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The Grinder

  • TV Series
  • 2015–2016
  • TV-PG
  • 21m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
8.1K
YOUR RATING
The Grinder (2015)
Official Trailer
Play trailer3:10
3 Videos
99+ Photos
SatireComedy

Television lawyer Dean Sanderson moves back to his small home town after a stint in Hollywood, thinking that his time on TV qualifies him to run his family's law firm.Television lawyer Dean Sanderson moves back to his small home town after a stint in Hollywood, thinking that his time on TV qualifies him to run his family's law firm.Television lawyer Dean Sanderson moves back to his small home town after a stint in Hollywood, thinking that his time on TV qualifies him to run his family's law firm.

  • Creators
    • Jarrad Paul
    • Andrew Mogel
  • Stars
    • Rob Lowe
    • Fred Savage
    • Mary Elizabeth Ellis
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    8.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Creators
      • Jarrad Paul
      • Andrew Mogel
    • Stars
      • Rob Lowe
      • Fred Savage
      • Mary Elizabeth Ellis
    • 50User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 6 nominations total

    Episodes22

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated1 season

    Videos3

    The Grinder
    Trailer 3:10
    The Grinder
    The Grinder
    Trailer 1:05
    The Grinder
    The Grinder
    Trailer 1:05
    The Grinder
    The Grinder: Season 1
    Trailer 0:58
    The Grinder: Season 1

    Photos114

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    + 108
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    Top Cast99+

    Edit
    Rob Lowe
    Rob Lowe
    • Dean Sanderson
    • 2015–2016
    Fred Savage
    Fred Savage
    • Stewart Sanderson
    • 2015–2016
    Mary Elizabeth Ellis
    Mary Elizabeth Ellis
    • Debbie Sanderson
    • 2015–2016
    Hana Hayes
    Hana Hayes
    • Lizzie Sanderson
    • 2015–2016
    Connor Kalopsis
    Connor Kalopsis
    • Ethan Sanderson
    • 2015–2016
    William Devane
    William Devane
    • Dean Sanderson Sr.
    • 2015–2016
    Natalie Morales
    Natalie Morales
    • Claire Lacoste
    • 2015–2016
    Steve Little
    Steve Little
    • Todd
    • 2015–2016
    Will Greenberg
    Will Greenberg
    • Hugh Rozz
    • 2015–2016
    Matt Hobby
    Matt Hobby
    • Pat Landy
    • 2015–2016
    John Owen Lowe
    John Owen Lowe
    • Joel Zadak
    • 2015–2016
    Maya Rudolph
    Maya Rudolph
    • Jillian
    • 2016
    Jason Alexander
    Jason Alexander
    • Cliff Bemis
    • 2015–2016
    Timothy Olyphant
    Timothy Olyphant
    • Timothy Olyphant…
    • 2015–2016
    Kenneth Lucas
    Kenneth Lucas
    • Cory Manler
    • 2016
    Elaine Alaniz
    • Office Employee
    • 2015–2016
    Odette Annable
    Odette Annable
    • Devin Stutz
    • 2015–2016
    Scott Lawrence
    Scott Lawrence
    • Judge Adams
    • 2016
    • Creators
      • Jarrad Paul
      • Andrew Mogel
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews50

    7.28.1K
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    Featured reviews

    8Aktham_Tashtush

    Simple, understandable and genuine story ,,. A : for the script and A : for Lowe and Savage .. you better start watching it now :D

    The plot is so Original and fresh, with so much potentials, the Script is perfectly sculptured So many laughable scenes. I really enjoyed watching every minute of it as it felt the shortest Half an hour ever.

    Jarrad Paul as a screenplay or a script writer i'v seen for him the famously funny "Yes Man" and "The D Train" this year .. and here he really outdone himself. Add to that .. the nicely sound-mix which blends with the suspense comic scenes to make it even more enjoyable and hilariously theatrical in an Ironic way.

    First time seen Rob Lowe was in "Parks and Recreation" and he had almost "somehow" the same character as the one in here with all of this tightness and glamorous perfection and the fast funny talk and fast jokes .. and now with Fred Savage they are indeed making a great dual and since i'v watched the trailer before i knew this will work perfectly with such story and such amazing cast.

    Fox is well known of premiering a wowzers Fall shows but few survive the winter ;) Hence I am seriously praying that this one to have a chance of staying on the network for a while as we now have high expectations, That's of course if it stays running on the same rhythm as this .. and i believe it will.
    8Dableo

    Super funny over the top witty and very enjoyable

    I loved this show so much starting from the acting to the superbly written script. The concept overall is unique to the usual sitcom world of 5 friends or such stuff which is very refreshing (it being the super famous actor lawyer and his little brother and father who are real lawyers and how them and the entire family play out life). Also the script is actually funny and is hyper complemented by the acting and the excitement and pace of the shooting and directing made for a very enjoyable pilot. I highly recommend you watch the pilot you will like if you are tired of sitcoms with drama monologues this one is just pure funny. Loved it fox with this & Brooklyn nine-nine and empire you are crushing. Also big kudos to the directing as it is setting a very brilliant manner.
    8SnoopyStyle

    better than the standard network sitcom

    Dean Sanderson (Rob Lowe) leaves his TV show The Grinder portraying a lawyer to return home to Boise, Idaho and his family's law firm. His father (William Devane) is happy but his brother Stewart Sanderson (Fred Savage) is leery of the non-lawyer playing law expert. Stewart's family, wife Debbie (Mary Elizabeth Ellis), kids Lizzie (Hana Hayes), and Ethan Sanderson (Connor Kalopsis) are more accepting. Co-worker Claire Lacoste (Natalie Morales) is dismissive and Todd (Steve Little) is a sycophant.

    This is better than the regular stuff from the networks. The Lowe Savage pairing is fun and endearing. Lowe gives the perfect delivery. Dean is a great character. It is a real disappointment that the show got canceled after one season.
    9drjgardner

    Great acting and good scripts

    I enjoyed the pilot but thought I'd wait for a few episodes before reviewing. Often the pilot is the best episode you're going to see, so I don't like to jump in too soon. But this series just keep getting better and better. Strong acting from everyone, including relative newcomer Mary Elizabeth Ellis who plays the wife. I say "relative" because with such TV staples as William Devane, Rob Lowe, and Fred Savage it's hard to steal a scene, but Ellis does a great job. Let's hope they keep up the good work.

    This latest episode had a guest appearance from Timothy Oliphant, one of my favorite actors ("Hitman", "Justified"). It was good fun and let's hope they have more guest appearances, perhaps from past cast members from "Parks and Recreation" or "The Wonder Years".
    8blanche-2

    I'm not a lawyer but I play one on TV

    "The Grinder" was a one-season series that starred Rob Lowe as a TV lawyer who comes home to his family and decides to practice law with his brother (Fred Savage) and father (William Devane).

    Dean Sanderson worked for eight seasons on a hit TV show, "The Grinder," whose final words in court were "The Grinder rests." Back home in Idaho, his brother, Stewart, has his own law firm and practices with their dad. All is well until Dean, the fair-haired, can-do-no-wrong son, comes home, moves in with Stewart, his wife (Mary Elizabeth Ellis), father, and two children, and wants to practice law.

    Very funny show that for some reason didn't make it. Rob Lowe is great as a delusional, over the top actor given to dramatic statements. Savage does a wonderful job as his hapless brother who has to put up with people befriending him to meet his brother, judges allowing Dean to talk in court, and his father encouraging Dean's legal fantasies. The office people - Natalie Morales and Steve Little -- are very funny, Morales who can't take Dean seriously, and Little, who loves him.

    At one point, the network brings on Timothy Olyphant to play The Grinder's brother.

    Each episode begins with a scene from "The Grinder."

    Clever, excellent acting, entertaining, sorry this was only one season.

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    Related interests

    Peter Sellers in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
    Satire
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Joel, Lizzie's boyfriend, is played by John Owen Lowe, who is Rob Lowe's son.
    • Quotes

      Stewart Sanderson: Dean, can I just talk to you for a quick sec?

      Dean Sanderson: No, we don't have time for quick secs.

    • Connections
      Featured in Popcorn with Peter Travers: Rob Lowe on that Sex Tape, his Oscars Flop and Dancing 'Naked' in his Living Room (2015)

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    FAQ19

    • How many seasons does The Grinder have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 29, 2015 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Адвокат
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Paul Mogel Productions
      • Stoller Global Solutions
      • The Detective Agency
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 21m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 HD

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