DVR cleaning day is here! Time to figure out which television shows stay, and which ones go.
Some decisions won’t be difficult. Campy newcomer Revenge easily earned a spot, but former favorite, Big Bang Theory, finally landed in the recycling bin; my husband would check the box for “irreconcilable differences” if That’s Hockey were removed, so it stays; and unfortunately, even though “adorkable” Zooey Deschanel had me at hello, after a half-season of hipster-infused humor, The New Girl is going out with the DVR “wish I loved ya” trash.
But I can’t decide on NBC’s Parenthood.
Don’t get me wrong, the writing more than works and the ensemble gels. Yet, something is starting to stink in the state of Braverman.
Parenthood: From Snark to Schmaltz in 60 Seconds
I can’t exactly remember what happened in Parenthood, the movie, but I do remember scream laughing through it. This new TV incarnation, though? Not funny. Smirk-worthy at times? Sure. Thirtysomething snarky? You betch’a. But it ain’t funny. Honestly, the mawkish episode endings usually leave me crying — not cracking-up.
Hey look, I can admit a weakness for TV shows (and commercials!) that use cheap emotional tricks; but people, the Parenthood schmaltz is starting to smother!
Jasby and Haddex: Why’d It All Have to End?
I’m the Nyota Uhura to my husband’s James T. Kirk, so of course we were pleased to learn that Parenthood would feature an interracial relationship. And then there were two! Winner, winner chicken dinner!
Would they accurately deal with some of the issues we face? Would they address the “mommy and daddy, am I black or white” question? Would they make a family member “uncool” with cross-race lovin’?
At first, we loved the Haddie/Alex and Jasmine/Crosby arcs (and still do appreciate aspects). But come on Parenthood writers, why’d you have to go and break them all up!? Sad face.
Then again, the end of Crosby’s and Jasmine’s love affair does leave room for more universally poignant plots. And while Haddie’s name may lead you to believe she’s somebody’s 95-year-old Aunt, the girl is a teenager and bound to break-up with a lot of boys before it’s all through.
So, really, I’m not bashing the writers’ choices. I’m just pissed that my favorite TV couples are no longer coupled-up, damn it. Harrumph!
Yeah Right! ‘Parenthood’s’ 1% Problem
Those Bravermans sure have some dough, no?
Each week I marvel at the perfectly manicured, spacious, single-income homes of Zeek’s offspring.
Yes, yes, I know that Kristina and Adam were supposedly cash-strapped for a couple of weeks; but thankfully on the day that Kristina gave birth, the Braverman boys landed Cee Lo Green as their first super-cool-sound-studio client! Huzzah!
And sure, Loreli Gilmore, err, I mean, Sarah Braverman is struggling, but come on, how many people can retreat to moneyed parents with bedrooms to spare?
Like its half-hour ABC counterpoint, Modern Family (which is a laugh riot), the unspoken but obvious privilege of the Parenthood clan stands in stark contrast to my work-a-day life…and quite frankly, I’m not sure my broke butt finds Company Men troubles intriguing anymore.
Sigh. I thought writing this would help me decide. But alas, we’ve reached the end and I’m still unsure whether Parenthood makes the DVR cut or not — so it’s on probation. The show-runners have four more weeks to win me over.
Check back in February for the final verdict.
Parenthood airs Tuesdays at 10:00pm Eastern/9:00 pm Central on NBC.