User reviews

William Henry "Hank" Devereaux Jr. (Bob Odenkirk) is a miserable middle-aged professor in the middling Railton College in Pennsylvania. He calls it "Mediocrity's Capitol" in a viral rant and some people want him fired. He has work issues. He has family issues. He has writing issues. Most of all, he has a giant daddy issue.

This is a great AMC show based on a novel. More than anything, this is a great Bob Odenkirk show. The man is on a terrific roll. I love his depressing work life. I love his problematic family life. It got canceled after only one season. It's not enough. I want more. It has more to say.

I went into episode one with an open mind and not expecting Saul. I do think that Bob Odinkirk has an acting type. He has a very similar personality. He does have unresolved issues and messes up. Much like Saul but with far less enthusiasm. A character who is just bored out of his mind. I enjoyed seeing some of the lesser known that were casted. I apologize as I've only watched one episode I don't know names. The girl in the wheel chair was a great actor. She was believable in her role. This episode was intentionally dry and wanted to convey how dull and boring his life is. It introduced the issues that Hank has. His father, daughter and one of his students are the biggest ones. People felt the dryness of episode one and translated that to a low rating when it was intentional. I look forward to the great acting about exaggerated problems because of the boredom in town and school. I was a school nurse and it was enough to understand the frustration of mundane as a professor. We watched the conveyance of mundane. It's ok to think it was dry and lifeless. That was the goal.technically , Wardrobe was great. Lighting was perfect, sound was level and without interference. Set design good so far. Limited sets at this point. IOW, they've got great cast and supporting crew. It will be a great show.

Just watched the first episode of "Lucky Hank" and it's awesome! Bob Odenkirk is killing it in his role. I love the dry humor in this show. It's so different from all those other shows out there that just don't feel genuine. They all seem like they're trying too hard, but "Lucky Hank" just flows so naturally.

The conversations in this show are just amazing. It's like a breath of fresh air compared to what's on TV nowadays. I swear, it's like honey for my ears. I really hope they don't cancel it after only one season, but it wouldn't surprise me. People have super high expectations for Bob Odenkirk's third big show. I'd guess that for the first episode of "Lucky Hank" to be a hit, it might need some more action. But let's be real - this isn't the kind of show where in its first scene ever we'd see a man in his underwear in the middle of the desert, holding a pistol with a broken RV nearby. That's a whole different story and "Lucky Hank" stands on its own with its smart humor and relatable life reflections, making it a unique and enjoyable experience.

I also want to point out that "Lucky Hank" seems like it's geared more towards the 30+ audience. It has some random existential thoughts and the kind of reflections that usually come to people after they've reached a certain age. This adds another layer of depth to the show, making it even more exciting and relatable for those who have experienced similar thoughts. If you're in that age group and enjoy smart humor, "Lucky Hank" is definitely worth checking out!

To be honest, I'm surprised this show was even made.

In a couple of months when the full season is out I may come across as a fool and this may be an outstanding piece of comedy television, but based off the first 2 episodes, I am not optimistic. I am confused as to what the hook is to this show, it appears to simply be exaggerated and yet uninteresting events occurring around a beleaguered Odenkirk and his shockingly unmemorable cast of side "characters". Odenkirk does chew through the large majority of lines with a believable animosity towards the world and tempered rage as a man suffering a mid life crisis, but even his good, if not outstanding, performance is not enough to save an essentially premise-less series.

I have not read the source material. I don't know if it has the depth to sustain a series or if this series (so far) is just a weak adaptation. Either way, it needs to improve rapidly and find some grounding in some form of a plot, as so far I have been felt unsatisfied by the episodes that have been released.

Viewers of Lucky Hank shouldn't expect this to be in the same entertainment class as Breaking Bad, or even Better Call Saul. Although the last several episodes of BCS fell flat, IMHO. Bob Odenkirk, a comedian by trade, is a good actor. He did a good job as Hank. As the old Hollywood saying goes, "Dying is easy. Comedy is difficult."

The first episode was okay, nothing great, however. The humor was pointed and straightforward. I hope they ramp up the laughs a bit more in future episodes. Don't have to go juvenile, like Welcome Back Kotter, but fresh, sharp and witty dialogue is a good foundation to build on. We shall see.

Lucky Hank is a new comedy drama series on AMC that follows the life of Hank Devereaux, Jr., the unlikely English department chairman at the badly underfunded Railton College in the Pennsylvania rust belt. Hank is a middle-aged man who is struggling with a midlife crisis. He is unhappy with his job, his marriage, and his life in general. However, Hank is also a very funny and charming man, and he has a way of making the people around him laugh.

The show is based on the novel Straight Man by Richard Russo, and it is adapted by Paul Lieberstein and Aaron Zelman. Lieberstein is the creator of The Office, and Zelman is the co-creator of The Killing. The two men have created a show that is both funny and heartwarming.

The show stars Bob Odenkirk as Hank. Odenkirk is an excellent actor, and he brings Hank to life in a way that is both funny and relatable. The rest of the cast is also excellent, and they all have great chemistry with each other.

The show's writing is sharp and witty, and the show is full of laugh-out-loud moments. The show also has a lot of heart, and it deals with some serious issues in a way that is both funny and thought-provoking.

Overall, Lucky Hank is a great new comedy drama series. It is funny, charming, and well-written. If you are looking for a new show to watch, I highly recommend Lucky Hank.

I really enjoyed the first episode. I think it's witty and shows a lot of promise. The acting is great, and Odenkirk shines as always, yet the rest of the cast doesn't get left behind as they are great too!

Hank is hilarious and it seems the show will be packed with comedy but never leaving the drama behind. Can't wait to see the next episode. The only problem is the fact that it's on AMC, because the streaming platform has A LOT of working to be done, but other than that, I have my hopes and expectations up, and I feel like it'll be a fun and interesting ride. If you like 50/50 drama and comedy shows, I feel this is the perfect balance and a really good choice.

This could become another iconic character for Odenkirk. Give it a try. I found the the first episode far too close to the reality of university life. The intensity of the battles for which the stakes are so low (to paraphrase an old Pat Moynihan quote). The self-absorbed faculty whose fragile egos are satisfied only when belittling their colleagues' efforts. Administrators powerless - or afraid - to make real change.

You must read the A CINE TV REVIEW listed under "Critic's Reviews." It's hilarious; clearly the writer never saw the pilot and doesn't know that it's a series - not a film. Click bait publishing.

This is well acted. Dialog and interactions are well written. But overall it is merely mundane.

There's no excitement, no intriguing story, no point of interest. No compelling factor to engage a viewer.

The characters are interesting, the problem is the story is nothing more than "a day in the life of an English professor." Seriously, that's all it is.

I assumed by the third episode some factor or plot point would come about making the series more interesting and intriguing. But honestly, at 3 episodes I don't feel compelled to watch more. It's missing the "what will happen" factor a great deal. The only "open" plot points are, well, rather mundane... the reconnecting with an absent father.. the writer's block... the wife wanting to spread her wings a bit.. it's just all so dreadfully ordinary.

So, perhaps by episode 6? Nope.. Still the same dreadfully ordinary storyline. There are brief moments where it appears more may be coming.. but it never does.

Perhaps a season cliffhanger?? Nope. Season one ends as horribly mundane as it started. Viewers take away NOTHING from this series. It's entirely forgettable.

It's as if they wrote a tv series based upon your neighbor John.. with a wife, and an adult daughter, and a job.. nothing out of the norm... nothing overly exciting.. nothing really that interesting except to John himself.

There's no purpose in this show and no payoff for anyone who watches it.

After having seen Bob Odenkirk take such a different acting turn in the movie "Nobody", I was hoping for something unique in "Lucky Hank", as well. I don't know what everybody was looking for, but I thought what I got in the first episode of this show was just what I wanted.

Fresh.

Different.

And very funny.

If you're looking for sex and violence and mind-numbing, avant garde humor, this is not the show for you. If you're wanting some dry wit, grown-up humor, and intelligent writing...you'll find a home with this one. It has me looking forward to Sunday nights again.

Thanks, AMC!!

I'll definitely be telling my friends and family about this one.

Movies and series set in academia don't always work, "Wonder Boys" staring Michael Douglas did work, but "The Chair" staring Sandra Oh didn't work. After watching two episodes of "Lucky Hank", this series doesn't work for me.

Hank is an angry man who should have retired and moved to NYC, so his wife could take her dream job. It's boring and I really don't care about Hank. Oscar Nunez (Dean Rose) is interesting, Cedric Yarbrough (Prof Rourke) is interesting and a few others, but not Hank who is angry and hostile. If it was supposed to be funny, it's not. Every story has some conflict, but if writers use it continuously, that's lazy writing.

I gave it two episodes and it didn't get any better.

My husband and I watched 3 episodes and agreed with many of the reviewers that the show really wasn't up to snuff. It seemed sophomoric, poorly written and dull, so he gave up on it. But I continued watching and I'm glad I did. Starting with episode 4 and then definitely in 5 and 6, it all starts to make sense and you begin to understand why Hank is the way he is. I persuaded my husband to give it another try, and he's happy he did. The pivot happens in Ep. 5 and then builds in 6. While we have not finished the series, we would recommend it with the caveat that you have to give it time. Unfortunately, this is the series biggest fault, that it builds so slowly, because it has obviously lost viewers and garnered bad reviews because people don't stick around. To enjoy this series, you need patience - something in short supply these days.

I got through the first 7 episodes and would have given it about a 4, because it just got really boring. But the last episode pulled it up a bit. There's not much to talk about in a mediocre school in a mediocre town. I think they should give a lot more time to the wife and her adventures, finding her own voice/feet/life, but Hank should keep teaching.

One odd spot was that there were laughs in the first 1-2 episodes, then it just got boring, and sad, but some of the best laughs were in E8. KEEP THAT UP. That part!

But overall, this is pretty mediocre, really only for folks that are actually IN academia. Not sure why the stellar actor chose a mediocre book about a mediocre man. It's pretty bland.

This is a good show, good writing good dialogue, good characters and its funny. I see these reviews here mentioning and comparing it to better call saul saying how its not even close bla bla. Those two shows shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath, its dumb to even start from there just because Bob Odenkirk is in both. So no, its not even close, its not supposed to be. This a pretty smartly written comedy-drama that makes a good impression with the 2 episodes released at the time of this review, so comparing it to an exceptionally successful brilliant show that is a crime drama spun off from an exceptionally successful brilliant show that we all have had years to live with is spectacularly stupid.

Just ignore the sit-com morons looking for brain dead comedies and the pseudo intellectual reviewers with their critique of "its not BCS level why did bob even do this nonsense". Watch it, its good and funny, it might be a bit slow or not to your taste. But its solid enough to give it a chance.

After bob odendirks series of rather serious drama roles (breaking bad, better call Saul, nobody) him being in a more light hearted role where he plays a grouchy realist professor is exciting and shows off range he still holds after years of acting. I find that actors that are in roles for a numerous amount of years find it hard to do other characters. Anyways the shows first episode follows hank (lucky hank) living through his everyday life being a passionless professor who lives just to get through the day. The first episode opens this show to a lot, and should be a good show to watch after a long day at work.

Is this an updated remake of Kingsley Amis's 1950's book, "Luck Jim' and spin-off BBC 1967 Series and ITV 2003 remake. I love Bob Odenkirk, but wonder if this perhaps too cerebrally literary academia spoof will be understood and appeal to enough popular 'streamed VID viewers' w/o sufficient American comedy style schlock or the edgy, dark humour of the other AMC series that Bob's done? I think prof. Devereaux needs to be a wee bit more sarcastic and or there needs to be really rich character development. Not sure if it'll be in the same league as Ted Lasso or Shrinking but I've only seen the first episode...... so here's to hopin' for a complete season and another'🤞

Decided to check out this show because I am a huge fan of Bob Odenkirk, as well as 'Breaking Bad' and 'Better Call Saul.' (This is an extremely unfair comparison as without Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, the show will be completely different). With that being said, unfortunately, I do not think this show will ever be compared to those two again.

This show was extremely mediocre and it will be hard to fill this review because there is really not even much to say about it. After watching, I must admit that I am not interested in any of these characters, including Hank, its protagonist, his wife, his co-workers, or his students. There was nothing that stood out to me about any of them, and even after just seeing it I can't really even remember distinguishing traits from any of them.

Its humor is likely what saved it from being a total drag. There were some funny lines, mostly related to Hank's inner monologue or just issues that occurred in his life.

But, that is really about it. The show is not funny enough for me to care about the lackluster story. There might be some potential there, but I do not expect this show to become popular or long-lasting, though I suppose we will see. I will give it another episode or two, but that will probably be it for 'Lucky Hank.'

I'm writing this only after the pilot episode. As it is the only one out this far, I really love Bob Odenkirk as I could watch him Rita phonebook. The character introduction episodes for most shows are always a snore fest and this was entertaining enough I was hoping for a little more drama or excitement or a cliffhanger perhaps but I'm hoping that type of emotion will come in the future episodes. I was really happy to see Diedrich Bayer come into screen, as I always wished he was in more things. He is a joy to watch. Finding out Susan Cryer would be a cast member on the show was quite a nice surprise as I really enjoyed her role in Silicon Valley. I will say that her personality and tone in the show is similar to her character in Silicon Valley. Shannon Devito stole the scenes that she was a part of and I feel like this will be her breakout role and I can't wait to see more. I really hope the show succeeds because it has all the potential for a stellar time.

I'm learning to enjoy the characters but my interest in Lucky Hank has been sputtering until a passage in the new episode caught my fancy.

The show is just too slow and depressing to me although Bob Odenkirk is Bob Odenkirk, Diedrich Bader and Oscar Nunez are fine and then there are a host of others whose persona is just emerging.

If nothing else check the Mireille Enos restaurant scene at the 38 minute mark, such a laugh, fine writing, well performed. More of that and I might hang with it.

Otherwise I have to agree the story line lacks interest, its more about the quirky characters, its hard to imagine how the premise can last more than a season.

I count myself a huge fan of Bob's work, so I was stoked about this coming out. But by the third episode I had to face the fact that I just was not feeling it. But I didn't write my take until now because although I stopped watching I was giving my mind time to figure out why the show didn't take for me.

I think I have it in one sentence now, so here goes: This show is bogged down and lacks forwar momentum because too many neurotic characters sharing the same story is just boring, uninteresting. It's not comedy if it's painful to watch/listen to one scene after another just going from neurotic husband to neurotic wife, to other neurotic colleagues, to neurotic students. I agree that it is ultra realistic in that it reflects a real world possibility, but it's not entertaining. Woody Allen is the master of the high concentration neurotic characters brought together but this crew can't capture that Allenesk vibe at all. Total snooze fest. Not fun or funny, just depressing.

At first I found this series rather tedious and a bit of a slog. Hank is not in the least bit likeable and rather offensive at times. It's a wonder his colleagues even put up with him.

There's a scene where he fights off a duck and it reminded me of when I was a kid and a goose attacked my Dad as we were walking through a park. My Dad tried to fend it off with a rolled up newspaper and the goose went into a frenzy with my Dad escaping at an undignified gallop. Still kills me to this day.

The series improved from then on and I found myself totally invested in him and his wife's lives and even the colleagues around them.

A slow burner.