The New Normal Premiers on NBC

[jjkrkwood]

Well, its finally here. The much anticipated new show about Gay tolerance from media guru Ryan Murphy, which was wrought with protest prior to its debut.

 

Ryan says the show was created to further the cause of "tolerance" and "acceptance" for all things NOT normal.

 

I am a 100% GAY man and watched both the preview AND premier episodes, and here is MY take on it... I think the show does the total Opposite of ryan's intention.

 

The gay characters are drawn as cliche Stereotypes of the worst kind, biting, bitchy, abbrasive Queens who seem to want a child for all the WRONG reasons... Ellen Barkin adds an over the top Archie Bunker bigot type vibe, and even I cringed at alot of the lines she spewed, which were totally unacceptable in an age of political correctness... The bright spot and high point for me is the child actress who plays young Shania, daughter of the surrogate mom, who is struggling to find acceptance in HER own world. Shes a Very talented and engaging young actress and chewed up every scene with her "young Edie" from Grey Gardens impression.....

 

For me, this show can only be taken in "small" doses. Perhaps with some tweaking and Real world direction it can become the show it was intended to be ? For now, IMO, it makes even ME hate the gays...

[+ deej]

I had much the same reaction.

 

The pilot has been available online for some weeks and I commented to a friend that the pre-boycott by "Focus on Family" and other hate groups was pointless because the show probably won't live beyond mid-season replacements.

 

In a recent interview, Andrew Rannells said the "young Edie" bit wasn't in the original script but the actress did it while clowning around during rehearsals and Ryan Murphy wrote it in. So the best part of the show wasn't in the original plan.

[jjkrkwood]

I had much the same reaction.

 

The pilot has been available online for some weeks and I commented to a friend that the pre-boycott by "Focus on Family" and other hate groups was pointless because the show probably won't live beyond mid-season replacements.

 

In a recent interview, Andrew Rannells said the "young Edie" bit wasn't in the original script but the actress did it while clowning around during rehearsals and Ryan Murphy wrote it in. So the best part of the show wasn't in the original plan.

 

While I LOVED Mr Rannells in Book of Mormon, here he is boxed into a role that makes him a cartoon, the poster boy for everything we dislike about effeminate gay men. While Mr Murphy

claims to have drawn on HIS own life experience for the concept and script, the result leaves me kinda sad for him. I just dont grasp here how THIS show, as it exists so far is gonna help the GAY cause ? On the contrary. Who will want to give Gay couples a child when all they really want is something "cute" and status-y to flaunt like a Louis Vuitton clutch... ?

[seeker630]

I didn't realize the mainstream networks had started their new season, so I missed it. The pilot is being re-broadcast tonight, so I'll give it a try then. (I find myself unable to watch shows on a small PC screen.)

[MsGuy]

Blah blah blah... Who cares about all that PC crap? All I want to know is if they're cute and do they take off their clothes? Come on guys, give us a really useful review so I can make an informed allocation of my viewing time!

[+ Axiom2001]

Blah blah blah... Who cares about all that PC crap? All I want to know is if they're cute and do they take off their clothes? Come on guys, give us a really useful review so I can make an informed allocation of my viewing time!

 

I was to have been out of the country, but unfortunately, two major problems happened which hindered my doing the trip. So, I am back here and appreciated the take of both JJ and deej. More than likely I will view it next week to see what "The New Normal" entails. If the same tenor comes out as assessed by the two men whose names precede-- I probably will not watch any longer either--regardless of cuteness and the showing of skin. -

[jjkrkwood]

Blah blah blah... Who cares about all that PC crap? All I want to know is if they're cute and do they take off their clothes? Come on guys, give us a really useful review so I can make an informed allocation of my viewing time!

 

If you want cuteness and skin, watch porn !

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

I missed the preview, but caught the premier last night. It wasn't a great episode, but good enough that I will tune in. I'm hopeful that it will be one of those shows that after a few episodes hits its stride and has a long run.

 

Ellen Barkin adds an over the top Archie Bunker bigot type vibe, and even I cringed at alot of the lines she spewed, which were totally unacceptable in an age of political correctness...

 

Yes, I cringed as well. However, I found it great to have something a little different - - these types of characters are not often played by women. And I love Miss Barkin.

[seeker630]

I missed the preview, but caught the premier last night. It wasn't a great episode, but good enough that I will tune in. I'm hopeful that it will be one of those shows that after a few episodes hits its stride and has a long run.

 

 

 

I just watched the pilot, and I feel pretty much the same. I like the premise, and I'll give it a chance. But I hope it gets better.

[justaguy]

All I saw were the trailers, which weren't enough to make me watch. What I'm hearing is that the show is more social agenda and less something fun to watch. Too bad. For me the social agenda stuff was ruining Glee...I just wanted to hear them sing.

[jjkrkwood]

With all the hoopla, we forgot to mention Real Houswives of Atlanta star Nene Leakes, who supposedly was Ryan's ticket to grabbing the Reality show audiences. Hmmmm, maybe we didnt forget ???? She seems to be playing the same loud mouthed, in-your-face home-gurl character she made famous on the reality show. If she's forgetable, maybe the show doesnt need her, and I say that with love, since I do like Nene, but she's miscast here IMO.

[Racketjock]

I have seen both episodes. I think Ryan did a good job of defining characters in them and giving us a bit more insight into what migt develop. Yes, there were stereotypes, both good and bad. I am looking forward to seeing the storylines develop, but I think the actors chosen are all good and work well together. And I for one, am glad to see that there is a mainstream program that promotes honesty, tolerance, and relatable characters that folks can identify with. It has further to go as a series. I hope it gets the chance and will stick around for it.

[JT Brooklyn]

Nene Rocks..Ellen Barkin really deserves her own show! Unfortunately I don't see alot of Chemistry between the Gay Couple...Time Will Tell on this one?

[Samai139]

Ryan says the show was created to further the cause of "tolerance" and "acceptance" for all things NOT normal.

 

I haven't seen the show yet, but will try and view it durilng its next presentation. I quoted part of jj's post because it puzzles me that a "media guru" would say what he did---aren't "shows" created to entertain?? If his "New Normal" is a vehicle to further causes, rather than entertain, many viewers will probably see through that. Most television viewers do not watch sitcoms to hear a sermon, they go to religious services for that.

It will be interesting to see what other "not normal" activities are addressed in future episodes--and what Mr. Ryan considers "not normal."

[+ deej]

Time Will Tell on this one?

 

This is true. Remember that Murphy's other big hit, "Glee", was pretty resoundingly panned for its first few episodes before suddenly becoming an overnight sensation. Such is the way TV works, I guess.

[operalover21]

Well, its finally here. The much anticipated new show about Gay tolerance from media guru Ryan Murphy, which was wrought with protest prior to its debut.

 

Ryan says the show was created to further the cause of "tolerance" and "acceptance" for all things NOT normal.

 

I am a 100% GAY man and watched both the preview AND premier episodes, and here is MY take on it... I think the show does the total Opposite of ryan's intention.

 

The gay characters are drawn as cliche Stereotypes of the worst kind, biting, bitchy, abbrasive Queens who seem to want a child for all the WRONG reasons... Ellen Barkin adds an over the top Archie Bunker bigot type vibe, and even I cringed at alot of the lines she spewed, which were totally unacceptable in an age of political correctness... The bright spot and high point for me is the child actress who plays young Shania, daughter of the surrogate mom, who is struggling to find acceptance in HER own world. Shes a Very talented and engaging young actress and chewed up every scene with her "young Edie" from Grey Gardens impression.....

 

For me, this show can only be taken in "small" doses. Perhaps with some tweaking and Real world direction it can become the show it was intended to be ? For now, IMO, it makes even ME hate the gays...

 

I agree with you almost 100%. I wanted to love this show but I really hated the first two episodes. Ellen Barkin's problem isn't that she's not politically correct. It's that she is totally miscast and is awful in the role. Every line was a throw-away. Nothing seemed integrated. The characters seemed to exist just to spew one-liners. I didn't care about a single person. No one was particularly funny. And I'm sorry but Andrew Rannells has a "pig face" that I find totally unattractive.

 

I have no idea what Ryan Murphy was trying to achieve with this show but it really turned me off. Maybe it will settle down into something more but I have my doubts. I'll watch a couple more episodes but, so far, this seems like a MISSED opportunity to me.

[operalover21]

Blah blah blah... Who cares about all that PC crap? All I want to know is if they're cute and do they take off their clothes? Come on guys, give us a really useful review so I can make an informed allocation of my viewing time!

 

No, they're not cute and they don't take off their clothes. You can make your decision now.

[operalover21]

I missed the preview, but caught the premier last night. It wasn't a great episode, but good enough that I will tune in. I'm hopeful that it will be one of those shows that after a few episodes hits its stride and has a long run.

 

 

 

Yes, I cringed as well. However, I found it great to have something a little different - - these types of characters are not often played by women. And I love Miss Barkin.

 

Sadly, Ellen Barkin has had so much plastic surgery that she looks like a farm animal in clothes that are too tight.

[operalover21]

All I saw were the trailers, which weren't enough to make me watch. What I'm hearing is that the show is more social agenda and less something fun to watch. Too bad. For me the social agenda stuff was ruining Glee...I just wanted to hear them sing.

 

I mean, a joke about Calista Gringrich's hair? I mean, really? It's so obvious, it wasn't funny. I mean how many people in the audience will even know who that is?

[operalover21]

This is true. Remember that Murphy's other big hit, "Glee", was pretty resoundingly panned for its first few episodes before suddenly becoming an overnight sensation. Such is the way TV works, I guess.

 

Actually, that's not true. The initial reviews of Glee were overwhelmingly positive.

 

The other problem, so far, is that there is ZERO chemistry among the two leads. I don't remotely believe them as a couple. The problem is the "straight-acting" one -- and don't you hate that phrase -- he just seems like a straight guy playing what he thinks a "masculine" gay man would act like. Which is exactly what he is. It doesn't work, not remotely, for one second.

[MsGuy]

No, they're not cute and they don't take off their clothes. You can make your decision now.

 

So it's two thumbs down?

 

Thanks Opera, that's all I was asking for, LOL.