is funny, the show is not. I couldn't even watch half of the pilot episode, I deleted it right away, and I pray that CBS will make the right decision, and cancel this $#*!ty show. If you're going to watch a funny comedy series on Thursday Night at 8:30, then watch 30 Rock. Quite possibly, the worst show of all time since Jersey Shore.