Mr. Griffith effortlessly makes the most of the country sophisticate, and Dick Van Dyke is splendidly devious as the judge. Matlock makes easy viewing, so easy that you are liable to forget it's there.

There is a plot twist along the way, but what finally ensnares the judge in a courtroom confrontation is another development of Matlock's devising that seems completely implausible. [23 Sept 1986, p.C10]

The problem with Matlock is that Griffith isn't nearly as cute as either he, or NBC, think he is. Or maybe it's that he's playing it too cute. When Peter Falk played cat and mouse with his prey in that eccentric, unassuming manner, it was charming. When Griffith does it, he just seems phony, manipulative and obnoxious. He's more creepy than he is endearing. [23 Sept 1986, p.C6]

One of the worst courtroom shows in the history of the genre. Andy Griffith trundles out of the shadows to play crusty, rich Atlanta lawyer Ben Matlock in this abysmally implausible one-hour drama. [23 Sept 1986, p.B1]