The Riches: FX

“Watching these dashing desperados stay one step ahead of disaster is what makes "The Riches" such dark, suspenseful fun. Seeing the radically different ways their high-wire act affects each of them gives it depth and emotional resonance.” (Joanne Weintraub, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

“Will it hold up this season? Let’s hope so. "The Riches" is gloriously inventive, daring and provocative, with excellent performances. The main worry is that this 13-episode season has been trimmed to seven because of the writers’ strike, and a clean ending is unlikely. Do you invest the time, knowing the risk? Of course you do. This is America. Go big or go home.” (Tim Goodman, San Francisco Chronicle)

“I didn’t need the show to turn into a madcap romp where Wayne and Dahlia are swapping wisecracks as they bilk rich suckers out of their unearned fortunes, but give me some relief on occasion, please.” (Alan Sepinwall, Newark Star-Ledger)

“We’re supposed to wonder if the Malloys will be able to get out of Eden Falls, and if Doug will exit his corporate job. But the truth is, these folks don’t demonstrate much of a desire to go anywhere new.” (Maureen Ryan, Chicago Tribune)

“The four episodes I’ve seen of season 2 are lovable and frustrating in the same ways. The Malloys/Riches deal with having been discovered by an old friend of the real Doug Rich and becoming ever more deeply ensnared in their own fraud (complicating the picture, Wayne now has a big secret from Dahlia, which I won’t spoil). It also continues to pile scam upon scam,potential discovery on potential discovery, and it sometimes loses credibility in its determination to constantly ratchet up the pressure on the family. If you can get past that, the show is still a rich pleasure.” (James Poniewozik, Time)

"The Riches" is never going to be mistaken for a realistic drama of upward mobility, but it is a surprisingly perceptive critique of bourgeois aspirations. Every opportunity the family of grifters has to make money is presented as a Faustian deal that has to be paid off with somebody’s blood.” (Tony Norman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

 “Social commentary, modern family analysis, relationship drama, dark comedy and critique of runaway capitalism . . . "The Riches" has it all, including an artistic, cross-dressing young son (an inside nod to the real-life Izzard?).” (Joanne Ostrow, Denver Post)

“The characters are strong, the plotting capable of surprise. There’s too much blood for some tastes, I am sure, but I can see why FX thought this might appeal to the audience for "The Shield," "Rescue Me" and "Dirt." It doesn’t rank with the best work of "The Shield" and "Rescue Me," but it’s better than the worst of "Rescue Me" and I would much rather watch "The Riches" than "Dirt." So I’ll see how ensuing episodes look. But for now, it starts well — with well including sad, funny and twisted.” (Heldenfiles Online)

“If Izzard, Driver, and the rest of the cast didn’t have the chemistry that they so clearly do, the plot by itself would not be enough of a reason to tune in. It was during The Riches’ first season, but this year it’s starting to feel a little stale. The Malloys are a family of Travellers, and they ought to do just that. And, failing that (which I’ll grant is difficult if the show wants to keep calling itself The Riches), perhaps they shouldn’t be so quick to abandon the moments of levity that helped make season one so much fun.” (Josh Lasser, Blogcritics Magazine)