PILOT REVIEW: The Real O'Neals

THE REAL O'NEALS

Starring: Martha Plimpton, Jay R. Ferguson, Noah Galvin, Matthew Shively, Bebe Wood, Mary Hollis Inboden

Created by David Windsor and Casey Johnson
Written by Casey Johnson, David Windsor, Joshua Sternin, & Jennifer Ventimilia, Directed by Todd Holland

THE PREMISE
The Real O'Neals is a new family sitcom that fits right in the ABC wheelhouse with a wacky family at the center. Unlike the blue collar Hecks, the wealthy Pritchetts, or the 80s Goldbergs, this is about a tightly knit Irish Catholic family led by a domineering mother, Eileen (Martha Plimpton). When Eileen and husband Pat (Jay R. Ferguson) announce they are splitting up to their kids, a flurry of other secrets comes out including 16 year old Kenny (Noah Galvin) announcing he's gay. The other kids are 17 year old Jimmy (Matthew Shively) and 14 year old Shannon (Bebe Wood). Rounding out the main cast is Pat's ex-sister in law, Jodi (Mary Hollis Inboden).

THE REVIEW
The Real O'Neals totally fits into the ABC sitcom family and I can see the potential but I don't think there's anything about it that stands out early on. There are certainly things to like, including Martha Plimpton's performance and the family dynamics in general. But even though it's hitting a hot button issue, it seemed a little more silly than most of the other ABC sitcoms. The Black-ish pilot felt like it was taking a stand, The Goldbergs pilot showed it had a sentimental side, and the Fresh Off the Boat pilot felt, well, fresh. But this just seems a bit more generic than the others.

However, the performances were good for the most part and that makes me think this show can grow into something if it's given the chance. The family already felt like a family in the pilot and there were some funny moments related to the larger Irish Catholic population. The show pokes fun at conventional Irish Catholic families but it doesn't strike me as mean spirited or worth any sort of protest or complaint. It also is, by my memory, the first network sitcom with a gay teen at the center but it can't rest on its laurels with that and become a show about that. Modern Family succeeded (before its creative dip it has taken) because it was never an "issue" show and that needs to be the case here.

But it also just doesn't feel quite as sharp as the other sitcoms on the network. Then again, not every ABC sitcom hit its stride right away. The Goldbergs was wildly uneven in season one before a brilliant second season and beyond. Black-ish was hit and miss in season one but has been on fire this year. So there's enough reason to see what happens here. But if it doesn't prove its worth, ABC can easily cut its losses and focus on development.

WILL I WATCH IT AGAIN?
Yes, I like all the Wednesday ABC sitcoms and Fresh Off the Boat. I'm curious to see if this one can join that list.