Skip to content
MovieCove
Bad Teacher

Bad Teacher

2014Ended1 season13 episodes~30 min/epTV-14Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all shows

An always inappropriate, fearless and unapologetic former trophy wife masquerades as a teacher in order to find a new man after her wealthy husband leaves her penniless.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Bad Teacher?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Bad Teacher streaming on Howdy via Prime Video, The Roku Channel (free) and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Rent / Buy

BuyBuy

Reception

Is Bad Teacher worth watching?

Bad Teacher's Midcredits score is the 6th percentile of all shows, from 3.2K ratings across 2 sources. 39% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

6th percentile

Better received than 6% of shows

4th percentile among Comedy6th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)6th
Approval (how many liked it)8th

Acclaim

Mixed: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

54 /100

6th percentile of all shows

5th percentile among Comedy6th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

Ratings scatter across the whole scale — one of the most divisive reactions in the catalog.

Approval

How many liked it

39% liked it

8th percentile of all shows

5th percentile among Comedy7th percentile among 2010s
39% rated it 7–1061% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

74th percentile

3.1K ratings across platforms

60th percentile among Comedy76th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 21% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the show is a loose adaptation of the 2011 film, with a premise about a shallow divorcée faking her way into teaching to find a rich husband, but they split on whether the result is enjoyably silly or offensively bad.

Fans praised

  • Ari Graynor's comedic energy and timing
  • Supporting cast adds flavor (David Alan Grier, Kristin Davis, Sara Gilbert) even in limited screen time
  • Cheesy, fun comedy that delivers laughs without pretension

Detractors panned

  • Unlikable, amoral main character with no redeeming backstory
  • Struggles with tone: too tame for edgy premise, too contrived for sitcom
  • Poor writing and painfully unfunny jokes

What stands out

ActingDivisive38

Ari Graynor energetic but divisive; detractors call her unlikable and miscast; fans enjoy her comic timing

DialogueDivisive30

Fans find cheesy lines amusing; detractors call jokes lame and unfunny

HumorDivisive25

Divisive: fans find it fun and cheesy; detractors cite zero laughs and awkward tone

CharactersDivisive25

Meredith lacks depth or motivation; supporting roles are one-note and wasted

Plot and storyDivisive20

Premise played out quickly; contrived and predictable storytelling

OriginalityDivisive20

Rip-off of film concept; fails to establish own identity

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 1 point apart
  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Episodes

1 season

Season 1 · 2014 · 13 episodes

  • S1E1

    Pilot

    Apr 24, 201423 min
  • S1E2

    Daddy Issues

    May 1, 201423 min
  • S1E3

    Evaluation Day

    May 8, 201423 min
  • S1E4

    Fieldtrippers

    May 15, 201423 min
  • S1E5

    The 6th Grade Lock-In

    May 22, 201423 min
  • S1E6
    S1E6

    Yearbook

    Jul 5, 201423 min

Watch experience

What is Bad Teacher like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Ironic, light and charged — an even-paced watch that leaves you entertained.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
AbsurdTense
Heaviest: middle
Register
Wry · 7% of shows: Amused and slightly dry about it.Satirical · 5% of shows
Told as
Resets each episode · 10% of showsSingle-season story
ToneThe show aims for irreverent comedy but holds back, often pulling its protagonist back from genuine bad behavior to soften the edge.
The rideThe show likely oscillates between farcical comedy and moments of social embarrassment, with the middle episodes focusing on the central scheme.
StructureThe series follows a standard sitcom reset structure with self-contained episodes; no notable narrative devices are emphasized in the synopsis.
Episode formatAs a sitcom, each episode likely has a self-contained comedic plot with the status quo restored by the end.
Season formatThe series was canceled after one season, making it a single-season story.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
FunWistful · 6% of shows
Why it leaves you this wayThe series leaves a light, playful feeling with a hint of longing for a more fulfilling life, though its canceled status may leave viewers wistful about what could have been.
How it ends · evidence
Ambiguous ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Comedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12% (this title): Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% (this title) · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Comedy of errors: Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.

12% of shows fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe typical episode follows Meredith, an unqualified teacher, as she schemes to attract wealthy single dads while faking her way through education, leading to misunderstandings and comic situations.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfIdentitySelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27% (this title): Identity 20% (this title) · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Self

IdentityRomantic love · 10% of showsPurpose
Satirizes its theme: Attacks its theme through ridicule.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe protagonist's journey is about her trying to redefine herself through a series of superficial goals, while the romantic pursuit is a means to an end for social and financial security.
StanceThe show satirizes the romantic ambitions and the high school workplace through a self-serving protagonist.

The world

ContemporarySuburbanInstitutionalRealistic
PopSupportive music · licensed compilation
SettingA suburban American high school where the protagonist works as a teacher.

Content guide

Is Bad Teacher okay for kids?

Ratings in 1 other country
  • AustraliaM

No detailed content scores for this title yet.

What content warnings does Bad Teacher have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Bad Teacher?

Cast

Ari Graynor
as Meredith Davis
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Sara Gilbert
as Irene Dudek
Ryan Hansen
as Joel Kotsky
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Sara Twist
as Lily
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Kristin Davis
as Ginny Taylor-Clapp
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
David Alan Grier
as Principal Carl Gaines
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Caitlin Kimball
as Kim Superfine
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Seaonna Chanadet
as Student
Stuart Allan
as James Pfaff
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Grace Kaufman
as Bronwen
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

More like this

What are shows like Bad Teacher?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like Bad Teacher include The Office (2005), Less Than Perfect (2002) and Superstore (2015).

Like this, but

Explore by

What other shows share a tag with Bad Teacher?

177 other shows share the rarest tag below, follows: teacher. Each tag opens Browse with the shows that share it.