2013-2014 Network Sitcoms: The Mid-Level

There are 24 sitcoms currently airing on network television.  As I enjoy analyzing entertainment trends and making lists I have watched the first episode of each of this season's shows.  I have made a list of the eight worst sitcoms of the season, this is a list of the eight mid-level sitcoms.

16. Super Fun Night (Season 1, ABC)

I may be placing this too high.  This is one of many new sitcoms that I really wanted to like.  Like many people I am rooting for Rebel Wilson and loved her breakout in Pitch Perfect.  There is just nothing really going on.  No real jokes, no real set up for the series.  Wilson is a magnetic personality and if the show restructures to show her better it might have a chance.  But right now it is a disappointment, but has more potential than others.

15. Big Bang Theory (Season 7, CBS)

I have never been able to get into this series.  Out of all of the great comedies on television, I don't understand why this one is such a phenomenon.  I suppose if you liked the series so far you will like the season seven premiere.  It is not much different from any other episode I have seen.  Not terrible, but just not anything I enjoy.

14. Last Man Standing (Season 3, ABC)

I did not realize that this made it to a third season.  I watched the first episode a few years ago but it did not leave much of an impact.  This season's premiere surprised me at how enjoyable it was.  Sure it is essentially a c-level Home Improvement but it does entertain.  This is the type of show that you would watch a decade ago just because it was on.  It has a very nineties feel and is fine casual entertainment.

13. The Neighbors (Season 2, ABC)

I did not watch the first season but I enjoyed what I saw from this season's first episode.  It has a basic gimmick and knows how to get jokes out of it.  It is an interesting high concept and plays well as more family friendly entertainment.  I would honestly be interested in seeing more of it.

12. Mom (Season 1, CBS)

This series could use some more tact and plays things broader than it needs to, but there are laughs to be found.  Unlike most of the new series this year there are actually things going on and the character dynamics are well established.  Anna Faris has a ways to grow with her character but she makes a good lead for a show like this.  French Stewart's snobby chef cracked me up, Spencer Daniels had some good comedic timing and Matt L. Jones definitely knows how to deliver a line to a studio audience.  Of course the stand out is the great Allison Janney who elevates the comedy and the energy.  This is a multi-cam sitcom that is going in the right direction, hope it improves because it could be a fun series.

11. The Michael J. Fox Show (Season 1, NBC)

Hype was high for this and whenever that happens there is some let down.  I have seen all three episodes and it is not all there.  The show needed some more work in the development stage and the writing is not that great.  The ensemble is not interesting and there are no real jokes.  Still this is a star vehicle for Fox and he does great here.  Not the best material for him to work with, but he is a likable personality that is great to see working again.  Hope they figure out how to make it great.  If nothing else this is a great example how to build a show around a character with a disability.  Parkinsons is part of the character's life but not the only thing that defines him.  Which is an area where the entertainment really needs to progress.

10. Welcome to the Family (Season 1, NBC)

Not sure why critics are seeming to be so hostile towards this show.  It entertaining and the characters are all solid.  The main appeal is the chemistry between Ricardo Antonio Chavira and Mike O'Malley.  Their rivalry and conflicts are natural and relatable rather than mean.  I respect this series for acknowledging cultural differences without having to focus on stereotypes for cheap jokes.  This is a pleasant show that has some potential.  I enjoyed the premiere.

9. How I Met Your Mother (Season 9, CBS)

Like many people I really got into this show when it started rerunning frequently and I was won over by the clever writing and strong ensemble.  However in the last few seasons I have felt that the series betrayed my trust.  The show is built on the promise of the finale and to stretch it out to nine seasons they wasted a lot of times with stories and characters that didn't go anywhere.

But this season has a sense of urgency that has been missing.  The characters are gaining some of their likability and intelligence back.  Having Wayne Brady and Sherri Shepard as recurring characters adds to the comedy.  I could place this higher but I do expect this show to reach some lulls this season.  But the first few episodes are the best the show has been for some time.

2013-2014 Sitcoms: NBC

NBC did not have a great season comedy wise last year.  Their two biggest critical and commerical successes, 30 Rock and The Office both ended their runs (albeit on a high note).  And they had a total of seven cancelations (Animal Practice, Guys with Kids, The New Normal, Whitney, Up All Night, 1600 Penn, and Go On).  So this season has only two returning sitcoms.

Tuesdays

About a Boy
Jason Katims who developed TV adaptations of movies Friday Night Lights and Parenthood to critical success is now developing a series based on About a Boy.  David Walton plays the Hugh Grant character, Walton is recognizable from the short-lived Bent and an excellent stint on New Girl.  Minnie Driver is also part of the cast.  No trailer yet, but this seems to be more of a dramedy in a half hour format.

Growing Up Fisher
Formerly called The Family Guide, narrated by Jason Bateman and starring J.K. Simmons and Jenna Elfman (who replaced Parker Posey, who I personally think would have been a bigger draw as Elfman's last few sitcoms were very short-lived).  Don't have too much faith in this as it is developed by the producer behind Hank, Accidentally on Purpose, 'Til Death, Traffic Light, Bent, Up All Night and Guys with Kids.  As it is going up against Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on ABC can see this being cancelled.

Thursdays

Parks and Recreation
Parks and Recreation, which has never done well with The Emmys or ratings, has always been extremely well liked and is now NBC's most veteran sitcom.  It leads the lineup that was formerly known as Must See TV and is a good lead in.  However it is going up against CBS's Big Bang Theory which was number 3 in the ratings last year.  Hopefully this series remains resilient and its Hulu and Netflix popularity can keep it going.  But with Chris Pratt being unavailable for part of the season and the recent announcement of Rashida Jones and Rob Lowe exiting, the ensemble dynamic will have to change.  I still have faith in my favorite sitcom, but this could very well be its final season.  Which six great seasons (alright five, as the first was mediocre) is pretty good.

Welcome to the Family
The first of three new series is a culture clash sitcom, but unlike the short-lived Rob the jokes do not seem to be just based around Hispanic stereotypes.  Mike O'Malley and Ricardo Chavira (a stand-out on Desperate Housewives) seem tailor made for their respective roles and I can see their chemistry making the series work.  I am excited for this one, it could get the Modern Family audience and could be decent competition for The Millers on CBS.

Sean Saves the World

This is NBC's sole multi-cam sitcom.  NBC is selling this around Sean Hayes return to the network, however if Matthew Perry's comeback only lasted a season it is safe to say that the return of a nineties star is not a huge draw.  This seems like a poor fit for Thursday nights and the trailer does not inspire much confidence.  A lot of the humor seems to go to the lowest denominator and the main joke is that Sean is gay.  Although it is going up against CBS's one Thursday night single cam comedy and this feels a lot like a Chuck Lorre series.  But then again Robin Williams is much more popular than Sean Hayes.  I can see this being replaced with Community or one of the Tuesday night series pretty early this season.

The Michael J. Fox Show

Thursday night ends with the much anticipated The Michael J. Fox Show.  There was a huge bidding war for this series and people are understandably looking forward to seeing Michael J. Fox act again.  There is a lot of goodwill towards the actor and everyone recognizes him from at least Back to the Future (let alone his other sitcom roles in Family Ties and Spin City).  This could make Thursdays Must See TV again, I can really see this doing for NBC what Modern Family did for ABC.  There is potential for failure, as evidenced by Go On, audiences may not want to see comedy based around dramatic material.  It is also going up against the long-running successful Two and a Half Men, however that series has to run out of steam one of these days.  I do foresee this being a critical hit and building good word of mouth.  Also this could be revolutionary in its portrayal of a main character with a disability.

Midseason

Community
Sometime this season will be the fifth season of the internet favorite Community.  As much as fans constantly victimize the show and fear its cancellation it is astonishing that it has made it to a fifth season as it has never had good ratings.  Show creator Dan Harmon returns as has a difficult job turning the series around after a less liked fourth season, the loss of Chevy Chase and the limited role of Donald Glover.  But I have faith in Harmon and am curious how creatively he deals with these obstacles.  My money is on this replacing Sean Saves the World around November.  But no matter how horribly it will inevitably do in ratings it will do well online.  Which with the success of Netflix original series is an audience that NBC needs to figure out how to replicate.