The New Normal

I was skeptical when when I read reviews and saw ads for "The New Normal", because I felt that in most shows gay guys are very flamboyant and "heeeeeyyyyy"- like, which is not necessarily bad, however a lot of these characters don't have any depth, no feelings and only seem to be there to have a gay person in the show, who is basically just acting funny, and doesn't seem to have any real problems.

But "The New Normal" is very funny, has a good and very clever storyline, dealing with real and current issues in a funny way, like this year's election, gay marriage, racism, intolerance, interracial dating, same sex parents, and a lot of fringe groups and topics.

The main characters are interacting so believably sweet and honest with each other, that at some points you forget seeing two men. You see a couple having issues, like everyone else.

The grandmother is hilarious! Someone said, she is acting like she is from the 1860s and the worst character. I strongly disagree, I think she is representing the opinion of a very conservative woman, YES these kind of people are out there, please don't act surprised, because you know I am right. IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH DON'T WATCH IT! Is she over the top? Of course! Are the other characters over the top and sometimes stereotypical? Most definitely. That's why it is so funny.

"The New Normal" is an honest, funny, over the top sitcom that addresses very serious issues while taking itself not too serious all the time, and I believe everyone should watch it.

I have had a blast watching the first three episodes. I love every single character and they all crack me up!

I think the main couple are adorable. They're crazy and cute and I want to know more about them, which keeps me coming back for more.

Some people will be angry because they are two men who want a kid (I think they'd make good parents - they're kind, able to support a kid, and love each other), some people will be angry because they are similar to some stereotype or another (I think they're just who they are - and who they are is a lot of fun!), and some people will be angry for god knows what.

Bottom line: this is a fantastic, funny show about a lot of kind people and a lot of crazy people who are just trying to thrive in their own lives. The show is very sweet but tempered with reality.

My rating: 10/10. I'm so coming back for more.

This show started out with a lot of potential and just keeps getting better and better. It hits many of the hard issues related to same-sex relationships, but also ties in a lot of humor and heart.

The main characters, Bryan and David, are truly in love and the on-screen chemistry between them is obvious. Sometimes the writers can be a little over the top with the "gay" outfits and one-liners (modern gay people are more likely to act exactly as everyone else), but the show does a great job of showing how normal their lives are otherwise.

Shania and Goldie are also excellent characters with their own lovable quirks. Rocky's character is funny, but needs to become more than an African American cliché. Finally, Golie's grandmother Jane is probably the least believable character and needs the most work. It is understandable that the show wants to dichotomize her bigotry against Bryan and David's love, but it really needs to be toned down to seem realistic (actual bigotry is much more discrete).

Overall, the New Normal is definitely worth watching!

Goldie Clemmons (Georgia King) leaves her small Ohio town and cheating baby daddy Clay (Jayson Blair) to start a new life in LA with daughter Shania (Bebe Wood). She becomes a surrogate for gay couple Bryan Collins (Andrew Rannells) and David Sawyer (Justin Bartha) who takes in the single mom. Goldie's anti-gay grandmother Jane (Ellen Barkin) follows her to cause havoc in the new family. Rocky Rhoades (NeNe Leakes) is Bryan's assistant.

With the success of Modern Family, Ryan Murphy's attempt to make a gay-centric network sitcom is an obvious move. All the elements are assembled here with the gays taking the lead. It boils down to personal preference whether one likes these characters. Goldie is fine if a little bland. Daughter Shania is a little too wacky without another kid to balance her. David is the 'straight man' while Bryan is the traditional flamboyant gay. There is love in the relationship although I'm not in love with them. Ellen Barkin overpowers the cast. NeNe Leakes kinda annoys me. Overall, this collection of actors and characters stress me out rather than make me laugh. That makes it hard to watch sometimes. It's not a show for me.

This was one of my favorite shows. I'm watching it again and it still very enjoyable.