New streaming platform Quibi has officially launched, rolling out dozens of scripted shows (or, in Quibi terms, “movies in chapters”), unscripted series, and documentaries that are designed to be consumed in “quick bites” of 10 minutes or less. Each show has launched with three episodes so you can get a taste of the series, with new installments rolling out every weekday – but are any of them worth your time?
Here are our reactions to the 24 scripted, unscripted, and documentary series you can watch on Quibi right now, from Sophie Turner’s thriller Survive to Chrissy Teigen’s courtroom comedy Chrissy’s Court. We’ve given each series a traditional verdict and score out of 10, along with our recommendation whether it’s worth watching or skipping – with the acknowledgment that some shows around the 6-7 range could go either way, depending on your tastes.
Quibi is currently available for a free 90-day trial if you sign up before the end of April; after the trial, Quibi will cost $4.99 with ads and $7.99 without ads. Other series, including Sam Raimi’s 50 States of Fright and Idris Elba’s reality series Elba v. Block, will roll out in the coming weeks.
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Quibi’s Scripted Shows:
Most Dangerous Game
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Official Synopsis: Desperate to take care of his pregnant wife before a terminal illness can take his life, Dodge Tynes (Liam Hemsworth) accepts an offer to participate in a deadly game where he’s the prey. This dystopian action-thriller explores the limits of how far someone would go to fight for their life and their family. Let the games begin.
Verdict: The first four episodes are decidedly action-free and trope-heavy while also barely advancing the plot beyond what one or two episodes could have established. So far this formulaic spin on the classic humans-hunting-humans story plays like a standard direct-to-video genre flick – Jim Vejvoda
Score: 5
Watch or Skip: Skip
When the Streetlights Go On
Official Synopsis: After the murder of a beautiful young girl rocks a suburban community, the victim’s sister and her high school peers must struggle to find a sense of normalcy while coming of age in the midst of the murder investigation.
Verdict: This atmospheric murder-mystery has shades of Twin Peaks and Veronica Mars, as we follow a high school newspaper reporter (Chosen Jacobs) dealing with a double murder that’s rocked his small hometown. The slow-burn unfolding mystery is intriguing but the voiceover from the protagonist’s older self has yet to prove why it’s necessary beyond exposition. – Jim Vejvoda
Score: 7
Watch or Skip: Watch
Survive
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Official Synopsis: Jane (Sophie Turner) wants to end it all. Then a plane crash almost ends it for her. Now she’s crawling from the wreckage with the only other survivor (Corey Hawkins) and a new drive to stay alive. Together they embark on a harrowing journey out of the wilderness, battling brutal conditions and personal traumas in this thrilling drama based on the critically acclaimed novel, Survive, by Alex Morel.
Verdict: The most depressing of the Quibi shows, Survive takes a sharp left turn after its first two morose episodes when the two main protagonists survive a mountaintop plane crash. While the premise is definitely intriguing — a suicidal person forced to stay alive because someone else’s life depends on it — Survive showcases some very melodramatic moments of acting that often feels like a drama class exercise. Still, having only seen the first four chapters, it’s possible Survive improves in future chapters now that all the emotional set-up is out of the way. – Jim Vejvoda
Score: 6
Watch or Skip: Watch (with reservations)
Flipped
Official Synopsis: Cricket (Kaitlin Olson) and Jann (Will Forte) think they have what it takes to become TV’s newest house-flipping couple. Unfortunately, a Mexican drug cartel thinks so too. Now the delusional duo has to survive their newest project — renovating the cartel’s mansions.
Verdict: Will Forte and Kaitlin Olson are hilarious in this absurd depiction of two people oblivious to their own mediocrity who nevertheless luck their way into a more successful position. Flipped transcends a premise that could have easily been just an SNL skit thanks to the charm of its two leads and the show’s sharp, witty writing. – Jim Vejvoda
Score: 8
Watch or Skip: Watch
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Quibi’s Unscripted Shows and Documentaries
Thanks a Million
Official Synopsis: Executive produced by Jennifer Lopez, this emotional and inspiring series features grateful public figures who kickstart a chain of kindness by gifting $100,000 to an unsuspecting individual who must pay it forward.
Verdict: Watching celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Kevin Hart give tens of thousands of dollars to individuals who have inspired them is heartwarming. And what makes Thanks a Million even more endearing is that the recipients of the money must split their respective earnings in half and share it with someone else. The series is effectively able to show people from all walks of life being generous and the transformative effect it can have on them. – David Griffin
Score: 8
Watch or Skip: Watch
Punk’d
Official Synopsis: Hosted and Executive Produced by Chance the Rapper, PUNK’D dares to go where no show has gone before. Now that technology can really augment reality, we’re back to pull the boldest pranks on the biggest stars in Hollywood. No one is safe.
Verdict: Chance the Rapper attempts to breathe new life into the series that Ashton Kutcher helped create back in 2003 with a new batch of pranks involving celebrities. While some of the hijinks are awkwardly funny at times, Punk’d ultimately feels uninspired and doesn’t bring anything new to the genre. – David Griffin
Score: 5
Watch or Skip: Skip
You Ain’t Got These
Official Synopsis: This is not a show about sneakers. It’s a show about sneaker culture. Fitting in. And belonging to something bigger than yourself. Best of all? Lena Waithe is in it.
Verdict: Executive producer and host Lena Waithe takes an engaging dive into the history of sneakers in America and how it has impacted the culture. Waithe, being a “sneakerhead” herself, is an excellent choice to guide newcomers and sneaker aficionados alike with her informative interviews with NBA stars, comedians, musicians, and historians. If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about what makes brands like Jordan and Yeezy so desirable, give You Ain’t Got These a try. – David Griffin
Score: 9
Watch or Skip: Watch
Run This City
Official Synopsis: Run This City is a series that follows Jasiel Correia II as he navigates his role as the youngest mayor of Fall River, MA ever elected to office. When the FBI indicts him for his former company, Correia vows to fight the charges and be vindicated.
Verdict: While not quite as outlandish and “meme worthy” as Netflix’s Tiger King docuseries, Run This City has enough provocative moments to keep you engaged. The story of Fall River’s youngest mayor isn’t just about day-to-day politics, but also sex, drugs, and the criminal underground. Jasiel Correia II’s ambitious quest to become the king of a small American city makes for a compelling character study. – David Griffin
Score: 8
Watch or Skip: Watch
Chrissy’s Court
Official Synopsis: Real people. Real cases. And real, legally binding decisions. If you thought Chrissy Teigen couldn’t become an actual courtroom judge, you’ve been overruled. In each episode of Chrissy’s Court, Chrissy Teigen reigns supreme as the “judge” over one small claims case. Chrissy’s mom turned “bailiff,” Pepper Thai, maintains order in the courtroom.
Verdict: Chrissy Teigen channels her inner Judge Judy for this lighthearted reality series which sees the model and host presiding over a variety of absurd (but apparently real) small claims cases – one per each six-minute episode. Teigen keeps things lively with celebrity guests and banter with her “bailiff” mom, but your mileage for this show may vary based on your appreciation of the host – the cases are decidedly frivolous, and some are more interesting than others. – Laura Prudom
Score: 7
Watch or Skip: Watch (but you’ll know after one episode whether this is for you).
The Shape of Pasta
Official Synopsis: Chef Evan Funke. Italy. And the pursuit of pasta perfection. He’s uncovering the craft and culture behind some rare and forgotten pasta shapes. We dare you not to drool. Follow Chef Evan Funke’s passion-filled quest to find the last remaining masters of the world’s most beloved food… pasta. Join his whirlwind tour of Italy to keep these traditions alive.
Verdict: Chef Evan Funke’s exploration of rare pasta shapes is an enlightening experience for any foodie. Echoing the late Anthony Bourdain, the LA-based chef’s travels uncover fascinating details about not only the food found in these remote Italian villages, but also the culture and history that shapes them (pun intended). However, unlike Bourdain’s Parts Unknown or No Reservations, which gave viewers close to an hour of content, The Shape of Pasta’s “10-minute or less” runtime feels insufficient. – David Griffin
Score: 7
Watch or Skip: Watch
The Sauce
Official Synopsis: The Sauce follows dance sensations Ayo & Teo as they explore the unique dance cultures in cities across the U.S., finding the freshest online talent to compete head-to-head for a cash prize… Usher will serve as judge for this fresh dance competition series.
Verdict: Ayo & Teo’s quest to find the best dancers throughout America is an entertaining glimpse into the world of dance. The Sauce does a solid job of breaking down each dance move that’s used during a particular routine, however, there is very little time spent on the cultural impact and importance of dance as a whole. For someone who knows very little about dance, The Sauce doesn’t provide enough context for the uninitiated. – David Griffin
Number Score: 6
Watch or Skip: Skip
Memory Hole
Official Synopsis: Memory Hole is a smart, biting, and hilarious ride exploring the archives of the most cringe-worthy events in pop culture. The first season aims its laser-focused comedy on Canada. Hosted by one of Canada’s esteemed exports, Will Arnett takes viewers on a comedic journey skewering a myriad of topics most of us forgot or never even knew existed. Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Memory Hole is here to help.
Verdict: With a talented funnyman like Will Arnett as a host, you’d think Memory Hole would use his comedic savvy to its full potential. Sadly, this historical pop culture series relegates Arnett to simply reading off of a teleprompter as he recounts cringe-worthy moments from Canada’s past, like the opening ceremony for Toronto’s Skydome and the Calgary Hockey team’s atrocious theme song. And while it can be amusing to watch some of these embarrassing moments in Canada’s history, it feels like Arnett’s talents are wasted here. – David Griffin
Score: 5
Watch Or Skip: Skip
Singled Out
Official Synopsis: Hosted by Keke Palmer and Joel Kim Booster, Singled Out will hook up a new generation of singles, of all genders and sexual preferences, seeking love in 20 bite-sized episodes. Reflective of today’s dating landscape, where everyone is connected, the series will bring online dating to life with a twist — the main dater is linked to the pool of diverse singles through social media.
Verdict: Singled Out doesn’t give viewers an ample amount of time to get to know each contestant like ABC’s The Bachelor or Netflix’s Love Is Blind, but that’s kind of the point. The frenetic pace of the speed-dating rounds, which uses clever games and playful questions to narrow the dating pool, make Singled Out an enjoyable watch from start to finish, even if many of the guests are pretty forgettable. – David Griffin
Score: 7
Watch or Skip: Watch
Skrrt with Offset
Official Synopsis: Offset is a big fan of cars. His garage has over 30 sports and luxury cars. This series follows him as he joins his celebrity and rapper friends — like Quavo, Lil Yachty and T-Pain — exploring all things cars.
Verdict: With no shortage of car enthusiast programs on traditional cable channels and digital streaming platforms like YouTube, Skrrt with Offset enters a crowded marketplace. Thankfully, Offset is a compelling host, mixing his passion for cars with a bit of his personal life that really draws the viewer in. In one episode, Offset treats a group of young children battling cancer with a high-end electric car race. It’s a heartwarming episode elevated by Offset’s personal story about his grandmother’s battle with cancer. – David Griffin
Score: 8
Watch or Skip: Watch
Gone Mental with Lior
Official Synopsis: Lior Suchard is the world’s best mentalist — he literally can read your mind. He teams with a featured celebrity and runs him or her through a string of mindblowing mental stunts.
Verdict: Renowned mentalist Lior Suchard takes celebrities on a mind-bending journey that defies belief. Like any good magician, each episode of Gone Mental with Lior will (probably) leave you asking, “how did he do it?” Suchard is definitely the draw here with his charm and quick thinking – so while it’s nice to see Ben Stiller and Ludacris with baffled looks on their faces, the participants could have easily been any random person off the street. It’s Suchard’s mind games that are the most memorable part of the show. – David Griffin
Score: 7
Watch or Skip: Watch
I Promise
Official Synopsis: Executive produced by Lebron James, I Promise is an original documentary series featuring an in-depth look at the first academic year inside the groundbreaking I Promise School that opened its doors in 2018. I Promise tells the story of LeBron James’ efforts to close the achievement gap in his hometown of Akron, Ohio through the eyes of the inspiring students who are resetting expectations of their futures. The series will explore the day-to-day trials, triumphs, and life-changing impact of the school staff, students and families working together in a unique, family-first educational environment that embraces the trauma and challenges many face in Akron.
Verdict: I Promise is a heartfelt look at NBA star Lebron James’ ambitious dream of helping at-risk youths in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. The docuseries does an admirable job of not solely focusing on James’ star power, but also taking into account the powerful stories of the kids attending the school and the hardships they face both at school and at home. This emotionally stirring journey into the public school system, and how it might be changed for the better, should not be missed. – David Griffin
Score: 9
Watch or Skip: Watch
Dishmantled
Official Synopsis: From the Creator and Executive Producer of Chopped comes Dishmantled, a high-octane cooking competition that will literally blow your socks off. Hosted by Tituss Burgess, each episode starts with the cannon-blasting of a mystery food dish into the faces of two blindfolded chefs. They’ll use their culinary prowess to identify the exploded dish and then race against the clock to recreate it. Whichever chef comes closest to the original dish wins a cash prize.
Verdict: This is, by far, the stupidest concept for a show I’ve ever heard, but there’s just something so delightfully insane about shooting contestants in the face with a cannon full of mashed up ingredients and expecting them to detective their way into a fully-formed meal, I can’t get enough of it. I’m not proud of it, but just trying to explain Dishmantled to someone made me cry with laughter, so sometimes you’ve just got to trust your gut. – Laura Prudom
Score: 8
Watch or Skip: Watch
Murder House Flip
Official Synopsis: From the Executive Producer of CSI, Murder House Flip is an unconventional new home renovation show that takes on the country’s most infamous homes: the ones known for mysterious murders committed behind their walls. Homeowners turn to high-end renovation experts, Mikel Welch and Joelle Uzyel, to remove the stains of the past and take these homes from morbid to marvelous.
Verdict: An ingenious combination of two addictive genres – true crime and home renovation – Murder House Flip is one of those ideas that seems so obviously interesting, it’s surprising it took someone this long to invent it. Judging by the screeners sent to critics, each renovation will take place over the span of three six-minute episodes, but by combining the grisly history of the home with the makeover, the actual renovation gets short shrift. This is one format that seems like it would benefit from a traditional hourlong presentation; it leaves you with the sense that a lot was probably left on the cutting room floor. – Laura Prudom
Score: 8
Watch or Skip: Watch
Fierce Queens
Official Synopsis: Presented by Reese Witherspoon, this nature series explores the fabulous females of the animal kingdom. From ant queens to speedy cheetahs, they call the shots in their world and sit at the top of the social hierarchy earning them the title “fierce queens”. From the multi-award-winning BBC Studios Natural History Unit, this documentary series will bring you the most dramatic natural history stories from a fresh female perspective.
Verdict: Bookended by unnecessary exposition from Reese Witherspoon, who also narrates, these beautifully-shot mini nature docs dig into some fascinating stories of female animal behavior – from cheetahs to hyenas to ants – but the impact is somewhat blunted by an awkward insistence on framing these stories with clunky feminist jargon, which ends up feeling more distracting than empowering. – Laura Prudom
Score: 6
Watch or Skip: Skip
Prodigy
Official Synopsis: Hosted by Megan Rapinoe, each episode highlights one Prodigy’s unprecedented athletic accomplishments, while also diving deep into their origin stories to introduce the Prodigies to the world in a powerful, unique way. Each episode will inspire not only sports fans, but fans of the human experience, all while honoring the villages that helped them earn the numerous National, World and Olympic Championships they have obtained early in their young careers.
Verdict: Prodigy is an engaging bite-sized sports docuseries that highlights some of the best athletes in the world. Each episode is able to not only shine a light on what makes each athlete so dynamic in their respective sport, but also gives the viewer a glimpse into the everyday lives of these prodigies with compelling interviews with family and friends. If you like ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 series, then Prodigy will definitely scratch that sports documentary itch. – David Griffin
Score: 8
Watch or Skip: Watch
Gayme Show!
Official Synopsis: Hosted by comedians Matt Rogers and Dave Mizzoni, GAYME SHOW! is a comedic competition show that uplifts and celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. In each episode, two straight contestants are paired with a celebrity “life partner” as they battle head to head in physical, mental and even emotional challenges for the title of “Queen of the Straights.” Some of the celebrity “life partners” include: Ilana Glazer, D’Arcy Carden, Trixie Mattel, Jon Lovett, Nicole Byer, Rachel Bloom, Guy Branum and more.
Verdict: There’s something delightfully chintzy about this unabashedly ridiculous game show, in which straight guys participate in a number of random challenges to determine who is honorarily “gay as f–k.” It’s silly and digestible and ultimately disposable, and doesn’t really require much deeper examination than that. – Laura Prudom
Score: 7
Watch or Skip: Watch
&Music
Official Synopsis: &Music shines the spotlight on the unsung artists and surprising elements behind the world’s biggest music stars. Each episode will reveal an unprecedented look at a vital behind-the-scenes collaborator that transforms the performance of an iconic musical artist into a cultural phenomenon.
Verdict: &Music feels like an Apple show, in that it’s very slick, somewhat overproduced, and a little clinical. It’s ostensibly designed to showcase under-appreciated roles in the music industry, but the finished product doesn’t make much of a case for the show’s existence, making a vibrant industry feel kind of dull. – Laura Prudom
Score: 5
Watch or Skip: Skip
NightGowns
Official Synopsis: Full of heart, humor, and a hell of a lot of glitter, NightGowns follows Sasha over the course of eight episodes as she adapts her critically-acclaimed Brooklyn drag revue into a full-on stage production—and the biggest drag showcase of her life. Part performance documentary, part portrait of the artist, we’ll watch Velour work with each member of her uniquely inclusive ensemble to craft the lip-sync performances of their wildest dreams. Each installment draws us to one performer in particular and pulls back the curtain on their life out of drag, their process, and their story, culminating in a made-for-mobile visual expression of their live number, directed by legendary music video director Sophie Muller. The result will be something totally new: live drag, designed for the screen. Eight iconic, shareable, must-watch performances that redefine what drag can be.
Verdict: Fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race will find plenty to love in this colorful dive into the making of Sasha Velour’s iconic drag revue, offering welcome insight into the hard work and creativity that goes into each performance, and spotlighting the drag queens and kings behind the show. But those hoping for deeper insight into Velour as a person and not just a mentor to other queens may be left wanting more. – Laura Prudom
Score: 8
Watch or Skip: Watch
Nikki Fre$h
Official Synopsis: Starring and executive produced by Nicole Richie, ‘Nikki Fre$h’ unites her passions for Mother Earth and hip hop into her eponymous alter ego, Nikki Fre$h. Nikki brings a new voice to wellness with a totally fresh style of music – dropping socially conscious and educational rhymes on the world. Nikki Fre$h will interact with real life seekers and consciousness experts to learn ways to better serve our bodies and our planet — while comedically exaggerating those solutions to the edge of sanity.
Verdict: Perhaps unexpectedly the most fully-formed of Quibi’s launch titles, this semi-scripted comedy utilizes Nicole Ritchie’s self-aware comedic timing to poke fun at her public persona, recasting herself as a wannabe trap music and wellness star. She’s happy to accost unsuspecting members of the public (and celebrities) to hawk her “healthy” products, and take advantage of her husband Joel Madden’s record label to create some infuriatingly catchy and well-produced songs about saving the bees and appreciating ugly vegetables, resulting in an oddly charming and easily bingeable watch that is 100 percent ridiculous, and embraces it. – Laura Prudom
Score: 9
Watch or Skip: Watch
Have you tried Quibi yet? Share your reactions to the first wave of shows in the comments below.
Source: IGN.com Quibi Show Reviews: What to Watch and What to Skip