It’s apparently obligatory in every review of Life Unexpected to compare it to Gilmore Girls. Here’s mine: Life Unexpected doesn’t have even 10% of the verbal wit that make Gilmore reruns endlessly re-watchable. Yes, Life Unexpected is indeed a charming new show, all the more refreshing for its smiles and unaffected grimaces on the CW, a network usually populated by cool, poker-faced teens and twentysomethings on everything from Gossip Girl to Vampire Diaries. But let’s not overrate this little coughing-furball kitty-cat of a show before it grows a bit.
Last night’s premiere episode set up the premise with brisk efficiency. Lux (Britt Robertson) is indeed convincing as the most mature person among the little triangle she forms with her mother, Cate (Shiri Appleby, who has the ability to make Cate seem irritated and dense simultaneously) and father, Baze (Kristoffer Polaha, who renders Baze more commitment-immature than all the guys in The Hangover rolled into one).
LU creator Liz Tigelaar has worked on Brothers and Sisters and What About Brian, so she knows a thing or two about using jokes and soap opera to stretch a comedy-drama. Next week, you’ll see more of what Lux has been doing while she hatched her (failed) plan to become legally emancipated, and that second episode is both more clever and filled with more complex emotions than the premiere.
Which bodes well for the future of Life Unexpected, right? Now if only I believed Kerr Smith’s Ryan would really be as cool with this situation. Let’s see: He works with Cate at the radio station, they’ve just gotten engaged, and now he has to deal with a smart-alecky potential-stepdaughter and her beer-pong-loving birth-father? Ryan’s either a saint or a sap, but I trust he’ll become some more intriguing mixture of the two as the series proceeds.
What about you? Did you watch Life Unexpected last night? What did you think?
I watched Life Unexpected and I found it enjoyable. I never really got into Gilmore Girls (sorry all GG lovers!), but I liked Juno. So I gave it a shot. I think that the show is laying good groundwork for the eventual love triangle between the birth parents and the fiancee and for all of the problems that will be encountered while raising a child (especially a teenager!). I will continue to stick with the show for a while to see where it goes. . .
Don’t kill babies, or do
I liked it…never got into Gilmore Girls so I’m glad its not similar. Can’t wait to watch the next one.
I caught the first 5 minutes and had to go, it’s in my DVR though…
I just watched it last night and enjoyed it. There were a few cheesy moments, like her bf/fiance realizing she got knocked up on air, but i will still tune back in. Is it taking ‘Beautiful Life’ time slot once GG returns though?
I watched Life Unexpected last night and thought it was a good show overall. You’re right, it doesn’t have the wit that Gilmore Girls had (the only other show that I know that was kind of like that was Veronica Mars rip) but I wasn’t really expecting it too. I know critics have been comparing it to Gilmore Girls and Juno but it’s kind of its own little show. Funny at times, poignant and really has potential to go somewhere. Now, HOPEFULLY the CW will give this show a chance. They really don’t have that great of a track record with these types of shows (besides Gilmore and 7th Heaven) so we’ll see if this sticks around. Either that or they could bring back Priviledged. Seriously miss that show.
i really fell in love with this show and i hope as it goes on it will not only get better but delve deeper into the characters i’m looking forward to the characters becoming more complex
I was all in after watching the 10-min premiere on e-dub the other night. was looking forward to it, and totally loved it. I don’t know if it’s because i’m adopted, but i was so impacted. loved it. i’m in for now, but don’t get it twisted: this is no GG for sure.
I really enjoyed it. I watched it with low expectations as I haven’t watched anything on CW in several years and found it had almost an old school WB feel. I really enjoyed it and hope CW keeps it.
I agree! I used to watch the WB back in the days of Dawson’s Creek and Felicity and this show reminded me of those days. I’m glad it on tv.
I liked the show more than I thought I would, very cute, and the characters you could easily love. Definetly not Gilmore Girls- its better, thank God there is no annoying Loreli. Cant wait to see what happens next!
Gilmore Girls was awesome.
Gilmore Girls was totally awesome (and I’m a dude). This show…ehhhh
same i love gilmore girls and i am a guy to
I agree with this. I really liked Gilmore Girls, but did find it annoying at times.. but hubby loathed it!! lol..
The show had a vintage WB in its prime feel to it. Whoever is making the decisions at CW recently seems to be doing well. Vampire Diaries (to my suprise) is actually really entertaining and suspenseful. Life unexpected looks endearing and watchable.
J.B., I think you’re right on by calling this show “vintage WB in its prime”. Totally agree!
I enjoyed this show and look forward to future episodes.
ahh.. this makes me feel old b/c i totally agree…
oh i loved me some Popular.. ;]
don’t underrate it either Ken. like with Parks and Rec. last night was decent but it needs a few more to show its hand.
I did watch it with some expectations. They were disappointed. I will maybe give it another chance next week, but I expected a show with at least some wit and attitude, which both Gilmore Girls and Juno had in spades. This show is neither Juno nor Gilmore Girls. Right now it stands firmly in the drivel category.
I completely agree! I thought this show would actually be interesting and amusing, but it’s so obvious when the characters are “trying” to be funny. Ugh. How is everyone “loving” it?
I loved it
it was refreshing and very WB-ey
I liked the show and the actress playing Lux could become a favorite of mine. The only thing I didn’t quite seem to understand, is although I know they wanted to end the first episode on a happy note, (everyone coming together for Lux’s 16th birthday), did NO ONE else find it pretty awful that Cate pretty much jumped out of bed with Baze to run to the radio station and reconsile with Ryan?? I mean I know they had technically “broken up” for all of five seconds, but that was pretty shady to me…I wouldn’t be so happy about that situation if I were Ryan, (whenever he finds out which I’m sure he will
)
Other than that I see promise…
Yes. I thought that was odd as well. Are they going to address this in the future? We’ll see.
Oh yeah–Ryan will find out about the one-nighter between Cate and Baze at the worst possible time, that’s a given. Especially since Lux obviously figured out what happened when Cate literally stumbled over her the next morning. So far my reason for watching again is Britt Roberston (who plays Lux)–I thought she was terrific. (Never liked Shiri A. on “Roswell” and I don’t think she’s improved with age).
oh yes. it’s addressed. i’m privy to the storylines for future episodes, and i personally love the way this secret plays out.
Congratulations CW! Great job!
Loved it!
LOVED, LOVED, LOVE IT! It really filled the Gilmore Girls void for me. I need this show to stay on the air. Spread the word to your friends to check out a new show with finally a fresh concept. The premise is something that has never been done in sitcom land. Lets keep good tv alive!