Rodney

'Rodney' (2004) Rodney Carrington, Jennifer Aspen, Amy Pietz, Nick Searcy, Oliver Davis, Matthew Michael Josten. Down-to-earth husband/father in middle America quits his job that he hates and starts doing stand-up comedy, much to the dismay of his wife and kids. Saw the pilot at an ABC Premiere Party @ Times Square on August 22 and although this looks like 2004's answer to Roseanne/The Drew Carey Show, it is a lot better than it has any business being. Some of the jokes fell flat, but that often happens in a pilot episode (especially one on ABC). Several supporting characters are realistic people whom anyone could know. I had never previously heard of Rodney Carrington, but he seems to know what he is doing and delivers one-liners in a swift manner. Certainly promising.

Just found this show on YouTube. One of the best family-ish sitcoms I've ever seen. A shame ABC didn't continue it. I'd have watched every one. Twice.

'Rodney' is very much in the 'According to Jim' style of sitcom. It allow the star stand-up performer plenty of leeway to work in bits of their act, while allowing them to 'act' in a situation that is very familiar.

This is an amiable enough show. It provides enough gentle laughs to carry it along, and the situations aren't exactly a stretch for either cast or viewer alike.

It doesn't hurt that you have sitcom veteran Don Reo behind the scenes or the always lovely Amy Pietz ('Caroline in the City') in the cast too.

It's fine enough viewing, and two series was probably about as much as it was ever going to get.

this is the best family comedy since home improvement. there are many situations especially in season1 that common folk can relate to. Rodney is quite simple and down to earth, i love this show, it is probably the best family show of all times! i especially love that this show focuses on family and importance of father's presence in his kids lives. Rodney is funny as hell,i love his songs and stand up comedy. and on the show the rest of the cast do their thing really well,we all want the best for our kids, but we can find ourselves in situations where unwillingly we disappoint them, now who hasn't found himself in that situation? the entire show is well made, hope it stays on for a long time.

If you've ever heard any of Carrington's cocksure, edgy comedy CDs, on which it certainly seems as though he's thoroughly loaded, laughing at himself, rolling quite blue, but always with good reason-- the guy is funny as hell-- you're probably also scratching your head at this lame attempt to turn him into the new Andy Griffith. I mean, you can sit through retread of crap after retread of crap, but this man needs a working venue, and this clearly isn't it. The writing is dumb, the pace is slow, the kids are cookie cutter cute and the wife has no presence. But they all stand out when you see what they've done to poor Rodney. If you think I'm being overly severe, go buy a copy of "Morning Wood" and hang on.