Watch The Critic

The Critic is an animated television show that aired on Fox from 1994-1995 and then was picked up by Comedy Central from 1995-1997. The show followed the life of Jay Sherman, a film critic who worked for a New York newspaper. Jay was voiced by Jon Lovitz, who also created the show with Al Jean and Mike Reiss. The premise of the show was simple. Jay Sherman would review movies and offer his opinions on them. Most of the films he reviewed were terrible, and he was not shy about sharing his thoughts on them. The show would also occasionally parody famous movies, like "Jurassic Park" and "Star Wars." The show's humor was often self-deprecating, focusing on Jay's failed relationships and his insecurities. Jay was a divorced father with a young son, Marty, who he cared for deeply. His relationships with women were often rocky, and he struggled to find someone who understood him. Jay also had a complicated relationship with his boss, Duke Phillips. Duke was a billionaire who owned the newspaper that employed Jay. Duke often used Jay's reviews to manipulate the film industry to his advantage. Despite this, Jay and Duke shared a unique bond, and there was a sense of affection between the two. The show featured several recurring characters, including Jay's makeup artist, Doris Grossman, who was voiced by Christine Cavanaugh. Doris was overweight and often the recipient of fat jokes from Jay, but she was also one of Jay's closest friends. A recurring plotline involved Jay trying to set Doris up with a man who could appreciate her for who she was. Another notable character was Marty, Jay's son. Marty was voiced by Nick Jameson and was often the voice of reason for his father. Marty was an intelligent, curious child who loved spending time with his dad. He was also the source of much of Jay's angst, as he struggled to balance his career with his responsibilities as a father. Jay's love interests were also recurring characters on the show. Several times, he dated Alice Tompkins, a woman who worked at the newspaper with him. Alice was voiced by Judith Ivey and was a single mother herself, with a son named Jeremy. Though Jay and Alice had chemistry, their relationship was always turbulent. The most memorable aspect of the show was its parodies of famous films. The Critic was not afraid to skewer Hollywood and its excesses. In one episode, Jay reviews a film called "It's A Wonderful Life: The Lost Ending," which was a spoof of the beloved holiday classic. In another, he reviews a film called "Flesh Gordon 2: The Forbidden Dimension," which poked fun at the softcore adult film industry. The animation style of The Critic was unique. The show was animated using traditional hand-drawn techniques, but the characters were often drawn in exaggerated proportions. This gave the show a cartoonish feel that was a departure from other shows like The Simpsons or Family Guy. The Critic was critically acclaimed but struggled to find an audience. Fox canceled the show after one season, but Comedy Central picked it up for two more seasons. Despite this, the show was still ultimately canceled in 1997. In conclusion, The Critic was a clever, witty show that was ahead of its time. While it may have struggled to find an audience when it first aired, it has gained a cult following in the years since its cancellation. The show's humor was sharp, and its characters were well-rounded and surprisingly relatable. The show's blend of movie parodies and self-deprecating humor made it a standout in the crowded world of animated sitcoms. Fans of the show remember it fondly and consider it one of the best animated comedies of the 1990s.