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The Big Door Prize (TV Series)

The Big Door Prize

2023

David West Read (Creator), Declan Lowney ...

Chris O'Dowd, Gabrielle Dennis, Ally Maki, Damon Gupton ...

5.3

253

TV Series. Comedy TV Series (2023-). 2 Seasons. 20 Episodes. A small town is forever changed when a mysterious machine appears, promising to reveal everyone's true potential. Soon residents start changing jobs, rethinking relationships, and questioning long-held beliefs—all in pursuit of a better future.

	Author	Review
United States	Akos Peterbencze Paste Magazine	"[2nd Season Review]: the show is meant to be fun and upbeat, with a penchant for revealing something profound between the lines. By mostly maintaining that balance the second time around, the series remains a gem in an oversaturated comedy television landscape"	POS
United States	Tom Philip AV Club	"[2nd Season Review]: A messy, intriguing improvement (...) Although the show still has flaws, it boasts a fantastic cast and just the right amount of mystery-box storytelling"	NEU
United States	Coleman Spilde The Daily Beast	"[2nd Season Review]: It's another blissful, perfectly paced 10 episodes that hit the hardest when you least expect them to, the kind of television that insists upon the intelligence of its viewer, rather than itself"	POS
Canada	Peter Martin Screen Anarchy	"[2nd Season Review]: if you watched and liked the first season, Season 2 will probably be appointment viewing (...) If not, the first three episodes of Season 2 will catch you up on what's been happening and help you decide if you want to watch more"	NEU
Canada	Ben Gibbons Screen Rant	"[2nd Season Review]: it has improved in its second season as it gives the supporting cast more attention and leans into the emotional moments (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"	POS
United Kingdom	Keith Watson Telegraph	"[2nd Season Review]: Because though it reaches for the deep and meaningful, this oddly moreish soap opera too often settles for fortune-cookie philosophy (...) Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)"	NEU
Ireland	Chris Wasser Irish Independent	"[2nd Season Review]: Thanks to charismatic Chris O'Dowd this sci-fi mystery series is impossible to dislike"	POS
United States	Joel Keller Decider	"[2nd Season Review]: 'The Big Door Prize' works because it allows us to spend time with a group of appealing characters that have become a 'found family' as they try to figure out just what they want to get out of their lives"	POS
United States	Tim Surette TV Guide	"[1st Season Review]: 'The Big Door Prize' takes our general nervousness about life and apprehension to dream big and repurposes them into one of the best comedy debuts in years."	POS
United States	Alec Bojalad Den of Geek	"[1st Season Review]: ['The Big Door Prize']'s charms becomes impossible"	POS
United States	Ben Travers IndieWire	"[1st Season Review]: Some arcs are stronger than others, but Read balances episodes so even if the new focus isn't perfectly polished, the core cast is there to keep things humming"	NEU
United States	Emma Fraser The Playlist	"[1st Season Review]: The story starts to sag during the middle portion of the season (...) However, by the end of the 10-episode run, it has found its footing again, and 'The Big Door Prize' leaves you wanting to know more	POS
United States	Max Gao AV Club	"[1st Season Review]: The show has a unique structure (...) It’s a kind of character study that gives an opportunity to excavate backstories through dialogue or to relive scenes that viewers might already know about from a different perspective"	POS
United States	Daniel Fienberg The Hollywood Reporter	"[1st Season Review]: An Apple TV+ charmer that stumbles over its ambitions"	NEU
United Kingdom	Benji Wilson Telegraph	"[1st Season Review]: It would be easy to dismiss [the film] as manipulative, motivational schmaltz. And yet you can forgive a lot of guff for one funny line, and 'The Big Door Prize' has plenty (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"	POS
United States	Joel Keller Decider	"[1st Season Review]: A show that could have spent its time naval gazing, but the shifting perspectives of each episode keeps the show from going down that road"	POS
Canada	Josh Bell CBR	"[1st Season Review]: 'The Big Door Prize' wastes its high concept on weak comedy (...) It takes a whimsical, mystical idea and buries it in tedious drama"	NEG
United States	Amber Dowling Variety	"[1st Season Review]: It takes a beat to get into the unique tone of the series, and to accept the magical realism that stops by. But by the end you do care about what happens to these people. In fact, you’ll probably be left wanting more"	POS
United Kingdom	Lucy Mangan The Guardian	"[1st Season Review]: This funny, friendly series about a machine that reveals people’s true life potential will charm you into deep thinking (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"	POS
United States	Nandini Balial rogerebert.com	"[1st Season Review]: The result is the TV equivalent of a sandwich from a fast-casual chain: edible, sure, but you will feel neither transformed nor transported during or afterward"	NEU
United States	Robert Lloyd Los Angeles Times	"[1st Season Review]: 'The Big Door Prize' is easy to like and even embrace"	POS
United States	Adam Lock Ready Steady Cut	"[1st Season Review]: 'The Big Door Prize' offers a fascinating premise and builds strong characters from this small, sci-fi seedling of an idea (...) Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)"	POS
United States	Chase Hutchinson Collider	"[1st Season Review]: It is an intriguing premise that, even with some joyous and reflective moments scattered throughout, regrettably never makes the most of its own potential"	NEU
Canada	Peter Martin Screen Anarchy	"[1st Season Review]: The actors do their level best to hit the tone, which wavers from comedy to drama at will, and are mostly successful"	POS
United Kingdom	Carol Midgley The Times	"[1st Season Review]: A pleasant watch and also a thought-provoking one because it asks whether people are happier knowing about their latent possibilities or if it's better you remain ignorant and content with your lot (...) Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)"	POS
Australia	Craig Mathieson The Age	"[1st Season Review]: The show's potential is fulfilled (...) Rating: ★★★½ (out of 5)"	POS

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