Normal, Ohio

First of all, I agree with most of the posters that say that Fox should have been shot for the way they handled "Normal, Ohio." That being said, a good amount of the blame should also be laid at the feet of John Goodman himself, who seemed to base his response to interviewers who asked about the show on its original title: "Don't Ask."

As good an actor as he is, John Goodman was the wrong actor to choose, in that he did everything but sabotage the show himself. He seemed very uncomfortable--almost to the point of hostility--that there was some small contingent of the gay community that might find him desirable, and that doesn't go over so well when you're playing a gay man on a gay-themed comedy. I didn't expect him to be anything like Richard Karn (who is aware of his gay following and is cool with it), but he definitely didn't handle it well.

But most of all, I miss this show because of the possibilities that would have been opened up had Fox not pulled the plug and showed a bit more moxie. If it had continued, Butch would have gotten a love interest--none other than Dan Aykroyd! This was a show that could have finally broken the "Will and Grace" stereotype of gay men that seems to have a complete stranglehold on the media. Only one other show has come close, and that was the two "Wings" episodes with "Men in Trees'" Abraham Benrubi (another straight-but-not-narrow actor who actually appeared on "Roseanne" as a younger version of Goodman's character). Sadly, like most potentially daring ideas on TV nowadays, they were forced to sacrifice their higher concept for survivability.

I watched the show pretty regularly until it's recent cancellation. While there were funny bits here and there (mostly in the early episodes), most of the show was loud, crass & way too broadly acted, in the usual Fox Network style. The two parents - played by Orson Bean and Anita Gillette - were particularly tiresome.

The idea of having a non-urban, average-guy gay man as the central character is terrific. But this show had too many characters to juggle; some of the more interesting ones (the ex-wife, the son) had too little to do, while I could've done with less of the sister and the parents.

Given how bad most of the new network comedy shows have been over the last few seasons, I was really hoping this one would be the exception.

I'm very partial to John Goodman in anything, but I was especially pleased to see him playing this new character. I think that him being a "normal" acting guy speaks in favor of the gay community by showing that not all gay men fall into the stereotype. Being a young gay man from Ohio myself also makes this show appealing, but I think that everyone should give it a chance. This show has potential, and I really hope it stays on the air for quite a while. Goodman makes this character interesting. As for comparing it to Roseanne, people will always see him as Mr. Conner. He spent years playing that role, and it is the one that he is most well known for. To sum it all up... Great show. Watch it a few times at least. (I'm taping every episode, and plan to watch it fanatically ;-)

I just watched the first episode of "Normal Ohio" and yes it's different but it has some potential for success. It's simple John Goodman plays a gay man who returns home to Normal, Ohio from Los Angeles to take up home with his strict family especially his parents. Goodman also makes good with his son he left behind when he told his wife he was gay, now papa must be proud to have a son going off to medical school. And Joely Fisher stars as Goodman's sexy sister who's a single mother who lightens things up for John. Sure I know a beefy, beer drinking football-loving Midwestern man doesn't fit the profile or look of a homosexual but I'm glad the producers made it this way to show that many people can have a lifestyle that fool the norm. It yet remains to be seen whether or not FOX has a surprise hit or just another ordinary show. Only time will tell.

I'm still sad this show didn't make it. Not only was Goodman great in this show, but his character was someone I could really relate to. I'm gay, but most gay TV characters are foreign to me. My partner and I couldn't even take "Will & Grace" after a couple episodes. But we instantly liked Rex Gamble. Masculine, blue-collar, small-town family guy. His homosexuality was matter-of-fact. There was no shrill over-the-top drama about it, or liberal "preachiness" so common in most TV shows these days. And most importantly, the show was well cast and FUNNY.

If it ever comes out on DVD, we'll buy it.