YAB Review: ‘Parenthood’
Posted by meredith on 03-04-2010
Today’s Ypulse Youth Advisory Board review comes from Lauren Williams who tuned into NBC for the premiere of Ron Howard’s new family dramedy “Parenthood.”
Boasting a talented multigenerational cast skewed on the younger side and featuring the likes of Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham), “Parenthood” seems like a ripe candidate for co-viewing. At least, that was my first impression. I didn’t have a chance to catch the pilot, but would be curious to hear what Ypulse readers thought on that front. Feel free to respond in comments and, as always, you can communicate directly with any member of the Ypulse Youth Advisory Board by emailing them at youthadvisoryboard at ypulse.com.
YAB Review: ‘Parenthood’
What was the biggest draw?: Lorelai Gilmore returns to television as Lorelai Gilmore. Ron Howard recreates the funny-family concept as a drama. NBC is due for at least one other good hour-long show. I mean “Chuck” can’t support the network alone forever. Really, the promos were heartwarmingly funny, and the level of talent screams, “Watch me!” I couldn’t resist. Ever since the show entered my radar back at the start of the fall season, I’ve been waiting.
How much did you know beforehand?: I knew everything about the show’s turmoil on its way to production, the final cast list, and the general idea, but I didn’t know anything about the characters or their connections to one another on the whole. Apparently, Parenthood was a popular film in 1989 and was a critically acclaimed, yet ultimately failed sitcom in 1990. Third time’s a charm?
How did you tune in?: I watched on Hulu.com the morning after its official airing. I like having immediate access to other people’s thoughts in the discussions posted below the video. Many viewers had a great deal to say about the Aspergers storyline, and the debate got heated. Watching online, I feel, provides an instantaneous community of viewers. I don’t have to awkwardly fumble around asking every person I meet IRL if they watched “Parenthood” last night.
Sum it up: The pilot worked as any pilot does, introducing a large cast of characters and plots as efficiently as possible. Most fail with too much exposition or by trying to get to the meat too quickly. Parenthood succeeded. The Braverman family consists of two grandparents, four adult siblings and their various significant others, and five children. Sarah, a bankrupt divorcee moves to Berkeley with her two stereotypically “troubled” teenage children. Adam and Kristina live a “normal” life with their teenage daughter and socially awkward son who may be a little less “normal” than anyone realizes. Workaholic Julie tries to connect with her daughter who prefers when Daddy sings her to sleep. Then there’s Crosby, the youngest Braverman sibling, a commitment-dodger who after agreeing to have a baby with his girlfriend of three years, gets a life changing phone call from a former flame. Rounding out the family is Zeek, the tough-as-nails head of the family, and Camille, the strong-willed matron. As each member of the family deals with their individual plots, they periodically come together for picturesque family dinners and general support.
So, what did you think?: Loved it. Within five minutes, the compelling characters, cliché-yet-still-relevant stories, witty comedy, and fantastic actors (ahem, Lauren Graham, anyone?) hooked me. I will absolutely be watching next week (already subscribed on Hulu) and for many weeks (and hopefully years) to come, so long as NBC doesn’t force the show into prime-time soap opera territory. I don’t watch “Brothers and Sisters” for a reason.
About Lauren
Lauren recently spent a harrowing year in England where she overcame her life’s demons and finally found her answer to that itching question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Currently, she is completing her final year at Northern Arizona University. She will graduate this spring with a BA in English and a minor in Cinema and Visual Culture. Meanwhile, she is keenly stressing herself out by volunteering to take on a 60 page undergraduate thesis about Superman. When not studying, Lauren enjoys watching ungodly amounts of television. An All-American girl, Lauren loves baseball, Coca-Cola, cherry pie, and violent action films. Her favorite pastimes include hanging out in grapefruit trees, building complex civilizations out of LEGOS, and digging for dinosaur bones in the sandbox.
Categorized under: TV, Youth Advisory Board
March 4th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Can’t wait to see the show. I’ve loved Peter Krause ever since Six Feet Under and I think it’s a stellar cast.