"Surburgatory" Review: Make a Trip to the Suburbs
I have to admit I snickered considerably when I saw the premise of the new ABC sitcom, “Suburgatory”: A single dad moves his teenage daughter from New York City to the suburbs.
But when I watched the premiere, the snickers turned into full-on laughs. But that’s a good thing. And “Suburgatory” is a surprisingly good show, which I ranked as #4 in my best of the fall list…
Jeremy Sisto is the dad, George, and Jane Levy is Tessa, his daughter. Tessa really didn’t want to move, but George is adamant that they need the move in order to protect her. But they both might need protection from what the suburbs have to offer. Helping Tessa navigate the ‘burbs (while she tries to snag George for herself) is Dallas (Cheryl Hines), who has a teenager of her own. In the premiere, Tessa learns about shopping and how mini-skirts can never be too mini.
The allure of this show is the sarcastic way it illuminates the ridiculous but true behavior of certain people. Also in the premiere, George visits a country club and witnesses a woman walking straight into the swimming pool because she’s too busy texting. “That happens all the time,” a member tells George.
Levy is fantastic as the snarky, but genuine Tessa. And even though he’s been playing a lot of brooding characters lately, Sisto is right at home in a sitcom playing the straight man to everyone else’s punchlines. And Hines is hysterical as the over-the-top-but-doesn’t-know-it Dallas.
I hate to say it, but ABC has done a really good thing by putting this one in between “The Middle” and “Modern Family.” It’s the perfect place and it forms a pretty solid comedy block.
And you know how much I hate when ABC succeeds…
“Suburgatory” premieres tonight (Wednesday, September 28th) at 8:30 p.m. on ABC…
Photo Credit: Karen Neal/ABC
