Single Parents

Single Parents is a refreshing, fun-filled ABC comedy that aired from 2018 to 2020. The series boasts a compelling ensemble cast, including Taran Killam, former Saturday Night Live comedian; Leighton Meester, the dazzling starlet from Gossip Girl; Brad Garrett, the recognizable voice from Everybody Loves Raymond; Kimrie Lewis-Davis, the versatile actress known from Scandal; and Jake Choi, the rising star from Front Cover movie. Although having different backgrounds and styles, they altogether create a harmonious balance and effectively extract laughs from audience.

The show unfolds as a narrative centered around a group of single parents who lean on each other to survive the ins and outs of modern-day parenting while navigating through their personal lives. It's a spirited sitcom that explores the ups and downs, joys and woes, realities and absurdities, and overall complexities involved in raising children alone.

Taran Killam takes on the role of Will Cooper, a single dad fully engrossed in parenting his adorable little girl Sophie to the point where he's lost his identity beyond being just a dad. Leighton Meester shines as Angie D'Amato, a proudly individualistic single mom to her precocious son Graham, armed with a sharp tongue and a heart of gold. Brad Garrett delivers a terrific performance as Douglas Fogerty, the gruff, widowed older dad to twins Jack and Mia. Kimrie Lewis-Davis mesmerizes as Poppy Banks, a wine business owner and single mom to son Rory, flitting comfortably between sarcasm and vulnerability. Jake Choi completes the main cast as the charming and laid-back Miggy, a 20-something guy who unexpectedly becomes a single dad to baby Jack.

One of the most compelling aspects of Single Parents is that while it is a comedy at its core, it never shies away from addressing the real-life struggles single parents face. The character-driven humor is rooted in truth, making it a comedy that's both entertaining and relatable. Whether it's balancing work with parenting, struggling to keep a love life, or find personal time, these characters are constantly juggling their responsibilities.

The series also breaks traditional stereotypes about what a family should look like by portraying the single-parenting world, which is often misrepresented or overlooked in mainstream media. Single Parents largely focuses on the camaraderie and bonds formed between the characters, and how they support each other through their single parenting journey, effectively becoming an unconventional, yet deeply connected family.

From the creators of New Girl, Elizabeth Meriwether and J.J. Philbin, Single Parents is a show which offers a combination of humour and heart. With great pacing and a knack for comedic timing, every episode provides plenty of laughs, while also offering moments of genuine emotion. It balances the comedy with empathetic storylines, which makes it easy for audiences to connect with the characters. Every episode is packed with hilarious one-liners, unconventional parenting situations, and funny, yet heartwarming interactions among the characters.

The creators have not shied away from modernizing the parenting tropes that television often uses, breathing fresh hilarity into scenarios involving school functions, birthday parties, parent-teacher conferences, and sleep deprivation. They've also portrayed the real, raw aspects of parenting that are typically swept under the rug, such as feelings of isolation and the struggle to maintain a sense of self.

The chemistry between the cast is palpable, and they do a fantastic job of making each character feel authentic. Over two seasons and 45 episodes, the ensemble cast each have their own story to tell, contributing to the show's fundamental principle that it takes a village to raise a child.

Single Parents is a delightful watch, filled with light-hearted humor and feel-good moments, but also thought-provoking scenarios that single parents will find relatable. Its real strength lies in the chemistry between its characters and the authenticity of their storylines. Whether you're a parent yourself or simply someone who enjoys a good laugh, Single Parents allows the viewer to lose themselves in the shenanigans and victories of this comical, relatable group of friends who are just trying to do their best by their kids, and by themselves.