Real O'Neals

[orangerful]

dontjudgeme suggested I give The Real O'Neals and I am about 5 episodes in. I'm not sure how I feel about it.

It is amusing and I do find myself giggling every now and then. It has a really good heart.

But the characters, especially the parents, feel like stereotypes more than people. I feel like this is holding the show back. I know that is the crux of the show, that they were the stereotypical Irish Catholic family in the Midwest and they implode in the pilot episode and we watch they struggle to figure out their new normal. I am hoping that it is just these first few episodes and everyone will loosen up soon.

I really like the cast which is why I keep watching. But I know this show could be so much better if they just made them feel more like real people.

Comments

[c-hrista.livejournal.com]

I was worried going into it because I know A LOT of families that are like this one, so I guess to me it didn't feel as stereotypical because I know a good deal of Catholic crazies (lol my own could be considered this). I do agree that some of the characters seem EXTRA over the top, though.

And I LOVE the cast. The dad is currently guest starring on The Mindy Project, too, which makes it extra fun.

[domluver.livejournal.com]

I watch this from time to time, I think it's an interesting show. I like the Catholic aspect of it but yeah a lot of things seem over the top it would be a hell of a lot better if it was more real.

[eurydice72.livejournal.com]

I stuck with the show even though it's not as funny as I hoped, mostly because I adore Martha Plimpton and Jay Ferguson. They don't feel as much like stereotypes to me as the show itself feels like other sitcoms--The Goldbergs, Fresh Off the Boat--taking broad strokes for initial gags while the audience gets comfortable with the characters. Network sitcoms seem to do that a lot these days.

[ragnarok-08.livejournal.com]

But the characters, especially the parents, feel like stereotypes more than people. I feel like this is holding the show back. I know that is the crux of the show, that they were the stereotypical Irish Catholic family in the Midwest and they implode in the pilot episode and we watch they struggle to figure out their new normal.

I feel the same way about it.

[tigtogiba34.livejournal.com]

I get confused between that and The Goldbergs they are both on ABC ala the shows that are on after Jeopardy when I'm too lazy to change the channel

[night-owl-9.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I felt the same way when I started watching the show. It took time for me to warm up to the characters

[a-phoenixdragon.livejournal.com]

Och..hate it when you have a potentially good show ruined by 2D characterization. *headdesk*