Season 1 – Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life

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Jan 2016

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

50%

Tomatometer

20 Reviews

57%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Jack Cutmore-Scott stars as Cooper Barrett in a comedy that explores the often-messy -- but also frequently hilarious -- stage of life after college when people are still searching for their places in the world. Cooper doesn't have a job that he really wants, and has fallen for his neighbor, Kelly Bishop (Meaghan Rath). His roommate, Neal (Charlie Saxton) is stuck in a relationship with a bodybuilder, and another roommate, Barry, has a difficult time avoiding trouble. Despite all the struggles and misadventures, the gang always has each other to depend on.

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Critics Consensus

Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life wins points for earnestness and a slight progressive slant, but an overall lack of smarts or structure keeps the show from living up to its full potential.

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Robert Lloyd

Los Angeles Times

Jan 4, 2016

As it goes on, the show becomes less of a bro-fest, a bro-stock, a bro-achella and more of a balanced coed ensemble comedy.

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David Wiegand

San Francisco Chronicle

Jan 4, 2016

2.5/4

Once you survive that first episode, Cooper Barrett's Guide isn't bad at all.

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Jeff Jensen

Entertainment Weekly

Jan 4, 2016

C+

While the show is cluttered with real twentysomething concerns -- money, dating, Instagram -- I can't imagine real millennials seeing much of themselves in this show.

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Joyce Slaton

Common Sense Media

Jan 12, 2016

2/5

Appealing actors in seen-it-before ensemble comedy.

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Matt Conway

The Young Folks

Jan 4, 2016

7/10

Considering the problems pilots often have, Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life is off to a surprisingly solid start.

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Nick Venable

CinemaBlend

Jan 4, 2016

2.5/5

The actual comedy came far less frequently than the show seemed to think it did.

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Apr 22, 2021

Cooper barrett's guide to surviving life adds good comedy along with a some fun adventure action as well as dumb, funny, sweet comedic thriller and a creative screenplay.

May 16, 2016

So many shows are different after the pilot, and this is one of them. The pilot is excellent and funny, but every episode after is just alright, and not nearly as well made, and not funny at all. And episode 3 is the worst episode. Victoria Justice kills it, with a great performance, and her character is great. I wish she was in more than just 2 episodes though. But those episodes are better than the rest! I predicted she would be in one of the last 3 that weren't being aired till June, and she was! She was in the finale! Since the finale is one of the episodes that wasn't as bad as the rest, that was really good for the series. To start and end on a high note! But still none compare to the pilot! This show is just alright, and I'm not surprised it was cancelled, especially with horrible ratings, and not fresh reviews.

Apr 5, 2016

The humor is forced in the show. And who is to believe anyone in the show is really that stupid? The show is telling you that he's doing all the dumb things, so you don't have to, yet it's an insult to our intelligence, as if we're not smarter than a box of rocks to know not do to the stupid things they do... constantly.

Jan 31, 2016

I've seen the first two episodes so far, and I really like it ! :) it's funny, I like the humor, the characters are good, and I really like the "tone"

Jan 17, 2016

Nothing special, not bad.

Jan 7, 2016

it looks like Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide in the way of telling the story. It is entertaining, very funny, to be the pilot, gives good signs.

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Jay Lacopo

Creator

James Griffiths

Director

Jack Cutmore-Scott

Cooper Barrett

Meaghan Rath

Kelly Bishop

Charlie Saxton

Neal

James Earl

Barry

Episode 1

Aired Jan 3, 2016

How to Survive Your Loveable Jackass

While navigating life after college, Cooper struggles with his feelings for a neighbor, searches for his dream job and tries to stay out of trouble.

Details

Episode 2

Aired Jan 10, 2016

How to Survive Insufficient Funds

The guys decide to participate in a drug trial to earn some quick cash, but their plan is derailed by Paula Abdul; Kelly is faced with an awkward situation.

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Episode 3

Aired Jan 17, 2016

How to Survive Being a Plus One

Kelly asks Cooper to go with her to her ex-boyfriend's wedding in Mexico; Neal, Barry, Josh and Leslie come to Kelly and Cooper's rescue when things take an unfortunate turn.

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Episode 4

Aired Feb 14, 2016

How to Survive Losing Your Phone

When Cooper is devastated after losing his phone, the guys are willing to do anything to help him get it back; Kelly and Leslie's karaoke duet turns into a bar brawl.

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Episode 5

Aired Feb 21, 2016

How to Survive Your Roommate's Girlfriend

Cooper, Neal and Kelly try to help when Barry seems to be moving too fast with his new girlfriend, Ashley; Josh gets into trouble after trying to outshine a co-worker.

Details

Episode 6

Aired Mar 6, 2016

How to Survive Your Horrible Landlord

At Kelly's urging, Cooper meets with his landlord in hopes of getting things fixed at their place; an epic battle ensues.

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Episode 7

Aired Mar 13, 2016

How to Survive Old Friends

Everyone is initially excited when Cameron, a friend from college, visits, but he quickly wears out his welcome.

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Episode 8

Aired Apr 3, 2016

How to Survive Your Crazy Ex

Cooper suffers public humiliation when his ex resurfaces; Kelly meets a man whose love of competition rivals her own; Josh tries to exclude Leslie from group activities.

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Episode 9

Aired Apr 10, 2016

How to Survive Working With Friends

Cooper gets all the credit for Barry's grandmother's hangover cure, leaving Barry and Neil frustrated; the gang bands together to stop a rival CEO from stealing the hangover cure crown.

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Episode 10

Aired Apr 17, 2016

How to Survive Your Parents' Visit

When Cooper and Josh's parents visit, the boys try to behave, but the revelation of a secret leads to mayhem and a run-in with rapper Juicy J; Barry helps Neal with an addiction.

Details

Episode 11

Aired Jun 12, 2016

How to Survive Your Emotional Baggage

Neal refuses to work with a potential buyer for Barry's Grandma's Hangover Cure; Kelly is obsessed with what's behind a secret door at Josh and Leslie's place.

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Episode 12

Aired Jun 12, 2016

How to Survive Dating

Cooper and Kelly pretend to enjoy dating other people in an attempt to make each other jealous; Neal and Barry date a polyamorous woman.

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Episode 13

Aired Jun 26, 2016

How to Survive Your Birthday

The gang throws Cooper a surprise birthday party, but things get out of hand when Kelly sees Cooper and Ramona sharing a kiss.

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Director: James Griffiths
Creator: Jay Lacopo
Executive Producer: Gail Berman, Bill Callahan, James Griffiths, Jay Lacopo
Screenwriter: Amelie Gillette
Network: Fox
Rating: TV-14 (L|V)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date: Jan 3, 2016

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Season 1 – Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life

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