Steve Carell’s new HBO comedy Rooster has begun drawing attention ahead of its release as critics share their early reactions. Ted Lasso co-creator Bill Lawrence created the series. It has also received its first Rotten Tomatoes score, with reviews highlighting performances and the show’s comedic tone.
What are critics saying about Rooster in reviews?
Critics have delivered a mix of positive and negative responses to HBO’s Rooster ahead of its March 8, 2026 premiere.
Several reviewers highlighted the show’s central performance and character dynamics as key elements shaping its reception. Chris Vognar of the Boston Globe wrote that “Rooster thrives on the tension between Carell’s self-deprecating likability and Greg’s relative boorishness.”
Other critics pointed to the tone and style of the series while evaluating its narrative approach. Judy Berman of TIME Magazine said, “Rooster puts a slightly more prestige-coded spin on the Lawrence formula.”
However, Aramide Tinubu of Variety offered a negative assessment, writing that “Despite its star power and creator Lawrence’s previous work on series like ‘Ted Lasso,’ ‘Shrinking,’ and ‘Cougar Town,’ ‘Rooster’ is a dull regurgitation of previously explored themes and figures Carell has portrayed before.”
Additional reviews focused on the performances and comedic execution of the show. John Anderson of the Wall Street Journal wrote, “Steve Carell’s character in the likable, watchable and even lovable ‘Rooster’ is classic Steve Carell: Self-aware, charming, boyish, incapable of reading a room, sidestepping a faux pas or calculating nuance.”
William Goodman of TheWrap also noted that “Rooster also proves to be a great vehicle for Deadwyler, whose role as the comedic foil typically generated some of my favorite humorous beats.”
Several reviews contributing to the score praised the show’s humor and performances. IGN’s Michael Peyton rated the series 10/10 and wrote, “It’s at once charming, incisive, and laugh-out-loud funny. The pedigree of both the cast and production team behind the show is top-notch.”
Some critics who issued negative reviews focused on the show’s tone and narrative approach. Nick Schager of The Daily Beast wrote, “Aside from the occasional choice gag, its geniality dampens its silliness,” while Slant Magazine’s Michael Savio stated, “There’s a sense of boldness missing from the show’s laidback, escapist tone.”
How well did Rooster score on Rotten Tomatoes?
Rooster has earned an 80 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 20 critic reviews ahead of its March 8, 2026 premiere on HBO. The comedy series was created by Bill Lawrence, who previously worked on Ted Lasso. The show does not yet have an audience score listed on the platform.
