--- title: "Better Things: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/better-things-2016/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/better-things-2016" critics_score: 85 critics_reviews: 9 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Better Things (2016): what the critics said Critics' score 85 from 9 reviews: 9 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. Nine reviews, all of them positive, and the praise lands in the same place: Pamela Adlon’s voice. Most critics treat the series as an autobiographical portrait of single motherhood that is frank about the indignities of parenting and funny about them without softening anything. Several note the debt to Louie, and most agree the show improves on that model rather than copying it, largely because Adlon’s own performance carries the material. The daughters, sharp and smart-alecky, draw repeated mention, as does the show’s willingness to give a middle-aged woman flaws and depth rarely allowed on television. The spread is narrow. The nearest thing to a reservation comes from Variety, which finds the strand about Hollywood indignities merely serviceable next to the family material. Reviews of the later seasons are, if anything, warmer: The Telegraph calls the latest run the show’s best, and The Guardian says it will be sorely missed. Nobody is dissenting. ## IndieWire — Ben Travers Rating A. 8 September 2016. Pamela Adlon's debut series as creator stands strongly on its own, improving on the style of 'Louie' with a frank perspective on single motherhood. The critic praises its authentic voice and Adlon's performance in bringing the autobiographical elements to life. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/better-things-review-pamela-adlon-season-1-louie-louis-ck-1201724117/) ## The AV Club — Danette Chavez Rating A. 3 April 2020. The 'New Orleans' episode of season four is a refreshing, beautifully shot love letter to the city and a highlight of the series' later seasons. It captures Sam Fox's mindset perfectly while noting social realities, delivering exuberant and heartfelt television. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/on-an-exuberant-better-things-the-good-times-are-still-1842654573) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 17 July 2022. Pamela Adlon’s autobiographical dramedy about a single mother is creatively confident and gripping entertainment that will be sorely missed. The critic praises its authentic, hectic storytelling that captures the chaos and small joys of motherhood and family life. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/jul/17/better-things-series-five-review-a-life-affirming-final-outing-that-will-leave-a-gaping-hole-in-tv-comedy) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Tim Goodman Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 8 September 2016. The critic praises Adlon's distinctive voice and hard-won truths in a finely tuned, real and funny portrait of single motherhood that builds on her work from Louie without being derivative. It is a necessary show with a burgeoning triumph at its center. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/fxs-better-things-tv-review-926658/) ## The Telegraph Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). The latest season of Pamela Adlon’s semi-autobiographical comedy-drama is its best yet, slyly touching on ageing, love and loss with caustic wisecracks, farcical set pieces and moments of tenderness. Adlon’s authorial voice has grown stronger since going solo. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/better-things-series-5-review-american-tvs-best-kept-secret/) ## Variety — Sonia Saraiya Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 September 2016. The critic finds the series unmatched in depicting the bittersweet indignities of parenting through sharp, smart-alecky daughters and a bemused single mother. It stands out for its truthful take on middle-age family life despite some serviceable elements on Hollywood indignities. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2016/tv/reviews/tv-review-fx-atlanta-better-things-donald-glover-pamela-adlon-1201850453/) ## Den of Geek — Joe Matar Rating 4/5. 6 September 2016. The critic finds the series a fresh yet familiar slice-of-life comedy about a middle-aged single mother and working actress, praising its honest portrayal of everyday parenting and industry struggles as groundbreaking for the demographic. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/better-things-review/) ## The Ringer — Alison Herman Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 8 September 2016. The critic finds that Better Things stands out among comedian-centric shows by focusing on single motherhood and family dynamics rather than just the entertainment industry. She praises its portrayal of a fully realized middle-aged woman character with depth, flaws, and dimensionality rarely afforded on television. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2016/09/08/tv/better-things-is-more-than-a-comedy-about-comedians-10a8052de243) ## Paste — Whitney Friedlander Rating 9.7. 28 February 2022. The critic praises the series' focus on the positive aspects of family, friendships, and parenting across its run, highlighting non-linear storytelling and authentic character moments in the final season. She singles out a poignant line from the finale about appreciating a mother's way of bringing people together as summing up the show's essence. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/better-things/better-things-season-5-review) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/better-things-2016.md