I Miss Parenthood

I'm not much of a t.v. watcher. It's not that I don't like television, it's that I am not really home much to watch. When I am home, I'm cleaning, cooking, working, reading, or writing. Tonight, after dinner I spent the evening decorating my Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo Pops ("Hidey-ho!"). Each pop stick has three unevenly stacked marshmallows, dipped in chocolate that is imperfect in color and texture (purposely) to look natural, and has eyes and a mouth painted on with cookie frosting. They are then bagged and topped with felt Santa hats I've made for each one. Gross? Perhaps. But fun nonetheless.


There is, however, one show on one night that will get me running to the television the way that Knots Landing used to grab my old sorority sister, Natasha. That show, my friends, is Parenthood.


The last time I felt this strongly about a television show was probably when I watched Northern Exposure. It's been that long. Parenthood is a complex show that is a snapshot into the every day lives of a large, extended family. Headed up by Zeek and Camille Braverman, played by Craig T. Nelson and Bonnie Bedelia respectively, we get an inside look at three generations of family. I love that the characters don't have it easy, that things don't always have happy endings. It's like real life, but with really beautiful people and homes. On the show is Max, a child with Asperger's Syndrome, a single (divorced) mother raising two teenagers, and an immature guy who just recently found out he is the father of a five year old boy. Zeek and Camille even become separated and then work towards saving their marriage. 


Trying to explain why Parenthood is so worth watching is nearly impossible. There are many reasons, and they aren't easily put into words. I think the best way for me to explain is that when I am watching, I am completely absorbed and feel like I am part of the Braverman family. I feel their struggles and joys (and loved seeing them have their Thanksgiving meal together).


Dax Sheppard is on the show playing Crosby Braverman, and in my eyes it's reason enough to tune in. His girlfriend, Jasmine, is played by Joy Bryant, who I also love to watch. Can I even start singling them out? Why do I even try? There's the lovely and talented (I had to) Monica Potter, whose character I love so much that when I saw her on the cover of some random magazine while waiting in the doctor's office, I had to take it. There's Peter Krause, Lauren Graham, and Mae Whitman. And someone I'd never seen before but have grown to adore is Sarah Ramos. Her character struggles with being the good girl while growing up her own way. She is amazing.  


Airing Tuesday nights at 10 p.m., the show's been easy to catch and I've burned into my schedule.  But then, out of what seemed to be nowhere, the show stopped airing. No f'ing way. 


I've read that the show will be returning in January, and frankly, the wait is embarrassingly difficult. I've been watching little clips on the Internet from past shows, and stalking the NBC page waiting to see that they will be back. I miss this show like I miss an old friend on Christmas. Tuesdays just aren't the same without the Bravermans.