I'm amazed it only has a 5.2 average rating, I laughed my keister off.
16 Reviews
Really funny
iramboot5 September 2018
I Love Billable Hours!
crackyburron5 June 2006
Well, contrary to the person in the first inappropriate and unneeded comment, I happen to LOVE this show. The writing, acting and everything else with this show is almost correct. The chemistry all of the actors have is simply amazing. (Though I would like to see tag's character do a little bit more.) And the last thing that I would have to say is that the writing is far more realistic in the fact that they all use curse words in their everyday conversations, just like the youth and young adults, and practically everyone else, of today do. I really love this show and am hoping for at LEAST 3 seasons! Also, it is needed to let everyone out there know that I want ever so badly to be a television writer, but have been to lazy and barely completed a script. But, after last nights episode of Billable Hours, I have found what was missing from myself to go all out and build my portfolio: passion. See, before watching last nights episode, I had all of these ideas in my head, but again there is the laziness. After watching the episode, I went to bed @ 11, and got up @ 12 am and wrote for an hour. So, in conclusion, I say watch Billable Hours, and please, PLEASE go into it with an open mind so hopefully you will be able to enjoy and fall in love with it like I and all of my roomies have.
Peace!
Peace!
This show rocks
scolbert-428 July 2007
This show has been unnecessarily slammed, the average of a 3.5 / 10 rating is truly not doing this show justice. The latest season was truly hilarious with witty writing and timely snide comments that really make this show unique. I hope that previous postings and poor user ratings to not impact your decision to catch a few shows. Agreeably the sense of humor that this show brings to television may not be for everybody, but you'll have to admit - this series really takes "Political Un-correct" to a new level.
9/10 for me on Billable hours. I hope that Showcase continues to run this show and continues to add new seasons.
9/10 for me on Billable hours. I hope that Showcase continues to run this show and continues to add new seasons.
Hilarious
shshao16 August 2006
This show is hilarious for any modern office worker.
I trust it will become a classic like the movie 'Office Space'.
It's funny yet true how little actual work gets done, in our modern automated economy. They debate such things as parking spots, ghost e-mails, other pranks, and office chairs.
Especially for lawyers, who get associates to do all the work, then mark it up and charge you $500 per hour.
Those 'critics' that don't like this show likely never worked in an office before.
(or more likely never worked before.)
I trust it will become a classic like the movie 'Office Space'.
It's funny yet true how little actual work gets done, in our modern automated economy. They debate such things as parking spots, ghost e-mails, other pranks, and office chairs.
Especially for lawyers, who get associates to do all the work, then mark it up and charge you $500 per hour.
Those 'critics' that don't like this show likely never worked in an office before.
(or more likely never worked before.)
Don't try to try
tim_d_wagner22 October 2012
Billable Hours is a great workplace comedy. The show follows a group of lawyers at the hopefully fictional firm of Fagen and Harrison. It's can be crude, it's often crash, it relies on a lot of old stand clichés, nurses stereotypes, and it does so perfectly.
While there are a few episodes that seem to drag a bit, most are watchable time and time again. The writers are not afraid to push the characters. Sadly the show is not popular enough to use great lines like "swallowing is 9/10th of the law" to any but your closest friends who will give you a chance to explain or show a clip.
The cast seems to have genuine chemistry and the actors never come across and trying too hard and seem to throw themselves at what is often very odd material.
Watch the gang waste their time and torture each other and you will enjoy it.
While there are a few episodes that seem to drag a bit, most are watchable time and time again. The writers are not afraid to push the characters. Sadly the show is not popular enough to use great lines like "swallowing is 9/10th of the law" to any but your closest friends who will give you a chance to explain or show a clip.
The cast seems to have genuine chemistry and the actors never come across and trying too hard and seem to throw themselves at what is often very odd material.
Watch the gang waste their time and torture each other and you will enjoy it.
Terrible writing, acting and directing.
rachelackersley7 May 2006
I've watched three episodes and have to wonder how did a show this bad get made? Showcase deserves credit for Trailer Park Boys but this show is just really awful.
The humour is kind of like the office but does not work, the stories and jokes are so stupid. The episode I just watched had the main character spouting Star Wars lines through the whole show for no reason leaving me to wonder "was any of that supposed to be funny, cause it wasn't." Honestly I can't think of one character in this show that I like and it is a combination of bad actors and bad writing for the characters. The only character I like at all is the tall yuppy guy who can actually give his lines without making me want to turn the channel but I'm never watching this show again anyway.
Give this show a chance but I'm sure most people won't like it, it was unbelievably bad.
The humour is kind of like the office but does not work, the stories and jokes are so stupid. The episode I just watched had the main character spouting Star Wars lines through the whole show for no reason leaving me to wonder "was any of that supposed to be funny, cause it wasn't." Honestly I can't think of one character in this show that I like and it is a combination of bad actors and bad writing for the characters. The only character I like at all is the tall yuppy guy who can actually give his lines without making me want to turn the channel but I'm never watching this show again anyway.
Give this show a chance but I'm sure most people won't like it, it was unbelievably bad.
Fresh and Funny
budman855 September 2006
Anyone who has ever worked in an office environment will enjoy it.
When I began watching the series, I wasn't too sure how it would be. I was expecting slapstick, or something slow.. it's based in Toronto.. so I wasn't expecting it to be too funny. I was pleasantly surprised. The cast works, the stories are quick and funny.
If you've seen other shows, like The Office (BBC or NBC), or Office Space, those were kind of dry compared to the humor in this show. I felt right at home. Like I want to work there. :) There is only one rule in a fire, save the Beer! My wife, who chuckles from time to time, had a few bursts of laughter during this show. She likes it because it's not slapstick, its humor.
It's one I look forward to picking up on DVD. I look forward to watching more episodes.
When I began watching the series, I wasn't too sure how it would be. I was expecting slapstick, or something slow.. it's based in Toronto.. so I wasn't expecting it to be too funny. I was pleasantly surprised. The cast works, the stories are quick and funny.
If you've seen other shows, like The Office (BBC or NBC), or Office Space, those were kind of dry compared to the humor in this show. I felt right at home. Like I want to work there. :) There is only one rule in a fire, save the Beer! My wife, who chuckles from time to time, had a few bursts of laughter during this show. She likes it because it's not slapstick, its humor.
It's one I look forward to picking up on DVD. I look forward to watching more episodes.
Urban intelligentsia
joesmith200723 July 2006
Well, yes, agreed (with jesse-26) it *is* good for a few laughs. But to claim that "... only certain people can appreciate..." (it), as jesse-26 did -- um, isn't that comment a bit self-righteous? Isn't that comment a bit, um, typically ...
... Toronto?
I mean, that's the attitude of Toronto's intelligentsia. That they're sooooooo far above the rest of us (Toronto being the "center of the universe", of course), and that the rest of us -- especially red-states and blue-provincers -- could not possibly understand these deep intellectual ramifications.
Because, after all, given we don't have Master's degrees and PhD's, since, if we did, we'd live in civilized places like Toronto or Boston, etc.
And, "...if you respect the characters you'll really get the humour..." -- again, more of the left-wing, high-brow, intelligentsia "holier-than-thou" Toronto thinking that really burns my butt.
Other than that, I love the musical scoring in Billable Hours; top-notch.
... Toronto?
I mean, that's the attitude of Toronto's intelligentsia. That they're sooooooo far above the rest of us (Toronto being the "center of the universe", of course), and that the rest of us -- especially red-states and blue-provincers -- could not possibly understand these deep intellectual ramifications.
Because, after all, given we don't have Master's degrees and PhD's, since, if we did, we'd live in civilized places like Toronto or Boston, etc.
And, "...if you respect the characters you'll really get the humour..." -- again, more of the left-wing, high-brow, intelligentsia "holier-than-thou" Toronto thinking that really burns my butt.
Other than that, I love the musical scoring in Billable Hours; top-notch.
Very Wry Humour - I love it!
jesse-26317 July 2006
I love the directing and the writing in this series. It's very eccentric, wry humour that only certain people can appreciate.
The characters are wonderful, the witty dialog is what makes this show tick.
There is some blunt and lowbrow humour in this; not much worse than family guy and if you respect the characters you'll really get the humour.
I can't stop laughing when I watch this show and I highly recommend that you watch it; it also dissects society today in great scenes like "sensitivity training" when the facilitator says that handicapped is a derogatory word.
If you like family guy then you'll love this.
The characters are wonderful, the witty dialog is what makes this show tick.
There is some blunt and lowbrow humour in this; not much worse than family guy and if you respect the characters you'll really get the humour.
I can't stop laughing when I watch this show and I highly recommend that you watch it; it also dissects society today in great scenes like "sensitivity training" when the facilitator says that handicapped is a derogatory word.
If you like family guy then you'll love this.
Good Premise Wasted
mrryanscott-1553028 July 2018
Quirky, witty, offbeat
dwright_12348 August 2018
OK, this show isn't for everyone. If you're looking for a laugh track to tell you what's funny, you won't like this. Go watch Mike and Molly. However, if you like dry, oddball comedy that pushes boundaries, requires that you really listen to the dialogue and occasionally makes you do a double-take, asking "did they really just say ...?", then you'll like this. A lot.
"Did he just call me Sand?" If you can imagine this line of dialogue being funny, or at least are intrigued by how on earth it could be funny, this show is for you.
If you like the books of Christopher Brookmyre, you'll like this show.
"Did he just call me Sand?" If you can imagine this line of dialogue being funny, or at least are intrigued by how on earth it could be funny, this show is for you.
If you like the books of Christopher Brookmyre, you'll like this show.
Solid gold, one of the best sitcoms ever made.
dunks58-615-9553166 October 2018
Ignore the naysayers. This series is one of THE great sitcoms. If you don't get it, you don't really like good comedy IMHO. Great cast, great scripts, this has it all. Office sitcoms are a dime a dozen but this is a rare bird, a sitcom set in a law firm, that is incredibly witty and funny and cauatic and graced with three really talented and charismatic leads that you cant help but love. It's a standard sitcom format, not a pseudo documentary like The Office, but there is no intrusive laugh track, the leads are terrific and the supporting cast are just wonderful, grrat music amd a killer theme. This is really one of the best Canadian series I have seen, and hands down one of the most underrated and overlooked TV comedies of the 2000s. It deserves to be much better known and holds its own against any sitcom. 10/10 for me. I want to be Clark Claxton III when I grow up.
Office + Scrubs x toronto law firm = ...
kcswitzer20 November 2008
I had to comment on this show simply to boost it's undeserved 3 stars it was getting. It's rare Canadian shows can deliver and especially compare with US big budget shows but somehow Billable hours works.
Its fun bittersweet corky jokes get quick laughs yet are just valid enough so that office workers can somehow relate to their context. Characters still seem very shallow (even for lawyers!) so i don't know how long this series will last but slowly over the years i hope through twists of events (romance, good friend bad friend..., new hires...) some development will take place.
Overall, if The Office and Scrubs had a Canadian Torontonian baby this show would be it... for better or worse :)
Its fun bittersweet corky jokes get quick laughs yet are just valid enough so that office workers can somehow relate to their context. Characters still seem very shallow (even for lawyers!) so i don't know how long this series will last but slowly over the years i hope through twists of events (romance, good friend bad friend..., new hires...) some development will take place.
Overall, if The Office and Scrubs had a Canadian Torontonian baby this show would be it... for better or worse :)
Great acting and writing
steveantonchuk12 January 2021
Billable Hours - Amorality and ennui made fun!
chubbstar28 February 2008
Seeing as quality Canadian TV shows are an utter rarity (comedies being no exception)one has to appreciate the extraordinary quality of this show. It rivals even the biggest budget American comedies and surpasses many in both outright hilarity and uniqueness. Each of the characters are so uniquely absurd but only marginally outside the realm of believability.
The clever allusions to real life Toronto events (the opening events of S2E1 is based on a real occurrence). The main characters complete and utter amorality becomes such an endearing trait that I've come to wish I had more friends that would mess with me on a daily basis (to keep things interesting). The dark comedy with it's sensitive subjects and pervasive ennui made this show a hilariously endearing one.
The clever allusions to real life Toronto events (the opening events of S2E1 is based on a real occurrence). The main characters complete and utter amorality becomes such an endearing trait that I've come to wish I had more friends that would mess with me on a daily basis (to keep things interesting). The dark comedy with it's sensitive subjects and pervasive ennui made this show a hilariously endearing one.
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