Critic Reviews

The notion that decent guys need to learn how to be "real men" from macho jerks is a little silly, even for a sitcom. But the pilot does serve up some laughs, especially when Flight of the Conchords vet Rhys Darby is on screen.

How to be a Gentleman has some sharp writing, good byplay between the stars and a fair number of laughs.

I've watched the pilot possibly too many times not to notice how the parts have been glued together and the jokes teed up, but the performances are good.

This is a comedy with a solid core group of characters and a chance to go the distance.

As ordinary as this plot sounds, How To Be a Gentleman has a couple of things going for it, namely, Hornsby and Dillon.

The cast is an embarrassment of potential, but Dillon is wearing as a Drama-like dude; the cultural-obsession-with-youth trope is old; and the learning-to-be-a-man stuff is pat. It's very meh.

There's no "here" here.

This series won't last long enough for him to complete his education.

On top of having a dated premise, it just feels tired.

How to Be a Gentleman feels as if it comes from someone who knows a fair amount about constructing a sitcom but not quite enough about being funny.