Home Economics

"Home Economics" is a comedy, nothing more. It is about an extended family in which one member is financially well-off and living on a different economic plane than his siblings. This generates some friction, in part due to envy, but also because one wing of the family---the sister in a biracial lesbian relationship-rejects anything on its face that appears to be un-woke.

This is where I think some reviewers misunderstand the series. It is not about promoting wokism; some of its best jokes are stabs at the virtue signaling, hypocrisy and idiocy that comes with some ultra-progressive dogma. When they talk about the pronouns for a pet, you know they know what the real joke is.

Some of the humor might be termed intersectional. Not in the sense that the term is used by progressives, but in terms of the intersection of various doctrines that contradict each other. So you have a scene where the sister is called out for pitting her own feminist ideology against her professed belief that women (and girls) should be supported in their endeavors.

These jabs are not dwelt on. They pass quickly in the course of normal conversation, making them even more impactful.

Like most comedies, the quality of the show depends primarily on its characters. The ensemble nature of this show makes all the characters important, but some carry the load of the humor. And the cast is committed to the humor. The writing is also essential. Though this is not on the same level as "Frasier" or "Modern Family" and thus does not deserve a "10", it deserves more than the "1" that some reviewers have doled out.

At this point, I am content with the balance of the humor---willing to skewer the rich brother or the virtuously poorer members in equal measure.

The best thing going for this is its likeable cast and its interest in topics which rarely get airing, particularly given it's a sitcom.

American sitcoms/scripted TV shows usually ensure all characters (and families) have and maintain aspirational lifestyles (no matter their circumstances, occupation and employment). Even if money is referred to as an issue, everyone is provided with accommodation beyond their means and has the capacity to do anything and buy anything they want. Nice that this attempts to subvert that ridiculous fiction (while still leaving space for the uber-rich). Who knew income inequality was an issue!

The attempt at introducing all the characters feels a little clumsy at times and plays heavy on stereotypes to flesh out its characters which makes lots of the 'jokes' feel a little too forced and contrived. But it doesn't reach the heights of being cringe-worthy in my opinion. With a little care, it could have staying power; I liked all three families and the character dynamics and interactions.

If you view gay people on TV, non-white people on TV, and depictions of interracial or same-sex marriage as 'leftwing propaganda', then this isn't the show for you. And if so, when viewing or reviewing, try to acknowledge the irony of the situation, i.e. The sense of 'moral' outrage you feel (at a TV show) which you believe is depicting the lives of minorities (that critics would say, are) only being given this space because 'the left' are/have been so morally outraged (all that faux outrage, y'know).

Hope 'Home Economics' improves over time, and I hope IMDB reviews its policy on accepting reviews. The toxicity and incoherence of many reviews are now reaching the level of Youtube commentary where veiled bigotry is no longer even veiled. A film and TV review website shouldn't be a public forum without qualification.

Mostly an effort to fill the safe family programming hole left by "Modern Family" except this is a bit more generationally horizontal than vertical. The series centers on the lives of three adult siblings whose kids are roughly the same age. Their parents (Nora Dunn and Richard Kind) make occasional appearances but are safely in recurring guest star territory while the kids are about as important to the formula as "Everybody Loves Raymond": Screen time is doled out to them if it helps develop one of their parents' arcs. Frankly, they could have recast the kids in between episodes and I wouldn't have noticed.

On to the roll call! Jimmy Tatro plays a well-off financial trader who's a bit difficult to buy considering this actor has appeared quite convincingly in a number of dim guys (from my small sampling). Topher Grace plays a novelist with a bit of neuroticism. Their sister, played by Caitlin McGee, is a lesbian who casually spouts off terms like male privilege and microaggressions. All three are married and all three have kids. The spouses are pretty disposable except Saturday Night Live alum Sasheer Zamata pops up as Caitlin McGee's other half. Way to bounce back, Sasheer!

As a 30-something with no kids and wife (and highly self-conscious about it), I started the show thinking "what's in it for me?" until I started to see how well the show poked at the thin veneer of marital bliss.

Within a couple episodes, Tatro's character gets divorced. In one episode, it's revealed that neither Topher Grace nor his wife have any ability to attract the opposite sex anymore. As for McGee's holier-than-thou wokeness, the show does an excellent line of lampooning her occasional moments of self-righteousness without ever showing her beliefs to be unworthy.

The show might not be ambitious, but it's disarming and has the potential to be consistent entertainment.

Season 1 was a mid-season replacement that struggles to find its footing and I feel that's where the negative reviews are coming from. If you see a negative review, assume they didn't stick it out to season 2. While it may fall flat in season 1, the show works out the kinks and finds a nice groove for itself in season 2 (much like Parks and Rec or The Office who have famously disliked first seasons but gained their fans in season 2). You really don't need to watch season 1 to understand what's going on either. Tom (Topher Grace) is a best-selling novelist whose next book in progress is about his relationship with his siblings Connor (Jimmy Tatro) and Sarah (Caitlin McGee). Connor is a tech wiz in the top 1%, Tom and his wife are solidly middle class, and Sarah and her wife are barely scraping by. That's really all that's established in season 1 that you need to know, so if you want to get into the show start it at season 2. The chemistry between the actors really shines and you believe that they're actual siblings. Tom's and Sarah's wives Marina and Denise (Karla Souza and Sasheer Zamata) balance out the chaos of the Hayworth family and are given some of the funniest moments in the show as the two outsiders to the madness. Overall, it's a great comeback vehicle for Topher who is supported by an insanely talented cast of up and coming character actors. Just ignore season 1 because otherwise you'll miss out on a charming, hilarious family sitcom.

I'm through the pilot and part of episode two, I thought it was pretty great so far. Some points where I laughed out loud, some times where I just giggled. I wish people could just watch a show for what it is and not read in to things so far. I have a surprise for you guys, not everything is a conspiracy, not everyone has an agenda. Sometimes a TV show is just a TV show, that is in line with the dynamics of families this day and age. Shocking, I know.

I can totally relate some of these situations and jokes to my family life. It's great to be able to sit and laugh about it.

I think the cast is great, the writing is great etc. I'm excited for another sitcom to add to watch!