Benders (2015) User Reviews

It isn't terrible

[HexYT · 7/10 · 1 October 2015]

In comparison to the other comedy TV series on air right now, this does not appear as strong competition. Occasionally some comedic-value will pop-up. Sadly, this doesn't appear to be happening too often.

The pilot episode wasn't really strong, the casting seems fine, they have a lot of potential. Problem is, they seem to be lacking on the material side, some polishing should be done there, at least in my opinion.

This isn't a bad show, get's better as you watch it, and definitely helps to pass time. Problem is, it isn't too memorable and I don't feel a strong push to watch another episode. I'm probably going to give it a few more episodes, hopefully it will get better.

Francis

[hicks-92659 · 5/10 · 20 May 2016]

I am in my 50's and played hockey my whole life ~ i was so psyched the day before "benders" was released ~ and then totally let down when started watching season one ! First of all they cannot even skate. If the first two episodes are what the rest of the series is like ~ i might as well go play in my men's league and out drinking after with my fellow teammates, for my life is more funny and realistic than this series. Please get new writers ~ if this series is to continue. It is such a great topic for a good series ~ but you flunked the test already. It is not to late to fix it ! Get out the Zamboni ~ clean the ice and start all over again ~~~ PLEASE ! Get some hard drinking ~ Irish men from Boston suburbs ~ and hire them as actors ~ they will do a better job and it will be Hilarious and a "TRUE STORY". PS Do not hire Mark Wahlberg ~ i do not think he can SKATE !

Not what I was expecting, has room for potential but someone screwed up

[putscherb · 5/10 · 2 June 2017]

If i had to give a 1 word description of this show, it would be forgettable. Nothing about this show is intriguing or enjoyable. At first i was excited because i thought it would be a show ABOUT hockey...not a show that shows a few seconds of terrible skaters holding hockey sticks then switches to them getting tossed at a lame bar slinging cheap one liners and mind numbing banter. Actually, a lot of that could be forgiven if the characters were fun to watch but they're just not. I gave it a strong go, i really tried to like what i was seeing but in the end it just became so boring that i gave up. And i just have to say, Karen (Pauls girl) is a terrible human being, just a sh** character all around.

Not great but not terrible

[lilpinto19 · 16 October 2015]

I don't think it's terrible but it needs work. I've been playing hockey for just about 23 years now and the last 15 have been in men's league/beer leagues. I ran my own team for 8 years and became close friends with aloft of people I play with. There is so much more that this show can add. I think that it needs different writers. Writers that know what men's league hockey is all about. I feel like this show is trying to compete with the show "the league" but it's trying to be too much like it. It needs to go in its own direction to draw viewers in....I have told my friends that I wanted to create a show on men's league hockey for years and I seriously think you need to get new writers...just my opinion

Hlarious - wish it could have went on...

[Setaris · 10/10 · 4 June 2017]

I discovered this gem randomly while searching for new hockey shows on Netflix. I ended up marathoning the entirety of it in one sitting and was left wanting more. I later learned it was unfortunately canceled after its initial season and that's a shame since I think it was brilliant. The sport of hockey needs better representation in the world of television and I think this show could have done so much for it had it remained airing.

It's about four good friends who all share a love for hockey and play in an amateur league in their spare time and all the hilarity that follows them on and off the ice. Just to make things clear - it is a hockey show but they definitely spend more time off the ice and we see more of their misadventures outside the rink than anything else. I would not dismiss the show if all you want is hockey as it's still the underlying theme of the show and is present in every episode, with most of the story lines tying to the sport in some way.

I thought it was absolutely hilarious from start to finish. What makes the show click so good right off the bat is the chemistry of the cast. I'm not sure how acquainted they are in real life but in the show they get on like they've been lifelong buddies which is perfect since their characters are exactly that. The writing is also very sharp and realistic for the setting of the show. I normally don't mention other reviewers but the guy that claimed he had played for 20 years and nothing was right was either lying or is talking from his 20 years playing NHL 96 maybe. I used to play myself and have showed it to many players - professional players as well - and everyone loved the quips.

I would highly recommend this show to anyone that loves hockey or hell, just enjoys a slightly edgy modern comedy. As it only had one season the episode count is fairly small at 8 episodes so you'll breeze through it no time and like me, probably will be lamenting its cancellation. It's a fun little show and one can't help but wonder what it could have been had it not been prematurely axed.

Yeah, this show sucks.

[pfbusche · 2/10 · 9 October 2015]

Not funny whatsoever. Playing 20 years of hockey nothing is accurate, the player stereotypes and the chirps are not even close to the real stuff. They basically gave a team of sub par writers that watch football and basketball $5,000 to write a show that should be canceled after the first season.NO HOCKEY FAN/PLAYER WILL SAY "NO REGRETZKIES." The show is just not good or will ever be good. If you're trying to get angry at a show watch this. There are a lot of quality fall shows on the major networks, and IFC makes a bunch of other great show, watch them, nothing like this show. If there are any positive reviews it is because they live underground and have never spoken to a single person and this the first show they will ever watch. You're better off watching anything else.

What the hell people!?!?!? This show deserves a 7+ rating!!

[davidjabad · 8/10 · 23 October 2015]

I'm gonna start with a cliché line and say that I created an account to write this review because I did for the main reason that the reviews/ratings this show is receiving baffles me completely. Hence my vote for an 8!! (But to be honest I could see it at 7.4) First off, I love comedy and tend to be very picky about what I watch (I have a system, believe me). I am constantly on the lookout for new & old shows and I have come to terms that although my taste is different from others, I can accept other peoples opinions and not force my taste onto them. That said, this show gets my approval. This show doesn't make my Top 5 favorite shows (Sherlock, Doctor Who, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Louie, Archer) or Top 20 but it does make my list of shows I download and keep in my most precious hard-drive to re-watch in the future and show my kids someday.

Now lets talk about "Benders"... I first discovered this show seeing the title on some ad and thought it was about life of gay people in the UK and was curious as to what it was since I clearly saw hockey players as well. I went to IMDb, looked it up, and saw it had no rating but the description and array of diverse actors and actresses compelled me to give it a shot... AKA some of the dudes were pretty attractive... (but also was desperate to find a quality show to follow since all my favorites keep getting cancelled). First episode wasn't the most impressive but it did make me laugh and that, to me, is a big deal since I feel I can sense bullsh*t a mile away and would rather not waste my time with crap TV. Seeing some of the reviews that are already written, I noticed people throwing similarities with another show "The League" and I thought that too-- but here is where they differ. I will also add that "The League" USED TO BE one of my favorite shows to watch but it kind of went downhill for me after Season 3 and it's desperately trying to get back to its roots of crude and witty humor but is somehow stuck in the belief that being over the top and unbelievable is the way to go (Maybe it's trying to contend with and become "It's Always Sunny" but that show has been ridiculous from the get-go and the comedy consistent and original which is why it's successful and one the best comedy shows created). What "Benders" succeeds in is that it captures the beginning essence of subtle but clever and crude comedy that "The League" began with in season 1 but can easily stand alone and be just another funny show revolved around a group of friends. . The cast is entertaining, the stories consistent and clear, and on top of that the humor is on the verge of inappropriate but absolutely relevant and tasteful.

I'm not a fantasy football guy nor am I a hockey player so I went into these shows blindly not knowing what to expect. I still watch "The League" weekly(since I am still hoping the writing will clean itself up) but at the same time I am eagerly excited to watch an episode of "Benders" as that has offered some solid jokes that I would love to just spurt out in the middle of a conversation (I've already used the "exzackary" joke from episode 2 which gets me every time and I'm Asain). This show, in my opinion, is worth the watch and worth a better rating which I have noticed has gone down since the last time I checked and I'm sad that I feel alone in seeing the potential this show has and what it can become.

Fresh humor that'll make you laugh out loud

[jovanovic_zoki · 9/10 · 26 September 2018]

It delivers new comedy material that is expected from a show by Dennis Leary. With a new and not well known cast, their timing and expressions are really enjoyable to watch. Especially in realistic settings it's delightful. Sadly I gotta rewatch the one season they have, would watch more if I could