The Days

This summer series from ABC focuses on the melodramas of the Day family. In Episode 1, the mother and daughter learn that they are both pregnant. Meanwhile, the dad quits his job as a corporate lawyer and the youngest son suffers from panic attacks. Sarcastic, observant middle son Cooper narrates his family's soap opera travails.

It is this wry observation that saves the show, often an incredibly trite scene is saved by a quick one-liner from the characters. These people may be stereotypical television characters (how many times have we seen a pregnant teenage girl on television? We get it- sex has consequences. Bizarrely, STDs which are actually on the rise among teenagers as opposed to pregnancy which is in decline among teenagers is rarely dealt with seriously on any network show.) but the writers are smart enough to know that and have the characters skewer their own archetypes. And as the series progresses, these characters become somewhat endearing and real.

Still, the show often fails to maintain the delicate balance between drama and comedy as well as the balance between family fare and edgy topical material. The parents were surprisingly accepting about Natalie's pregnancy, even seemed kind of glad about it, eventually- which in t.v. land means 2 episodes. In the most recent episode, daughter Natalie decides to get an abortion. She'll probably change her mind in the last minute as these writers or the network probably isn't brave enough to actually have a main character have an abortion. It may be a choice but not one that can depicted without being seen as shameful by many viewers, which is unfortunate since this is a real decision many people make.

The acting is mostly marginal, they actors mostly don't know how to infuse there characters with pathos and overplay the comedic scenes. Evan Peters is pretty good as middle son Cooper, but his voice is sometimes monotonous- whether he's trying to intentionally depict his character's weariness with conventional standards I'm not sure. The Days are witty enough to keep one entertained but despite the melodrama and middle son Cooper's belief that his family is crazy, they aren't that unique. Still, for a network summer series it's pretty good and the series gets better with each episode- there's a chance it could become truly compelling in the future, if only it would become more daring. Better than a lot of the junk on network TV but hasn't quite found its footing yet.

This show was amazing. I fell in love with it on the night it aired. Don't let anyone tell you anything else. Cooper is the best part of the show and I feel that Evan Peters plays him well. He is an individual with his own true edge that makes the show more realistic. All of the things in the show could really happen which is the scary thing. The music is also well placed. It really sets the mood right away. I love how Cooper Day is really pictured as the odd-ball in the family. We can all relate to that. He is just your typical teenage guy. Which show would put a pot-smoking teenage rocker as their main character? It was about time someone did. The setting of the story also fits well with what"s going on. This is the kind of show that you can imagine yourself in because of the reality. This is a great show but if you don't want to take my advise then watch the show. If you don't like the story-line then I'm sure that you will be just as happy watching Evan Peters for an hour. He is very good looking.

With all of the twisted warped reality shows and sitcoms that are on television, there are few that I deem worthy to watch. The Days just happens to be one of the select few. Even though the plot may be a little over-crowded, it's a breath of fresh air, as opposed to the stupid reality television that everyone obsesses about. The Days has easily relatable characters and elements for everyone to enjoy, and the story plot is easily understood. many teenagers and adults will find themselves having something in common with at least one of the characters, and for those with short attention spans, the show breaks into sub-plots for each character. I would give this show an excellent rating were I a professional, but i think that you'll just have to watch it and rate it for yourself.

It's a rather quirky show, interested in trying a new approach to a dramatic/comedy type of family storyline that wants to talk about the dynamics of a family as a unit and as individuals. Think "My So Called Life" meets "Joan of Arcadia" type of vibe, with a bit of Disney type humor, ie "Even Stevens." The acting is sometimes awkward, but it works, as the family is a little awkward in its dynamic. It is almost a personality quirk of the show itself. The hour is narrated by 15 year old defunct Cooper Day, the floppy haired, indie music listening middle son who wants to be a writer. He does a good job of injecting humor and irony into the rhythm. It's worth a watch. I enjoyed it's offbeat storytelling.

I've never been the type of person who can get into a television show (save six feet under). I find it really hard to get into a show because of the fact that I am only 14 years old but 'The Days' got me hooked. I watched it with my sister and my mother every Sunday. I was really disappointed when it got pulled because I thought the show could have really gone places. Evan Peters was very good at playing a moody teenager (though that may have been based on real life) the situations were real and the fact that you had a teenage boy who was almost afraid of sex made it even better. I wish they would have kept the show on longer.