Hijos de Tucson

I'm a huge Malcolm in the Middle fan, and am actually amazed that show survived as long as it did, since most shows that are based around children as protagonists have a built-in shelf-life (i.e. they usually don't endure long after the main character has to begin shaving his/her face/legs). But while "MIM" had incredible writing, sharp timing/editing, unique characters and performances and above all a multi-layered sense of comedy that transcended generations (i.e. you could watch it with your kids feeling comfortable they wouldn't "get" certain jokes until they were older) Son's of Tucson had NONE OF THIS. It's evident they poached a couple of MIM's writers and tried to resurrect a formula of 3 embattled yet bonded brothers, but the result was just painful and embarrassing to watch for so many reasons. There's no danger of this ever coming back in syndication (even in Albania) so luckily it will most likely only live on in reviews like these on the internet...and the world is all the richer for it.

I find it interesting that the first review I read of this says that it's a Malcom In The Middle rip-off.The fool claims to be a huge Malcom fan and says he can tell they "poached" some of the writers from that show.He managed to prove he's an idiot and possibly a liar, all while thinking he was zinging this show.If he was really a fan of Malcom(or had ever paid attention to this show), he would have noticed that Justin Berfield(Reese from Malcom) was the executive producer of this show.Instead of talking about the obvious facts, he just makes up lies and feels like a big man.I have watched every episode three times and never once thought it was anything like Malcom.Thinking about it now all I can see that they had in common was that there were three boys on both shows.But then I paid attention to the show.Anyway, this was one of those few shows I watched from the very first day it aired.It's also the reason I stopped doing that.Not that I didn't enjoy the show but every time I get into a new show they start moving it around and then they cancel it.Which is exactly what happened to this show.While the premise is hard to buy into and there are plenty of plot holes, this show is really funny.They had plenty of guest stars and even tried to use Joe Lo Truglio as the wacky best friend.Unfortunately they decided to focus on the kids and Joe isn't seen much after the second episode.I won't waste time pointing out all the plot holes and things that don't make sense, there are too many of both.I will say that despite those small flaws, this is a funny show.Too bad it got cancelled.

This is a clear rip-off of Malcolm in the Middle (which I actually liked, as other posters here stated as well). Anyone who can't understand this is simply stupid. Three of the writers of MIM were behind this farce; Matthew Carlson, Andy Bobrow and Michael Glouberman, as well as 2 of MIM's directors, Todd Holland and Peter Lauer. And to drive this point home, Justin Berfield (whom I actually respected before this) was the Executive Producer here. Justin in fact proves to the world that you simply cannot regurgitate a formula (i.e. 3 brothers against adults) and expect it to work just because a previous hit used it. And sadly, Justin just couldn't resist a spot in FRONT of the camera in the last episode, playing some obnoxious neighbor who everyone is instantly supposed to revile...even though there was no set-up or motivation to do so before this episode...which means it doesn't work. With all disrespect to the brain-dead, clueless wannabe "film critic" here whom no one has ever heard of, listens to or cares about in any way, this mess could only be appreciated by someone too stupid to understand the difference between good and bad comedy.

Tyler Labine is a funny guy and he was funny as the lead character in this awful attempt at reviving the Malcolm in the Middle franchise. It was produced by Justin Berfield (Reese in Malcolm) who is a talented young guy but he should have hired Linwood Boomer to run this show. Boomer, who created Malcolm, knows how to balance delicate subject matter with comedy, clearly Berfield has not yet learned this trick.

I watched all 13 episodes on Netflix and can see why FOX pulled the plug after just 4 showings. Aside from a talentless supporting cast (the kids were just plain bad actors) the show suffered from very unfunny plot lines. In one episode, the 11-year old has a long scene dancing in nothing but his tight white briefs in front of a web cam. It was disturbing and very creepy and not in the least funny. I'm sure every pedophile in America appreciated it.

In another episode the 6-year old is smuggled inside a sex industry convention and makes friends with a variety of porn stars and walks away with a gift bag containing "adult novelties." A first grader playing with a dildo and fruit scented lube. Funny, huh? Later episodes ridiculed a child with a speech problem, implied sexual conduct between very young children and pulled out every racial and ethnic stereotype in the book.

I can see why Labine jumped ship. As for Justin Berfield, I don't hold this show against him and assume it was a learning experience for him. He has produced some remarkable projects for someone so young and expect great things from him.

I have to agree with the other two reviews that have been posted so far. I loved Reaper, I love The Loop, and I loved Sons of Tucson. There are a few other shows I loved as well and they were canceled before being given a chance. I am curious about the ratings of Survivor at this point. I would have to think they are much lower than they used to be yet they keep churning out show-after-show of fake drama.

Day Break was another one that got axed early and it was only slated for 13 episodes at the very beginning. What's the point of canceling it when it is slated as only one season? Viewer outcry at least drove the network to run the rest of the episodes online as I believe the Black Donnellys might have as well.

I think it is time to do more than the Nielson system. I cannot understand, with all of the other unwanted intrusion in our lives, why cable cannot just do real time ratings as well as take into account DVRs, online viewing, etc...