The Critic

Synopsis

The Critic is an American prime time animated series created by writing partners Al Jean and Mike Reiss, who had previously worked as writers and showrunners on The Simpsons. The show follows the life of a 36-year-old film critic from New York named Jay Sherman, voiced by Jon Lovitz. 23 episodes were produced, first broadcast on ABC in 1994 and finishing its original run on Fox in 1995.

First Air Date: 1994-01-26

Last Air Date: 1995-05-21

Number of Seasons: 2

Number of Episodes: 23

Created By: Mike Reiss, Al Jean

Networks: ABC, FOX

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Jon Lovitz as Jay Sherman (voice)
Christine Cavanaugh as Marty Sherman (voice)
Charles Napier as Duke Phillips (voice)
Judith Ivey as Eleanor Sherman (voice)
Gerrit Graham as Franklin Sherman (voice)
Nancy Cartwright as Margo Sherman (voice)
Doris Grau as Doris Grossman (voice)
Maurice LaMarche as Jeremy Hawke (voice)
Nick Jameson as Vlada Veramirovich (voice)
Park Overall as Alice Tompkins (voice)

Seasons

Specials (2000) - (16 Episodes)

Season 1 (1994) - (13 Episodes)

Season 2 (1995) - (10 Episodes)

Specials (2000)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: X-Men (2000-12-12)

Jay talks about his rise and fall from fame and introduces his new make-up lady, Jennifer.
Ep. 2: Mission: Impossible 2, Gladiator, Gone in 60 Seconds (2000-12-12)

Jay reviews the best movies from the year 2000 in a beach-themed studio (since all public beaches have banned Jay until he loses 20 pounds) and gets an unexpected visit from Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Ep. 3: Pokemon 2000, The Patriot (2001-01-30)

Jay pans The Patriot with special guest Pikachu (from the Pokémon video games, TV shows, and movies), whom he outs. All the while, Jay tries to prove to Jennifer he is nice enough to date.
Ep. 4: Perfect Storm, Star Wars, Titanic, The Sixth Sense (2001-01-30)

Jay finally lands a date with Jennifer. He takes her to L'ANE Riche (The Wealthy Jackass) where he talks about the movies he missed out on reviewing while unemployed.
Ep. 5: Out of Africa, Silence of the Lambs, On the Waterfront (2001-03-01)

Jay reviews the Oscars.
Ep. 6: Sleepy Hollow, Pulp Fiction (2001-04-28)

Jay discusses Sleepy Hollow and a spoof of Pulp Fiction with Jennifer at her apartment.
Ep. 7: Cast Away, The Legend of Bagger Vance (2001-05-15)

Jay takes a look at the best films of the year 2000, including Cast Away and The Legend of Bagger Vance.
Ep. 8: Harry Potter, Planet of the Apes (2001-05-22)

Jay visits the set of the Harry Potter film and takes a look at the Planet of the Apes remake. He also shows Jennifer his favorite spots in New York City. Later at her apartment, Jennifer introduces Jay to her many children and he asks the viewers' opinion of what he should do, showing gratefulness when they suggest that he have sex with her.
Ep. 9: Broadway (2001-05-22)

Since he hasn't seen a good movie to review in months, Jay defuses Broadway bombs, such as "Copenhagen," "Tuesdays with Morrie: The Musical," "The Graduate" with Kathleen Turner as Mrs. Robinson (the role later played by Jon Lovitz), and "Death of a Seinfeld."
Ep. 10: Pearl Harbor (2001-09-14)

Jay reviews Pearl Harbor and is mistaken for Shrek while waiting in line at the movies with Jennifer.
Ep. 11: Top Ten List

No overview for this episode.
Ep. 12: Creating The Critic

A retrospective of "The Critic" featuring interviews with creators and executive producers Mike Reiss & Al Jean.
Ep. 13: Trailer Parodies

No overview for this episode.
Ep. 14: Animating the Critic Pt. 1

The process of going from storyboard, to animatic, to final production.
Ep. 15: Animating the Critic Pt. 2

The process of going from storyboard, to animatic, to final production.
Ep. 16: Animating the Critic Pt. 3

The process of going from storyboard, to animatic, to final production.