United States of Al

It's rare and about time that network comedies take a chance on a new challenging premise. Al is an Afghanistan legal immigrant who worked as a translator for the United States military. He comes to Columbus, Ohio where the American soldier and his family welcome him into their home. The sitcom needs time. The cast is fine but the show is stilling trying to find itself. The actor who played Al I'd not Afghani but he is talented an experienced. He was David spade's assistant in rules of engagement and played a Muslim foreign exchange student in another sitcom. I'm glad to see chs exploring other cultures and religions. I only wished they did it sooner.

As a veteran, and as the mother of two young men who went to war, I found this show to be a wonderful combination of humor and the realities of returning from a war zone.

I really like Al and his using his lifelong skills to help the world in which he now lives to adjust to his way of doing things. His fast talking his way into and out of trouble is a really cute aspect of his character that will lend itself to a lot of laughter in later shows.

I also like how they showed in the very beginning the love of the two men who saw the elephant standing side-by-side and came out on the other side alive.

As far as the laugh track, people reviewing this show, talking about how bad it is... Try to remember the first show was the pilot being filmed during a pandemic. If I had to guess, it would be that no audience was allowed to be there. But, that's just me using common sense and a lack of judgment because I choose to judge something AFTER I've seen it, rather than before.

This show is reminiscent of the sitcoms we used to watch on television. Everyone is who they are, even if it bothers some people, and the writers are great at capturing what life was like for military members who come back home after months in the sandbox, and their struggles readjusting to a life that no longer requires hypervigilance and sleeping with one eye open.

I also really like how Al gets involved in fixing his bro's marriage. It's not just the soldier who suffers when s/he returns from war, but the family, too. I like how the show gives us both sides of the trauma.

I hope this show enjoys a long run because I like it. A lot.

Edited to add: People seem to be complaining about the uniform not being "realistic." People... (SMH) It's sitcom, not a reality show. Most people wouldn't even notice this... Let it go!

Sad that people seem to be missing the intelligence of this gentle loving humor. So far I am very impressed with all actors and the show's intentions and social import. See thru your cynicism and bias, its all a form of not getting it.

We enjoyed the 1st episode very much. All characters were pleasant. No idiots and No screeching or whining, like in so many series lately. Characters are well balanced in their presentation and social issue points are not shoved down your throats. Basically, a nice funny show.

I thought it was a good show!! We laughed and for a pilot episode think that it's good enough to watch again!!