Welcome to Sweden

There is really so little to like about this show; it's a nepotistic slap in the face for anyone expecting to be even mildly entertained on a Thursday eve. Essentially a mix of contrived, cliché characters that play on a familiar theme; an awkward American trying to fit into a foreign culture. Yet for this formula to work, one has to like (or actually tolerate) the American in question, and Greg Poehler (Amy Poehler's brother....surprise!) is just too painful to watch; apparently years of being Amy's brother and being told he's pretty talented himself actually gave him the delusion he could act. Yet from the very opening scene with a cameo from Amy herself, it is blatantly apparent that the talent, timing and overall ability to pull-off a lead in a sit-com sat on only one side of that table. Once in awhile obscenely bland shows like this can spring forth an "Urkle" which saves it from cancellation, yet the cloyingly predictable bumbling uncle who is clearly a reincarnation of "Belkie" from "Perfect Strangers" (i.e. the foreigner who wants to be American) is just sad. Bad editing, bad writing, bad acting and a BAD choice overall.

I teach writing. I've written professional comedy, and I've been to Sweden many times. This is a great show. Granted it might be difficult for some who are not as familiar with Sweden, but it is very realistic. It might be hard for the average American to believe, but that's what Sweden is really like. Everyone does speak English there. It's a nice blend of zanier American humor combined with the subtleties of the dryer Swedish humor. We had a Swedish exchange student for a year then we visited her family in Sweden a number of times. They are a wonderful people, and I hope this comedy acquaints some Americans with Swedes and Sweden on some level. Nice job Greg!

The show could have been so much more, but Greg's awful acting, horribly played-out sad-sack role could have been given so much more depth if it were played by another actor. Any other actor.

The show does play hard on the cultural discontinuities between life in the US and life in Sweden, striking up *every single* possible stereotype (and I've got no problem with that), to the exclusion of other location-agnostic jokes that might be a good fit for that specific situation. The show's writers obviously suffer from a strong lack of creativity or have been specifically told to keep the topic on Sweden. All the time. Yawn.

What would really help take this show into a second season (or at least to the end of this season before being canceled) is if the writers added a little more depth to his wife's character and showed us more of the parents (who seem like engaging actors taking on roles that beg more exploration). I can honestly say that all 5 points that I've awarded this show go firmly to the actors who play the family of Josephine Bornebusch. Hopefully one of the Poehlers is reading this.

I enjoy this show. I like the play between American and Swedish cultures. The writing is fun and quirky. I like unusual shows, but they usually end up canceled. Not a lot of people into quirky I guess. I'm hoping this ones runs at least a few seasons. Greg Poehler reminds me of Greg Kinnear a bit, and I love seeing Amy Poehler and other guests pop in and out of the episodes. Also, the struggle for an American trying to find work in a foreign country without speaking the language is real. I don't think Greg Poehler's character is a 'sad sack' as another reviewer said, he's just an American fish in Swedish waters. And let me say, that trying to write ten lines for every review is kind of a pain! I give that a 3 stars!

This is one of the funniest shows I've seen in a long time and I'm just "some guy from Australia who knows nothing about Sweden". I liked the US edit so much that I started only watching the original with subs. It's amazing how much the US butcher it and still manage to make it funny.

I find myself learning more and more words but you sort of have to because it seems like most the subs you find are done with google translate. That's the good thing (and I mean the only good thing) about the US edit, you know what you're reading is what they're saying and a 5yr old has enough time to read it. That being said season 2 seems to have more English in it, it seems like they're trying to increase their audience to include less intelligent and lazy viewers.

It's great to have a quick little pick me up and to have something other your standard US dribble to watch (80 different cop/law/hospital dramas). Cast is great and the fact that the only bad actor is an American just makes it funnier. I mean, what's going on with the odd couple? At least they're butchering one of their own shows for once.