Surviving Jack

Disclaimer up front: I find myself in similar circumstances (wife going back to school, multiple kids with HS freshman son, taking greater responsibilities at home) and remember the 90s (my late 20s) fondly. And I have been known to parent in ways similar to the titular Jack.

This show should be a huge hit. It captures 90s life fairly accurately without going to far and becoming cartoonish (hello 70s Show, talking to you). Yes, there are structural similarities. If the show had centered on Red and Eric, those cursory reviews would have a point. But it is that difference that begins the conversation.

This is a coming of age comedy. But as the son comes of age, dad has to reveal more about himself in order to form the connection with his kids (primarily the son) necessary to be the one that is "taking over the parenting" as mom goes back to school. Son Frankie has the requisite friends (if you don't recognize Mikey among your kid's friends, guess what-your kid is it) that are well cast and deliver well in support. The sister and mom are perfect. But the stories center on dad and son and they shine. This is a comedy played straight and without a laugh track, and is so much the funnier for it.

4 episodes into the run and I have a new favorite sitcom. I can't stop telling people about this show. I see that it only has a run of 8 episodes and find myself intensely nervous about its future. This show makes me laugh out loud. Consistently and often. My son actually fell off the couch laughing as Jack dropped the kids at school in episode 1. Watch this show. You will soon set the series record on your DVR so you can watch it over and over.

This show got me excited about watching TV again and looking forward to each new episode every week. Meloni was perfect and conveyed the perfect dad you wish was your dad & yet are so glad he's not. Loved that it was set in the 90s at the time I was growing up, so fun to relate to. I was laughing and snarfing through every episode. When I heard they canceled the show on May 7th 2014, I was furious! Why do they cancel the best shows and then leave Vampire Diaries or whatever they are on all the time? People are crazy. Shows like this need more coverage, no one I talk to has heard of Surviving Jack, they had no clue to watch it until I showed them and they were hooked too. Get the word out to bring it back! I signed a petition, please do it too! Please go to the address posted below!

www.change.or g/en-CA/petitions/fox-broadcasting-company-renew-surviving-jack

Wow! this is great fun to watch... and boy, it's been a long time since I could say that about a TV show! The dialog between the parents is refreshingly realistic - with subjects and situations that feel everyday rather than contrived. I think they've captured, perfectly, the generation gap on a multitude of fronts... while showing that some things in parenting-world will always be the same, no matter WHAT the generation! Our kids are 35 & 33 now... but, still... we are roaring as we listen to some of Jack's commentary on raising teenagers - it could have been pulled right out of this household, or some of our friends! And so nice to see a set of "tv parents" who put each other first and want the best for their kids - but don't try to be their kids' buddy! The episode we just watched had us absolutely rollin' we were laughing so hard. Laughing so hard you cry, is GOOD for the heart!

Finally something that is absolutely funny and completely identifiable, and they decide to cancel it! I loved this show...it took me back to my HUMMMMM parenting days where i thought I was doing a great job,,,First time I laughed out loud while watching great TV in a long time. What a shame. I guess not enough blood and gore for the TV decisions makers.... Totally believable, Frankie's friends are kids that I grew up (or like the ones I grew up with) OR were friends of my children's (scary but true) . The writers are in total tune with the era and I am very sad to see it go. The cast of characters worked perfectly together and I could not wait for the next plot to see how Jack would instill a life lesson in his family.

The first thing that drew me to this show, was the fact that Christopher Meloni stars. I've always been a fan of Law & Order SVU, and after seeing him do Man of Steel, I was wondering where I'd see him next. I saw the commercial for Surviving Jack. At first, I was disappointed that he had moved on to do a sit-com. I was definitely skeptical coming in.

However, I then found out that this series would be set in the early 90's. That got my attention even more, being someone who grew up in those times. I still was expecting a low quality show doomed for cancellation, because the advertisements looked like it was a show that had been done many times over.

I was pleasantly shocked at how great the pilot was. The acting is good, the storyline is funny, and there are enough references from the 90's that will bring joy to anyone looking for some nostalgia. There's a certain book in the pilot which might really bring home how well the crew conveys the 90's setting. The music is also perfect! All in all, I loved the pilot, and will keep watching. This will most certainly be MY replacement for the recently finished How I Met Your Mother.

If you're looking for a relaxing show to relieve stress, and bring a smile to your face, and maybe even some strong nostalgia, then this is the show for you.