The Big House

The Big House, a sitcom that aired briefly for one season in 2004, is undoubtedly a hidden treasure of TV history, particularly due to its star-studded cast. The show starred a young Kevin Hart, then early in his career, along with seasoned comedy actors Faizon Love, Arnetia Walker, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Keith David. Despite its short run, The Big House provided a humorous, charming, and occasionally poignant look at family dynamics and social adjustments, wrapped up in a sitcom setting.

The show's premise centers on Kevin Hart, who plays a character named Kevin Hart. To contextualize the viewers, Kevin is imagined as a wealthy, spoiled Malibu resident who has been exposed to nothing but luxury, opulence, and the privileges of big-city life. However, his life takes a significant detour when his father gets incarcerated, and Kevin loses all his wealth. Left with no other options, he is forced to move to Philadelphia to live with his working-class relatives who have a vastly different lifestyle than Kevin is used to.

In this new environment, Kevin finds himself living with his stern but caring cousin, played by Faizon Love, his well-intentioned Aunt Tina, portrayed by Arnetia Walker, a jovial and sassy cousin, played by Yvette Nicole Brown, and the wise, yet strict grandfather, played by Keith David. Now sharing a roof with his extended family, Kevin must adjust to new surroundings, new rules, and a new way of life that’s nothing like the one he had.

Each episode largely relates to Kevin grappling and adjusting with this cultural shift. As expected, this new, raw, and unpretentious life presents him with many hilarious, sometimes complex situations, allowing the show to seamlessly blend comedy and drama. The humor in The Big House often stems from Hart's character's attempts at adjusting to his down-to-earth family while balancing his previously privileged values with this harder, more grounded reality. The show also humorously illustrates how the family adjusts to Kevin's rather grandiose way of life.

Yvette Nicole Brown, with her quick wit and comic timing as Eartha Cleveland, is one of the show's highlights. Her character not only provides a foil to Kevin's city-slicker attitudes but also delivers many of the show's laugh-out-loud moments. Arnetia Walker's warmth as Aunt Tina provides the emotional center of the show, while Faizon Love's no-nonsense approach offsets Kevin's naive tendencies.

Moreover, Keith David, who plays brother Cecil, the patriarch of the family, offers the wiseness required in a family-oriented sitcom. His character minority does not take center stage, but David's immense credibility as an actor adds to the overall acting strength of the series.

The beauty of The Big House lies in its handling of the constant clash of lifestyles, while making profound commentary about family, class, and societal differences without getting overly preachy. The brilliantly executed humor, drawn from relatable life situations and the contrast of two diverse lifestyles, is integrated into a comedy narrative that continually keeps you engaged.

Despite its short run, The Big House had a distinctive and unique perspective on family dynamics, generational clashes, and class differences. Coupled with great performances from a ensemble cast, the show delivered abundant comedy mixed with moments of genuine emotion. All in all, The Big House may not have lasted long, but it left its mark, mainly for the excellent performances and unique narrative approach. It's a snapshot of Kevin Hart's early career and an example of a sitcom that offered something different to the viewers. Although not widely known, it delivers humbling life lessons along with its plentiful laughs.