A Show That You Wish More People Were Watching
It'd be a cop out if I said American Soap Operas once again...so I'm going to go with...
Parenthood
This warm little nugget of television goodness is shockingly underrated and mostly ignored by mainstream viewers. I'm not entirely sure why Parenthood hasn't reached the popularity levels that family-centric shows like Brothers and Sisters and Modern Family have, but I suppose it comes down to a few factors.
- Going up against uber popular crime and legal shows on other networks
- Lack of star power
- Lack of storyline sensationalism
To put it bluntly, Parenthood just isn't sexy. It's dysfunctional (without being pretentious) and, while it has some recognisable tv stars, they're mostly faces you might remember from a show way back when, but you can't quite make out their name. Are Peter Krause, Monica Potter and Craig T. Nelson household names? No. Not even close.
What I find so refreshing about this show is how real the storylines are. They can make you feel so uncomfortable watching the issues the Braverman's are put through because they are real life issues that hit home. The disconnect between Zeek and Camille isn't in your face. It's understated and slowly developed. It's like watching our own parents whose marriage has become strained through the years together and put on a face for their children, all the while they'd rather be in opposite sides of the house away from one another.
It's reality and I guess that's why more people don't tune in. Television is about escapism. And there's nothing people want to escape from more than parenthood. Yes...you love your family but sometimes it's nice to get away and watch Castle or Hawaii Five-O for a cheap thrill. Most people you speak to don't watch television to see their own lives laid bare...they want to just be entertained! (Who said Parenthood doesn't entertain? Not me!)
What I love about the show is how the family's problems aren't just nipped in the bud and solved in one episode. Adam doesn't just forgive Crosby for driving away his autistic son's behavioural coach. It took several episodes of character growth, in and amongst the other main storylines of each particular episode, in order for Adam to truly forgive his younger brother's foolishness. Adam's son's autism isn't swept under the rug after the first season's main arc. It's weaved into the fabric of the show and isn't used as just a plot device. It's ingrained in the family dynamic, as having a loved one with autism happens to do so in reality.
Look...I really am hooked on Parenthood, but don't get me wrong. It's an intense show and it's characters aren't always likeable. They have real flaws like you and I that the show isn't afraid to highlight. But that's why I love it so much. It's real and not ashamed of it.
Check it out! You won't be disappointed!
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