I guess I'm in the minority but I laughed out loud throughout both episodes. I could have done without the AD-style of explaining how each character is related, but there were some very funny moments.

ABC is not doing well developing comedies. Emily, Crumbs, now this.

I missed the begining of the first episode (Talk about the worst 2 minutes of a show to miss) did anything happen that I should care about missing?

Holy crap. Nevermind I even asked. I couldn't watch the parts I did record. I'd say the show sucks and get pissed off about the shows I like that got axed but I can't think of any.

She reminded me more of George's sister on Dead Like Me. She's almost a spitting image.

After reading this thread, I'm quite reassured that I went with recording The Unit over this (while watching house and recording Scrubs on my non-hd DVR of course!).

I usually despise sitcoms, but enjoyed both episodes. Curb Your Enthusiasm is probably my favorite "sitcom" of all time and I didn't really get that vibe too much with S&D. Maybe it's hard to judge after only two shows, but I found some of these characters more likeable than those on Arrested Development.

(had to explain a couple of Grateful Dead references to my wife)

Well after saying what I did, I watched the first episode of this and didn't think it was that bad. Wasn't great, but certainly had some laughs. I'll have to watch the second after work today.

I thought it was okay. The first couple minutes of the first ep was really funny.

It is definitely AD + CYE, though.

It is too unscripted. It's like watching a High School drama club. I kept expecting to hear "FREEZE!" from off screen and have different actors jump into the scene.

For example, that fight on the lawn, nothing could have looked more fake.

I agree, the niece (Carrie) was the best part of the show. The "O face" dude from Office Space wasn't bad either.

There were a few funny parts (like throwing a wrench in a closet), but it was too hard to watch.

Why do they even bother? If it doesn't get through-the-roof-ratings instantly, it's yanked. And they seemingly try to bury it by putting it against Scrubs. Not against the endless lawyer/cop/detective/ shows, but a funnier half hour comedy shooting for a similar demographic.

I did kind of enjoy this though. Not that I expect to ever see it again......

not bad overall, but the sister was the worst part of the show (the older one with the dark hair). she seemed very amateurish in every single one of her deliveries. for an "unscripted" show, it sure seemed like she was reading cue cards.

i watched both eps, hoping it would just get better. But really there was only a few parts i laughed out loud. The little girl with the glasses is the best part of the show. I dont think I will be coming back, as I missed House to watch this, as i set my dvr for the new drama on cbs.

I had high hopes after reading the various early reviews (NY Times, SF Chronicle, USA Today, etc.) compiled over at aintitcoolnews:

http://www.aintitcoolnews.com/display.cgi?id=22645

I'm a huge fan of Arrested Development, Scrubs, The Office, My Name is Earl, and watched NewsRadio all the time. Unfortunately, I just don't get this show. I'm not sure if I'm missing something or what. I agree that the little girl with braces had some funny lines, but the rest of the cast was just "blah" to me for some reason. What really perplexes me is how much the reviewer over at TV Guide loved it:

As I'm watching my shows for the Watercooler, I take notes. I write down quotes, character names and plotlines in a very organized manner. Last night I found out that I need to start taping Sons & Daughters because it's very hard to write clearly when tears of laughter are pouring down my face. This show is unique, fresh and funny. We're talking milk shooting out of the nose funny. So funny, you accidentally let one rip while you're laughing funny. You get what I'm saying? Funny! Crudeness and subtlety are the key ingredients here. Like when Don and Sharon are talking about the bad sex they just had and he describes it to her as "tossing a wrench in a closet." Or when Cameron is trying to explain why his parents might be breaking up and says that Dad is "trapped in Mom's box." Don't forget the good-old drug and fart jokes, too. You can never have enough of them in good comedy. Why don't Sharon and Don sleep in the same bed? Of course, it's because Don gave her the Dutch Oven one too many times. (Okay, it literally took me about five minutes just to compose myself after that one). How about when Don finds his son's bong in his golf bag and gets the response "I don't do drugs, I'm an athlete." Ha!

There are certainly three things I'm worried about, though. The show is quirky, which is the kiss of death for a sitcom these days. The second episode that premiered had more drama than comedy and there's a seemingly endless amount of characters in this family, which makes it tough to follow along at times. Anything would seem funny following Jim Belushi, but the actual comedy in this is truly outstanding. Here's hoping this sticks around for a while — at least long enough for me to learn how to breathe and laugh uncontrollably at the same time.

Is this TV Guide review meant to be taken literally or is it sarcastic? I'm not really sure - it's so over-the-top in its praise that you might think that it is a slam against the show, until you combine it with the other positive reviews.

Sure, I smiled at some of the jokes, but nothing really put me into a fit of tearful laughter. Of course, I don't think this show is designed to be a laugh-riot type of show, anyway (but rather, more subtle in its approach to humor), but I wonder if I'm just missing the boat in that I didn't have much of a reaction to many of the jokes that had some people practically rolling on the floor. Maybe I'll give it another couple of episodes before deciding, but I asked my wife about it (she enjoys many of the same sitcoms that I do), and she didn't care for it either.

I liked both episodes also.

I thought it was hilarious...sure, it's AD lite, but I don't mind. I love Amanda Walsh (she was a VJ over here on Much Music for a few years) so I'm willing to give it a try for a while...plus she's HOT! Her character Jenna seems OK so far...hopefully some funnier interaction with O FACE in coming episodes.

I must totally agree though, Carrie steals the show. Her character is funny and the way the actress is playing it is brilliant. When Jenna said that she heard from Carrie that "she said mom and dad are DUNZO" I laughed my ass off. I'm sticking with it and hopefully some of you who didn't tune in because of negative talk around here will give it a shot.

MATT

I laughed during this show, but only once when the O Face Guy said he'd give the main character a shocker. He even threw up the appropriate hand gesture. The rest of the show was "blah" and there were too many characters to keep track of, not to mention remembering how they're related to one another. It was like Everybody Loves Raymond-type problems mixed with Arrested Development. Yawn.

the younger half-sister could definitely pull off being the younger sister of Jan Levinson-Gould (oops, is gould dead?) on The Office. Thought they were dead-ringers, aside from the age difference.

amanda walsh:


melora hardin:




maybe it's just me, but i see it.

I have nothing to say other than this show sucked. I'd rather put my cock in an electrical socket than have to watch a bunch of third-rate Groundlings try and act on network television.

Sons and Daughters? Should be called Watch This Show If You're Too Fucking Retarded To Enjoy Arrested Development, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Scrubs, The Office, My Name Is Earl, or Any Other One Camera Sitcom Hailed By Critics.

It's so harsh, but it's so true.

This is a candidate for being one of the quickest cancelled shows ever ('Emily' would win because it only aired once and this aired twice).

yes. two bottled blondes. that's about the only thing that's similar.

Woah totally harsh! I liked it, but certainly not as much as all of those shows...you basically just listed all of my favourite TV comedys (except you missed Entourage)... So how about watch this if you're NOT fucking retarded, but don't mind a lesser version of your favourites, like AD, CYE, Scrubs, The Office, Earl and Entourage.

For what it's worth, I've heard from online sources that the first two eps are the weakest of the bunch so far.

MATT

Thats what everyone is saying about the unit too...sure, ok. I guess we'll see then.

There's this show on earlier on Tuesdays that you might also enjoy. It's called According to Jim.

That's my helpful tip for the day.

Or any other sitcom on the ABC line-up...

The problem with this show is that it's too akwardly dramatic (as mentioned earlier). When Dee Wallace yelled at her entire immediate family at the bowling alley, it seemed misplaced (especially in a sitcom during it's second episode). However, once they start trying to make the situation funny with the annoying pre-teen blaming the lead character for causing the incident (and the rest of the family to join in), then it just becomes very painful to watch.

Truthfully, the show doesn't know if it wants to be the lesser Arrested Development or a family morale series. And it can't be the latter, especially since there's not one relateable or likeable character to be found.

If there is a God in Hollywood, the show will be cancelled before the month's end.

And everybody involved with this show will be blacklisted.