The New Normal

So, contrary to what I said in my last post about comedy sitcoms not being my thing, I find myself about to review another one! I do not want to review any show until I see it at least twice and/or decide not to watch it anymore. Seems fair. The only show that I have seen twice so far is The New Normal. This post I have been struggling with. This show is something to struggle with! I was attracted to The New Normal because it is made by the same creators as Glee. I adore Glee, cannot get enough of it! So I wanted to give this series a chance as well.

There are similarities...the biggest is that both shows push the boundaries...big time! This show centers on two gay men who want to have a baby. Obviously this takes some work. They have opted to get a surrogate mother and the first episode is about choosing that mother. The one they end up with is a single mother who is trying to make enough money to have a better life for her daughter and herself. Together this unlikely group forms a "family" in what is apparently considered...the new normal.

Now immediately I have lost some people who refuse to watch a show about a gay couple, admittedly if that makes you uncomfortable this show is not for you. Then I think I will lose some MORE people who object to this family being considered 'normal'. That is fair in some ways as well. What I would say, though, is that they have a point. Normal is no longer mother, father and 2.5 children (whatever that .5 ever meant...I always found it creepy). That rarely exists anymore. Do I find that sad? Sure I do. I am one of the lucky few! My parents are still together and will be celebrating 40 years of marriage next summer...I find that AWESOME! I also know it is not normal. I have very few friends who can say the same of their own parents. At age 35 I have as many (or more) divorced friend than I do happily married friends. Children who have only one household these days are the exception, not the norm.

Now...does all of that make 2 gay men and a single mom knocked up with their baby NORMAL? I don't know...what I do know is that the show is heartfelt and touching. It deals with hard issues about what a baby deserves and who deserves to be parents and what is proper or not proper. These are things we have to be willing to deal with if we want to live in today's world. They just are. This show deals with them much the way Glee does...in a very irreverent and over the top way that I find hilarious. Not everyone does, I know. I would NOT recommend this show to everyone. Most in my extended family would find it offensive and will probably not like the fact that I like it. I accept that. For me, however, this is a show that will stay on my watch list, at least for awhile. Last week it made me cry. It made me stop and think about how shamefully some people are treated. I think TV that can make me do that is good TV.