2009 Sit-Coms: your report card

[astrohip]

I think all the new comedies have aired at least twice. What do you think of this year's batch of sitcoms? SPs kept and SPs deleted? Which ones didn't even earn a look? Which do you think will still be around 3-4 years from now? Your thoughts...

To help, here is a list of this year's rookie crop: (let me know if I missed any)
Accidentally On Purpose
Hank
The Middle
Modern Family
Cougar Town
Community
Brothers
The Cleveland Show
Bored To Death (HBO)

[cheerdude]

For us, we've only seem The Middle, Modern Family & Community. So far, all 3 SPs are still active. None of the others interested us...

[frankmint]

Only Modern Family and Community got a look from me this year. Both are solid but I don't see Community sticking around after 1 season as it is now.

[astrohip]

Accidentally On Purpose Not bad. I won't cry if it gets canceled, and it's not really that good, but I keep watching.

Hank SP deleted. Embarrassing for KG.

The Middle SP deleted. Just meh.

Modern Family Love it, my favorite new show.

Cougar Town SP deleted. A key premise of this show is that Courtney Cox is over the hill. Since I can't buy that in the least, the show's focus is a joke to me. And it's not that funny.

Community The only other keeper. Not as good as MF, but still very funny.

Brothers I only watched this because it is supposedly "set" in Houston. Terrible show. Not helped when, in one scene, they went down to the basement (we don't have 'em in Houston). SP deleted. Do blacks find the stereotypes played in a show like this racist? I do.

The Cleveland Show Didn't bother to watch, not my kinda show.

Bored To Death (HBO) I'm on the bubble. Not funny enough to love, but not bad enough to SP delete. Yet. The next few weeks will tell.

[Cindy1230]

Hank: C - deleted SP
The Middle: B+
Modern Family: A
Cougar Town: B
Community: A
The Cleveland Show: B-
(pretty disappointing so far and I'm a huge Seth MacFarlane fan)
Bored To Death (HBO): B
Accidentally On Purpose: haven't watched
Brothers: haven't watched

[Jebberwocky!]

Accidentally On Purpose I like it, fits nicely into my Monday night CBS-comedy-a-thon

Modern Family I like it, not as much as apparently the rest of the world or my wife. Some of the characters aren't too likable for me.

Cougar Town Courtney Cox - always have time to check out CC. Doubtful show will last but I'll keep watching it.

Community Quirky funny, like it more each week.

Brothers I will continue to support any show with ex NFL players on it. :) I agree if the comments they make about white people were made in the reverse there would be an uproar.

[janry]

Hank: D - Didn't care for the pilot but think it could be better in the next episode. We'll see.

Modern Family: B - I like it so far.

Community: F- - Dumbest show ever.

Bored To Death (HBO): C+ - I'm kind of liking it but think it is still trying to find it's way.

Accidentally on Purposes: F - Almost as bad as Community.

[DougF]

I saw part of the pilot for Hank (fell asleep) and it sucked, so didn't finish and didn't set SP.

Watched the first Community and it was good, but I haven't watched the others yet.

Wife talked me into watching the first Cougar Town and I got quiet a few laughs from it, but I don't think I'll keep watching.

[DevdogAZ]

I'm really liking Modern Family and Community. They'll be staying in my SP list.

I tried The Cleveland Show because I love Family Guy. However, I thought it was one of the worst POSs I've ever seen. SP canceled.

I've recorded the first three episodes of Cougar Town because I always liked Courteney Cox. However, I haven't gotten around to watching any of them yet, since I'm behind on other things I'm more interested in.

I downloaded the pilot episodes of Hank and The Middle, but I just don't think I care enough to check them out, and I know I don't have time to actually watch them.

I had absolutely no interest in Accidentally On Purpose (can't stand Jenna Elfman), Brothers (although I do like Daryl "Chill" Mitchell) and I don't get HBO.

[TIVO_GUY_HERE]

Accidentally On Purpose B- I think it's gonna wear thin pretty quick tho
Hank F Didn't make it through the 1st episode
The Middle B- I think lead-in HANK is gonna kill this tho.
Modern Family A I think it's so good, just because all the rest are so bad.
Cougar Town C- I think it could be a B for me if Christa Miller wasn't in it.
Community D- Just dumb
Brothers Haven't ever watched
The Cleveland Show haven't ever watched
Bored To Death Dont get hobo

[Dmon4u]

Accidentally On Purpose
- Brain Dead, Replaced by Mid-Season

Hank
- Saw it all before, Kelsey Grammer is the only one with any Comic Timing

The Middle
- Mix a little Earl and some Malcolm in the Middle, Comic Timing is completely off for all

Modern Family
- I just can't get over Shaky Cam

Cougar Town
- had potential but rapidly becoming bland

Community
- uneven story and hit or miss Comedy

Brothers
- sad sad sad

The Cleveland Show
- fits right in with the rest on Sunday, animation seems little worse than FG

[DougF]

...Cougar Town C- I think it could be a B for me if Christa Miller wasn't in it...

While I don't mind her acting, the weird way her face barely moves when she talks now is distracting. Too bad she (apparently) went under the knife.

[realityboy]

Modern Family-my favorite of the new crop, but I don't know if it'll still be around in 4-5 years.

Cougar Town-I've only seen the first episode so far, but it was pretty good, and ABC needs something to pair with Modern Family so hopefully it sticks around for a year or two.

Community-I really didn't like the pilot. It has grown on me, but the supporting cast needs work. I could see massive retooling before its eventual cancellation.

The Cleveland Show-Disappointing is the nicest word that I can think of.

Bored To Death (HBO)-Seems sort of out of place in this list. I've only seen the first episode so far, and I liked it, plus its already picked up for next season so we know it will be around.

I kept all of these SPs, but I didn't bother checking out the other ones. In the case of The Middle and Hank, it was due to conflicts with shows that I'm already watching. The other 2 just didn't look entertaining in the least.

[betts4]

I watched Hank again last night and was mildly amused - one step up from the pilot. But it also caused me to go search for a dvd to watch as there is nothing else on at that time that I want to watch. The Middle I watched for a few minutes last night but moved on. I haven't really seen any of the others.

[Alfer]

Tried a couple of these and so far only Modern Family is the only survivor of my DVR collection.

Hank sucked ass

Community, while not bad, has fallen off the radar and the rest I don't care about enough to watch.

[Donbadabon]

Accidentally On Purpose - SP Deleted
Hank - SP Deleted
The Middle - SP Kept
Modern Family - SP Kept
Cougar Town - Don't plan on watching
Community - SP Kept
Brothers - Don't plan on watching
The Cleveland Show - SP Kept (for now...)
Bored To Death (HBO) - SP Kept

[Steveknj]

Accidentally On Purpose - F - First cancelled SP of the season, really stupid and bad laughtrack

Hank - No interest, so no grade
The Middle - B - I've only seen the pilot but it was better than expected.
Modern Family - B+ - 2 good episodes so far, best of the group. More likely to get better once the characters are developed than not.
Cougar Town - C+ - Pilot was pretty good, 2nd ep not so much, but still keeping.
Community - B - Two good eps out of three, but this could be a bit too pretentious to keep an audience. I like it enough to keep watching
Brothers - no interest, no grade
The Cleveland Show - D+ Definitely disappointing. To me, it seems like SM and group are too scared to take the gloves off because they are not black and depicting a black family. One more shot, but I'm guessing this will be second SP to go.
Bored To Death (HBO) - B - I like this, and while it's not laugh out loud funny, it's quirky enough (and being from Brooklyn originally, love the locale) to keep my interest. Once the characters are developed this could be great.

[pex]

Accidentally On Purpose--haven't seen
Hank--spectacularly horrible!
The Middle--haven't seen
Modern Family--a keeper, the best of the crop. This week's episode fell flat, but the other two were excellent.
Cougar Town--ugh
Community--not horrible, but if I'm not motivated enough to watch another episode unless I am really bored, how good can it be?
Brothers--haven't seen
The Cleveland Show--haven't seen
Bored To Death (HBO)--meh. Certainly not enough to keep HBO, but it comes in second to Modern Family

I'm pretty picky, which is the reason I haven't seen most of the new shows. I use this forum to sift though all the drek out there. It's small enough to be manageable (unlike some of the dedicated television forums), and I am impressed by some of the contributors. Thanks, guys!

[Jonathan_S]

Unusually, non of this season's sit-coms grabbed me. Recording conflicts permitting I'll try another episode of Community; but for everything else I've already ruled out SPs for.

[DevdogAZ]

The Cleveland Show - D+ Definitely disappointing. To me, it seems like SM and group are too scared to take the gloves off because they are not black and depicting a black family. One more shot, but I'm guessing this will be second SP to go.
It's interesting that you say that, because in the one episode I watched, I thought it was completely filled with offensive stereotypes and unfunny jokes based on black and southern culture.

[midas]

I thought the pilot for the Cleveland Show was awful. But I thought the 2nd episode wasn't that bad.

[SorenTodd]

I love The Middle; that family is a total train wreck!

The Cleveland Show seems racist to me. I'm not a big fan of Family Guy, so don't know how long I will stick with this one.

[scooterboy]

Accidentally On Purpose - Watched first ep - SP deleted.
Hank - Recorded but not watched yet.
The Middle - Watched first ep - pretty good.
Modern Family - Watched first 2 eps - a keeper.
Cougar Town - Watched first ep- SP deleted.
Community - Watched first 3 eps - still on fence.
Brothers - Looked bad - didn't bother.
The Cleveland Show - Looked bad - didn't bother.
Bored To Death (HBO) - Watched first ep - SP deleted.

[Steveknj]

It's interesting that you say that, because in the one episode I watched, I thought it was completely filled with offensive stereotypes and unfunny jokes based on black and southern culture.

It's there, but I got the feeling that they didn't go "all the way" with the stereotypes, as if they were afraid of being too offensive. Which is so unlike SM. I think that's kind of what happens when you have white people "playing" black characters. Anyway, I just not sure I like the show, but I'll give it another week.

[hefe]

Still too early to be sure, but it's not a good crop.

Modern Family is the only standout, IMO.

Community seems to have fans, but I think it's just wavering between ok and meh.

Cougar Town...oh how I want to like you. But there is so much that bothers me about the show. From its predictable humor, terrible pacing, and that stupid music that seems to punctuate every short scene...I keep hoping because I like Courteney Cox...well, I did before this. :D

[Supfreak26]

Hank - C - Only seen one episode and it's incredibly average.
The Middle - B - Only seen one episode but I thought it was funny. Reminded me of Malcolm in the Middle.
Modern Family - A - Really like this one. Very funny.
Cougar Town - C+ - I got a few laughs out of the first 2 episodes but I have a feeling Courtney Cox' character will get on my nerves real quick.
Community - A - Love this show. Definite keeper.
Brothers - Couldn't get past the promos for it. Looked awful
The Cleveland Show - Tivoed but not watched.
Bored To Death (HBO) - Don't get HBO right now

Keeping all the ones up here so far. My wife and I are big fans of sitcoms and it has to be extremely awful for us to bail on it. I'm sure half of these will be cancelled by midseason anyways.

[aindik]

Accidentally On Purpose
Hank
The Middle
Brothers
The Cleveland Show
Bored To Death (HBO)

Wasn't interested in any of these, so I didn't watch them.


Modern Family

Definitely a keeper.


Cougar Town
Community

On the bubble. I've only seen the pilot of each. Courtney Cox shouted way too much in the pilot of Cougar Town for my taste.

[That Don Guy]

I think all the new comedies have aired at least twice. What do you think of this year's batch of sitcoms? SPs kept and SPs deleted? Which ones didn't even earn a look? Which do you think will still be around 3-4 years from now? Your thoughts...

I'll only list the shows I haven't completely ignored:
Hank - don't intend to watch it, based on the previews; it looks like it's going to be about as successful as Back to You
Community - not my type of show, especially when the previews make it come across as The Office (another show I don't particularly follow, at least the US version) set in some junior college (and of course it's only a matter of time before the male and female leads become a couple)
Brothers - it's just another family sitcom with some adult situations thrown in; I don't expect it to be around next season
The Cleveland Show - it's trying way too hard to be both a black version of Family Guy (which it will never be, no matter how many cutaways they throw in, as Cleveland is no Peter) and a "family sitcom". This and Community seem to be the shows most likely to make it to a second season, and the only reason TCS makes it is, the ratings are good enough to keep it on the air and Fox won't have anything to replace it (unless they want to buy out the rights to the new Futurama episodes from Comedy Central, and I don't see that happening).

-- Don

[MickeS]

Accidentally On Purpose: didn't see it.
Hank: not great, but pleasant enough and I like Grammer. I'll stick with it, it's probably short-lived anyway. :)
The Middle: didn't see it.
Modern Family: very funny, best of the new ones.
Cougar Town: watched pilot, didn't make me want to see more. Too desperate to be funny, not just the show, but the characters too.
Community: watched first 2 (or 3, don't remember), didn't make me want to see more. Too desperate to be funny, and just overall really dull.
Brothers: didn't see it.
The Cleveland Show: didn't see it. Not a big FG fan.
Bored To Death (HBO): very funny dry and droll humor, enjoyed it so far and will keep watching.

So of the ones I've seen I'd rate them, from best to worst:

Modern Family
Bored to death
Hank
Cougar Town
Community

[WinBear]

I tried watching Community from the free Amazon preview, but just didn't care for it enough to season pass it.

Modern Family is the only other one I wanted to try and it's been pretty good.

[DevdogAZ]

It's there, but I got the feeling that they didn't go "all the way" with the stereotypes, as if they were afraid of being too offensive. Which is so unlike SM. I think that's kind of what happens when you have white people "playing" black characters. Anyway, I just not sure I like the show, but I'll give it another week.
What's funny is that most of the characters are voiced by black people, including the redneck, white trash neighbor. IIRC, only Cleveland (Mike Henry) and the Bear (Seth MacFarlane) are white of the principal voice cast.

[mattack]

Still recording Community, Modern Family, and Cougar Town... the latter is by far inferior to the other two. Checked out most of the rest of the shows mentioned in the thread.. killed SPs much faster than usual, since I have seasons of some shows already recorded that I haven't watched. (Heck, I've got 2 episodes of Canterbury's Law that I'm not deleting.. and I think 2 of "Six Degrees", though both of those are on my virtually unused S1.)

[martinp13]

Cougar Town - C+ - I got a few laughs out of the first 2 episodes but I have a feeling Courtney Cox' character will get on my nerves real quick.That's what I was thinking, and was almost ready to kill the SP. But the third episode was actually really good... her character showed a little growth, and it was fun to watch. I'm keeping it for now.

[Satchel]

Accidentally On Purpose - Seen it twice...keeping so far
Hank - Not even interested
The Middle - haven't caught this one yet.
Modern Family - Keeper for sure.
Cougar Town - Liking this more than I thought I would.
Community - Liking this one too.
Brothers - Not familiar with this one.
The Cleveland Show - No interest.
Bored To Death (HBO) - Don't get HBO

[DreadPirateRob]

I'm really liking Modern Family and Community. They'll be staying in my SP list.

This. They're the only two that I picked to watch, and both are solid-to-great shows. Modern Family, especially, looks like it could be a tremendous sitcom.

[realityboy]

Cougar Town, Modern Family, & The Middle got picked up for the full season.

[dthmj]

I'm deleting Accidentally on Purpose - It's inappropriate to watch with the kids, even though it's aired during a "family hour".

The Middle - that is so much my family! I like it :D

[classicsat]

Accidentally On Purpose
C. I'd watch it to fill time. I wouldn't bother to DVR it. Heroes is a priority for me. HIMYM does get DVRed.

Hank
D. I'll watch it to fill time. I won't miss it if it goes.

The Middle
B+. Watchable, I'd miss it if it went. I'd DVR it if I had to, but have the time to watch it direct.

Modern Family
C+, maybe B-. I might DVR it, but I'd sooner watch Glee.

Cougar Town
D. Not interested.
Community
B, I think I have a Season Pass, but my TiVo thought it ought to record a Guru Guide last night. I do watch it direct in HD though.

Brothers
D-. Just doesn't interest me.

The Cleveland Show
B+. Not as good as FG, but watchable.

[The Spud]

Accidentally On Purpose - B-. I love Jenna Elfman. If she weren't in it I probably wouldn't watch.

Hank - C+. Inoffensive enough, but I wouldn't miss it if it went away.

The Middle - B. Much better than Hank, but I wouldn't miss this one either.

Modern Family - B+. This one is growing on me.

Cougar Town - D. Monica was my least favorite character on Friends. Courtney Cox has done nothing to redeem herself.

Community - C. Rapidly losing interest in this one.

Brothers - C. Not good, not bad. Just there.

[vikingguy]

Want to thank you guys. The positive reviews of modern family got me to try it tonight. I watched all 3 episodes and loved the show. This is one is a keeper for sure so many lol moments.