ComScore

I Finally Binged 'The Pitt'—and I Couldn't Agree More with Its Rotten Tomatoes Rating

The people have spoken...

noah wyle the pitt max review
Photograph by Warrick Page/Max

As an entertainment editor, I watch (and review) a lot of content. I mean, every time I blink there's a new trending show on the Netflix top ten list. This means once in a while, a really great show temporarily slips through the cracks. It happened with Squid Game season two—where I absolutely disagreed with its Rotten Tomatoes score—and happened again with the first season of The Pitt on Max—where I absolutely agree with its Rotten Tomatoes score.

The Pitt has been receiving rave reviews from critics and viewers alike since it debuted back in January—and I'm here to add my own rave review to the mix.

the pitt review
Photograph by Warrick Page/Max

I'm sad I waited so long to give The Pitt a watch (or, more accurately, a binge considering how fast I flew through the episodes once I started). The Noah Wyle hospital series is really, really good. It's gritty, it's fast paced (without making me dizzy like The Bear does), it's well acted and it's just plain entertaining (and emotional).

According to Warner Bros.'s own description, "The Pitt is a realistic examination of the challenges facing healthcare workers in today’s America as seen through the lens of the frontline heroes working in a modern-day hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Each episode follows an hour of Dr. Robby’s (Wyle) 15-hour shift as the chief attendant in Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital’s emergency room." Think: 24 meets ER. (Coincidence that Wyle also starred in the latter?)

As I mentioned, the show boasts stellar acting across the board. Obviously, Wyle is a powerhouse as the (usually) likable lead. But he's also surrounded by quite the cast of mostly new faces: Tracey Ifeachor, Patrick Ball, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, Shabana Azeez and Katherine LaNasa. Don't recognize those names? I'm not surprised—but you will soon as they are bound to show up in a slew of upcoming shows and movies (in addition to The Pitt season two).

the pitt review
Photograph by Warrick Page/Max

The quick and quippy dialogue serves the actors well and delivers the same speed that made shows like ER and Chicago Hope so successful. However, in the best way possible, Grey's Anatomy this is not. It's much more grounded and realistic than Shonda's soapy series. There's a time and place for both kinds of hospital dramas, but in this case The Pitt smartly goes the realism direction.

the pitt review noah wyle
Photograph by Warrick Page/Max

As I mentioned, I very much agree with the show's Rotten Tomatoes score here. The series is "certified fresh" with a 95 percent rating from critics. And when it comes to audiences, the show boasts an impressive 88 percent on the "Popcornmeter."

None of this is surprising as The Pitt has been extremely buzzy all season long. And, by streaming standards, it's a hit in terms of viewership. According to Warner Brothers: "Max Original The Pitt concluded its first season [on April 10], capping off an unprecedented 13-week streak of week-over-week growth, with every single episode since its two-part premiere on January 9 outperforming the last."

the pitt review
Photograph by Warrick Page/Max

The studio continued, "The first 14 episodes are averaging over 10 million global viewers and growing," and, "The first episode has tallied 16.2 million global viewers thus far." Seriously impressive.

You can stream The Pitt season one in its entirely on Max now.

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Philip Mutz Headshot

VP, News and Entertainment

  • Oversees news and entertainment content
  • Is an award-winning playwright and has hosted two entertainment podcasts
  • Has 10+ years experience in entertainment coverage and viral media