Critic Reviews

King has turned out to be a near-perfect synthesis of Seinfeld and [Everybody Loves] Raymond, recombining many of the best elements of each show into something wholly, delightfully new.

What makes this season so good is that the Heffernans' luck has been so bad.

The show's current season is its strongest, with [Kevin] James and costar Leah Remini sparking off each other's line readings like a veteran comedy team.

What King adds is better writing (particularly in next week's funnier episode), a better cast and a more affectionate tone. The only real false notes are struck by Doug's friends, a standard-issue gang of fools and louts who could have dropped in from any sitcom. [21 Sept 1998, p.1D]

Not too original, but the cast makes this King more than a commoner.

This is an everyman series, and James knows just how to sell that to the masses. The writing is sharp, and the oddball fringe characters (particularly Patton Oswalt) flesh out the show.

Demonstrates how funny writing and good execution can supersede a hackneyed series concept. [21 Sept 1998, p.F1]

But what makes this show different is Jerry Stiller. George Costanza's father is now Doug Heffernan's father-in-law. And what a riot he is. [21 Sept 1998, p.B23]

Stiller may not be enough to save this pack of wrongheaded cliches, but it will be fun watching him try. [21 Sept 1998, p.1E]

As the lead character, actor Kevin James has a certain something. We just hope it's not contagious. [21 Sept 1998, p.G-05]