PILOT REVIEW: Single Parents

SINGLE PARENTS

Starring: Taran Killam, Leighton Meester, Kimrie Lewis, Jake Choi, Marlow Barkley, Tyler Wladis, Mia Allan, Ella Allan, Devin Trey Campbell, and Brad Garrett

Created by Elizabeth Meriwether and JJ Philbin
Teleplay by JJ Philbin, Story by Elizabeth Meriwether & JJ Philbin, Directed by Jason Winer

IN SHORT: How has ABC's family comedy brand not done one about single parents yet?

THE PREMISE:
Single Dad Will Cooper (Taran Killam) and daughter Sophie (Marlow Barkley) are new to a school and Will is the new and overeager room parent. He runs into a roadblock with a bunch of other single parents who do not share his enthusiasm. Angie (Leighton Meester) is a cynical career woman. Douglas (Brad Garrett) is a wealthy doctor who was left with twin daughters (Mia & Ella Allen) following the death of his 26 year old exotic dancer wife. Other single parents Poppy and Miggy (Kimrie Lewis & Jake Choi) as well as more kids (Tyler Wladis & Devin Trey Campbell) round out the main cast.

THE REVIEW:
ABC has been better than any other at a certain brand over the last nine years with their family comedies. Starting with The Middle and Modern Family and continuing with other gems like The Goldbergs and Fresh Off the Boat and very few misfires. Single Parents fits in with these shows like a glove and provides a new spin on the family comedy (a trait of many of the ABC sitcoms). This show did not come altogether in the pilot, but the pieces are certainly there for this to be another very funny entry in the canon.

It starts with SNL alum Taran Killam, who had an exuberant and funny energy as the dad who is deep down the parenting vortex. He was a great contrast to the many other more cynical characters on the show. He also showed great comedic timing at times including his very funny opening scene with his on screen daughter (played very well by Marlow Barkley) and his declaring "I love you" on his first date in years. The rest of the cast was strong too including Leighton Meester and some good performances from the kids. Even the often annoying Brad Garrett was mostly funny in a role he seems well-suited for. Jake Choi was the weak link among the parents with some not so believable acting.

I like that this show doesn't seem afraid to explore some of the hardships that come with being a single parent. There was a level of sadness to this show that made it interesting, but it's also a fine line to walk as the show continues. I think the cast has good chemistry with each other and are already gelling as a group but the final "Moana"-inspired scene didn't really work for me. It seemed a little too forced and was a weak attempt at trying to tie the episode up with a nice bow. I was disappointed with that ending after the show seemed to set up everything else well.

BOTTOM LINE:
This show is from New Girl veterans so I expect some level of inconsistency but also some really great moments. I haven't seen all the new sitcoms for this season but this was the one I had the most hope for going in and I still feel like it has the potential to be the best.