This year, two of the best new shows from network TV have one thing in common: Family. At a time when gimmicks (vampires, anyone?), teen dramas, reality shows, and crime procedurals seem to rule the airwaves, a family sitcom and a family drama have risen to the top and deserve your attention.
First up, we have Modern Family, a traditional half-hour sitcom that mostly avoids cliched story lines in favor of believable, diverse characters and realistic plot lines. Shot in the now-familiar documentary style popularized by The Office (though less reliant on the format than Parks and Recreation), we're introduced to three families. Cameron and Mitchell are a gay couple who have just adopted a Vietnamese baby named Lily. Fifty-something Jay is adjusting to life with his new wife, the younger (and hotter) Gloria, and her 10-year-old son Manny, both from Colombia. Claire and Phil have their hands full with three kids: Haley, the pretty but dim 16-year-old, Alex, the studious and wise-cracking 13-year-old, and Luke, the possibly ADHD 7-year-old. By the end of the first pilot, we learn that all three of these families are related to each other--Jay is the patriarch, and Mitchell and Claire are his grown kids.
The show really captures the complexities and awkwardness and frustration and hilarity of family life, and the actors (many of whom could call this show their breakout role) seem perfectly cast and have real chemistry together. Watch episodes for free online at ABC's website.
Parenthood has only been on the air for a month or so, but already has the makings of must-see TV. This show got promoted as a quirky comedy, but in actuality its humorous moments are just one dimension of the hour-long drama. The best thing about Parenthood is easily the cast. Peter Krause, Monica Potter, Erika Christensen, Dax Shepherd, Craig T. Nelson, Lauren Graham, and other lesser-known but equally talented individuals populate this smart show that tackles the challenges of parenting without being preachy or trite.
This is not the stuff of after school specials--it's real and engaging and honest. Similar to Modern Family, the show is about several smaller families that form one big extended family. One family learns their son may have Aspergers and must figure out what that means and how to deal with it. A single mom is trying to rebuild her life and support her teenage son and daughter by moving in with the grandparents and searching for a new job. The bachelor of the family might be ready to settle down and have a child with his girlfriend, but the news that he has a son from a fling that happened five years ago could change that. A working mom struggles to find time for her husband and young daughter, while trying to maintain a successful career as an attorney. If these scenarios feel familiar and relatable, that's because they are.
Another aspect of this show that stands out: the soundtrack. I suspected we were in for excellent music from the opening credits, which feature Bob Dylan's rendition of Forever Young as real photos of the cast members in their younger days float across the screen. In just the first few of episodes, we got music from Andrew Bird, Wilco, Avett Brothers, Loudon Wainwright III, Grizzly Bear, Eels, Talking Heads, and Devendra Banhart. Whoever's choosing the songs has excellent taste, and pivotal scenes in the show are made even more memorable and touching by the music scoring them.
Watch episodes of Parenthood at NBC's website.
No comments:
Post a Comment