A boring, predictable sitcom with a distracting laugh-track. It got a couple of short, sharp puffs of air out my nose with a few good one-liners, but that was the extent of my enjoyment.
97 Reviews
Not great
j-allansloper29 March 2019
Meh
cpotato101029 March 2019
A fill-in show for the mid-season, from Josh Malmuth, known for New Girl and Superstore, and not much else.
The lead, Natalie Morales, has been on a number of shows and movies, some comedy, some dramas. I remember her most from the twelve episode run she had on White Collar.
It is slightly confusing, since there is another Natalie Morales, who is best known as one of the co-anchors of the Today show, and a co-host of Access Hollywood
Unfortunately, there is not a lot of humor here. They waste the talents of Neil Flynn, who deserves a show of his own.
As someone else noticed, the laugh-track is very annoying. It has the effect of underscoring that the jokes aren't that funny.
'The Orville' is a repeat again next week, so I may give the show another try.
A generous 5, hoping they will improve.
They appear to have already shot all thirteen episodes. It will be interesting if they all make it to air in this time-slot.
The lead, Natalie Morales, has been on a number of shows and movies, some comedy, some dramas. I remember her most from the twelve episode run she had on White Collar.
It is slightly confusing, since there is another Natalie Morales, who is best known as one of the co-anchors of the Today show, and a co-host of Access Hollywood
Unfortunately, there is not a lot of humor here. They waste the talents of Neil Flynn, who deserves a show of his own.
As someone else noticed, the laugh-track is very annoying. It has the effect of underscoring that the jokes aren't that funny.
'The Orville' is a repeat again next week, so I may give the show another try.
A generous 5, hoping they will improve.
They appear to have already shot all thirteen episodes. It will be interesting if they all make it to air in this time-slot.
Turn it Off & Watch Cheers Instead
castlegirl091 April 2019
I was really excited for this show when it was first announced. From Neil Flynn's first line, I immediately thought of Norm Peterman. The show has a lot of potential, and the live outdoor audience is a cool concept, but NBC would be best to put the show on hiatus until September to retool it. If there is a laugh track, ditch it, bring it better writers, and tweak a couple characters. Keep Neil, Keep Natalie.
Good start, if you stayed to the end, but WTH is with that laugh track? It makes you want to watch on mute with subtitles.
bjnmail30 March 2019
I haven't enjoyed a sitcom in years, but watched this by chance and was intrigued. It started bumpy, but by the end seems like it will make for a good show, assuming the producers CAN whomever is forcing the CANNED laughter.
I'll give it another one or two episodes, as I want to like it, but the only genuinely laugh-out-loud funny moment occurred during the credits roll.
Has potential, with a different twist to the typical filmed at a bar sitcom, with a looming protagonist. Refreshing concept, assuming they can let the jokes flow a little better next episode, since the really tense mood should be gone, or at least significantly less looming.
BUT FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY, THE CANNED LAUGHTER MUST GO. THIS WILL KILL THE SHOW SO FAST.
I'll give it another one or two episodes, as I want to like it, but the only genuinely laugh-out-loud funny moment occurred during the credits roll.
Has potential, with a different twist to the typical filmed at a bar sitcom, with a looming protagonist. Refreshing concept, assuming they can let the jokes flow a little better next episode, since the really tense mood should be gone, or at least significantly less looming.
BUT FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY, THE CANNED LAUGHTER MUST GO. THIS WILL KILL THE SHOW SO FAST.
It had potential. Not surprised it was canceled.
choralone4210 June 2019
This show had lots of potential, but the forced overbearing laugh track, one dimensional characters and the silly premise were too much to overcome.
The only similarity to Cheers is both shows take place in a bar. Beyond that they have almost nothing in common. Cheers is still remembered today. This show will be forgotten in a couple of months.
The only similarity to Cheers is both shows take place in a bar. Beyond that they have almost nothing in common. Cheers is still remembered today. This show will be forgotten in a couple of months.
Please give it a chance
m_johnson974 April 2019
I'll watch Neil Flynn in anything! He was great on Scrubs, but I adored him on The Middle. Natalie Morales was perfect on Santa Clarita Diet, really happy to see her get her own show. So far it's a fun, probably fluffy show. With the main character being a Vet, I'd like to see some growth there, maybe with her having a hard time getting back into society, as happens to a lot of our Vets. I really hope they give this show a chance to grow, I'll keep watching.
I won't be back
welcomestranger29 March 2019
Underrated
colinwfinley29 May 2019
I've really enjoyed watching this show, it's actually pretty refreshing while feeling nostalgic. The fact that it is actually filmed outside AND in front of a live studio audience is awesome to me.
The cast seems to be really meshing and the writing is great, I have been bored to death with the sitcoms all having the same plot/story line/lesson learned and this show is unpredictable. I for sure recommend you give the episodes available a shot and you will not be disappointed.
OK but ....
ge-3329 March 2019
Good Start. It Could Be A Good Show
mikemcmillan200229 March 2019
Just not funny at all
confidential-6789729 March 2019
Charming mindless sitcom
dylanswg28 April 2019
Could be a winner, BUT . . .
jackballinger29 March 2019
It is the type of comedy that, if the writers can keep the flow going.
The BUT! It states it has a Live OUTDOOR audience.
If so, they must be the same inane and LOUD folks who compose the standard TV laugh track.
If a live audience doesn't laugh at a joke, the fix is not loud, canned laughter.
The fix is, improve the joke. Or, let a non funny line die?
PLEASE, I want to like this show. But, if the laugh track stays, I leave.
Please cancel this show
mematron27 April 2019
love the cast
SnoopyStyle18 June 2019
The big invention is a sitcom filmed in front of a live audience... outside. (sarcastic Wow!) Abby (Natalie Morales) runs a local illegal outdoor bar with a cast of weird barfly characters; mom looking for an oasis Beth (Jessica Chaffin), cuddly James (Leonard Ouzts), and Fred (Neil Flynn). Rosie is her assistant. Bill (Nelson Franklin) is the new landlord after his aunt's passing.
The gimmick is gimmicky. The pretend high concept is empty of substance. It adds nothing real to this old style sitcom. The good news is that it's Cheers. The concept may be old but it elevates with its cast. This is a loveable group of actors. The only good from the concept is that it restricts the show to limited sets. They're mostly at the bar which forces the show to rely on its characters. That's how the actors shine. They are the best aspect of this show. They sink or swim and they swim. It's not a surprise that it's canceled. This cast could have done some good work.
The gimmick is gimmicky. The pretend high concept is empty of substance. It adds nothing real to this old style sitcom. The good news is that it's Cheers. The concept may be old but it elevates with its cast. This is a loveable group of actors. The only good from the concept is that it restricts the show to limited sets. They're mostly at the bar which forces the show to rely on its characters. That's how the actors shine. They are the best aspect of this show. They sink or swim and they swim. It's not a surprise that it's canceled. This cast could have done some good work.
Eh!
scharfmand29 March 2019
Less than five minutes into the pilot and I was bored. Forced jokes - it feels like very other sitcoms from the 80's. A bit unique in that it is filmed "before a live outdoor audience." So why does it feel the laughs are canned like sitcoms from the 70's?
I would like this show to succeed - we need some good comedy shows, but I'm afraid this will need major retooling.
I would like this show to succeed - we need some good comedy shows, but I'm afraid this will need major retooling.
A new comedy
shanjaxx7726 April 2019
Had potential, but...
tfrost-5625416 April 2019
So many good actors yet the story is so forced it's uncomfortable. I love Neil Flynn and have seen Franklin Nelson in many failed pilots. I really like him, but we can't seem to get him in a series that sticks. The outdoor setting is interesting, but when will Hollywood stop with the laugh tracks. Stop telling us when we should laugh and write something we will laugh at! I gave it two full episodes to convince me, but I don't think it's worth my time.
Don't cancel this too soon!!
lienvandael-1355114 April 2019
If the network doesn't kill this show, it might be worth sticking around for
Okonh0wp7 April 2019
Abby's is a show with an interesting premise: Chill woman runs a neighborhood bar out of her own backyard. The yang to her yin is an uptight bespectacled jazz nerd who owns the property and (very sensibly) initially has to shut the whole thing down because it violates several zoning ordinances. On top of that, there are the interesting characters and bar staff (probably paid under the table) who populate the bar.
At first glance, this is a show with an overproduced laugh track that the writing staff uses as a crutch to make their lines pop. On the other hand, this is a show that relies on character-based humor and there's good reason to believe that like the awkward beginnings of some of NBC's best comedies--Superstore, Community, and Parks and Recreation--the show's awkwardness will dissipate over time. Natalie Morales and Nelson Franklin are both personalities that can be built upon and the world can be expanded.
What's more, like the above-listed comedies, this is a show with something interesting to say about the way people choose to congregate, the informal economy, what a business means to someone, and how to run a business with someone you don't get along with. There's a lot of socio-economic depth here.
At first glance, this is a show with an overproduced laugh track that the writing staff uses as a crutch to make their lines pop. On the other hand, this is a show that relies on character-based humor and there's good reason to believe that like the awkward beginnings of some of NBC's best comedies--Superstore, Community, and Parks and Recreation--the show's awkwardness will dissipate over time. Natalie Morales and Nelson Franklin are both personalities that can be built upon and the world can be expanded.
What's more, like the above-listed comedies, this is a show with something interesting to say about the way people choose to congregate, the informal economy, what a business means to someone, and how to run a business with someone you don't get along with. There's a lot of socio-economic depth here.
I'll tell you how bad this show is
lescobosasainz1 May 2019
I downloaded the app. Registered an account. Verified that account. Just to let people know that this show is bad. And I watched powerless before with high hopes it would be good. But this show inspired me to say I will no more stand to for this kind of sitcom. Hopefully it doesn't last
The new take on Cheers
rshafer-5241622 April 2019
Let me say television needs this show. It's nice to have show that's not drama based politically correct. That's what made classic tv so good. This show has just started yet people are already criticizing it like it's been on TV for years. Most modern tv shows are so empty of any real substance it's depressing. This could be a great show if given a chance. It has the right ingredients that made Cheers one of the best tv shows of history. I hope people have not become so cynical that great shows get killed before they get a chance. We need shows like this!!!!!
friends + cheers = Abby's
rekless8315 April 2019
Abby's feels very familiar. which can be good as well as bad. I think the description in the tag line here is a accurate description. I have been enjoying this show but i question how far it can go. i predict maybe 4 seasons. i mean the premise of this show is a bar in Abby's backyard with the only other setting being inside her house. I hope we can at least see some nice progression with the character or this show will get stale pretty fast.
Try again NBC....smh
tscott85862 April 2019
Neil Flynn your better than this! And the girl who plays Abby was wonderful in Santa Claritas Diet as the cop. What the heck happened. NBC is known for great tv. Some of my favorite shows came from there.(older show scrubs newer superstore!) This was a really big hard swing and a really bigger and harder miss. The only thing new that was done unlike any other show was it being filmed in front of a live studio audience outside. Everything was blah. Lame jokes, no chemistry between thr characters. It felt so forced. I did feel the same about the pilot for blackish but gave it another shot n now its my fav...even watch the spin off grownish. So ill wait for the next episode to really give my opinion but right now is a no go for me...
Cute but ...
honeybee-0213523 June 2019
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