The Carmichael Show

It was refreshing to watch a scripted sitcom, which parallels my experience as a southern-born first-generation African American college graduate. The humor, the values, and the political commentary juxtaposed against their faith takes me back home with every episode! I have absolutely loved both Loretta Devine and David Allen Grier for decades. Few actors can match the comedic expression of David's facial lines and raised eyebrow. The multi-talented Loretta Devine with her soulful voice is the perfect cast for the southern mother.

It has been difficult over the past decade or so to find a sitcom that both me and my extended family can relate to in this new age of "politically correct" and "millennial- centered" sitcoms ("Modern Family", "New Girl", "Big Bang Theory"). While I enjoy both New Girl and Big Bang Theory, I appreciate the NBC network for airing a show which reaches the often forgotten middle-age to older American audience. This show clearly reminds me that there is a great need for multiple voices and experiences to be expressed on network TV. I look forward to seeing the career path that the talented writer/actor Jerrod Carmichael will take.

Comedian Jerrod Carmichael tackles edgy subject matters every week in this outwardly traditional network sitcom. Maxine (Amber Stevens West) is his liberal therapist girlfriend. His parents (Loretta Devine, David Alan Grier) are opinionated. Bobby (LilRel Howery) is his loser brother and Nekeisha (Tiffany Haddish) is Bobby's domineering ex-wife.

Carmichael has plenty of fun pushing the hot buttons. It's deliberately subversive. He's able to survive the network overlords for the most part except for the shooting episode. It never really got great ratings which is possibly its saving grace. Maybe none of the suits noticed what they were doing. It's 3 shorten seasons of funny, edgy material.

I got all caught up on season 2 of comedian Jerrod Carmichael's series, and two words keep coming to mind with each episode - Norman Lear. As with his shows of the '70s- "The Jeffersons", "All In The Family", etc.. - this series seems to tackle all the socio-political topics of the day. Each episode takes on a different subject. I won't say this show is knee-slapping hilarious, but it does make you think, and it's definitely not afraid to get all non-PC. Carmichael himself you can tell is still getting his feet wet as an actor, as he has surrounded himself with some heavy-hitters -- film and TV veterans Loretta Devine, David Alan Grier, etc.. so he sometimes can stand out with his acting style. All in all, I'm enjoying this show so far, and am looking forward to what it will tackle next.

Watching this show with a LIVE audience, and people truly laughing at it, is amazing in todays TV. The show itself is hilarious, but definitely unpredictable. You can't predict how the characters will react in a given situation, and they have real life views that reflect todays world. You have to value a show that isn't afraid to be funny while talking about not-so-funny world issues.

No spoilers, but the pilot was the funniest show I had seen in years. The season episodes are just as funny.

I know I'm jumping around, but I'll just end this review with this. The TIMING of these actors is amazing. Comedy is about timing, and they don't miss a beat.

Gave it 9/10, because its the best comedy I've seen on TV in recent memory.

The Carmichael Show is awesome. I love the way they show different points of view within the same family. People can disagree and still respect each others opinions, of course since it's family you're going to be teased and tested and that's part of what makes this show REAL - -more REAL in fact, than reality TV.