I Saw That!

One woman's opinions about popular entertainment.

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Amateur boxing coach, Christian (but not so heavenly-minded that I'm no earthly good) singer, writer, self-defense advocate, childfree. feminist www.smartwomenboxingtraining.org

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

"Are We There Yet?" (2010 - present)

Based on the 2005 movie of the same name, the series continues following a blended family and their adjustments to their situation. Nick Kingston-Persons (Terry Crews), an ex-athlete turned information technology guru and sports reporter married divorcee Suzanne (Essence Atkins), a party planner.  Suzanne has two children from her previous marriage -- smart-alecky Kevin (Cory Stevens) and typical teenager Lindsey (Teala Dunn).  Nick's widowed mom, Marilyn (Telma Hopkins) doesn't like being called "grandma" by Suzanne's kids, and she has friction with Suzanne from time-to-time.  Suzanne's assistant Gigi (Keesha Sharp) is a somewhat flighty and self-absorbed woman who loves the attention of men, and often gets it. Martin (Christian Finnegan) is Nick's best friend, and the guy who brought Nick's sports memorabilia shop.
Terrence (Ice Cube) is Suzanne's secretive brother who's in the paramilitary.

This is a standard sitcom with the usual plot devices:  misunderstandings between spouses, disagreements between in-laws, kids trying to trick their parents, antics of co-workers, bosses, neighbors, and friends, etc. The comedy is mildly amusing.  This is not the first time there's been a TV show about blended families, but it is interesting to watch Nick and Suzanne work out various issues relating to Nick being a first-time husband and step-dad, as well as Suzanne sometimes grappling with how much authority she should give Nick over the kids, in addition to how much freedom she should allow her kids to have.

Terry Crews is an ex-athlete in real life, having played football in the NFL.  Essence Atkins was one of the half-sisters on the series "Half N' Half".  Keesha Sharp was William's witchy wife Monica on "Girlfriends".  Telma Hopkins was a member of the group Tony Orlando and Dawn; her TV credits include "Bosom Buddies" and "Half N' Half" with Ms. Atkins.  Also, Darrell Hammond and Horatio Sanz, both former "Saturday Night Live" cast members, appeared as a colleague of Nick's and Nick's boss at the TV station where Nick worked.


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