Breaking In (2011–2012) User Reviews (37)

I'll allow it

[samitestar · 7/10 · 7 April 2011]

I don't watch many comedies. It isn't that I don't like them, its that I don't like them enough to tune in every week.

But I thought I'd give this show a try just because the premise sounded interesting. It isn't about 20-somethings sharing an apartment or a middle class family with quirky neighbors.

What I found was a little bit different than what I'd expected. Instead of an office comedy (with the office being portrayed that of a security firm instead of an advertising firm or lawyers) this is a comedy about people doing oddball 'security' jobs, they remind me a lot of the characters from Sneakers (Robert Redford, Sidney Poitier, Dan Akroyd, 1992).

Christian Slater - playing Oz, a Skymall obsessed security expert who reminds me a lot of the Robert Redford character in Sneakers, he motivates his employees with a mixture of blackmail and heart tugging personal stories (which I suspect will mostly be lies carefully crafted to elicit the required response).

Bret Harrison playing Cameron - the most recent addition to the company. He's the computer tech and sadly, I found all his geek cred to be lame and not terribly believable. I suspect the writers need to spend more time on Reddit. But he has an undeniable charm and his missteps lead to hilarious situations.

Oddette Anable as Melanie. She plays the sexy bad girl and possible love interest of Cameron. I know, I know, it's a trope - wild girl + geek = interesting romance, but gosh darn it if I don't love it to pieces EVERY darn time.

The most hilarious bit in the show was a brief moment with Dutch, Melanie's boyfriend who has a questionable job(aptly played by Michael Rosenbaum, Smallville's Lex Luthor, gasp, I didn't recognize him with hair!).

All in all, I liked the show and hope it does well enough to iron out the little problems with geek jokes and the occasional moments of overly scripted dialogue.

What I'd like to see is more character development, a multi episode story arc and more time with Dutch, Cash and Oz, my three fave characters. Also, they should spend more time with Melanie and Cameron, so we can find out what else he likes about her besides her being a sexy safe cracker.

Great Start Plan to See More

[neilr_va · 7/10 · 7 April 2011]

Out of the gate fast Breaking In got my attention quickly and kept me engaged. I laughed out loud multiple times, something normally reserved for Big Bang Theory.

I found the characters and the interaction between them funny and interesting, I hope to see them grow and evolve as individuals and as a group. I particularly liked the practical joke theme that ran through the episode. Does that make me a bad person. The plot moved quick, maybe a bit silly, but then I like silly. I came to the end of the episode wanting more. Guess I'll have to wait until next week.

If you demand thought provoking issue driven entertainment this is not for you. If you want an escape and a laugh give it a try.

Well worth the watch. I'll be following the series and so should you!

[nathanrav · 8/10 · 12 April 2011]

This show is great. With an original concept, both conceivable and comic characters and an attractive storyline Breaking In provides us with both an entertaining and attracting show.

Breaking In implements the style of Chuck with the comedy of a sitcom to create a successful combination of awesome and funny. All this is possible through a great cast. Each cast member has his role and own sense of humor. This show has something for everyone. The geek, the ridiculous, the tormentor and the manipulative. I'm sure as the story progresses we will see new dimensions to the characters.

This is a show you gotta check out. It's gonna be round for the long run.

Good show, great characters, bad decision by Fox to cancel

[daimposter · 9/10 · 20 May 2011]

I was just getting to love this show, especially after they added Michael Rosenbaum as a full time cast member. The show was goofy and geeky with a leader of the group that is cocky, much like Community. In fact, it's very similar to Community and if you like Community, you probably like Breaking In.

Unfortunately Fox has decided to cancel this show even as it began to find its footing. What makes this show are the characters. The main character, Brett Harrison from Reaper, is a funny well grounded character (relatively speaking). His character is similar to Jason Bateman on Arrested Development where he plays off the wild actions of the supporting characters. Harrison is a very witty actor and found his acting style that I am sure will present him with another opportunity on a new show.

Christian Slater plays a wild, obnoxious but yet brilliant boss with horrible management skills but with a big heart deep down. The way he treats his staff makes Michael Scott in the Office seem like boss of the year. But just like Michael Scott, Slater's character still defends his employees.

Michael Rosenbaum plays a wild, obnoxious douche that has the brain of a 12 year old. He is like a high school jock that never grew up. He originally had just cameo appearance in the pilot but his character was such a hit they made him a full-time character after episode 3.

Oddette Annable (formerly Yustman) is probably best known for Cloverfield and The Unborn. She is one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood and perhaps the most beautiful woman on TV. She plays the only female character among the main cast. Brett Harrison's character is madly in love with Oddette's character and she herself is having romantic feelings for him. She is not a comedic center point for the show but she performs well as a former grifter that is lovable, warm at times, and a sex symbol.

Alphonso McAuley's character is a geek that will always live in his parents home (or garage as is the case here). His character is hilarious and provides many of the funny one liners or catch phrases (cover your mouth bitch!, Black Zeus).

Its sad to see Fox let another good one go. It did not run long enough to have a successful 'bring the show back' campaign like Family Guy and Futurama. I'd like see Slater and Rosenbaum go on to do other comedies.

The idiots canceled it; Im assuming it was axed

[dipdavies · 6 August 2011]

I was so p*ssed when they axed this in only 7 episodes.

Every episode made me laugh so much, the characters were hilarious.

It was a nice piece of random and idiots went and ruined it by killing it before itgot to go.

Of course Reaper and In the loop ran longer but were cut short too which also p*ssed me off..

Particularly Reaper! They left it unresolved.. Basically in the middle of the story..

Anyway..

Thats all i wanted to say.

Shown in U.K., series 2 a bust!

[WaffleOnTheWeb · 6/10 · 8 September 2018]

Stumbled across this being shown in the U.K. for what I believe is the first time, started watching because of Bret Harrison and Christian Slater. The first series was funny, the interaction between the whole cast and Dutch was hilarious, when I found out there was a season two, I was thoroughly looking forward to it. Bring on season 2. Gone were full time characters Melanie and Dutch, Melanie pops in a few episodes, and gone was Trevor Moore. Shrinking the original cast damaged the storylines dramatically. Megan Mullally was brought in as the annoying Veronica and the enigmatic Erin Richards was introduced as Molly. Neither character brought anything to the show, I can see why it was cancelled after season 2.

Laugh Out Loud Funny

[Suz__Leigh · 9/10 · 7 April 2011]

Not sure what the reviewer who gave this show one star was watching. I like Jack Nicholson, and other than having similarly shaped eyebrows, Slater has his own unique style.

The pilot was clever and the dialogue rapid-fire. Was the plot "silly"? Well, maybe. But what else should we expect from a 30-minute comedy that is produced by Adam Sandler? This show is a great addition to our list of favorites that include Leverage (which, by the way, has a great cast) and Psych.

This show wins on many levels. The concept of criminal masterminds is not original, but having it done in a 30-minute comedy is genius! This show has LOT's of potential. Looking forward to seeing more!!

1st year better

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 21 August 2013]

Cameron Price (Bret Harrison) works for mercurial security tech entrepeneur Oz (Christian Slater). Co-worker Cash Sparks is his best black friend and Melanie Garcia is his crush. Odette Annable leaves after the first season. The cast is joined by Megan Mullally and Erin Richards in the second season.

There are some good moments with the group in first season. The group is able to build some good chemistry. The cast turnover between seasons threw the balance off for the show. Megan Mullally could be fun for what she does but her over-the-top silliness pushes the show too far off-kilter. It's a different tone and not funny. They also threw in Erin Richards to replace Odette Annable. That's a hot chick for hot chick move. The problem is that Bret spent a whole season building chemistry with Odette. The desperate hail-Mary fails to work.

Let's have fun "Breaking In"

[alexbeica · 8/10 · 7 April 2011]

I decided to write this review after reading the one posted and seeing the unfair score (2,3). So i watched the first episode of the show and must say i loved it. The show is funny and the characters are interesting because is a comedy and a comedy should make you laugh, the pranks were great and i am sure everyone was missing Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor).Besides that the first episode had humor , hot lead chick and hot cars, what could you want more. From what i have seen, the show revolves around the character played by Bret Harisson which is a great actor remembering "Reaper". I think we should give a fair chances to this one and...have fun

take a good show, mess with it, then cancel it

[ta-60644 · 6/10 · 26 January 2024]

The first season was fun. Christian Slater's over the top style was entertaining and the other characters were fun. It was just light hearted entertainment. Even Michael Rosenbaum's 'Dutch' wasn't too annoying and even funny at times.

Then like so many good shows the network decided to rework it rather than give it some time to develop a following or advertise it. It had a good group of people and fun adventures.

For some unknown reason, they replaced Odette Annable's Melanie. Why replace a character they had built a good backstory on and had chemistry with Cameron, with Erin Richards. WHY? Nothing against Erin Richards but still WHY???

And who on earth looked at the first season and thought "what this show needs is Megan Mullally? Christian Slater may have just one acting style; but his one liners and attitude fit with the show. He was the cool leader of a bunch of slightly damaged misfits. And instead for season two they focus on Mullally's one acting style which is a whiney voice and cartoonish acting? It made the show nearly unwatchable, If not for the skip button it would have been.

Season one ok, season two was unwatchable

[shaman-466-263303 · 4/10 · 12 August 2018]

The writing in season one was weak, but the idea was decent and with some improved writing could have been a decent show. Season two however lost everything that made the show worth watching and tried to make a halfassed comedic farce with a new characters (and loss of old ones with no explanation) that fell flat at every turn. They never did 'jobs' anymore and it became this awkward show centered around the 'new boss' who was eccentric and quirky and had nothing to do with the basic premise of the show. Season two's follies are the shining example of how to murder a show.

Breaking Into Laughter

[lostboyblue · 10/10 · 18 May 2011]

Man, some of these negative reviews are too funny. This is a quick witted show and has a lot of potential. It appears to be written well and has a great looking cast that play the parts well. Wile some of the reviews are comparing "Breaking In" to shows like "Big Bang Theory" .. i don't think they really compare. BBT is a a funny show, well written and well played. so the technical side of "Breaking In" isn't perfect.. u i have had more than a few laugh-out-loud moments.

Christian Slater may be the big name here.. but this shows stars are really in the supporting cast. It's funny, light-hearted, and fun to watch. I have all but given up on network TV but I'll be watching this one.

Omg, talk about a good show gone bad

[charlie-butters · 4/10 · 25 February 2014]

The first Season was really lots of fun, It was like a cross between Chuck and The Office.

Basically the story was like this.. Our main character is a talented hacker genius gets recruited by a security company led by OZ (Christian Slater - Too Hot To Handle/Broken Arrow)

The team consisted of a sexy lock picker, her boyfriend who would remind me of Charlie Day when he was dressed up as "The Greenman". (always Sunny In Philadelphia) crossed between Bill And Ted. "Excellent!!" Then we had a master of disguises and finally a mega geeky gadget man. (The token black actor)

The 1st season was quite enjoyable. I grew up and love all the 80's movie references and understood them and enjoyed them. The characters were a good spread and the stories about a company that had to find security holes in banks etc was very cool. Even the stories were quite enjoyable. Sadly only 7 episodes in, the plug was pulled and the show was over.

But hey it came back for a second season. I was excited to get my hands on it but I warn you now, if you have watched the 1st season and enjoyed it like I did, STAY AWAY FROM THE SECOND SEASON. It's a totally different show. God knows why but the creators of the show felt the need to bring in that annoying woman (Megan Mullally) who is Ron Swanson's wife Tammy 2. (Parks and Rec = A show you should be watching instead) Now, this woman was great in Will and Grace, (Stole the show in fact) and now days she is funny in small doses, like in Parks and Rec, but her in the second season of Breaking In is just like having your ears cleaned with a blow torch. It felt like Niki Lauda having his lungs scraped. Shes the worst possible version of her stereo type character she can be.

So annoying..

OK seriously. This show had really great potential and could of become a cult classic, but it obviously was taken over by studio executives, or perhaps someone just dead set against this show and wanted it to be remembered as another show that lost its way.

Sorry, 4 out of 10. And only that high because the first season was so good.

I can't believe it

[hzlnut_28 · 25 July 2011]

You have to be kidding me? Why would Fox not pick up this show for a second season? There are very few shows on network TV that are this good. The show is very funny and smart for a change. This show ranks up there with Modern Family as one of the best network shows on. I have heard that Fox has picked up the options on the cast's contracts, which leaves a little hope. Fox has made mistakes before, such as Family Guy, which we all know how that has turned out. I hope they give this show a real chance to have a following, which I'm sure will happen. Everyone I have introduced this show to has loved it. I am going to be very p-d off if the show doesn't continue. I hope this network has learned from it's mistakes.

Entertaining

[Jackieswoosh · 8/10 · 7 April 2011]

My friends and I found the pilot very funny and interesting. The show has a cute concept. I particularly like how you never know if The character Oz is telling the truth or lying. The character Dutch was hilarious during the brief moments he had on screen; I couldn't believe that was Smallville's Lex Luthor. The character of Meline was definitely a cross between bad ass, for lack of a better word, and a genius. The character of Cash called to my inner geek/nerd' I found his obsession with pulling pranks (especially when he flipped Cameron's car upside down), star trek and star wars very funny. The character of Josh was the jaded old golden boy who wanted to be back in the spot light. Cameron was the newbie intern trying to escape his fate; he was not keen in joining this team in the beginning but slowly came to accept it.

Give Slater the spotlight back and save this show!

[dlsmith48-331-756284 · 8/10 · 30 March 2012]

The "8" scale is only applicable if the two new female actresses are eliminated. They have turned a clever, witty show into a half-hour of two hens cackling about nothing of interest to viewers who have waited so-o-o-o long for Slater to return. We come to this show for him. He needs no help to entertain, and the two "new" female additions to the cast have ripped any entertainment value from this show. Slater's style has been missed in the media arena for too long. It's professionalism. sarcastic wit, along with his bedeviling smile can turn 30 minutes into a treat you only wish to repeat. The two new cast members are taking the script down to the level of a half hour of brainless and aimless TV chatter that tries to cover the absence of the original engaging and entertaining story line. RESTORE it to its former Slater Glory!...Please?

Refreshing comedy

[oldjollysanta · 10/10 · 19 May 2011]

I can't understand why more people don't love this show? I understand that there are many shades of humor but I find this show the most refreshing comedy I've seen in a long time, It's not a clone of anything else I've seen and the comedy is fast paced, well executed & and quite witty in most areas. You have the main character would is more like the average Joe stuck in this place with other people with unique personalities. You got the tension between the main character and the hot chick of the office who is already taken by the biggest idiot but yet most thoughtful and sweet (in his own way) boyfriend. The Gadget guy with his hilariously overboard pranks! Even the other, not so started, crew has a certain quirkiness about them ...I have to say tho, my favorite character is the boss, with he's witty comedy and ability to always be 10 moves ahead. I can't get enough of this show!

Started Good - Second Season Crap

[frankvw-13-99823 · 1/10 · 26 April 2012]

The first season was great, hugely hilarious. Great characters that all worked together well. Once Megan Mullally joined the crew and Odette Annable left in season two it went downhill so fast it was almost blinding.

The whole premise of "Breaking In" has disappeared. I don't think the crew has broken in to anywhere in season two and Megan is worse than she was on Will and Grace. I couldn't stand her character on that and she is worse on this. The running gag with Christain Slaters secret rooms have also gone.

What a way to kill a show that started so well and had so much promise. They shouldn't have ruined what started as a great formula.

Great!

[baekms · 9/10 · 25 June 2021]

Loved season 1! It's the kind of serie I really like!

Unfortunately season 2 took another turn, different from season 1.

Sadly only 2 seasons released.

Just don't watch the last 2 episodes

[vincentck13 · 3/10 · 10 June 2018]

They pulled a "how I met your mother" and he ends up with the wrong person, after the poor girl gets ping ponged emotionally.

Fun show

[hyeclass323 · 10/10 · 6 April 2011]

Nice fun show to watch everyone check it out

its funny worth the watch fun show to watch on Tuesdays

good story line

EVERYONE CHECK IT OUT good show to watch on a Tuesday and people don't hate it watch at least more then 5 episodes before hating a series, only one episode has aired you might not like the first episode but you might like most of em from the season

first episode was good

people watch like 5 episodes before hating it

good show

good actors

Glad it is coming back

[talis-briedis · 8/10 · 26 August 2011]

So glad it is coming back. Though I do not like most of the actors, they do fit their roles well. Great guests, but just like the regulars could be better. I am a NASCAR fan also, but detest Jimmie Johnson. But OK, it was still a good episode. Did anyone notice at the end when Slater got to do his lap, ALL the ads around the track were blurred out. No big deal, just kinda interesting... I do hope they keep up the same quality, quick wit, fast pace in the following episodes. This show really does work. Great twists, lots of slapstick. Not trying too hard to too serious. So many shows try to be intelligent and back it up. In the end failing miserably. Here they just state it as fact and that is it. Why waste time on things that are not really needed. And when they do explain something, it is so outrageous and hilarious! Slater is excellent and McAuley is Fantastic himself. Reminds me a bit of whats-his-name from Police Academy, but does it well enough to be his own character. Hope FOX sees the light and finds the right time slot for this show. It has LOTS of potential!!!

Good concept well-executed for the most part

[Mike-DD · 9/10 · 18 March 2014]

I enjoyed Bret Harrison's last outing in Reaper, and so wanted to see if he could make this enjoyable as well. It didn't hurt that Christian Slater also had a major role as well.

Slater is the boss of a company that specialises in breaking into secure systems and locations to test out security systems and protocols. Bret Harrison is the young computer genius who is recruited into the company. The show is fun because the many oddballs who work in the company, or rather, the characters who have quirky habits. It's fun, and funny, to see how they break into companies, computer systems, and sometimes act as 'security escorts' for all manner of items.

There are few serious moments - this is a comedy after all. But they do add gravitas to a series that depend on madcap capers on its success. And some of those capers are really ingenious.

For the tech-oriented, or even those who are not but are not totally tech-clueless, this is a very enjoyable series. It's just too bad it was cancelled after just 2 seasons. There seemed more fun ahead with new characters brought onboard.

Season One Was Amazing...

[sajeannekozi · 5/10 · 4 May 2018]

Then Season Two dropped the ball.

I suggest watching the first season & then stopping. Season One was LMAO good then Season Two just wasn't... The addition of Megan Mullally destroyed the flow of the show in a painful way. I don't know what they were thinking but there was no Season Three. It's really too bad.

Solid series that wasn't given the chance it deserved

[jellyneckr · 22 April 2012]

Out of all the major networks, Fox is perhaps the most notorious for canceling shows as quickly as possible. To make a list of all the shows that Fox has swiftly and ultimately prematurely yanked from the air in just the past five years would take forever, but television fans surely already know what some of them are. "Breaking In" is the latest show that can be added to that list as despite being picked up for a second season, Fox has decided to cancel the show after airing only five episodes from Season Two. I'm not going to argue that "Breaking In" was an absolutely perfect show---there were a few times when it was definitely inconsistent---but it was always at least distinctively different from any other network comedy. The premise itself always seemed like a comedic version of "Leverage" but never felt like a rip-off of that show. Christian Slater (who was also a producer on the series) was great in a role that perfectly suited his sense of humor and charisma. Though Slater was the most recognizable name in the cast, "Breaking In" was truly an ensemble where each cast member got to shine and had individual episodes that allowed them to add some depth to their admittedly wacky characters. Doing away with the standard annoying sitcom laugh track and clichés, most of the humor from "Breaking In" came from the characters' antics and unique (but never super forced) pop culture references. However, these two sources of humor may also have been stumbling blocks for certain viewers. As both characters and the pop culture jokes were a bit on the geeky side, the show was never going to be the single most accessible sitcom on the air. Yet the show was far more accessible than a sitcom like "Community" and could have easily found more viewers had it been given more of a push. Attempts to gain a wider audience in the second season by adding Megan Mullally to the cast and changing the show from more of a workplace sitcom than a series about pulling off heists may have turned some fans off, though I still found plenty to laugh at in what was aired of Season Two. "Breaking In" always seemed like it would have been a better fit for a cable channel like Comedy Central or USA. As it stands, "Breaking In" may develop a cult following if it is able to get a DVD release. It's obvious that everyone involved were really trying to make a good-natured show that people would enjoy and it would be a shame if people weren't allowed to see the finished unaired episodes. 8/10