Jason Bateman Says ‘I Read All Reviews’ and ‘Laughed My Ass Off’ When The New York Times Slammed ‘Ozark’ Acting as ‘So Boring to Watch’

Jason Bateman said in an interview with Esquire magazine that he reads all the reviews for his television shows and movies because “I am a people pleaser. I care about what people think about me.”

“I read all the reviews. I am doing these projects for public consumption, so it matters to me what the public thinks about them,” Bateman said. “It matters to me what critics think about them. But what’s most important is that the weather inside is 72 and breezy. It takes a lot of work to stay happy, to stay clear, and to be proud of yourself. You can try to drink through it, but you’re sober in the morning and you got to live in those hours too.”

Bateman said one negative review from his career stands out: “I got a terrible review from The New York Times on the pilot of ‘Ozark.’ Mike Hale basically said I was so boring to watch, it reminded him of the person that he buys a ticket from in the airport. I laughed my ass off. I appreciate those that get creative with it.”

Hale wrote in his “Ozark” pan that Bateman plays his character “with the aggressive blandness of an airline gate agent,” adding: “The real saving grace of the show — and an almost sufficient reason to watch — is Laura Linney. Mr. Bateman isn’t really able to make a compelling character out of the blankly craven Marty, but Ms. Linney, with her gift for high-comic indignation, makes Wendy at once hilarious and sympathetic. If there’s a Season 2, maybe she can take over the business.”

Not everyone agreed with The New York Times, however. Over the course of “Ozark’s” four-season run on Netflix, Bateman was nominated four times at the Emmys for outstanding lead actor in a drama series. He also picked up three Golden Globe nominations and four Screen Actors Guild nominations.

Head over to Esquire magazine’s website to read Bateman’s interview in its entirety.