Iconic ’90s Animated Series ‘The Critic’ Being Eyed for a Revival

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Jon Lovitz and Al Jean, creators of the 1990s animated sitcom The Critic, are seriously considering a comeback for this beloved series. Jon Lovitz, who gave voice to the witty film critic Jay Sherman, has been expressing his wish to reintroduce the show, and recent social media posts hint that Al Jean is now on board with the idea.

First aired in 1994, “The Critic” introduced Sherman, a New York-based TV movie critic, known for his sharp reviews on “Coming Attractions”. Although its brief two-season stint (23 episodes) was divided between ABC and Fox, the show garnered a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim for its witty portrayal of Hollywood. Recently, Jon Lovitz shared a post on X, asking fans: “Just wondering… how many would like to see ‘The Critic’ return with Jon Lovitz?” The response was overwhelmingly favorable, encouraging Lovitz to encourage fans to share the post broadly. In his words, “Critic Fans!!! You keep telling me you want it back. I’ve been trying for years! Well, now, creator Al Jean is on board!!!” He continued, “If you want it back, we need your help! Please like this post and spread the word! This way, we can demonstrate to the studio how many people are interested!

Critic Fans!!!!

You’ve continued to express your desire for it to return.
I’ve been making efforts for quite some time now.
However,

To get it back, we’d really appreciate your assistance! Let’s boost its visibility by liking this post and sharing it far and wide. This way, we can demonstrate to the studio just how many of us are eager for its return!

— Jon Lovitz (@realjonlovitz) March 28, 2025

It seems like the buzz around this campaign is growing by the minute! Just look at Lovitz’s latest post – it has been viewed over 1.6 million times and shared more than 11,000 times so far, which suggests an immense enthusiasm from fans who are clearly excited about the possibility of a reboot.

Back in the day, Jean and I, along with Mike Reiss, brought The Critic into existence following our triumph with The Simpsons. Although it didn’t quite reach the same iconic status as its predecessor, this series continues to be cherished for its sharp spoofs of well-known movies and Lovitz’s exceptional performance. In its time, critics lauded its intelligence; People Magazine found it “slyly amusing” because of its insightful Hollywood satire, while Roger Ebert hailed it as “smart” due to Sherman’s relatable ordinary appearance and intellect.

Given a chance for revival, “The Critic” might require updates to adapt to the contemporary media environment. The TV review show concept could be reinvented, merging it with contemporary platforms such as YouTube or TikTok. This would enable him to evaluate both viral sensations and blockbuster movies. Although no formal agreement has been disclosed yet, the endeavors of Lovitz and Jean might still persuade Fox—or another studio—to approve fresh episodes.

If you’re a fan of the classic series, “The Critic” is now streaming for free on Tubi. Here’s hoping this resurgence of interest might prompt the character’s return to satirizing Hollywood again!

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2025-04-01 20:45