Parenthood (2010)

Watchseries; Every Tuesday night, after the conclusion of Parenthood, my wife says to me sentimentally, "I want to be a Braverman!" NBC's mildly successful drama, Parenthood, utilizes its larger-than-normal cast (15 recurring characters) to create a realistic atmosphere that explores the deeper realities of being an American family. Each episode beckons the viewer to identify with one branch of the Braverman family tree. Do you see yourself as the successful oldest brother, Adam, who everyone in the family looks to for support and advice? Are you the single mother, Sarah, who is overcoming a failed marriage and the repercussions of the children's absent father? Or maybe you're Julia, the successful lawyer who's climbing her way up the corporate ladder, but all the while wrestling with the cost to her family? Then there's the black sheep Crosby, whose fear of commitment and settling down are challenged by the confident, aspiring mother of his child, Jazmin, whom he has fallen deeply in love with. Or, perhaps, your children are raised and now, as the patriarchs of your family you find yourself in Zeek and Camielle's position of watching your children parent and navigating the complexities of having an adult child (not to mention grandchildren) living with you in your home.

The story lines and issues dealt with in Parenthood bring the audience into the midst of some of today's most challenging issues. In its first two seasons, Parenthood has empathized with its audience's struggles in an incredible number of real life situations: job loss, Asperger's syndrome, raising a rebellious teenager, raising a teenage boy with his father absent, midlife crises, financial stresses after retirement, the reality of peer pressure, unexpected pregnancies, balancing your career aspirations with those of your spouse's, biracial dating, and infertility.

What has become a staple of Parenthood is the argument scene. Episodes of Parenthood regular contain two to three scenes of one of the families engaged in a loud, discussion/fight with multiple characters yelling at the same time. The argument scene seems so chaotic, confusing, loud . . . and realistic. Any family that has had their share of arguments will find a kindred spirit in the Bravermans of Parenthood.

In the end, Parenthood is about, well, just that . . . parenthood. The unique flavor that this particular show has brought to prime time is an honest look at the many dimensions of parenting - from the decision to attempt to conceive, to the toddler and primary school years, through the incredibly challenging teenage years, to the years of adulthood and being a grandparent. Parenthood has dealt with infertility to preschools to high school graduation and everything in between. Parenthood is about family. Through the all challenges mentioned above that come the Braverman's way, the one stabilizing force is their family.

One of the casualties of the postmodern quest for mobility and a borderless reality is the family. How very uncommon it has become to meet an extended family who all live within a short distance of one another! Parenthood offers the Braverman family to help calm that longing in us all. Zeek and Camille's house serves as the calming presence throughout the series. No matter what difficulty besets the family, when they are "home," everything seems right. It is difficult to imagine any of the Braverman's ever moving far from home.

While the verdict remains out on whether or not Parentho

Every Tuesday night, after the conclusion of Parenthood, my wife says to me sentimentally, "I want to be a Braverman!" NBC's mildly successful drama, Parenthood, utilizes its larger-than-normal cast (15 recurring characters) to create a realistic atmosphere that explores the deeper realities of being an American family. Each episode beckons the viewer to identify with one branch of the Braverman family tree. Do you see yourself as the successful oldest brother, Adam, who everyone in the family looks to for support and advice? Are you the single mother, Sarah, who is overcoming a failed marriage and the repercussions of the children's absent father? Or maybe you're Julia, the successful lawyer who's climbing her way up the corporate ladder, but all the while wrestling with the cost to her family? Then there's the black sheep Crosby, whose fear of commitment and settling down are challenged by the confident, aspiring mother of his child, Jazmin, whom he has fallen deeply in love with. Or, perhaps, your children are raised and now, as the patriarchs of your family you find yourself in Zeek and Camielle's position of watching your children parent and navigating the complexities of having an adult child (not to mention grandchildren) living with you in your home.

The story lines and issues dealt with in Parenthood bring the audience into the midst of some of today's most challenging issues. In its first two seasons, Parenthood has empathized with its audience's struggles in an incredible number of real life situations: job loss, Asperger's syndrome, raising a rebellious teenager, raising a teenage boy with his father absent, midlife crises, financial stresses after retirement, the reality of peer pressure, unexpected pregnancies, balancing your career aspirations with those of your spouse's, biracial dating, and infertility.

What has become a staple of Parenthood is the argument scene. Episodes of Parenthood regular contain two to three scenes of one of the families engaged in a loud, discussion/fight with multiple characters yelling at the same time. The argument scene seems so chaotic, confusing, loud . . . and realistic. Any family that has had their share of arguments will find a kindred spirit in the Bravermans of Parenthood.

In the end, Parenthood is about, well, just that . . . parenthood. The unique flavor that this particular show has brought to prime time is an honest look at the many dimensions of parenting - from the decision to attempt to conceive, to the toddler and primary school years, through the incredibly challenging teenage years, to the years of adulthood and being a grandparent. Parenthood has dealt with infertility to preschools to high school graduation and everything in between. Parenthood is about family. Through the all challenges mentioned above that come the Braverman's way, the one stabilizing force is their family.

One of the casualties of the postmodern quest for mobility and a borderless reality is the family. How very uncommon it has become to meet an extended family who all live within a short distance of one another! Parenthood offers the Braverman family to help calm that longing in us all. Zeek and Camille's house serves as the calming presence throughout the series. No matter what difficulty besets the family, when they are "home," everything seems right. It is difficult to imagine any of the Braverman's ever moving far from home.

While the verdict remains out on whether or not Parentho

Parenthood watchseries. Miles' portrayal of Drew, the disturbed teen on Parenthood, is right on the mark. He conveys so well the hopeless frustration of trying to deal with the well-meaning but insensitive, self-centered adults who cluelessly control his life and frustrate his ability to value himself as a person. I look forward to his performances, so I was disappointed that he did not appear in Episode 7 (April 13) and appeared only as a silent observer at Jabbar's party in Episode 8 (April 20). I wish to commend Jennifer Lare and Camille H. Patton for their brilliant casting of this fine show, and would like to encourage them to make more use of the untapped talent of Miles Heizer as his family forges boldly into an uncertain future that they may live up to the name they bear, the Bravermans.

The other reviewer (RobNels2000) needs to do his homework. "Parenthood" was originally conceived as a TV series, became a movie and then became a TV series! The 1990 series (Ed Begley Jr., Jayne Atkinson, William Windom, etc.) didn't work despite having some great talent behind it (Ron Howard and Brian Grazer plus at least five others credited as executive producers). Now it's back...new cast, same situations. Three generations and lots of subplots. A truly great ensemble (Craig T. Nelson and Bonnie Bedelia, Peter Krause and Lauren Graham, etc.). Many people are going to compare this to "Modern Family" but "Parenthood" was around first...as a movie and TV series. Lauren Graham is doing very well stepping in for Maura Tierney...she got her training on Gilmore Girls. Craig Nelson, having been an military pilot, football coach and police chief, now gets to play a tough dad/granddad (although my dad could've given him some lessons). The venerable Bonnie Bedelia (many movies and TV series) has aged well to play the mom/grandmom. Add in Peter Krause ("Sports Night," "Six Feet Under," and " Dirty Sexy Money") and there's four solid actors right up front. The big difference between "Parenthood" and "Modern Family" is that "Parenthood" is more drama than comedy. Ironically, I've never been a parent myself but grew up with parents similar to Mr. Nelson and Ms. Bedelia. Let's give this series a few weeks and see where it goes. One suggestion...if and when Maura Tierney gets better, bring her on in a guest role as another daughter. I gave this a 10 for the ensemble and the plot lines!! NBC can go home again!!

It's loosely based on the 1989 film, Parenthood, with Ron Howard and Brian Frazer. They previously tried to make it into series when it first came out. The show has a lot going for it like casting veteran actors and actresses like Lauren Graham who I saw in Guys and Dolls. She plays the unemployed, divorced daughter Sara who returns home with her two teenage children Amber and Drew. Amber's played by Mae Whitman who was great in "Thief." Craig T. Nelson and Bonnie Bedelia play the parents and grandparents. They once played husband and wife in a television movie almost 30 years ago. The rest of the cast isn't familiar to me but they're doing a good job. They've changed the family's location from the Midwest to Berkeley, California. I like the Asperger's storyline where the ideal parents must accept and learn to cope with their son, Max, who wears a pirate costume and has unusual habits. The scene where Max's parents must come to terms with his Asperger's Syndrome was memorable. The comedy and drama are mixed together and it's a bit more realistic. I would hope this show does well in it's Tuesday night line-up.

The pilot started slow . . . but I stuck with it and now it's one of my FAVORITE shows. I LOVE the characters and I actually watch it twice a week. I know . . . I'm a weirdo. I make my husband watch it.

I think the writer did a very good transition from the movie Parenthood to the TV series. Although they have some similarities, it does contain the spirit. It's just a charming and funny family drama. I relate to the circumstances between the siblings. Reminds me of the challenges my sisters and their kids go through. This group of actors have incredible chemistry. This is sort of like the OUR THIRTYSOMETHING.

My only fear is every time I love something it gets canceled.

Actually, that's not true. This guy seems to turn anything into gold, and he does it with subtle style and class that you just do not see very often. This show is classic Ron Howard. It's very difficult for me to really "get into" a new show. Usually takes me several episodes or more. I was hooked on this show from the very first scene. The cast is just incredible. The acting is just as incredible. These actors seem as if they've been doing this show for years. You know how it is. Sometimes they have to ease into it together. Not so here. Or if they ARE easing into it, I can't imagine what's going to happen as the show progresses.

The plot is somewhat typical. Family matters. Adults moving home. Kids behaving badly. Or sometimes very well. Some tragedy. Some comedy. Lot's of people dealing with everyday problems from all different angles. I do not want to give anything away. All I can say is that if you watch this show, you are going to fall in love with or find you hate some of the characters right away. I already started hating one of them. But now I'm not so sure. It's just that kind of show.

Watch it. Trust me, you'll like it.