The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh

Yes, the characters are over the top. That's because this is a comedy and not a documentary. The Indian characters are stereotypical, but so are the American ones. The Mills Family are every single American stereotype wrapped into one family - it's actually impressive that the writers managed it: overly religious, petty, redneck, hunting, etc. - every American stereotype ever, wrapped up in a bushy beard and a bleach-blonde hairdo.

So two stereotypes - Indian and American - living next-door to each other: it was just funny. The youngest Pradeep was adorable, and not at all realistic for any child his age, no matter what country they came from. But it's a tv show and not reality.

It's not perfect, far off from that. But it's definitely pretty funny and good for a Sunday binge.

The show's portrayal of Indian culture feels incredibly simplistic and fails to capture the true essence of modern India. For instance, the image of Indians wearing kurtas in meetings is a glaring stereotype that does not reflect reality. This reliance on outdated representations overlooks the diversity and dynamism of contemporary Indian society.

It would have significantly improved the show if the creators had conducted even basic research into how India is. A little effort could have led to a more authentic depiction, showcasing the nuances of Indian culture rather than resorting to clichés. Authenticity matters in storytelling, as it fosters a deeper connection with the audience and offers a more accurate reflection of the society being portrayed.

Moreover, while the plot has potential, the acting and direction leave much to be desired. The performances often feel flat and lack the depth needed to bring the characters to life. Strong direction is essential for transforming a good script into a compelling narrative, yet here, it seems to be lacking. Moments that should resonate emotionally instead fall flat, which detracts from the overall viewing experience.

Ultimately, the show misses an opportunity to present a richer, more relatable narrative. By relying on stereotypes and neglecting the cultural realities of modern India, it fails to engage viewers meaningfully. A more thoughtful approach, grounded in research and authentic representation, could have made for a much more impactful experience.

Funny, easy to watch series. It's a comedy series, so, spoiler alert, they've exaggerated behaviours for comedy value. It's not real life or a documentary. I enjoyed the dysfunctional family dynamics and I lived for Sudha and little Vinod's characters.

Sudha, the mum, is played by Sindhu Vee who is a hilarious stand-up comedian in the UK (if you don't know her, she's worth looking up)

It's a fun, light hearted series with a few uncomfortable scenes but easy to watch. It's reflective of the 2020s and it's nice to see a non-white family as the lead characters. I've read a few negative reviews about authenticity but I'm fairly sure the producers were trying to create a funny series, not factually accurate. Enjoy!

Yes the Pradeeps are Indian, they speak with Indian accents, they wear Indian clothes but they are also very Americanized despite living in Pittsburgh for such a short time. There are nods to the Pradeeps' heritage but by and large this is a show for a general American audience. That audience is still not ready for a dignified romantic relationship between a brown person and a white person. What we get instead is the daugher Bhanu lusting after her neighbor Stu but told to slow down because of their religious differences. The son Kamal lusts after his neighbor Janice who is also his school teacher. Its embarassing to see this on screen in 2024 and I was mashing the fast forward ten seconds button on my remote to get through it. The neighbor Jimbo remarks that women would be interested in the father character Mahesh for his understanding of Karma, but of course we will not ever see a woman show interest towards a brown man in this program.

If you're ready and willing to fast foward through the cringe there are some enjoyable dynamics in the show. The friendship between Mahesh and Jimbo was refreshing. The rivalry between Sudha and Janice is over the top but funny at times. I like the two investigator characters who play good cop, bad cop and try to get a confession out of the Pradeeps. The youngest son Vinod is meant to be a precious kid and draws laughs. Heck I like the entire cast and I hope they all get roles after this or if there is a season 2 it simply comes out better. Other television programs like 'Fresh Off the Boat' and 'Never Have I Ever' set a standard for immigrant and South Asian stories and they make 'Pradeeps of Pittsburgh' look feeble by comparison.

No laughs out loud, which is how I judge comedies. But it's an interesting idea and rather fun. Culture shock is usually great comedy.

But the biggest objection I have is that none of the Pittsburgh natives speak Pittsburgese! I caught one "yinz," but the pronunciations are all wrong. I was born Pittsburgh. So it's painfully obvious.

The acting is good, overall, and Vinod is precious. He got smiles. And Naveen Andrews is always good. As I see it, the show just needs better writing. Maybe season 2 will be better, and I do hope it gets another run. I'll try the show again.

But if it's Pittsburgh, and that's in the title, make it Pittsburgh. Don't dance around it. That could be much funnier. And p.s., it should be easy for actors to assume the dialect.