What Happened to The Critic (1994-1995)?

The Critic is one of the most underrated TV shows of all time. Jon Lovitz's Jay Sherman deserves to be as memorable a character as Homer Simpson, but the show remains obscure. Why? The effect of The Simpsons on pop culture can't be overstated. In the early nineties, the show tapped into the cultural zeitgeist in a way few others had before. Indeed, no other cartoon show could reasonably emulate it- but Hollywood couldn't help but try. Capitol Critters, Family Dog, and Fish Police were just a few of the shows that tried to be "the new Simpsons." ABC's The Critic is the only one that got close, as we explore in this week's Gone But Not Forgotten episode.

#TheCritic #jonlovitz #gonebutnotforgotten

[whimsicalhamster]

This show was so damn good and it deserved a dozen seasons! The movie parodies were great. The way that Jay said that every new blockbuster "stinks!" holds true through 2023.

[rwdplz]

'The Critic' and 'Duckman' are both under-rated classics. Both are great examples of great shows too intelligent for the network executives.

[wstine]

I love The Critic. The Siskle and Ebert break up, the Misey episode, and the Hostage Award Show were my favorite episodes.

[butiplayoneontv]

Every single time i enter a bookstore i hear "BUY MY BOOK! BUY MY BOOK!" over and over in my head.

[JM-pmyb]

This was one of my favorite shows when I was younger.

The Critic and Duckman don’t have enough love

[NoobFever]

Such a memorable show. "You only love me for my money." "Ahh but it is a love that will never die."

[ChristopherPayneMUA]

The Critic was a brilliant show, gone before its time.

[shaggymcdaniel]

That intro song is the most 90’s nostalgic thing I’ve ever heard. It puts a tear to my eye.

[spenzalii]

Any episode with Orson Wells was absolute GOLD

[BillyReplies]

This show should make a comeback. Jay Sherman is a brilliant, timeless character, and there is NO shortage of material from the cesspool that is Hollywood.

[RavynAngelDarck]

I absolutely loved The Critic and always remember fondly the Siskel and Ebert episode. I even bought the series for my Dad as a birthday present a couple years ago.

[John-mfsz]

2 massively underrated and forgotten shows are The Critic, and Duckman.
Both were absolutely awesome.

[jcurzon]

I loved the critic when I was a kid. And like early Simpsons, it's better watching it now that I'm an adult. It deserved more episodes than it got. For gods sakes why is Big Mouth even a thing but The Critic was cut short?

[DrVesuvius]

Another reason why the show might have been cancelled was the Jamie-Lee Curtis breast grabbing incident at the 1995 US Comedy Awards. I remember there being a significant backlash against Lovitz at the time, even in the times before the internet and social media could carry outrage instantly around the world faster. There were takes of it being everything from harrassment to full sexual assault and calls for Lovitz to be what we'd now call Cancelled.
Ironically, both Curtis and Lovitz have in later years confirmed it was a pre-planned gag between the two, fully consensual.

[PastorFunK]

This was one of me and my cousins favorite show!! We just LOVED it!!

[jevinday]

The Critic is my favorite adult cartoon of all time. It's pretty avant-garde if you consider that film reviews would exponentially increase with the rise of YouTube

[nothumbbowler]

This show was one of my favorites!

My favorite moment was the "you're going to the debutante ball, or I'll shoot your horse." It was so strange, unexpected, different piece of comedy, while being this psychological deconstruction all at once.

[LukeSilverstar]

I loved this show as a kid. I still quote some of the lines 30 years later!

My favorite is probably the commercial of Orson Wells saying “Rosebud Frozen Peas: Full of country goodness and green pea-ness.” 😅

[texastornado]

The Critic is my all time favorite show. Duke, Jay and the many great episodes. I had to get the complete series when it came out. I love Orson Welles bits lol❤

[derekshropshire]

Franklin Sherman is one of my favorite animated characters ever. "Penguins can't fly!"