The Hawk; Ride Or Die

“In theory, The Hawk could work as a comfort watch: there is something cosily retro about seeing [Will] Ferrell clown around, while the complete lack of meaty subject matter means the show is clearly designed to be consumed absent-mindedly. But the appeal of such nostalgia is highly variable. There are endless jokes about men being gay. At one point, Hawkins explains the difference between a hot streak and a run using a graphic metaphor about defecating. Chamillionaire’s 2006 hit Ridin’ gets a spin, while Sisqó’s Thong Song soundtracks Hawkins cavorting on the golf course in red underwear. His estranged wife Stacy (Ferrell’s 1990s Saturday Night Live castmate Molly Shannon) is perpetually furious and foul-mouthed, but while the script is clearly aiming for amusing profanity, she just ends up repeatedly threatening to rip off men’s genitals. Yet the thing that feels most dated is the sheer length of the comic riffs: what you presume to be a two-line gag about, say, Hawkins wearing a women’s top, seems to go on for ever. Comedy has clearly sped up over the past two decades.”
Rachel Aroesti, The Guardian

“There’s a big, gooey soft-heartedness at play too, and you may find yourself laughing guiltily at Hawk’s more Ron Burgundy moments, such as when he burbles, “Keep in mind, this was the early 2000s, homosexuality was a new thing — we knew very little about it.” Suffice it to say, this is a comedy with the nutritional value of a jelly doughnut. One of the funnier moments comes when the idiotic Hawk is being reprimanded by Stacy, but he keeps hearing the word “doughnut” come out of her mouth (he’s distracted by the tower of sugary goodies nearby). It’s then you realise who this would be the ideal Netflix binge for: Homer Simpson. It’s a show to be watched while drinking beer and belching out loud. Judged in that way, it’s a winner.”
James Jackson, The Times

“I suspect there is a limited golf/US TV comedy Venn diagram crossover and that those who are in it will spend a lot of their viewing time noting the interchangeability of this, the most recent golf comedy, and the ones that came out less than a year ago. But as a keen golfer myself, as well as a keen student of infantile humour and spoofing, I recommend playing the whole course.”
Benji Wilson, Telegraph

“Female assassins are all the rage on streaming services – Keira Knightley started it in Black Doves, followed by Keeley Hawes in The Assassin. The USP of Ride or Die is that it has two women as the leads, and their middle-aged friendship is at the heart of the show. The script, from writer Tessa Coates, makes pointed references to ageism but they feel a bit laboured (perhaps because Coates, as far as I can tell, is under 40 so isn’t writing from experience). “You’re a WOACA – Woman of a Certain Age – and for whatever reason, I’d say it was you turning 50, you’ve started acting out,” says Judith’s patronising male handler after she stops playing by the rules.”
Anita Singh, Telegraph