Mixed Reviews for HBO Series 'Rooster' Starring Steve Carell

On March 5, 2026, HBO began airing the new comedy series "Rooster," marking Steve Carell's return to the genre after years dominated by film work in his career. Reviews published on March 5 and 6 present extremely varied assessments, ranging from enthusiastic reception based on the actor's performance to sharp criticism of the production's lack of originality and coherence. The main plot of the series focuses on Mack Rooster (Carell), a former rock star who moves in with his adult son intending to fix his life, leading to a series of comedic-dramatic conflicts. Steve Carell, an American actor and comedian, gained international fame for his role as Michael Scott in the American adaptation of the series "The Office" (2005-2013), for which he received a Golden Globe. After the show ended, he focused on film, appearing in dramatic ("Foxcatcher") and comedic ("Battle of the Sexes") roles. His return to sitcom television is one of the most anticipated TV events of the season. Positive reviews, published slightly later or concurrently with critical ones, focus almost exclusively on Carell's comedic talent. The "Irish Independent" in a review from March 6 describes his performance as a "brilliant, clumsy form" of a helpful yet unlucky father. "IndieWire" (March 5) describes the series as "charming," suggesting it only needs to "get out of its own way" to fully shine. Similarly, "The Wall Street Journal" (March 5) presents Carell as a "meddling dad," indicating potential for light, situational comedy based on the strength of a star performance. „'Rooster' Review: Steve Carell as a Meddling Dad” — The Wall Street Journal Critical voices, coming from leading industry publications and published earlier on March 5, are decidedly more skeptical. "The Hollywood Reporter" admits the series "can boast an excellent cast" but also "can't decide what it wants to be." According to the reviewer, the lack of a clear choice between a tender family comedy and satire weakens both the humor and the emotional impact, leaving an impression of unfulfilled potential. The harshest assessment comes from "Variety" in a review published first that day. The critic directly labels the production as "outdated and uninspired," accusing it of shallow humor, predictable characters and situations, and a lack of freshness in the crowded streaming market. This clear division of opinion illustrates the fundamental dilemma of "Rooster": is it a successful, character-driven comedy based on star power that compensates for any shortcomings, or is it a mediocre, inconsistent production that brings nothing new to the genre? These assessments concern not only the execution but also the series' construction. While enthusiasts see it as a return to a formula of comedy based on a charismatic character, critics point to problems with pacing, script, and the overall concept. The theme of difficult father-adult child relationships and generational conflict, while universal, according to some reviewers, is presented in a schematic manner lacking true depth. Ultimately, the success or failure of "Rooster" among viewers may depend on whether the audience finds Carell's charisma sufficient compensation for the narrative and conceptual shortcomings noted by critics.