"The Shining" opened to overwhelming praise from critics when it aired in 1997, which included a ten-out-of-ten review from "TV Guide". The miniseries' "carefully" and "masterfully crafted" pacing was highlighted by several reviewers, including Ray Richmond of "Variety", who also noted its "edge-of-your-seat creepiness" and "surprising emotional complexity and depth." The depth and creepiness was also praised by Ken Tucker of "Entertainment Weekly". However, Tom Shales of "The Washington Post" advised his readers to "avoid miniseries like the plague, because it is the plague."