Splitting Up Together

Having tried this actual arrangement in my own divorce I'm amazed how relatable, poignant, and touching the whole series has been.

It is sometimes difficult to actually critique a pilot episode of a new TV series and this is just one of those new comedy shows (at least I think they are trying to be funny?) that I am not sure where the writers are going with it, even though the series title is somewhat self explanatory. Husband Martin (Oliver Hudson) and wife Lena (Jenna Fischer) have finished a 2 year rough patch (no sex) and have decided to live separately within the same house with boundaries being one of them will live in the garage for a week with no responsibilities, while the other parent lives in the house and takes care of the kids and all domestic responsibilities. The following week Martin and Lena will switch their living conditions and domestic responsibilities.

As a divorced parent with three sons of my own and a relatively amicable split from the ex I just don't see anything humorous about a family going through splitsville. But this is not reality riight? This is an attempt at TV comedy.

So who cares if both parents are in their early 40's (?) and both still have a waistline that a teenager would be envious of, and no grey hair after having three (3) children? So they live in what appears to be a 3,000 plus square foot home on a huge property with not only a detached garage that one of these two free-wheeling parents will call their principle residence every second week, but no one seems to work even though they say they do?

Maybe I digress, but even Ray Romano and his TV wife Patricia Heaton exchanged more heated conversations then this separated husband and wife team Martin and Lena. I look forward to watching a few more episodes before passing any serious opinion either positive or negative so I will remain on the fence for the time being and I will rate this first episode with a 5 out of 10 rating.

A new favorite! Absolutely love this new comedy, it is finally something fresh on the scene. From newly divorced trying to get back out there, to realizing what you had now that it's gone. Demonstrates what a healthy divorce with children should look like, without instilling false hope in young viewers. Considering some of the scenes in this show i certainly hope there is not a very large young viewing audience. It's a great show!

I really enjoyed the pilot. I am a family law attorney and deal with families in this situation all the time. It was appropriately comedic and also hit the real issues when people go through this process. Great chemistry between the main characters. Great supporting characters. I hope this show makes it!

To those giving it a 1/10, seriously? This show is not offensive and if you can't get the humor, you are probably under the age of 40.

This is a lighthearted show that dances with the delicate subject of a failed marriage and how to maintain the balance of a family unit. Unlike several shows out there, the kids are not foul mouthed self absorbed "tweens" that a real parent would want to knock upside their head. The adults feel the guilt of their failed relationship and not only try to move forward with their lives (will they get back together or not), but they continue sacrificing for the sake of their offspring.

This series pushes the boundaries but doesn't flagrantly break them. I for one will keep watching to see where it goes.