House of Lies: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

58% Tomatometer 38 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings

Charming, fast-talking consultant Marty Kaan and his MBA-toting colleagues charm smug, unsuspecting corporate fat cats into closing deals while spending a fortune for their services. Kaan isn't above using any means -- or person -- necessary to get what he wants. Members of his team are razor-sharp Jeannie van der Hooven, an Ivy League alumna; lackadaisical Clyde Oberholt, who's a lady's man; and math guru Doug Guggenheim, who's awkward with women. Marty lives with his psychoanalyst father, son Roscoe and, as of Season 5, his baby daughter.

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House of Lies — Season 1

House of Lies — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

House of Lies is a stylish, cynical show with crackling dialogue, but frequently pushes bad taste and sex to the extreme.

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Critics Reviews

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House of Lies: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Kristy Puchko CinemaBlend Ultimately, House of Lies' first season shows some interesting avenues and intriguing characters, and offers plenty of panache and punch lines. Rated: 3/5 Sep 25, 2020 Full Review House of Lies: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Brian Tallerico HollywoodChicago.com Doesn't show you how smart and clever it is as much as begs you to think it so over and over and over again. But, thanks largely to its talented cast, it passes the ultimate test of a premiere. Rated: 3.5/5 Sep 25, 2020 Full Review House of Lies: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Luke De Smet Slant Magazine From its embellished execution to its uninspired writing and very conception, the smarmy House of Lies is like so many speculative financial bubbles that characters like Marty have had their hands in: There's just nothing there. Rated: 1/4 Jan 8, 2012 Full Review House of Lies: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Seth Freilich Pajiba I'm cautiously optimistic that House of Lies can find a groove and do something better with itself. Worst case, at least we get a season of Cheadle and Bell, and if that's all we get from the show, I'll take it. Sep 25, 2020 Full Review House of Lies: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Emily Breen HeyUGuys Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. In House of Lies' case it would be applied thus: just because Showtime allows you to show lady parts, doesn't mean you are compelled to slap them across every single episode. Rated: 2/5 Sep 25, 2020 Full Review House of Lies: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Kari Croop Common Sense Media As the rest of the story begins to take shape, a far more interesting character study emerges that gives lead actor Cheadle some great material to work with. Rated: 4/5 Sep 25, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Edy N One of the most engaging, funny, tongue and cheek shows we've seen in a long time. Raunchy, clever, yet not degrading. Smart writing invites you into the lives of these unpredictable characters. The acting is stellar and the cast works as an ensemble to make you feel as if you are right there with them. Not for the faint of heart for sexual innuendo, exposure and blatant overtures found in every episode. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/07/22 Full Review Audience Member An impressive comedy that follows the life of a Management Consultant expert Mary Kaan (Don Cheadle). A self centered opportunist with a gift for convincing clients they need him to help them with the operation of their companies. He is surrounded by a team of people called a 'Pod' that help him to do the analysis that helps him swing his pitch to his favor. Jeannie (Kiristen Bell) is his brilliant right hand woman. Clyde (Ben Schwarz) & Doug (Josh Lawson) round out the team. Marty meets with a big client only to cause a problem for one of it's executives by contributing to wrecking his marriage. The company hires him only later the man he hurt comes back and convinces his boss a merger with Management Consulting firm that Marty works for is a good idea. Marty does everything he can to prevent the merger while raising his cross dressing son Roscoe who is just as brilliant as his father while the mother Monica who is substance abusing Management Consultant fights for physical custody. Jeannie sabotages her engagement by sleeping with other men. Marty and his team keep up their successful pitches to clients while finding evidence that could shut down the merger. Jeannie ends up revealing something that hurts Galweather. Great show.... Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Slick looking but often fights off clichés both with its characters and writing. Manages to do just enough to keep me intrigued. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews

House of Lies — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

Don Cheadle Marty Kaan Kristen Bell Jeannie van der Hooven Ben Schwartz Clyde Oberholt Josh Lawson Doug Guggenheim Dawn Olivieri Monica Talbot Donis Leonard Jr. Roscoe Kaan
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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jan 8, 2012 Gods of Dangerous Financial Instruments Marty and The Pod travel to a New York bank looking for a plan to justify their year-end bonuses. Details Episode 2 Aired Jan 15, 2012 Amsterdam Marty and the team head to Phoenix when an NBA club is rocked by its owner's messy divorce; Roscoe's fashion style comes under fire. Details Episode 3 Aired Jan 22, 2012 Microphallus Marty discovers Greg Norbert is announcing the possible acquisition of Galweather. Details Episode 4 Aired Jan 29, 2012 Mini-Mogul Marty brings Roscoe to his next job in San Francisco when Jeremiah goes out of town; Jeannie reacts to her recent engagement. Details Episode 5 Aired Feb 5, 2012 Utah Jeannie is put in charge during a consultation; Clyde works on a Morman woman; Monica spends time with Roscoe. Details Episode 6 Aired Feb 12, 2012 Our Descent Into Los Angeles Marty goes head to head with Roscoe's school when his son is accused of sexual harassment; as Jeannie's wedding approaches, she starts to get cold feet. Details Episode 7 Aired Feb 19, 2012 Bareback Town Marty tries to stay monogamous while on the road; Jeannie must take one for the team; Jeremiah asks for April's discretion; Monica drops a bombshell. Details Episode 8 Aired Mar 4, 2012 Veritas Marty and the Pod participate in a recruiting event; Doug tries to prove he can coach candidates; Jeannie grills a new recruit. Details Episode 9 Aired Mar 11, 2012 Ouroboros A rival firm puts Marty through the ringer; Jeannie fails to keep the marriage a secret; April and Roscoe bond. Details Episode 10 Aired Mar 18, 2012 Prologue and Aftermath Jeannie leads the Pod to her hometown; Marty enters into a custody mediation. Details Episode 11 Aired Mar 25, 2012 Business Marty and "The Rainmaker" work to stop the acquisition; Roscoe gives Marty attitude. Details Episode 12 Aired Apr 1, 2012 The Mayan Apocalypse Marty and the Pod pull off an 11th-hour reprieve; Jeannie makes a decision about Wes; Roscoe makes a life-altering choice. Details

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House of Lies — Season 1

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Executive Producer
Jessika Borsiczky, Matthew McNair Carnahan, Stephen Hopkins, Don Cheadle

Network
Showtime

Rating
TV-MA

Genre
Comedy, Drama

Original Language
English

Release Date
Jan 8, 2012
House of Lies: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)
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