‘Roadies’ Review Roundup: Cameron Crowe’s Series Strikes The Same Notes, But Critics Want A Different Tune
Cameron Crowe’s Showtime series “Roadies” will finally debut this Sunday, June 26. The 10-episode show chronicles the wild and adventurous side of a committed group of roadies who live for music and the de facto family they’ve formed along the way.
IndieWire’s Ben Travers gave the three episodes he saw a B, writing that the series “needs direction, but life on the bus is fun with Cameron Crowe.” He adds that “‘Roadies’ exemplifies the best of Crowe’s earnest exuberances, as well as the potholes he should now know how to avoid.”
READ MORE: Review: ‘Roadies’ Needs Direction, But Life on the Bus is Fun With Cameron Crowe
But many others didn’t feel like the tour was all that fun. “‘Roadies’ feels like a Spotify playlist in search of a reason to exist,” writes Maureen Ryan of Variety. Unsatisfied with the Crowe’s TV venture, she adds that the series barely makes an impression, much like its characters. “Given the absence of an intoxicating atmosphere and the lack of dramatic momentum, episodes ramble on and on punishingly, like a jam band that refuses to leave the stage.”
TV Guide’s Kaitlin Thomas commented on the underwhelming character development, “shallow” cast and lack of adrenaline. “Its worst offense, however, is that it lacks a certain authenticity to its subject matter, which is especially puzzling considering it’s created, written and directed by Cameron Crowe,” she writes. She does praise Crowe for his previous work but overall is disappointed, “‘Roadies’ is all talk and no show. And no one’s going to pay the price of admission if there’s no spectacle.”
READ MORE: ‘Roadies’ Series Premiere: The 5 Best Cameron Crowe-isms From The First Episode
“‘Roadies’ is a Cameron Crowe greatest hits, and the ‘Almost Famous’ director and series boss really needs a new set list,” writes Deadline’s Dominic Patten. “Like a band past its prime or just out of ideas, we’ve heard and seen this all before, and it was much better the first time around.”
The Hollywood Reporter’s Tim Goodman continues with the subpar reviews. Once again, Crowe’s previous successes are front and center and when compared to “Roadies,” the series is booed off stage. “‘Roadies’ is a massively disappointing series in large part to the expectations that Crowe brings to it and much of its failings are directly linked to him since he’s the creator, writer and director of much of the coming season.” His bottom line: “Rock ‘n’ roll genocide continues on TV.”
READ MORE: The 20 Greatest Musical Moments In The Films Of Cameron Crowe
“Roadies” premieres Sunday, June 26th at 10pm.
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