Is It Just Me?
 

I have been watching that show My Wife and Kids since it's premier. The very first 2 episodes I really wasn't feeling the show, but since it was a black show on a major network, of course I wanted to give it support. Now after viewing the 2 episodes from last night, I'm not sure if I can continue to watch it. I'm not sure if it's that Damon is trying to hard to make sure that there is a lesson learned with each episode, but I am not feeling it right about now.

I feel that the son (Jr) just lies way to much, and the middle child (Claire) is to damn grown. In last nights episode, I think it was the 2nd one, if I had talked to my mother the way she talks to her's, can you say that I would not be alive today to even post on GC. I know that I would be dead if I had run pass my mother and pushed her, oh hell no!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif

Am I the only one, or does someone else feel this way about this show? I hope that it starts to get better, just like I hope that they can do something worthwhile with Tisha's hair. I know she needs to cover that forehead, but damn. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/rolleyes.gif

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Peace
KL

[This message has been edited by kiml122 (edited April 12, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by kiml122 (edited April 12, 2001).]

I tried to tape it, but I missed it, so I haven't a clue. Tavis was on this morning, I think he wants to start a protest about it, he didn't say the full name of the show, just "My" And said ABC should be boycotted for except for "Gideon's Crossing." And, as much as I love Andre Braugher, I am sick of him heart-attacking! We know he's a brilliant actor, and we feel his pain, but can he feign another illness?

Sheesh!

I like the show. I like the creative parenting that happens on that show. What is there to protest about?? I have watched all 6 episodes and here is what I see:
A. A BLACK man working with his BLACK wife raising their kids
B. They talk to their kids, they joke with their kids
C. The husband and wife have real issues

True enough it is not the Cosby Show but let's face it, there will never be another Cosby Show. Truth be told, I am just glad that the show features reality.

Am I the only one, or does someone else feel this way about this show? I hope that it starts to get better, just like I hope that they can do something worthwhile with Tisha's hair. I know she needs to cover that forehead, but damn. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/rolleyes.gif

[/B][/QUOTE]
I feel you Kim122. I'm not enjoying it either. I'm glad it is trying to portray a Black Middle-class family, however I feel it goes to blatantly and obviously overboard with it's lessons. All in all, we need more shows like it, however with better actors, in my opinion.

I give it mixed reviews...it is good that we have another positive black show depicting the "nuclear family" but sometimes the comedy seems a bit off and there are hints of Cosby emulation that are really out of place...I wish it were a bit more original and innovative with more of a reality base and not so much a "spin off" of the Cosby Show...

CT4 and DST Love,

I do like the fact that they do try give lessons about each show episode, but there is just something to that seems like they are just trying way to hard. I want the show to stay on and succeed because we always need black shows that are not just "step and fetch it" type shows. I don't know, it just seems to mean that they are trying a bit to hard to be funny and get a point across.

Ok to me it's like it's not natural, that's what it is. I think if they can relax a little bit, I will like a bit more. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

Ok, you all have convinced me to continue to watch it, http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif and give it a serious chance!!

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Peace
KL

[This message has been edited by kiml122 (edited April 12, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by kiml122 (edited April 12, 2001).]

I feel it goes to blatantly and obviously overboard with it's lessons[/B][/QUOTE]

That is what I was trying to say, it's like it's not natural. I feel what they are trying to do and say, but it just doesn't seem natural the way they are acting.


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Peace
KL

Hey, folx, lemme just say this:

Even though I have never seen the show, I appeal to you to give it more time.

I think it is unfair for folx to assume that this show is trying to be the next Cosby show. I think the big issue at hand is that this show has not found it's niche just yet.

May I remind you that 11 years ago, critics and viewers said similar remarks about a show called Family Matters. Like the Cosby Show, it portrayed a large Black middle class family. Like the Cosby Show, it featured a valuable lesson to be learned in each episode. Ratings were slipping. On March 23, 1990, the show's niche was found via a 13 year old actor named Jaleel White (Steve Urkel), and the show immediately got it's own distinct "flava".

Remember, it takes at least one season for a show to establish itself and create it's niche. From what I can gather, it sounds like a good show, or at least a show that has potential. Just give it more time to mold itself.

Match Game '73 www.matchgame.org

the show is too staged and the characters do need to loosen up a bit...it is not completely unfair to say that they are patterning themselves after the Cosby Show, that is just a programming fact...you go with what works...Cosby worked, therefore it has become the prototype for "black" family shows that have followed since...maybe I just watch too much tv, i dunno...but that's my assessment... http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif If they loosen up they may last through a second season...

[This message has been edited by VctoriasSecrt (edited April 12, 2001).]

The TV Guide show on cable interviewed Damon Wayans and he stated the show was indeed modeled after the Cosby Show. Him being one of the producers, he modeled it because it depicted the types of families that you haven't seen since Cosby was canceled.

I have seen the show and it was OK. For some reason, I can't grasp Tisha Cambell being a mother of a teenager. I still see her as Gina Waters.

Tisha as "mommy" does kind of throw me a bit too...adds to the disbelief of the situation...

Unfortunately RainMan the major networks don't give "us" a whole lotta time to "mold" unto a good show. Either you are good out of the box or you are gone. The competition today is soooo different from the competition 11 years ago. Folks have 100s of channels at their disposal from satellite, plus numerous pay per view channels, plus a VCR and DVD. I know you are the super TV buff, so you probably know this better than I do, but I recall reading somewhere that the networks used to order 13 shows at the beginning of the season, so you had several weeks to 'get it right'. Now, they order 6. Sink or swim, baby....

I do agree with some of the other posters. The 'lesson' seemed to be a little heavy handed and the writing seemed to lack true 'voice'. I couldn't hear any father (black or white) saying some of the things I heard Damon Wayans saying to his son.

Kim,

I agree with you. I cannot get into the show. But I am going to continue watching it and pray that it improves over time.

Kim, that goes ditto for me.
There are funny moments, but overall I just don't know what to make of it. They may be using alternative parenting techniques, but I feel they're unrealistic. I also get tired of slim Tisha in one episode and pregnant Tisha in the following one. Also, their eldest daughter would have had a sore behind if she EVER, EVER spoke to my mama like that!

LOL
lilma

I agree completely. My boyfriend and I enjoy the show very much, although, I do not like the oldest daughter nor Tisha Campbell (she still acts like 'Gina Waters'). But I think it is very funny. And I definitely like Daman, the son and the youngest daughter. They do try to teach lessons in every episode but I think as long as it continues to show a positive display of a complete Black family, then I have no problem with it.

okay, you act like that show was good! They were a stereotypical working class family, and I NEVER understood the dang Urkel/UrkELL crap. I still can't figure out why it was on for so long!

You ain't never lied about that!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/rolleyes.gif



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Peace
KL

Salience, I wasn't trying to act like the show was good, though I was a loyal viewer. I was trying to say that the show needed an element to separate itself from the Cosby Show. I'll say this much though on the length of the show:

Family Matters premiered Sept. 17, 1989 and ended July 21, 1998.

I think one of the reasons that the show lasted so long was that Urkel became a staple in the ABC TGIF lineup, was an integral part of the strong ratings, and that the Steve/Myrtle/Urquelle thing was an attempt by the screenwriters to keep fresh scripts and routines that would have otherwise gotten stale. The thing was, that Urkel was getting older and more mature, and his Urkel routine was getting REALLY old. The Urqelle thing was IMHO an attempt to prevent Jaleel White from being typecast in future TV/movie roles. In the 1997-98 season, the show moved to CBS and by that time, Urkel and Laura were engaged. I did see the last episode, which was rather okay, but I would have preferred to see them get married, and have the show end on a great note. You are right though, it lasted about a season or two too long.

Just my .25 cents

Match Game '73 www.matchgame.org

Yeah, Rain, and where is Jaleel now?

At least Kelly is working on ABC still.

ROFL

He had a show on UPN,last season, didn't he?

What is Kelly doing on ABC now?

[quote]Originally posted by AKA2D '91:

He had a show on UPN,last season, didn't he?[QUOTE]

Yes he did, I think it was called Grown ups.

I would like to know that as well. Don't tell me I have been missing her on something.
http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif



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Peace
KL

I would like to know what's she's doing on ABC as well, Also, is she a soror? I heard that she was!

I've heard that too. I know on an episode of Moesha when they were visiting a college, and they were having a greek event, Kelli introduced the Deltas as her Sorors. So in that sense, I hope she is...

Okay, Kelly is co-starring on "What About Joan" a brand-new show, and also finished up acting on stage, as well. I heard she was your Soror, but I don't know for sure.

Jaleel's show, in which he tried to shed the Urkel image, lasted for four episodes.

Now, one show I DID like was Between Brothers (I think) on UPN. I love Kadeem, though he's on punishment right now for what he did to Chante! The line about the dog STILL cracks me up!!

Speaking of Kadeem, I feel the same way about he and Chante's break-up. Her song Bitter had me bugging.


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Peace
KL

2 questions:

1. When did Kadeem and Chanté break up? How do I miss these things?? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/confused.gif

2. When does "My Wife and Kids" air?

[quote]Originally posted by SweetestDiva:
2 questions:

1. When did Kadeem and Chanté break up? How do I miss these things?? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/confused.gif
It comes on Wednesdays on ABC at 8pm (EST)




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Peace
KL

New Season, New Claire
 

The new season debuted tonight and there is a new Claire. And Claire's side kick is none other than Miss Raven-Symone!!

I like the show. It's entertaining and funny, and more importantly, it shows professional black people raising a family and dealing with real issues.

But, I don't understand why they changed the daughter. The new one is too old and grown. And, I have to wonder why they replaced the darker daughter with a lighter one with curly hair. I don't want to turn this into a light/dark issue, but I can't help feeling that it had something to do with it.

What were they thinking?
 

Personally, I have given the show several chances to prove its' worth to me. Unfortunately, it does not capture my attention nor gets my vote for another season. For example, I watched the episode where they caught Jr smoking weed. They acted toooooo fake for me. I mean what were the writers thinking by having Damon and Tisha act like they crazy to drive Jr insane and seem like he was really high and hallucinognating things? I don't even think a real weedhead would have fallen for that. And oh, the hair stylist for the show should be fired!!! Peace and Blessings Black People

I totally agree with you Classy Lady. I was low key disappointed that instead of finding someone who looked like a 13/14 year old, they got a girl who looks older than the son.

I was not feeling that whole pregnancy story line AT ALL. :mad: It just did not agree with my system so I went to bed until my real TV show came on -- Soul Food @ 10SHARP.

OH MY GOSH , do you know I fell a sleep at 9:30 and forgot that it was Wednesday and missed SOUL FOOD :(

Ok I feel the same way in that the new Clair is to old. I was asking myself the same question as far as who was suppose to be older, Clair or Jr. It took me a minute to also realize that the pregnant girl was Raven-Symone. I also wondered why they got rid of the first Clair. I really hope it wasn't skin color.

I still feel the same way as when I first posted this topic, there is still something missing from this show. They are really trying way to hard to where it doesn't look natural. I also thought the episode about Jr smoking weed was one of the dumbest I had ever seen. I don't know about any of you, but if my parents would have found me smoking weed in the house, then I would not be here today to type this message.:) It wasn't realistic to me at all.

I'm still going to try and give my support by watching it, especially since it's on a major network, but they have to come a little bit better.

The new Clair
 

Wasn't the "old" Clair younger than JR. I just looked on the ABC website and they say that the "new" Clair is the oldest???????

The show is OK. I just wanna know why the little girls in these shows always look mixed with "managable" hair. I guess since Damon modeled his show after the Cosby show, that is where that comes from. In watching the repeats of the old Cosby show, most of the little girls that were on the show were light with "managable" hair...:rolleyes:

Re: The new Clair
 

Yep the old Claire was younger because in one episode Junior was embarrassed :o that his sister beat up that boy for him. they are like a year or 2 apart.

I am definitely feeling y'all on the light bright kids with manageable/wet'n'wild hair. I am not knocking my light skinned sistas at all but Damon can have a dark child.

Re: The new Clair
 

But did you all dig that last night when Jr was taking up for Clair, he said that is his baby sister....So WTF...who is older. Last night they said that Clair is 14, and in Jr's rap with the boys from the team he said he was a senior in high school, but then said that he really has 2 yrs to go. So I believe that Jr is still suppose to be the oldest and Clair the middle child.

THank You. . .
 

Thank You JESUS and ABC for having the courage of your convictions to get rid of that dang on straw set Tisha Campbell was sporting.
http://www.plaudersmilies.de/happy/invasion.gif
When she walked in, I started clapping and dancing a little jig. http://www.plaudersmilies.de/happy/invasion.gif

Last night I was LMAO @ Junior in that locker room. I thought about the school and thongs article that I sent y'all.

Re: THank You. . .
 

But the question is....will she keep it that way?:p

ttt

Does anyone still watch this show? If so, in your opinion has it gotten better?

This is Ladygreek posting
 

I still watch it periodically. And I do think it has gotten better. For some reason last night's episode hade me CTHU.

*CT4, H=heck!* ;)

I don't know if it's just me but I have loved my wife and kids since it first premiered. The way the parents act remind me how i grew up(a little, minus all of the issues), and i think that it portrays a black family in a good light. I am so proud that they have stayed on for 3+ seasons. It is good for us as a people to see the way that different families function, because i'm sure that there are many different ways of parenting.:D But that is just my .02.;)