Pilot Review: The New Normal

The New Normal (NBC)
Premiered September 10 at 10pm

It’s hard to imagine that anyone who has even a passing interest in TV hasn’t heard about this show over the past few months. This premiere has been available on demand for a while, and the show made headlines after “family first” organizations condemned it and Utah affiliates declared that they wouldn’t air it. It’s true that the depictions of the two gay protagonists are extremely in-your-face, and the show doesn’t try to hide any of its pride. The presence of gay characters, however, isn’t the problem. It’s the fact that these characters are purely stereotypes, so one-note that they’re unbearable to watch. Bryan (Andrew Rannells) wears female clothing, David (Justin Bartha) is a doctor who’s into sports, Jane (Ellen Barkin) goes out of her way to insert bigoted comments into every sentence, and Shania (Bebe Wood) spends her entire precocious young life on social media. And the show’s main character, Goldie (Georgia King), doesn’t have any discernable qualities, good or bad, except her bland name, which suggests nothing more than blondness. Rocky (NeNe Leakes), who previously appeared on “Glee” as Sue Sylvester rival Roz Washington, asserts herself far too strongly as she constantly reveals how she treats herself to gifts on her boss’ dime. This show is loud and unsubtle, and all of its characters, Goldie aside, are fighting for attention throughout the first episode, never content to be sidelined even for a moment. Its concept of “new normal” tries much too hard, creating an infuriatingly irritating prototype for a show filled with tired references and a shocking lack of creativity.

How will it work as a series? I couldn’t even get past the first commercial break of the second episode. The show’s lack of adherence to reality and its absurdly quick plot development concerning the adoption suggests that this show will be completely untethered to reason, opting for the basest of obvious humor and plot points. It may not be a 90s sitcom, but this is hardly any better.
How long will it last? Its ratings aren’t bad, but they’re not as high as Matthew Perry’s “Go On,” which airs immediately beforehand, or “The Voice,” which leads out the night. So-so shows (other reviews haven’t been as negative as this one) with plenty of controversy don’t usually succeed, and I think one short season will be all this series gets.

Pilot grade: F