The New Normal

     I watch a lot of television.  During the fall and winter I follow anywhere between ten and fifteen tv shows.  However, I'm very picky about what I watch.  I'm excited for the return of Once Upon A Time, New Girl, Castle, Grey's Anatomy, Person of Interest and NCIS.  The premiere episode of Revolution fell flat for me and while Go On was somewhat funny and touching, I don't find myself racing to watch it.  The only new shows I have truly liked this season is Breaking Amish and The New Normal.  The New Normal, from the creators of Glee, premiered on NBC two weeks ago and I have to say, I was surprised.  I typically give a new show two to three episodes to impress and/or intrigue me, and last night the third episode aired.

     When I saw the previews for this show, I figured it would probably be funny and a show about two gay men finding a surrogate seemed likely to keep my interest.  I was a huge fan of Andrew Rannells, fresh from his run as Elder Price in the Tony-nominated and Grammy Award-winning Broadway show, The Book of Mormon.  Justin Bartha always plays the funny, quirky, yet loveable guy I love to watch and find myself rooting for, so I had high hopes for him.  The show turned out to be...not quite what I expected.

     I am usually quite hesitant about television comedies.  Shows like 30 Rock, The Office, Family Guy and The Office, fit some people's sense of humor and they enjoy those shows.  The New Normal's humor is a little crude for my usual taste, but every now and then they throw in a line I actually find amusing.  Rannells has witty one-liners that further enforce his stereotypical, femininely gay persona, but he delivers them well.

     The show is also surprisingly touching.  They find ways of making the show funny, yet heartwarming without trying too hard or getting too sappy.  Rannells and Bartha's relationship is comfortable and endearing.

     This controversial show also presents some issues that are not publicly recognized.  In last night's episode, a bigoted man and his family walk up to the couple in a clothing store. The man makes a scene, saying that they shouldn’t be kissing in public because he “doesn’t want to have to explain this to my kid.” Rannells' character Bryan gets in an argument with the man, while Bartha, as partner David, wants him to simply ignore the guy. When the man says that David and Bryan’s intention to build a family is disgusting, Bryan is dumbstruck.

     When the couple returns home, Bryan tells David he’s more upset about the world their child might grow up in, than about the man himself.  Bryan states that he does not his child to be is hurt from someone else’s prejudice, simply because their child will have two fathers.  Bryan points out that for the longest time, they have been told to ignore prejudicial people, but he realizes that ignoring has become the general default.  He expresses his desire to stand up for themselves, rather than ignore the idiots who will never learn.

     The scene was well acted and properly horrified me.  I had the sudden urge to reach into the television and clap my hands over the bigoted man's daughter, who was watching the entire situation happen innocently.  It's sad people that close-minded exist exist in the real world, and not just on television comedies. Glee broached the subjects of homosexuality, suicide, belief in God, drugs and alcohol, but only ever glanced upon the reality of having same-sex parents.  I'm glad that a show finally addressed some issues that are not widely acknowledged.  

      Overall, it wasn't what I expected but I'm finding few things ever are.  Though it didn't quite fit what I had anticipated, I still enjoyed it and will continue to watch it for at least a few more episodes to see where it goes.