User reviews

... horrible, but, for some reason, you can't take your eyes away from it.

I also wanted to like this show, but the writing, acting, directing, and phony White House are all sooooo bad. That said, it's badness is mesmerizing, so I keep watching.

I personally don't think Tyler Perry's materials are stellar in any way, but this mess here? I can't help but say that it's really bad, yet like a train wreck I can't turn away. The acting, the writing, the direction...it's all over the top and lacks any type of sense. There are too many scenarios in this show that will make you laugh out loud unintentionally because YOU KNOW as a normal human being you wouldn't react that way. There's no way, without giving too much away, that you would allow an incident in your home KNOWING the outcome would be unfavorable. There's no way, after an incident occurs, your reaction defies all logic and reasoning. There's no way, after you finally decide to get help, the help feeds you a bullcrap reason why they can't help. Also there are numerous occasions that the dialogue is so cringey, with unnecessary silence between the acting, it make you wonder if it was written by amateurs.

This is just the tip of this mishmash, jumbled mess trying to come across as engaging television. Will it get better? I highly doubt it. I have seen some decent work come from Mr. Perry but this, so far, is really disappointing. It's truly unbelievable and you, the viewer, deserve something better.

I am tired of TP and his poor excuses for quality scripts and storylines. Now don't get wrong: I applaud this man's hustle and his come up, but his writing is atrocious and some of the direction he chooses to go in is only an attempt to draw in people of color so we can say "Well, at least Tyler Perry puts people of color in primetime!"

This show is HORRIBLE. I watched the first two episodes and couldn't stomach any more. I am not a prude but the unnecessary sex scenes, the unnecessary profanity at every turn and the unnecessary twists and turns was ridiculously bad. From the gate there were 5 different issues going on and this was on the very first episode! No build up, no history of characters, no substance.

Please TP, just stick to mindless Madea movies and leave the serious dialogue and dramas to writers and directors who actually care to take the time to bring about real drama with real actors who offer real talent. Take some time to study shows like Queen Sugar, How To Get Away With Murder and Scandal. These are shows that are not perfect, but they are quality programming with great storylines and great actors who care enough about their craft not to throw together a show just because they can.

It's great that TP has the money and power to do what he does, but it's so sad that he won't grow beyond where he is to bring us quality television. No wonder this is on BET. And as a black woman, I am disappointed that this is even considered 'Entertainment.'

And stopped watching. I honestly don't know how he gets away with making such horrible movies and he swears it's just black people tearing him down. No brother, these shows suck! No one is hating on you the shows suck. It's so sad that Oprah keeps that crap on OWN!

I'm not a fan of comedy whether it's Tyler Perry or anyone else, I rarely watch comedy, so I've only enjoyed a couple of Tyler Perry movies and I fail to understand why people looooove Madea because I just don't find it funny.

However, I seriously enjoy "The Oval." as much as I enjoy any city in Vh1's "Love and Hip Hop". "The Oval" makes me laugh out loud and it also makes me say "oh, damn". Yes, it is just like watching soap operas: the dysfunctional family, the woman married to a powerful but abusive husband, and the impact that hate raged relationship has on their children is a right now reality; moreover, it's worth examination. A lot of marriages are hate-filled and damaging to children, but I enjoy watching this particular fictional script of grown people's foolishness.

I hear the comments about the acting, and all I can say is: this is the very same level of acting we got with soaps like "All My Children", shows that we learned to watch with our grandmothers and babysitters. There is a reason that Susan Lucci, the infamous Erica Kane, took years and years to finally win an Emmy for her acting. Like actors in 'The Oval", Lucci's role was over the top.

There are only a few innocent characters, and viewers fear for them when the wrath of exceptionally powerful. but morally bankrupt people falls down. When minor characters intersect with major White House players, you are highly aware that their fates, their economic livelihood (their entire lives really) are dependent on two people (a president and a first lady) who are crazy as hell.

That's frightening, but anyone who's had a madhatter boss can relate. If this show didn't revolve around the White House, then it would be just another soap about a family that refuses to divorce and chooses to live in hatred together. We see civil service and government officials on the telly in cop, medical, fire, and law dramas often. But "The Oval" deals with their messed up commander in chief and it's hilarious. I love that part.

It's a soap opera. If you think of it like a telenovela, you will better understand the show within this genre. I find it an entertaining guilty pleasure. The plots are so outlandish but in some ways art mimics life if you think about the shenanigans of the orange bozo in the White House and all of the havoc he brought upon this country. After a long day of putting out fires for others, it is wonderful to take a break and see what new creative plot twists have sprung from Tyler Perry's genius mind. It's still always a treat to see fully embodied multidimensional Black leads and supporting characters.

I have to admit, as a college educated Black man, I first thought this series was garbage. However, after continuing to watch it over the years, I love this series and some of the characters because it is entertaining and make believe. My favorite characters are Max, Donald, Victoria, and Bobby. People need to lighten up because this is entertainment and not real life. I live weekly to see the interactions between Donald and Victoria because they're girlfriends as Victoria stated to Donald. LOL The Oval is on my weekly watch list. Although, I enjoy watching Sistas, I enjoy The Oval over Sistas. I have to admit, the male eye candy on The Oval is sexy, hot, and attractive. (Max, Donald, Kareem, Allan, Eli, Officer Brian Heller, and Antonio. If you want to escape all the depressing crap in the real world, I recommend watching The Oval for laughs, entertainment, and the male hot eye candy.

It's a different story, refreshing but if course me glued to TV, my goodness I enjoy it.

Painful to watch. How on earth it was renewed for 2nd season? Should be illegal. CIA can use it during interrogations. I would tell them everything. I would probably rat out my own children just to make it stop. Anyone watching it should seriously seek medical professional.

Was looking forward to this New Series, but plop after 10 mins of Ep1.... I continued watching but it, the acting and the script just got worse. Such long pauses after some actors delivered their lines that I wondered if even the useless Director had nodded off. It was that bad..

VERY VERY HORRIBLE. DONT WATCH THIS. Please i beg you.

If you're expecting something of the calibre of the West Wing, Designated Survivor or Commander in Chief then you're in for a B I G disappointment. Within the first five minutes there's a fight scene so bad you can openly see that the blows and slaps do not land and the sound of flesh-on-flesh contact is badly miss timed. Then there's a romantic encounter on a bed with simulated action and moand and groans so bad they could have come from a 70s soft movie about a German plumber and his toolbag. All this combined with wholly inappropriate and overly loud background music.

Could not bear to watch any more. No. Just no.

I agree with all the other comments worst programme I have ever seen in the UK

I think the show is great an it keeps you on your toes, wanting more but that fact most of the actors are new comers some of them need a little more training. To me they try to hard instead of letting things flow. Nancy the mom, is not convincing in her scenes. I know as actors you have to start off somewhere, but as actors they need to relax, have fun or the audience can pick up. I believe that's the problem.

From me 10 STARS because long time I haven't seen such a nice parody! Acting is terrible. Except the president daughter and lady President. Everybody else like figures in Madame Tussauds Museum! All are good looking, prefect make up before sleeping and when they wake up they looking astonishing good! They are dressed goody. And the Story! Who wrote this scenario deserves Golden Raspberry! Surreal acting. I forgot to mention the Silk Pijamas!

I've been loyal to The Oval since the very first episode a few years ago, and it has been quite the ride. While much of what happens defies logic, common sense, or even reality at times, there's something undeniably entertaining about the sheer audacity of the storytelling. The characters are over the top, the drama is exaggerated, and the twists are endless. If you view it as a stage play brought to screen, it's easier to appreciate its unique charm. It's not a perfect show by any means, but it keeps you hooked, and for that, I'll gladly keep watching. It's an addictive guilty pleasure.

I also paused for few months and today would continue the last 8 episodes.

The worst TV series EVER! surely they must give out some kind of an award to a show where all the actors are so bad that at least one is trying to get it right...but wait NONE of the actors are qualified. I stuck it out for 2 episodes. I should slap myself silly but I was punished enough...after all I did sit through a second episode and I'm riddled with shame....whyyyy..... You, out there, can do better

Honestly, I can't figure out if it's:

• so bad, that it's hilarious

OR

• if it's hilarious bc it's so bad

If you enjoyed watching "stories" with your grandma as a child, you will enjoy this show in a weirdly sadistic type of way.