Animal Control (TV Series 2023– ) Poster

(2023– )

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8/10
Give it time to grow on you
Sylviastel31 March 2023
Joel McHale struck gold with this sitcom. I actually enjoyed the premise about animal control officers in Seattle, Washington. The unit is headed by a charming attractive woman, Emily. McHale is paired up with younger Shred who was an athlete and idealistic. There is another pair of officers with a female officer from New Zealand and an Asian Indian character Patel. The four of them get into all types of trouble like attacking rabbits, snakes, peacocks, raccoons, possums, squirrels etc. I think it's a fine sitcom model and I have a preference for the standard multi camera model. Unlike a studio sitcom, Animal Control works best outside the standard norms. I still look forward to it every week.
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7/10
I Keep Coming Back
cawingcrow4 March 2023
I have been watching Joel McHale since Almost Live! In the late '90s. He was funny then and he is funny now.

I have watched 3 episodes and I think it has gotten better each episode. I like all of the actors, with particular kudos to Vella Lovell. She is pretty funny.

People should stop complaining about how unrealistic it is. It is TV. It is a sitcom. It's not a documentary.

Just sit back, enjoy it for what it is. Don't take it seriously, don't be offended. No animals were harmed during the making of the show.

I hope to see more episodes and that the show and characters continue to grow on me.
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7/10
Try It, You'll Like It
chiefop-9220922 February 2023
Didn't expect much after reading many of these reviews, (some seem weirdly personal), but was surprised how funny I thought it was. It's not Seinfeld or MASH of course but not even close to some of the lame shows (I'm looking at you Night Court), but all I can suggest is try it because it's a pleasing cast, yes Joel McHale is pretty much Jeff Winger 2.0, but what's wrong with that? It kind of reminded me of Community in that I actually laughed out loud a couple of times and am looking forward to more episodes. Give it an opportunity, it won't be the first time a show that actually is funny gets canceled, but I plan on enjoying while I can.
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8/10
I'm hopeful.
stonebrake18 February 2023
Giving it a few episodes to see if it finds it's stride. I'm a big fan of Joe McHale. My only gripe at this point is the portal of an animal control department. Ive never seem a city with more than 1 Animal Control pickup working at the same time. Normally the employees are stoned and you can't get ahold of them for days. In this show. They actually patrol AND respond to calls. It's like the show writers never visited a real animal control office. Lol. Anyway. First episode wasn't terrible. I think it has potential and will definitely give it a few episodes to decide. The supporting cast is pretty good. Fingers crossed.
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7/10
Decent Enough
sexymon23 February 2023
I genuinely enjoy these workplace comedies. And I love like 70% of anything that Joel McHale is in. I think it has enough potential to give it a chance to last 2-3 seasons in order to find its footing. Too many networks throw dozens of shows out there and see what sticks and abandon them before the reach their full potential (The Mick). I can only imagine if they'd cancel The Office or Parks and Rec in their infancy. The cast is diverse and they all seem like good enough comedy actors. I didn't recognize any of the writers which could bode well. I guess my gist is give the show time to breathe before dropping it.
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8/10
Surprised me.
zwzientek31 January 2024
I went into this show not expecting much, I loved community and Joel Mchale. Wasn't sure if it would be just a comedy or not and pleasantly it's also a bit of drama. This show took a few episodes to get into the characters but now I'm hooked and always want one more episode. Once the character Rick gets introduced is when it really started to pick up. Maybe its a little predictable but I genuinely appreciate having a show to watch that gives me something to look forward to. If you enjoy Upload, Brooklyn Nine Nine, Community or The Office then I believe you'll like this one too. Can't wait for the second season to come out.
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6/10
Needs Some Tuning
jhuebel26 February 2023
I like the premise of Animal Control. And there have been a few genuinely funny moments (albeit very silly ones).

I'm finding the interaction between Joel McHale and Michael Rowland to be really fun. Michael Rowland is a break-out star in this series, in my opinion. He plays his character with such a sincerity that you can't help but like him. And it makes Joel McHale tormenting him all the more funny.

The reason I'm giving this a 6 instead of something higher is because of some of the weak points:

1) The show lacks some energy. It's almost there, but not quite. I think as the characters become more three-dimensional that will improve, though.

2) Grace Palmer's character needs to be dialed back a couple of notches on the sex talk. It's just not funny. Her character is just sex and drugs with an interesting Kiwi accent. However, Grace Palmer's character isn't very likeable, even though I can see that her comedic timing could be good.

3) Ravi Patel's character is B-O-R-I-N-G.

I'll continue to watch for now. I'm hoping most of my complaints above will be resolved as the show gets its legs under it. Time will tell.
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3/10
Formula failure
lotekguy-125 February 2023
So we start with Joel McHale all snarky after losing a respectable career, and bitterly forced to adjust to less worthy circumstances. He's surrounded by a bunch of quirky characters, looking down on them as his inferiors. If it lasts, he'll come appreciate them, petty squabbles and rivalries will turn out happily, and they'll function as a cohesive unit, replete with warm fuzzies. Nemeses will be foiled.

Feel familiar? The setup that worked so well in Community seems doomed to disappoint in this imitator. Animal encounters should offer a broader palette with more comedic potential than community college interiors, but the intro to this cast and the writers feeding them bodes ill for a long run. Trying too hard for too few laughs.
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9/10
Fun light-hearted comedy
brucehousebills27 April 2023
Joel Hale plays the part of a cop that uncovered corruption at his precinct and gets fired for it, so he heads over to animal control for a job. This to me has the same type of humor as Community and boy, we need more comedies! This is exactly the kind of light hearted show that I needed. Get through the first and second episodes and you'll be hooked. You get to know the characters and begin to care about them. I really enjoy shows like this...shows that just makes you smile & doesn't take itself seriously. There's enough seriousness in this world. You can de-stress to a show like this. Give it a chance! (sadly I noticed that it's on fox and fox cancels everything so I'm not holding my breath but I'll be really sad if there isn't a second season).
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6/10
Has potential, too early to tell
crazelord17 February 2023
I assumed this would basically be "Brooklyn 99" but at an Animal Control group but really it's "Parks and Rec" without the interviews (it does feel like the pacing intends for them but just doesn't have the ). But it's too early to tell as there's only one episode so far.

It can turn out to be really good once they have their footing and especially as the first episode is very set up and character exposition heavy. It's a good cast and I hope the writers find ways to make things seem more naturally and come up with more interesting dynamics; establishing their own identity.

Right now the only thing distinct is the setting. Also Joel McHale is always great and playing his usual sarcastic dickish character.
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4/10
Lackluster everything
sysgoddess17 February 2023
I went looking for something to provide some levity or even the occasional hearty laughter. Instead, I found Joel McHale and one of his many characters with the same $epth or dimension as the dregs in a teacup or the shadow cast by a cardboard cutout.

The show seems based mainly on McHale's character running about like a frantic middle aged Bart Simpson. While there were scenes that should uld have evoked at least a giggle or a snicker they were too overshadowed by the McHale character trying desperately hard to be funny and show others how funny he was.

Too little substance to make us so more than wonder when something good would be on.
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7/10
I miss sitcoms
FeastMode27 January 2024
There was a point in time when I was watching 10-15 different active sitcoms at once. But the ones I liked all concluded, except for GOAT It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. And I haven't found any good new ones.

After trying 20+ newer sitcoms, I finally came across one I really like in Animal Control. It reminds me of many of the traditional sitcoms from the golden age. And it fulfils the number one most important attribute of a sitcom: likeable/funny characters.

I was already familiar with Joel McHale from Community. He plays basically the same character, and he's just as entertaining as in Community. The guy that plays Shred is surprisingly charming. And I like the rest of the cast, especially Victoria.

Now I'm hoping it still gets better, especially with the laugh count. There are definitely a bunch of laugh-out-loud moments, but a lot of the runtime maxes out at amusing. We've seen similar things with other hits, where the first season is a little weaker comedically (ie. The Office, Parks & Rec). Also I think they may have sped through some romance drama a little too fast.

I had a good time with this season and am looking forward to more. I think most people will enjoy it. (1 viewing, 1/26/2024)
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7/10
Crazy Ex-Community
I LOVE that I live in a world where Heather from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend works with Jeff from Community. (While I'm here, is anyone starting a Go Fund Me to hire Ken Jeong for a guest spot?) Life is hard and I enjoy sitcoms to mentally cleanse the palate. This one hits the spot.

I like the odd-couple pairings of the Animal Control Staff partners and have really enjoyed episodes one and two. I also like that it's set in a town other than Los Angeles. If they could make some cross-network magic happen and get Kelsey Grammar to do a Frazier Crane guest spot, that would be amazing.

In all seriousness, Vella Lovell is lovely and charming, Ravi Patel is as delightful an underdog as you could ever wish to cheer for, and Joel McHale does an excellent job letting the other new-to-me actors shine in their various quirky ways. Pretty people in a workplace sitcom with animals? Yes, Please!!!
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9/10
Yes, it's worth checking out. A likable, funny show that I hope finds its audience.
fandomfatale25 February 2023
I have really enjoyed the first two episodes. This is the first sitcom in a while that has made me interested in watching more and didn't make me cringe. If the whole season had been available, I probably would have binged it in one or two sittings. I find the characters really likable to watch and charismatic, and the burgeoning buddy cop relationship between Frank and Shred and the building romance between Emily and Shred are both appealing. I love animals, so it's fun to see the characters' encounters in their job. I'm looking forward to what else they will have to deal with.

Some of the jokes are a little predictable, but in a way that still makes me smile. At other times I found it genuinely quite funny, much more, again, than some of the other sitcoms that have premiered within the past couple of years.

I really hope this one survives.

Joel McHale seems to be reprising his character from Community, but that's perfectly fine with me. Vella Lovell's character, on the other hand, is a very pleasing divergence from her character on Mr. Mayor and she's really very likable in this.
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7/10
I really like this show, HOWEVER....
orcinussr17 February 2023
... and I truly hate to say this, but it ABSOLUTELY needs to be said - Joel McHale is a horrible actor, wait scratch that because in fact he's NOT an actor at all, nay! He is merely a man who plays himself and reads lines (likely improvising with his own brand of lackluster humor thinly disguised as some rapier wit - which of course it is neither) - so bearing that in mind as well as my obvious biases, I am enjoying this show and believe it to have the legs to be entertaining whilst also being funny - and to me, that's ALOT - so I'm overlooking Mr McHale when I give it 7 stars - which imo is quite high for a sitcom of this ilk.
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8/10
Light and fun
Before202012 March 2023
Pleasant show to watch. Happy to find a show, I don't shut off after 15 minutes. Most shows today make me gag. This show doesn't have all the annoying trends of today. It has The Office vibes but with animals. All the characters are likeable and know how to act, unlike most new shows. Really feels like a refreshing show that doesn't hurt your brain. Pleasant show to watch. Happy to find a show, I don't shut off after 15 minutes. Most shows today make me gag. This show doesn't have all the annoying trends of today. It has The Office vibes but with animals. All the characters are likeable and know how to act, unlike most new shows. Really feels like a refreshing show that doesn't hurt your brain.
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7/10
Not perfect, but far from "bad"
ejsimpson10043 April 2023
Currently on episode 7, and at this point, I'd say that I like it so far.

Not THE BEST SHOW EVER... Not AWFUL TRASH...

But, for me, it's above average. A 6.5 outta 10, but I'll be generous and round that up to a 7.

I like the characters, and the chemistry, for the most part. I think their backgrounds are more unique than other shows, though a bit unbelieveable, but that is only one of a few gripes I have.

Most sitcoms shoehorn in identity politics and condescending, heavy-handed attempts at "telling" you why someone is who they are, vs. "showing" you through other themes and actions. I think this show does a great job at being diverse and mature without provoking guilt unto the audience. A few characters need some more development, but it's only episode 7 of season 1. I think most shows need at least a few seasons to get rolling, but most get the axe after (or even before) just one season finishes out. Companies, like people/viewers, want instant gratification and/or profit.

The shortcomings are the chemistry, at times, some characters not getting developed evenly, and the humor being more of a slight laugh or smile, more than a belly-laugh or something that'll make me laugh later in the week.

Honestly, though, the casual stories, and weekly animal encounters, do the job, and that is what keeps me coming back for their next episodes.

Additional note: Although the supports are alright, Joel McHale carries. He's got some solid charisma levels.

7/10.
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1/10
Least original show ive ever seen
toddsnyder197917 February 2023
This entire show was TV paint by numbers. I think an AI robot wrote a first draft and the execs at FOX greenlit it. They took zero chances and it shows. This show has already happened like 20 times in the last decade. Why do it again? It's the Office meets Brooklyn 99 but without any likeable characters. I get it. Joel McHale is snarky. How fun is that for a lead? Also how does this show last? They're going to run out of animals in like 8 episodes. I feel like FOX is just going down the drain. Don't know why I expected anything else coming out their comedy department these days. It was my fault for thinking they might do something interesting.
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8/10
Suspend your disbelief for an easy watch
jsy-548878 March 2023
The premise is pretty simple: a team of animal control professionals getting into antics that require a fair amount of suspension of disbelief to enjoy. Personally, I am able to suspend my disbelief enough to have a fun time watching the show. I don't think the show is trying to do anything ground-breaking, and I don't need every show to do that. Animal Control mostly follows the proven formula for workplace comedies, such as Brooklyn Nine-Nine (although, I don't feel that Animal Control is as memorable as the former), and it's a formula that works for me.

Joel McHale is charming and fun to watch, as usual. His character, Frank, is fairly similar to the one McHale played in Community, and I don't view that as a negative. A character I was quite surprised by is "Shred" played by Michael Rowland. The character of Shred has been given a lot of heart and compassion in a charmingly innocent light. From the promos, I was a bit apprehensive about the character, fearing he would be presented as an annoying sidekick character. However, Shred might be my favorite character in the show. Everyone else is great in each of their respective roles, including Vella Lovell who, in my mind, could have also come off a bit annoying but rather is quite charming. Her character meshes really well with Rowland's.

I am a big fan of dramatic and unpredictable entertainment, but sometimes I want to sit easy and stay in a light-hearted mood. Animal Control has done that for me, and I appreciate that. I'm sure it's not for everyone, and if one was to "academically" analyze this show, it may garner a 7, a 6, or even a 5 in rating. However, I'm a fan and am hoping for more seasons in the future, therefore, I gave it an 8.
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7/10
I think it has something but needs to pick it up
mikebelljr6817 March 2023
I'm a big a Joel McHale fan so I'm gonna give this a shot... I think more shows need to take time to develop but they need to pick up the pace a little.... first episode did not grab me but subsequent episodes have each had something that kept me engaged... so keep watching before the network just dumps it... it took awhile before the office found its legs too, not a one to one comparison just saying networks give up so quickly on shows that have potential. If you like Joel there's plenty of Joel being Joel... still need another person to take humor leads like community each main character could carry a scene... not all on this show do that... YET but i'm willing to give it more time.
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3/10
Something off about it
etann-367073 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The concept says loads of laughs, and that's why I clicked on it. But so far it's not delivered much.

I'm trying to like it and give it a break as it's just 2 episodes I've seen, but there just seams so little content for such a wide open premise. It could be anything thrown in there, the ideas should be endless but it feels stifled by boring one dimensional characters and unconvincing animal bits. Can't blame the actors, they are fine for the most part, just the comedy isn't really there, not much funny about the guy tormenting his new partner because his character is a bitter ex-cop, I don't get that, are you supposed to cheer that on? The ex-snowboarder dude is basically the only character I have liked so far. Lastly, It all feels shoved together with little thought to how well it fits, I'm not sure if it's how it's edited or something like that or maybe it's just missing some aesthetic or style to it, can't really put my finger on it. Maybe will give it one more episode.
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Enjoying this!
LauraAnnG17 March 2024
I've been watching a half hour comedy series on FOX called "Animal Control".

I don't usually watch comedies these days. My life is hard and funny stuff usually falls flat for me. The salad days of Friends and Seinfeld are over. Big Bang was great but got sort of tedious in the last couple of years and I stopped watching it.

I've not seen The Office or Parks and Rec (I know... I know...)

At any rate, I've been enjoying Animal Control. It's goofy and dumb but has a lot of heart and charm. The characters aren't mean to each other, which is important for me. Basically almost all the characters are nice, but strange, people.

Plus there are animals! Lots of animals!

I'm not familiar at all with Joel McHale, who is the lead, but I like him a lot. I guess he was in another sitcom that is well-liked.

The most recent episode of Animal Control ends very sweetly with McHale's character sitting on his couch, cuddling a bunch of adorable rescue cats, and realizing he may be a "cat daddy" (what do you call a male "cat lady"?). It was (as I said) charming.

There are some really funny (goofy) animal-related scenes as the cast deal with "animal control" situations.

As I said I don't really watch comedies any more and it's weird being thrown into the genre. It's so different from what I have been watching -- intense dramas that go on and on.

So I recommend this. I do think you need to give it a few episodes if you start watching it... it calms down a bit after an initial phase that has the characters being sort of "extreme" in order to (I guess) establish their personalities.
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6/10
Something about it
J0ESUFF29 April 2023
It's not great, I've never cracked up but it's oddly charming. I thought it was gonna be the Joel McHale show but it's not it's pretty equal screen time which makes it a little less stale. It's a relatively unknown cast to me and I watch everything but it works. One thing the show desperately needs to do is get Jack more screen time and storylines, hes the best character on the show and is only a side character. Idk what they need to change but something has to be done to make it stand out more. It's one of those shows that I'll keep watching but also would not be surprised at all if I found out it was canceled.
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6/10
Not the worst show
Breaking_Even12 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
When I saw Joel McHale in this I immediately thought about community and Brickleberry and his personality to be similar with his character. For the most part the show is a silly sitcom. I would laugh out loud at least once an episode, though sometimes it would get a little lackluster and dull at times. I liked Patel the best out of all of characters on the show he would make me die laughing at the things he says. My least favorite character is Emily, she is definitely the character with the cringe-factor. Like she literally pukes in front of the person who formerly had her job because he had a prosthetic ear and was grossed out. By the end of the season she is making out with him, like what! Lol, I know she mainly is supposed to have tension with rookie Shred, who is a genuinely nice person, but she literally hurts to watch. I also kind of liked the minor characters in the building as well. Maybe I would watch season 2.
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8/10
Just like community but that's a good thing
rilupib26 April 2023
I was super skeptical and didn't start watching until there were 9 episodes but I love it now. It is a lot like community but only in the sense that I can't see Joel in any other role but Jeff Winger. Partly because Joel's acting range is narrow but he's still hilarious and there is a bit more depth to him in recent episodes. Definitely better binged imo so if you're waiting might as wait until the end of the season and then bing it on Hulu. The rest of the cast is funny too. I can't really see Shred as an athlete though. Dude looks like he never picked up anything heavier than a ham panini. A lot of common sitcom tropes played but there's comfort in that. Hopefully it sticks around for more seasons.
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