Ben and Kate

Ben and Kate is a fantastic and deeply underrated show. Upbeat and inventive, it features one of the best ensemble casts on broadcast TV. In particular, Nat Faxon and Lucy Punch demonstrate incredible comedic timing and help elevate the show above what could have been an ordinary half hour of television. Additionally, the show's writing distinguishes itself from other sitcoms, since it is genuinely funny, yet also consistently positive and earnest. I would highly recommend this show to fans of Community, 30 Rock, New Girl, or any other similar feel-good, yet original show on television. As of the writing of this review, 13 episodes have been aired and the remaining 6 are in limbo. Nevertheless, I would highly recommend that anyone seek out the episodes already available, since they stand on their own like other comedy show that were cancelled too soon in their time like Undeclared and Freaks and Geeks. You will be genuinely happy that you did so and, hopefully, someday in the near future, we will see the remaining episodes and some closure to this gem of a sitcom.

Ben and Kate is a cute little feel-good comedy about a brother and sister coming together. The show follows Kate Fox (Dakota Johnson). Kate is a hard-working, high-strung single mom caring for her daughter Maddie (the girl from We Bought a Zoo). She lives with her older brother Ben (Nat Faxon), who is somewhat of a man child jumping from one get rich scheme to the next. Ben and Kate are accompanied on their adventures by BJ (Lucy Punch), Kate's best friend, and Tommy (Echo Kellum), Ben's best friend. Kate and Tommy are basically a couple, although the show drags it out and dances around the subject by having them date other people. Also, Ben and BJ have great chemistry, and you think they could be a cute couple. Bj also is perhaps the funniest character in the show.

Dakota Johnson is charming as the show's main protagonist. I haven't seen 50 Shades of Gray, but I loved her in How To Be Single and Peanutbutter Falcon, and she plays a similar role in this show. Ben, on the other hand, reminded me a lot of Taco from The League, in that he doesn't really fit in society and kind of beats to the sound of his own drum. The only exception is that Ben is more family Friendly than Taco, and he is actually a god surrogate dad to Maddie. Brittany Snow also guest stars in a few episodes as Lila. Lila isn't her best character as she is rather one-dimensional. This is largely due to the fact that the script never really gave her character much to do or any room to grow. Lila is pretty much just an obstacle for Kate and Tommy to work around. However, with that said, Brittany Snow does an amazing job with what she is given, and she steals every scene she is in.

The main problem with the show was that it seemed like it never really knew what it wanted to be. At times it seemed like it wanted to be a family-friendly show, and at other times, it seemed like it wanted to be an edgy comedy. And like any show that only has one season, there are a handful of storylines that are never finished, which is always annoying. But overall, it's a cute little show that is a quick binge, especially if you just need to escape from the world for a few minutes.

I don't normally write reviews, but I feel like I need to speak up for this show. It has quickly become one of my all-time favourites and I can't stand to see it get passed by week after week.

Right out of the gate, I knew Ben and Kate was destined for greatness, but I could never have predicted it would be so consistently great. Every episode (there have been 8 so far) has been better than the last.

It has an amazing cast. I'm convinced that Nat Faxon can make any material hilarious (and anyone who makes fun of his teeth can kindly **** off - sorry, but don't be so shallow). Dakota Johnson does nervous and awkward like no other ("Then that is when I'll see you... with my lookin' balls."). The supporting cast is amazing too, particularly Lucy Punch, whose scenes with Kate's daughter (played by the adorable, but professional, Maggie Elizabeth Jones) are always exceptional. In fact, in general, Kate's daughter Maddie is one of the best kids you'll see on a TV show (they treat her like an adult and not a moppet).

The show has such great writing too. It's not just joke after joke, but also has real character growth and development. And the sentimental stuff is embedded in the comedy itself, so it all feels organic. For example, after Kate embarrasses herself at a Halloween party, she and her brother have a very touching and enlightening conversation about sandwiches.

Another thing I love about it is its ability to take sitcom tropes and do something completely new and original. It's refreshing. For example, last night's episode did something sweet with the fake green card marriage trope.

Bottom line: This is an excellent show that consistently makes me laugh and warms my heart at the same time. It has quickly become the highlight of an already crowded night of comedies on Tuesday night, and I hope that more people are able to see that before this becomes another great comedy that comes and goes unnoticed.

Oh, also. If you didn't like the pilot, keep watching. While I liked it, I thought it got way funnier after that.

So far, I love this show! I find the humor witty & hilarious! I wish there was more positive buzz about the show. I think the characters have been casted perfectly. I crack up every time that I watch it. I even DVR it since its hard to watch while chasing after my 2 little ones. My husband is also hooked. It's not all that realistic in its portrayal of daily life, but they take simple things and put a spectacular twist on it. For me, personally, it's along the lines of a Seinfeld or Modern Family type of humor. Great writing, great acting... What more can I say?? Looking forward to next week's episode. I love it!!!

It's pretty crappy. The characters are terrible. The humor almost non existent. No one is very likable. It's no loss like many other much better series that didn't get enough of a chance. Awful.