Suburgatory

Back when this show was current I was a teenager. The premiss is not great at all, but there weren't many shows with weird teenage girls as protagonists just yet - and that's why I liked it so much. It made fun of everyone that made fun of me, the quirky girl, such as the suburban mum with its teenage version for a daughter, or the contradictorily concerned-yet-cool single father. Tessa was very relatable and I was sorry when it got cancelled.

This show is well-written and really funny. It's silly and campy but also has just enough heart. The lead, Jane Levy, a relative unknown is totally natural and absolutely charming. Jeremy Sisto, an unlikely casting choice for a comedy, grounds the show and is realistic as the "cool city dad." But for me, Cheryl Hines is the one to watch. She hits it out of the ballpark as Dallas Royce.

I love the heightened reality and the way the show pokes fun at the suburbs while also envying those who live there. The stories explore the differences between people raised in different ways but also shows, no matter where you grow up, there are certain universal truths that connect us.

The supporting cast is terrific. I've always loved Alan Tudyk and Carly Chaiken is scene- stealingly hilarious as Dalia. I laugh at these characters while also caring about them which to me is the sign of a really great show.

Okay, in all fairness, I was about to award the full 10 points, but that wouldn't be fair to the other great shows out there, so I settled for 8,5. In the comedy genre, it's certainly worth a 9 though. I don't remember exactly why I started watching this show, but I am so glad I did! Jane Levy is extremely funny and Cheryl Hines... can't go wrong there. I wondered how on earth Suburgatory would continue to entertain me after the first - rather stereotypical- episode, because I was sure the characters would be too flat for further interesting stories. Let me assure you, they are not. I don't know how the writers manage it, but it's still quirky (not in a 'new girl' kinda way) en original. I like this show a lot. I just hope they don't drag it out, because I do believe the concept is limited. Overdoing it would ruin the show, honestly. One tip: if you did not like episode 1, seriously try episode 2 because it is very funny. Penguins and all.

Single dad George Altman (Jeremy Sisto) is leaving NYC and bringing his daughter Tessa (Jane Levy) to the suburbs. The rebellious teen is not happy with the otherworldly Stepford Wives existence. She becomes friends with loner Lisa Shay (Allie Grant) and Medium obsessed Malik (Maestro Harrell). She also makes an enemy of queen bee Dalia Royce (Carly Chaikin). On the other hand, Dalia's mom Dallas (Cheryl Hines) would become a great friend.

Jane Levy started the show at 21 and that's probably the only minor complaint I have about this show. It's not unexpected for network shows about high school to have older actors play young teens. The cast of characters are a wacky bunch. Tessa has a superiority attitude and it's funny to see the culture clash. I love the hilarious Carly Chaikin and her stone faced delivery. It squeezed out 2 and a half seasons before being canceled.

Having seen the pilot I purchased the Season 1 DVD and have seen most of the episodes. It is great seeing 5 or 6 episodes of short shows like this one in succession without advertisements and the like breaking it all up.

Heck some people over analyse things though. It's just a little TV show.

This is a simple basic comedy with some extreme characters some of which are funny and some not so, some endearing and others much less so. In fact a few of the characters (very few fortunately) are just ridiculous but this is Hollywood fiction so they create the extreme at times.

The writers set out to send up Americans and some aspects of its culture and they obviously had a lot of fun doing so. Why they went too far over the top at times I do not know because the show would work better without some of the occasional stupidity that has been allowed to creep in now and then. Obviously some episodes are better and funnier than others.

Overall this is a cute, second tier, light hearted comedy show which will really make you laugh. After all that is what a comedy is for.(It is not quite up in the same league as some of the very high rated Chuck Lorre comedies though). For the most part it is quite well acted and the 3 principal characters are quite endearing.

If you don't like a good laugh then you probably won't like it that much. Some of it is hilarious but I am sure some of the slick lines they have dropped in there will go right over the heads of some.

As far as ratings go, some of the episodes I have seen from Season 1 are so funny I would give them a 9 or 10 rating.

Give this show a go because when you get into it, for the most part, you will enjoy it. There is nothing like having a good laugh is there?