“Parenthood,” which premiered earlier this month, effectively mixes drama and comedy while exploring the difficulties of parenthood. The second TV show to be based on the 1989 film of the same name, was set to premiere in the fall but was pushed back when Maura Tierney, the original Sarah Braverman, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Parenthood” has a stellar, though perhaps too large of a cast, including TV veterans Peter Krause (“Sports Night” and “Six Feet Under”), Lauren Graham (“Gilmore Girls”), Craig T. Nelson (“Coach”) and Mae Whitman (“Arrested Development”), who
NBC’s “Parenthood” balances comedy and dramaall fit perfectly into their roles as members of the extended Braverman clan. The family consists of heads Zeek (Nelson) and Camille (Bonnie Bedelia) and the families of their four children.
Adam (Krause) is the responsible older brother and has the most traditional family, with wife Kristina (Monica Potter), daughter Haddie (Sarah Ramos) and son Max (Max Burkholder). They have the most serious storyline, as they have to come to terms with Max’s behavioral problems. The scene where Kristina tells Adam that Max might have Asperger’s syndrome is exceptionally well done; the two talk over each other, conveying their confusion and frustration.
Sarah (Graham), divorced and unemployed, moves back into her parents’ house as she works to rebuild her life. Her teenagers do not make it any easier; Amber (Mae Whitman) soon gets arrested, while Drew (Miles Heizer) runs back to live with his dad. Though the strain between mother and daughter is obvious, the affection subtly comes through as Amber helps Sarah pick out clothes for a date.
Working mother Julia (Erika Christensen) questions her life as it becomes obvious that her daughter (Savannah Paige Rae) prefers her stay-at-home dad (Sam Jaeger). Commitment-phobe Crosby (Dax Shepard) can barely handle his girlfriend’s desire for a baby when an old girlfriend returns to tell him that he’s already a father.
The show is just as focused on sibling relationships as parental ones. Crosby routinely turns to Adam for advice, and he responds with an eye roll before telling him what to do, just as a big brother would. A long-lasting rivalry is soon established between the two sisters, as they bicker over their careers and love lives. Both aired episodes have featured at least one scene with just the four siblings. The familiarity between them comes through: you believe that these four wildly different characters grew up together.
It’s this believable family dynamic that makes the show good. With attempts to introduce every character, however, the pilot is overstuffed with plotlines. Everyone gets a moment of his or her own. With a cast of 14 people, there are just too many people for everyone to do something each week.
It is unfortunate the show could not premiere in the fall. TV audiences who have already welcomed the Pritchett family of the uproariously funny “Modern Family” into their lives might be less willing to receive the Bravermans. Despite focusing on the same subjects, both shows are vastly different in tone. “Modern Family” does show the serious side of family but always highlights the comedy, whereas “Parenthood” focuses on the struggles, with comedic moments to prevent it from becoming too dramatic. There is room for both, however, on any must-see list.
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