The TV Chick

A new drama (yes, drama) is coming to NBC tonight. Parenthood is based on the movie of the same name, and has been done before as a short-lived TV series. This new incarnation stars the Lauren Graham, as well as a wonderful, veteran TV cast in Craig T. Nelson and Peter Krause, and the talents of Mae Whitman, Monica Potter, Erika Christensen and Dax Shepard. Maura Tierney was supposed to play Graham’s role but had to step out because of health problems. I never saw the original pilot, but I think Graham is amazing (Gilmore Girls is one of my favorite all time TV shows), and fills her shoes well.

Parenthood follows an extended family and the many issues that plague them. Sarah Braverman (Graham) returns to her home town with her kids (Mae Whitman and Miles Heizer) to move in with her mom and dad. Her kids are none to pleased about the move. She has to re-evaluate her life, be there for her kids, and face people from her past. Her siblings, Adam (Krause), Julia (Christensen) and Crosby (Shepard) are all dealing with parenthood in one way or another. Adam (the oldest) and his wife Kristina (Monica Potter) are dealing with their son’s diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome. Julia is a working mom whose daughter has bonded more with her father, and she struggles to balance her relationships and her career. And Crosby is a mess all on his own who discovers he has a son. Their dad is Zeek (Nelson) the patriarch who never wants to show what’s bothering him. He is super hard on Max (his grandson/Adam’s son) and everyone else in the family.

Parenthood isn’t a typical show in any way. It has been done before, however I think Lauren Graham is special (and so is the rest of the cast). She absolutely played Lorelai Gilmore to perfection (the fact that she got no Emmy love astounds me to this day), and I think she has embraced Sarah Braverman in a way we don’t see very often. I thought at first it would be hard for me to see her as anything else but Lorelai, but I can assure you that’s not true. When she was talking to her kids, I could feel her sincerity, and that is the sign of a brilliant actor. I also really love Mae Whitman, ever since her role on In Treatment. She plays the snarky daughter very well. Erika Christensen was also a pleasant surprise. Her background is mainly in movies, but she was great at her new role. The rest of the cast is very well rounded, and it’s nice to see Craig T. Nelson back on TV again.

That said, I was surprised that it was a drama (and so were many people I spoke with) because it seems to be marketed as a comedy. There are some hilarious moments in the premiere (Sarah sleeping with a guy on her parents’ couch and declaring that they are 38…among others) but it is most certainly a drama. A lot is thrown at you in the pilot. There are a lot of characters and story lines that go along with them. I understand why this is done, but I had to take a while to process it. When all is said and done, I really liked the pilot episode. I plan to season pass this show on my DVR and I am really hoping that NBC throws its support behind new dramas (and maybe even markets them as such). I am excited to see Lauren Graham back on TV–even if it’s not Gilmore Girls: The Next Generation. The rest of the cast is really solid, and I am interested to see where the show goes from here.

Parenthood premieres tonight at 10 pm on NBC (tune in!), but until then, check out these great video previews.

The producers and stars reveal how the new show reflects the laughter, tears, and quirks of real life:

Lauren Graham talks about Sarah:

Inside Parenthood (Video Sneak Peek):