Critic Reviews

Hidden Hills isn't deep, but at least it's trying to be relevant to modern domestic dilemmas. In the age of sitcom blockheads and their domineering wives, that's a major accomplishment. [24 Sept 2002, p.8C]

It sounds smarmy and cliched. But Hidden Hills is really a wry meditation on stale, overworked marriages that's both funny and insightful. [24 Sept 2002, p.E1]

This so-so show uses the sight gag style of "Scrubs" -- visualizing a character's thoughts and fantasies -- minus the funny medical comedy's superior wit and comic smarts. [24 Sept 2002]

Sometimes the suburban jokes work -- every little girl seems to be named Caitlin -- but Hidden Hills is mostly still foraging for the hidden jokes that will make it more original.

Some of it works, like a jealous dream Doug (Louis) has in next week's episode about his wife (Marshall) and the hunks working on his water main. [24 Sept 2002, p.E1]

The filmed series carries no laugh track, and that's merciful because there is nothing remotely funny. [24 Sept 2002, p.E1]

The show's cast is potentially likable; once they're given a script that doesn't feel so derivative and stuck on a single note, show could blossom. [23 Sept 2002, p.22]

A lesson in how a sitcom can use fast-paced visuals, snappy music, antic editing and sexy fantasy sequences and still look tired.

Marshall, on the other hand, has been more actively responsible for her shows' demise. From "Cupid" to "Snoops" to Hidden Hills, she projects the same cold, closed persona. That may be perfect for smaller roles, but for a sitcom lead, you'd have to consider her a bad choice. [24 Sept 2002 p.3D]

Underneath the slick production effects and the affluent LA setting, there are only stale jokes and plastic people. The ads for the series promise us, "It's like your life. Only funnier." To borrow from another NBC sitcom, if that is true, just shoot me. [24 Sept 2002, p.A16]