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Season 1 – Downward Dog

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Downward Dog May 2017 Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 27 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Martin is the lonely, philosophical type. Martin is also a dog. That doesn't stop him from making observations on the life of his owner, struggling millennial, Nan, and the complexity of relationships in the 21st century. While both are waging their own battles concerning life in the modern age, a session at obedience school makes it clear to both of them that even at their lowest points, they might just be the best thing for each other. Executive producer Samm Hodges also provides the voice for Martin.

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Downward Dog — Season 1

Downward Dog — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

The adorable and insightful -- though sometimes grating -- titular pet elevates Downward Dog from its potentially "ruff" premise into a sweet, intellectual comedy.

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Critics Reviews

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Kathryn VanArendonk New York Magazine/Vulture 05/22/2020
Through a weirdly successful perspective, Downward Dog's weird gimmick premise becomes a good vehicle for telling stories about its female protagonist. Go to Full Review David Canfield Slate 05/22/2020
The show's insight into the dog-owner dynamic is its most nuanced element, in many ways because of the way it spins a notoriously corny gimmick into something meditative and soulful. Go to Full Review Neil Genzlinger New York Times 05/21/2020
[The dog] is unfunny, uninsightful and - once the curiosity factor wears off, which is almost immediately - unwatchable. The humans in the show aren't much better. Go to Full Review Joel Keller Decider 05/22/2020
What's surprising, though, is that Downward Dog is one of the better new network shows of the season. After watching the first four episodes, the show has been at turns charming, dramatic, and laugh-out-loud funny. Go to Full Review Ken Tucker Yahoo! TV 05/22/2020
The problem with Downward Dog is that, although it's nicely scruffy around the edges, it's essentially a gimmick show with not enough funny lines to make Martin's sonorous narration appealing after you listen to him for more than 15 minutes. Go to Full Review Jess Joho Mashable 05/21/2020
A talking animal sitcom might sound like a hard pill to swallow. To extend the metaphor, though, it's a pill slathered in lots of peanut butter - a treat that overwhelms the senses with pure joy. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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03/14/2019 Loved this show. The dog was so awesome. Seeing the world from his perspective. Why why did they cancel it? See more 04/05/2018 With high ratings from both critics & audience, how did this show get cancelled after only 8 episodes? Great cast & acting. Wonderful concept & deliverance, all through the viewpoint of the ever analysing dog mArtin. So sad tv networks don't give a new show a better chance to catch on. Bought the 8 ep series & now have it basically memorized. See more j n @RT98589995 03/02/2018 ABC really screwed the pooch on this one. It could have been a huge hit if they had aired it in good time slots and promoted it. Funny and sweet. See more 08/01/2017 The worst show in the history of television possibly. This show simply had no redeeming qualities, from a ridiculous premise and cast full of unlikable horrible people for characters to the overwhelming sense of depression, there is nothing to like here. See more 07/30/2017 Just binge watched this show, only to discover its been cancelled. So sorry - I really looked forward to seeing more! See more 07/28/2017 This show is one calm funny irony after another. What a refreshing change! See more Read all reviews
Downward Dog — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Allison Tolman

Nan

Lucas Neff

Jason

Kirby

Jenn

Barry Rothbart

Kevin

Samm Hodges

Martin

Ayden Mayeri

Gwen

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired May 17, 2017 Pilot Nan struggles with a breakup and Martin's bad behavior, as he acts out in response to her newly busy work schedule. Details Episode 2 Aired May 23, 2017 Boundaries When Nan installs an automatic dog door so Jason can still walk Martin, Martin believes he's using his mind to open the door; Nan's boss spirals into confusion as he struggles to understand the new ad campaign she sold. Details Episode 3 Aired May 30, 2017 Loyalty Nan brings Martin to work with her, hoping to keep her boss from further interfering in her ad campaign. Details Episode 4 Aired Jun 6, 2017 The Full Package Hoping to score a date, Nan asks an attractive dog owner for help with Martin; the man's better-behaved pooch inspires a crisis of self-confidence in Martin. Details Episode 5 Aired Jun 13, 2017 Trashed When Nan, Jenn and Kevin travel to New York for a marketing meeting, Martin takes advantage of his time with Jason by going on a trash-eating bender. Details Episode 6 Aired Jun 20, 2017 Old Martin's seventh birthday is disrupted by the arrival of Nan's friend Jenn and her new puppy; Nan and Jenn go out for a night on the town. Details Episode 7 Aired Jun 27, 2017 Getting What You Always Wanted Nan discovers that her ad campaign, which is about to launch on the Times Square jumbotron, might have been replaced with explicit photos; Martin decides to reduce Nan's stress by taking out Pepper, his sworn enemy. Details Episode 8 Aired Jun 27, 2017 Getting Lost On the way to a well-deserved vacation, Nan stops by her estranged father's place, only to find he's selling the family home; Martin runs off into the woods hoping to prove he's wild and free like a wolf. Details

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Downward Dog — Season 1

Downward Dog Downward Dog View more photos

Season Info

Director
John Fortenberry, Paul Murphy, Michael Killen
Executive Producer
Samm Hodges, Michael Killen, Jimmy Miller, Sam Hansen, Kathy Dziubek, Kat Likkel, John Hoberg
Screenwriter
Michael Killen, Laura Kittrell, Morgan Murphy, Daisy Gardner, Annabel Oakes, Kat Likkel, Samm Hodges, John Hoberg
Network
ABC
Rating
TV-PG (D|L)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date
May 17, 2017