A sitcom about a New York accountant (with an unusual number of celebrity clients) who moves to Sweden to live with his banker girlfriend, “Welcome to Sweden” is the semi-autobiographical brainchild of Amy Poehler’s lawyer brother Greg (who bears a striking resemblance to “Rake” lead Greg Kinnear), who also stars. A product of Sweden’s TV4 awash with Swedish actors and subtitled Swedish dialog, the 10-episode series already aired in its country of origin in March.
... When the show is funny, and it can be, the humor is mild and slyly understated. It’s much better than another new show that follows it, “Working the Engels,” which is quite the opposite and not funny at all. …
... the best thing to happen to broadcast-network comedy since "Modern Family." Sweet, smart and quickly addictive, it's a classic cross-cultural romantic comedy with top notes of satire, but a brave and true heart. …
... This pleasant enough rom-com would be better if it relied less on predictable sex jokes and focused more on the fish-out-of-water angle that will ring true to anyone who’s lived abroad. …
... Unfortunately the show lacks a necessary zing; even the cameo appearances by Bruce’s former clients (Amy Poehler, Aubrey Plaza, Will Ferrell, Gene Simmons) fail to generate many laughs. Don’t get me wrong — it’s refreshing to see NBC bring out a comedy that values subtlety over slapstick, but the situations and dialogue here are just a little too subtle to draw viewers in. It’s like listening to a friend go on and on about the year he lived overseas. It’s a protracted example of I-guess-you-had-to-be-there humor. …
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says:
... may generate some smiles but not a lot of laughs with its quiet humor and overly familiar culture clash gags. …
The San Francisco Chronicle says:
... The show's humor is subtle, the plot lines somewhat predictable, but both the individual character development and the interaction among those characters make "Sweden" more than welcome. …
… worth space on your DVR. ... The Poehlers’ sense of comedic timing is eerie and wonderful.…
... a sly, low-key comedy, one that makes affectionate fun of Americans and Swedes with equal vigor.…
... an unexpectedly welcome and disarming diversion in a summer cluttered with noisy mediocrity. …
... His sister is probably responsible for the show's big-name guests, but it's Greg's low-key appeal as the show's fish out of water that carries the series along, with the help of a strong supporting cast. …
... the show has an understated charm and amusing characters, including a still-ravishing Lena Olin as the hilariously disapproving mother of the central character’s girlfriend. Summer might be the time to try this out, but with any kind of success, NBC could have an appealing utility player for next season. …
... The show is laden with jokes, but they're often subtle. Taking its time, it builds its humor in each episode, and is self-referential with sight gags (like a small red wooden horse that appears in the background of every new location) as well as capitalizing on Bruce's discomfort in his new home. To keep up is demanding, but worse is to miss any of the great humor. …
9 p.m. Thursday. NBC.
