Back in the Game (2013–2014) User Reviews (10)

Nice touch

[kriti-bhargava · 7/10 · 10 October 2013]

Not exactly a very engrossing story that sucks you in, but its gradual and normal. I'm a fan of Maggie Lawson from psych, so its good to see her. the cast does justice to the characters and i like seeing characters that aren't stereotypical.

It'll be good to see where the story goes and if more characters show up. the humor is dry and sarcastic, a little mature but refreshing none the same.

Most other shows i follow fall under a very common background. The sports angle is nice. From what i have seen so far, i can see a nice plot developing. This show is not about the suspense and i like that compared to other new shows that have just started.

I will watch this entire season before judging if i'll stick to it, but i expect it to keep me interested.

Getting better and deserved more episodes

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 3 November 2013]

Terry Gannon (Maggie Lawson) is a divorced mother who has to move back in with her grumpy former baseball player father Terry 'The Cannon' Gannon, Sr. (James Caan). She has no money and no job. When her boy is stuck on the worst baseball team, she becomes their coach.

It started slowly, but it got better as it went along. They finally got a girl on the team like the Bad News Bears. But it's a little too late being canceled after the 6th episode. The kids took a long while before they got the Bad News Bears feel. They're still missing the criminal bad boy. Maggie Lawson is passable, but she was never a wacky comedian. She was basically the straight man in Psych. James Caan needed some time to find the heart of the character. The first few episodes, he was simply a cranky old man. This show was slowly righting itself but the TV climate today can't allow a show to wallow for a season.

Terrible Show

[thirdsqurl · 3/10 · 17 October 2013]

It's good they hired some people to write favorable reviews of this new show, because that's the only way they're going to get them. I tuned in because I'm a fan of Maggie Lawson, and it seemed like she was doing her best, but the writing is atrocious, the characters are shallow, and even James Caan can't give this program any gravity. In the episode where Maggie's character wants a night out, the actors kept trying to make something happen, but the situations fell flat (when they weren't over-the-top). The so-called clever dialog of the young Little League team isn't the least bit clever (the Bad News Bear they are not), and overall there is a stiffness to the show that offsets its few good moments. This one will not be filling up my DVR.

very refreshing

[mtrubic · 8/10 · 5 October 2013]

Of all the new shows coming out this month this one stands on top. I could tell that it has strong writing after the first few episode and that it is disciplined. Not to much trivial detail that overwhelms the viewer in the first few minutes, instead, it progresses character development and a slow sustainable pace that allows other sub-plots to emerge gradually.

Currently I don't know what other projects that the writers/creators are responsible for but I intend to check them out. The cast is great. They appear to be a nice co-operative bunch. Looking forward to a good run of episodes that can get increasingly better as do most of my favourite shows - good effort from all involved.

Congrats.

I only wish some of the other shows that started this week could watch how you guys do it.

WORST "family" comedy EVER

[hypchyck-1 · 1/10 · 9 October 2013]

This is the most disgusting piece of garbage I've seen in years. So much so, that I booted up my computer at 9pm to write this review. First - nestled between to established family comedies, this comes out of nowhere with vulgar and crass "humor".

There is SO MUCH inappropriate sexual innuendo in this show - and it's overt - all set amongst a group of kids. The adults are rude, angry and mean. Every single interaction between the female lead and the male coaches revolves around sexual undertones.

James Caan's character is ridiculous. WORST SHOW EVER. EVER!! Don't even think about letting kids watch this POS.

Back in the Game Hits a Home Run

[hfan77 · 8/10 · 3 October 2013]

As a long-time baseball fan, I have been watching Back in the Game since it debuted and to me, it has the makings of a hit. It's the first sitcom about little league baseball since The Bad News Bears struck out on CBS in 1980.

What makes this show better than the show based on the movie series are the solid performances of Maggie Lawson, who ends up coaching her son's little league team and in his first sitcom role as her alcoholic father, James Caan. Caan seems to handle the sitcom format really well.

Let's not forget the actor who plays Lawson's son and the other members of The Angles. The add a lot to the show.

Back in the Game also reminds me of a boon i read when i was a youngster, The Year Mom Won the Pennant by Matt Christopher. Could Lawon's character lead The angles to the pennant? Watch this show. It hits a home run.

This show is funny

[gazpacha · 9/10 · 9 October 2013]

The pilot is strong, the writing, direction, execution are all excellent. My favorite comedy to debut this fall season and surprised it is not getting more attention. I stumbled on it and glad I did! Love that it's a family show but even has a little bit of edgy humor. Really great fun characters and dialogue.

the IMDb says I need more words to review it, but I really don't. I laughed out loud at the pilot. I never laugh out loud at television except for Parks and Recreation.

Hope this starts to get a good audience and grow.

Very well done.

Watch it, if you feel like laughing!

[coabieathype · 10/10 · 2 October 2013]

I have seen both episodes aired so far and I hope this show makes it for a while. The writing has been good, and I'll admit has been demanding to the actors. The acting compliments the writing perfectly. Griffin Gluck is just an amazing child actor and I hope he stays a child actor and avoids becoming a child star. His facial expressions delivers his lines perfectly. In the first episode he had to kiss another boy (like I said that is some demanding writing) however he pulls it off and makes it funny. If you haven't had a chance check him out in "Just Go With It" as he acts along side Jennifer Anniston and Adam Sandler.

Maggie Lawson is very beautiful actress and believable in this role. She shows the relationship between her character's father and her character really well. Not to where its overburdening to the viewer. Had a scene in the second episode with the father that was very touching yet didn't leave the comedy of the show at all. It was a great scene that I think will set the tone for the series.

James Caan pulls off a tough guy perfectly. Again the scene with Maggie Lawson in the second episode showed a lot of his character that hasn't been revealed up to the point. He is funny, his character is witty and fun.

This show is fun and its meant to be so relax open your mind sit back and enjoy it.

GREAT Show

[pugmac · 10/10 · 7 October 2013]

I am really surprised the overall ratings for this is so low so far. I think this is the best new show out so far.

I'd call it a modern day Bad News Bears. The writing is really good. Many good laughs each episode and it also has a deep story line that will need to come together by the end of the season. Maggie Lawson is plays the perfect down on her luck, tom-boy mom who really takes loves her son and wants what's best for him. James Cane is the perfect fit for the grumpy Granddad/Dad/ex Baseball player who teaches the kids how to become better player/kids in unorthodox ways. He also is really good at showing a caring side, without showing it.

If your tired of the same old sitcom with little depth, then this is the show for you. Give it a shot and I think you will find you like it.

I hope it sticks around. It's a really good show.

Love it!

[davor-lalic-gm · 8/10 · 25 November 2013]

I don't have children so I love it....It's borderline offensive but the thing is this...its not a kids show or is it :-) I am laughing so loud that my girlfriend things I am having a psychotic break...characters are very funny, acting is OK, story line is improving every week and The Cannon is just hilarious and makes Peter from Family guy look like a choir boy!

Its not the greatest show ever but I don't think it wants to be. Its 20 minutes long and I laugh 10 times on average....what more can you want, therefore I am giving the show an 8 out of 10 and this has nothing to do with the looks of the lead female character.....:-)!