The Good Guys (2010) User Reviews

Good old fashioned dysfunctional buddy cops

[mykinney · 8/10 · 23 May 2010]

I was not expecting this show to be anything but a brief failure. I mean, the premise of this show is nothing we have not seen a million time before. But the characters, especially Bradley Witford, make this show something worth watching Based on the pilot, I was pleasantly surprised. The ying/yang relationship between the barely recognizable Bradley Witford reigns supreme in his role as the washed up, alcoholic but lovable partner against Colin Hanks' stuffed shirt, by the book, obnoxious intellectual role. There is action, comedy and even the bad guys are hard to dislike, their roles being deliberately over the top. In fact, this show moves from one cliché to another but I didn't seem to mind. You expect a wink from them at any moment. I hope they can keep this up and this was not just an anomaly.

A show that's just plain fun!

[mrsjones012 · 9/10 · 18 June 2010]

As other reviewers have stated; this is a classic buddy cop show. It's funny and well executed. Don't over think the irreverent subject matter and you will have a good time. Bradley Whitford plays "bad" cop Dan Stark so well he makes you want to smack him. Stark is sexist, stubborn, arrogant and of course, clueless. Colin Hanks character, Jack Bailey, just needs a hug. Bailey attempts to reign stark in but instead gets caught up in the crazy. It is a very funny dynamic that is played out well. It all comes together in a show that has a vintage feel with a pop-culture edge. Standard characters, written for today's audience. Each episode has gotten better so, with only three in, I'm looking forward to the next. It looks good visually too and it's cool to see a show NOT set in L.A.,NY, Chicago etc...

It only gets better

[steeped · 8/10 · 15 June 2010]

I didn't like the first episode of The Good Guys and I wanted to give up on the show, but something about the characters and the pace made me give the show one more chance - and I'm glad I did.

I think you have to be in a certain mood to enjoy this show. After a long day at work, sitting on the couch and not wanting to think ruined the first episode for me because there is a lot to the plot (there are bad guys who then meet worst bad guys who decide to duke it out and the cops find themselves in the middle), and the comedy could be subtle - so when you listen and pay attention the show is a lot better.

If you didn't like an episode, try watching another when you have a lot less on your plate to deal with.

Don't think too hard and you'll love this show

[BigBish1966 · 10/10 · 7 June 2010]

If you're an overly analytical crime drama aficionado, you won't like The Good Guys. Me, I love it. It takes so many genres, mashes them together and it works like a charm - Love the Stephen J Cannell all action no plot series of the 80's? its here. Like procedural crime drama?its here. Like tongue in cheek comedy? Its here. Like Magnum's cheesy mustache, Matt Houston, pleather jackets? Its here. Matt Nix has a winner here. Its no typical crime drama, buddy cop adventure. Its a hoot and I hope it sticks around. The cast of characters is strong, plenty of action, lots of laughs and it just doesn't take itself too seriously. You want blue light CSI special effects and Law & Order procedural drama, go watch them. You want simple action, gunfights, car chases and likable characters, watch The Good Guys.

Amazing action filled with laughter?

[potusin2021 · 10/10 · 28 June 2010]

Finally a cop show I can sink my teeth into!!! Bradley Whitford has finally found his niche.. again! After the West Wing I thought it was over for Brad, but as Detective Dan Stark it's pure comedy gold. Conlin Hanks is genius as the by the books Detective Jack Bailey. This show is great for those who enjoy simple plot lines and witty comedy. Be prepared to have to follow the time jumps but it's worth it! The writing on this show is truly amazing, though I am afraid the premise will get old quickly. I would recommend this show for older views! If you don't enjoy humor such as the Princess Bride then you probably won't enjoy the comedy found in this show. I've been trying to find a great show to watch during the summer and finally it's here! You'll fall in love with The Good Guys! Let's go bust some punks!

Funny

[trippind · 10/10 · 19 June 2010]

The Good Guys is a really easy, enjoyable show to watch that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's not your typical cop show. While there are plenty of explosions and shooting there are more than enough laughs. If you take the show too seriously some of the lines will rub you the wrong way, but taken the way the show is meant to be watched they are hilarious. All characters, even the bad guys, have slight comedic idiosyncrasies about them that isn't over the top. It's also nice to see a cop show that doesn't have to take place in New York/Los Angele/Miami.

Dan Stark is going to be a great character. Bradley Whitford's portrayal of him makes me laugh out loud. I hope its given a chance to grow and attract an audience.

The Good Guys are Great Guys!

[caddy_shack2009 · 10/10 · 19 May 2010]

Finally, a new show worth watching, Colin Hanks is (Jack) a younger cop looking to further his career who is a by the book cop and Bradley Whitford is (Dan) a veteran, and a wild card with a love of women, and of course a drinking problem. This show is great it reminds me of the classic buddy cop comedies which I believe is what the creator was going for considering this was suppose to be a movie written 10 years ago. It's got action and comedy, and great acting. If you're tired of CSI, NCIS and all the other serious crime cop shows then check this out, I promise you won't be disappointed! FOX has finally pulled of a great cop show, there only other claim to fame series now are "Glee" and "Family Guy", hopefully this will be another.

Best new show of the year.

[edantes77 · 10/10 · 13 August 2010]

When I first saw this advertised let's say I was dubious to say the least. I read that it was a comedy and saw the name Colin Hanks and couldn't see how this would work, and Bradley Whitford, I didn't really know much about. But I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.

It is almost like Hanks Junior is trying to do the opposite to what his father did in Dragnet, in taking the Dan Aykroyd type straight man role alongside Bradley Whitford's burnt out maverick supercop. And they both excel in their parts.

Hanks as Jack Bailey is a young, ambitious, by-the-book police officer, trying to keep one eye on his new partner and one eye on his ex, whom he still lusts after and constantly tries to impress. Whitford is supreme as Dan Stark, the best realised character I have watched in a very long time. He is a cop's cop, headmaster of the old skool, willing to do anything to get his man, and yet stuck in the past, not understanding the new rules and politics of the post millennium policeman. To him, a perp is a perp, a woman is a woman, and a partner is a partner, and a drink is a drink, just like it was in the 70s and 80s.

The writing in this is second to none, Matt Nix is a genius, topping Burn Notice easily, even though I love this show too. Some of the one-liners and catchphrases are just outstanding and I can't remember the last time I laughed out loud on numerous occasions watching a TV show. I love Stark's constant misty-eyed references to what he and his ex-partner used to get up to, and his complete lack of comprehension as to how anything can be more important than putting bad guys in the slammer.

The plot and their cases are usually fairly simple, as they are given the lame cases nobody else would touch, stolen dehumidifiers, etc, but they always get caught up accidentally in another big case, but it's always a great action- and comedy-filled ride getting to the inevitable destination.

I cannot speak highly enough of Bradley Whitford in this show, he really brings Dan Stark to life, and if he does not win, or at the very least, get nominated for some of the top awards this year it will be a travesty, nay a crime.

And if you don't find yourself wanting a t-shirt saying "let's go bust some punks" after watching this, then I don't know what is wrong with you.

Excellent Potential

[erose001 · 8/10 · 23 May 2010]

Based on this program's pilot episode, I will plan to keep tuning in to see if an already strong ensemble continues to gel and the convoluted comic antics continue to make me laugh out loud. *Burn Notice* creator Matt Nix and company have managed to pull off the parody of the buddy cop show without making the characters seem idiotic or the crimes they find themselves in the middle of seem irrelevant. Good plotting, good narrative, good characters. It's the Burn Notice formula (with a less driven Michael-like character, an even funnier Sam stand-in, and a Fiona-like foil in the guise of the boss) applied to the Dallas Police Department (which is, in itself, a nice change of locale and a potential mine of comic gold). This has the potential to be one of the great buddy cop movies (48 HRS, Beverly Hills Cop, Lethal Weapon, etc.) transferred to the small screen and made to fit just right. It is a pilot, so it's potential could either fizzle or be fulfilled, but as a stand-alone program, I feel it deserves 8/10, which means it's an excellent pilot. Once the series hits the streets, I'll adjust my rating upward or downward accordingly.

Silly fun

[dawintx · 7/10 · 6 August 2010]

As a resident of Dallas, I get a real kick out of seeing my fair city as the backdrop for this show. Of course, a lot of the locations aren't really what they're portrayed as, but it's fun to see them anyway. Colin Hanks is great as the by-the-book geeky sort of half of this team, and Bradley Whitford plays the cheesy, '70's old-school, self-styled ladies' man half really well, too. His Dan Stark character makes you cringe--when you aren't laughing at him. The non-linear narrative is a refreshing change of pace for TV cop shows, although the gunfire sound to signal flashbacks is annoying.

If you're looking for really intelligent plotting, stinging dialogue, or subtlety in performances, look elsewhere. If you just want to have a good time watching a show that doesn't take itself seriously, tune in.

Not your highest class entertainment

[skoyles · 9/10 · 23 July 2010]

My wife summed it up best when she said, between guffaws,"I am embarrassed to admit that I'm laughing!" And laugh we do. The flashback schtick was off-putting for the first ten minutes and then became just one more hilarious aspect of "The Good Guys". Bradley Whitford is even more irritating than he was in "The West Wing" but now he is purposefully comical. Colin Hanks is even funnier: he is so completely straight, so intentionally naive, so dull, so gormless that he is even more laughable than Whitford's overacting, if that be possible. Of course it is an odd buddy cliché but it works so very well! Straight Arrow and a time-challenged refugee from the '70s or '80s, complete with a Magnum PI moustache. Diana Maria Riva is strong as the poor boss out of her depth dealing with the madness of our oddball "heroes". It certainly helps that Jenny Wade is so sweetly pretty that I had better not complete this sentence as my wife is sitting here. If you can forgive yourself a guilty pleasure, laughing at something this preposterously silly, give yourself a treat and watch "The Good Guys". Just don't tell anyone if you want to keep your reputation intact.

Great Show!

[groundunder · 29 July 2011]

OK I admit that I'm biased as I live in Dallas, but this show was fantastic. It's one of the few shows which realistically portrays Dallas and it's residents (The other obviously is the show "Cheaters").

The writing is the best part of this show as the production budget is one of the smallest of any TV show out there. The producers have created a show with the PERFECT formula.

1) Great writing 2) Great acting 3) Great Directing 4) Low cost to produce.

So naturally Fox screws with the show's time-slot, then cancels it for poor ratings.

Colin Hanks definitely sounds like his dad (unintentionally) but he still plays his part to perfection. Bradley Whitford surprises everyone with his physical comedic skills. This guy has some *seriously* good acting chops. Jenny Wade even manages to get the accent down after a few episodes.

Don't get me wrong, the first two episodes are pretty weak compared to the others, but you need to watch those to get some back-story. Just slog through them to get to episodes 3 - 20. They get progressively funnier from 3 on.

Great show, and I had a great time recognizing all the Dallas locations mentioned in each episode. I hope they release this on DVD or at least make it available via Netflix streaming for everybody.

Great Odd Couple

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 17 September 2013]

Jack Bailey (Colin Hanks) is a by-the-book neat police detective who is stuck at the bottom of the squad. He gets put together with Dan Stark (Bradley Whitford), a drunken, lecherous mess who nobody wants to partner up with. Dan is a 70s throwback and the stache to prove it. Yes, they are the Odd Couple of police.

Bradley Whitford really goes all out with this character. He is absolutely wonderful. And Colin Hanks fits this stiff character perfectly. Diana Maria Riva is good as their frustrated Lieutenant boss. Jenny Wade is lovely as the flustered ADA, and possible love interest. This is a good fun show that only lasted one season.

Pilot Held Some Promise

[biker451 · 5/10 · 23 May 2010]

The pilot for "The Good Guys" held some promise but one had to wade through the dross to get to it. Acting, photography and sets were up to network standards but the story itself had more holes in it than the socks I threw out this morning. Having someone fake puke to clear a room of detectives and C.S.I.s was beyond lame. There were a few parts of the show that were mildly amusing and if one is capable of suspending disbelief entirely then it could be a fun romp, but I believe they could have a hit here if they kept things at least in the realm of reality. The real world just does not even closely resemble the world in which these characters reside. I'm willing to give it a second chance though so my DVR is set to record the next episode.

One cop show dared to be funny

[Mr-Fusion · 10/10 · 27 August 2014]

Up until BROOKLYN NINE-NINE, THE GOOD GUYS filled a gaping hole in a TV landscape chock-full of by-the-numbers police procedurals. You know the kind: lots of standing around and talking, plots that are made in the crime lab. It gets old quick, and this was (largely) the antithesis, embodied by '70s throwback Dan Stark; an old-fashioned reckless cop who's constantly calling for crimes to be solved where they should be: on the streets, guns blazing, in a fast car. I love this character and what he and the show stood for. It's fantasy, flies completely in the face of realism (which we have plenty of, at the moment), and its breezy sense of humor and action is perfect for Summer. It's just a breath of fresh air, all around. There's nothing else like it, even four years after the fact.

For one thing, one of the stars of the show is a '79 Trans Am. That alone tells you what kind of show this is, and it informed a great deal of the series' action scenes. That's just a righteous car, no two ways about it. And not only that, they set the show in Dallas. Not New York or L.A. or Miami or Chicago. Dallas! And they made the city look really cool doing it. All the pieces here just seemed to uncannily fit.

THE GOOD GUYS never took itself too seriously. It always started with our heroes on a dead-end property crime, some galactic coincidence would occur, and the case would blow wide open - usually with the resulting bullets flying. It was a winning formula, one that sought to put some fun back into the cop show.

There are only 20 episodes, but it's still one hell of a fun season.

10/10

Better than so many other shows

[erin-ochoa · 8/10 · 31 May 2010]

Yes, this show shows promise, which means it will be off the air in a week. Still, Malcolm in the Middle lasted for a while, and this show really reminds me of that show, but with cops and shooting. First, wow does Colin Hanks look, speak, talk and act like Tom Hanks. So if you're not into Tom Hanks you probably won't be into this show. Second, for a while I thought the direction was a little too frenetic and Tarantino-like, but in a bad way. As if there was a good way. But eventually the captions, cutting and the non linear time lines stuff grew on me, like a fungus. Last, "Good Cop, Sick Cop"? That was funny, yes it was also stupid, but it's a treat to see Bradley Whitford act like a moron after so many straight roles. I'll watch this again.

Dan and Jack, We're Gonna Miss You so Much!

[amusmeci · 10/10 · 13 January 2011]

Between snot and tears, you guys make me do this; by now all you know that the show was canceled, what a pain in the... you know. I don't recall a buddy cop show so good as this since the time of Sammo Hung's Martial Law. Everything is perfect here, the narrative, the locations and most important: THE CHARACTERS! Everyone is distinctly so cliché, but so good, so adorable, 5 secs and you love'em, even the "bad guys" are funny and enjoyable. In top of all that, since that episode with Danny Trejo, in everyone you can see a very recognizable movie face, getting along with general environment. Now we the fanatics only hope that after the DVDs sales they'll come back, as Family Guy did PD: Try to top this: I'll take a day off... when the bad guys do.

"The Good Guys" spoofs cops shows as well as "Glee" spoofs teen musicals.

[Screen-7 · 10/10 · 14 December 2010]

Nobody is doing spoofs better than Fox these days.

While "Glee" may be getting all the hype, "The Good Guys" is every bit as good.

What makes "The Good Guys" so great is that it's not just a mockery of cop show stereotypes and dumb plot lines -- it's a fully developed TV show that works on it's own. (just like "Glee") That's how both shows avoid the pitfalls of other parodies which get old once the gag wears off.

Bradley Whitford ("Josh" on WestWing) plays the "not by the books cop" stereotype so spectacularly well that's it's hard not to snicker when you see other actors trying to do that same character straight.

Colin Hanks nicely plays the "by the books partner" straight man to Whitford and the supporting cast is strong too. The bad guys are very scary-looking but the stuff coming out of their mouths is hilarious.

The throw-away jokes are the best since "My Name is Earl" and the sub-plots (romances, etc) are as good as any TV show.

My only criticism is that the black humor can be a little too dark for me (like an FBI agent getting killed) but mostly the violence is cartoonish, as it should be in a spoof.

NO, NO Say it ain't so..."The Good Guys" Gotta keep this show

[nawlinsdahlin · 10/10 · 31 July 2010]

Love this show, when is the last time we had a smart funny buddy cop show on TV, The summer ratings are NOT a good barometer of what we will tune into in September. Bradley and Colin are an excellent example of push/pull dramedy. The writing is excellent, the recurring characters have connected and have a chemistry I haven't seen since "Midnight Run"(DeNiro and Grodin) and each week the show has inserted characters that are realistic as well as satirical. Please, Please whatever you do give this show a chance. Tell a friend, co-worker,relative to tune in in September, they won't be disappointed. I know these "guys" are up against the number one show on CBS, BUT 2 and a half is getting played and when it comes to tuning in, to tune out "The Good Guys" has it all...action and comedy! This show is the fastest one hour program I have watched in a looooooonnnnnngggggg time. Every one hour program on television is draaaaaammmmaaaa, and almost always predicatible,Maybe we want to laugh and be entertained as well a watch a show that "you have no idea where it's going, but you really enjoy the ride". And with "The Good Guys" the endings are so well tied up that you're not trying to guess the ending, you just laugh and snicker your way there. This is a great show and if you haven't seen it, you have missed out. So FOX, don't screw this up, I think you've come up with ALTERNATIVE programming that viewers can really appreciate, if you hang in there, you mark my words, other networks are going to be scrambling to catch up. Don't change a thing, except maybe running it up against 2 and a 1/2. That can be the only reason, besides your lack of advertising, that the viewer hasn't yet tuned in. Tuesdays really suck on FOX, with this Gordon Ramsey Idiot! If you really want "The good Guys" to do something,Rev it up with promos, or better yet give get these on the "talk shows" to talk it up. I'm really sorry its summer season is ending too soon, but you guys at the network still have a chance to get this show the viewers it deserves. This show will find its audience and FOX will keep changing the dull and boring landscape that is network television.

Doesn't Take Itself Too Seriously

[BramOh · 9/10 · 30 September 2013]

I went into this show with no expectations or preconceived notions, I didn't recognize Whitley under that epic '70s mustache and didn't know Colin was Tom Hank's son. So thankfully I gave it a fair shake and I'm glad I did.

There's a nice mix of humor, action, callbacks to the early 80s and the occasional classic rock soundtrack. The pilot is one of the best for a series I've ever watched. A few more episodes in and it got even better once the buddy cop chemistry started to form. Whitley's character is stuck in the early 80s; he doesn't trust computers, "foreign-sicks" or smarty phones. It plays perfectly off of Hank's contemporary young go-getter.

You can tell it was a great show because it was on Fox and canceled immediately. Fortunately it would seem the creators were aware of this ahead of time and although you only get the pleasure of 20 episodes it doesn't leave you hanging at the end. Highly recommended!

Well worth it

[billbatdorf-831-730953 · 10/10 · 17 October 2010]

I admit I was a little dubious while watching the pilot. But the team that put this one together deserved a little wiggle room. By the third episode I totally got it, and have heartily recommended it to my friends. Bradley Whitford nails the heck out of it, and Colin Hanks plays his part well. If you get a little uncomfortable watching them, then you are on the right track. They are uncomfortable together, they are supposed to be. But the relationships evolves, as all do. That's where the quality of the actors works its best. Even for the over-the-top nature of the show, there is an underlying reality that you can relate to. And its just damn entertaining!

The Good Guys are not that great!!!!

[G-Joshua-Benjamin · 1/10 · 7 June 2010]

I recorded this on FIOS. I like Colin Hanks, so I thought I would give this a try. Wow, I didn't know if it was trying to be funny or serious. It was like a black comedy that you make the mistake of seeing in a theater then you want your money back. It was so weird. It kept going to different random things and parts of the story. Then the end. WOW, it was completely crazy and gave any chance of me watching a second episode a shot in the head. I knew from the very beginning of the episode when the guy said something like you "sons of a whore" then he started shooting them, that this was going to be stupid. Some will like it. I thought it was going to be a either a serious show or a comedy. I'm not sure what it is.

Hanks plays a straight arrow cop who wants to be put into another part of his job. He does not like having to be with his partner. Who is a drunk and never takes anything seriously. What? You saw that before on a movie called Orange County? Ya, so have I. I guess they decided to make a show that takes those two types of characters and make it into a TV show. Whats next, a girlfriend that wants to be a writer and a mother who's nuts????

"The Good Guys" is great fun

[malayden · 10/10 · 28 July 2010]

We have all sorts of fun watching this show. We have recommended it to our friends and family. All of those we told about the show are now avid watchers. So, don't miss out on a great show. The cast is wonderful to watch with a mixture of fun characters and those who are very serious about their police work. Even the fun ones are intent on doing good police work even if it is sometimes in an unorthodox way. Come on, Fox, do a little more promoting. We don't think people are used to you having a summer of something new to watch on the networks. NBC, CBS and ABC have new shows running so also give TNT and USA a run for their money with great new summer programming. We love baseball too but not all of the time. Thanks.

Only One Season!

[meelahi · 10/10 · 4 March 2014]

This is one of those sad sacrifices of American television. Despite how awesome a show is, it can get cancelled! Sad indeed. This is probably one of the best cop shows ever! It has that growing bond between partners, it has that contrast between partners, Bradley Whitford is simply amazing in his characters! He plays this old school but apparently messed up cop. Nothing he does is bony books. Hiss partner, played by Colin Hanks is his complete opposite, carrier minded, by the book. But the way the writers make theirs pair work is fantastic.

This show also has a dash of romance on the side, it's amazingly funny too. You simply cannot go wrong with this one!

Laugh Out Loud Funny

[miracleallstars · 10/10 · 9 January 2011]

The Good Guys is laugh out loud funny. It has been a long time since I completely enjoyed watching broadcast network. Excellent characters and performances. Refreshing to see men in this light on TV shows again. No offense to other shows, but men whining about their problems on TV is redundant and boring. The character Dan Stark is fallible, boorish, a man's man, and completely lovable. He knows himself for better or for worse, and doesn't pull any punches. Jack is the voice of reason that needs to be heard although unappreciated. His reactions to Dan's antics are priceless. The supporting cast, especially Officer Ruiz is hilarious. The show is a gem, if they cancel the show and can't find another network, then at the most, the producers can make it into a movie. I plan to continue to watch each episode on Hulu, excellent excellent show. Instead of using the outdated 20th century Nielsen Ratings, perhaps ratings should be gathered from social networks and other multimedia tools.