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Surviving Suburbia

What’s the Story?

Reviewed by Emily Ashby

SURVIVING SUBURBIA is a family centered sitcom that offers tongue-in-cheek commentary on the joys and pressures of modern adult life. Bob Saget stars as Steve Patterson, a middle-aged husband and father struggling with the confines of his predictable life. With his wife (Cynthia Stevenson), kids (Jared Kusnitz and G Hannelius, and a lovely home in the suburbs, Steve should be relishing his piece of the American dream. But the mundane nature of his life instead drives him to criticize everything and everyone around him -- and to question whose dream this lifestyle really is.

Is It Any Good?

3

Saget has no problem stepping back into the shoes of a sitcom dad, but his current character is the antithesis of his well-known role as Full House's exceedingly optimistic Danny Tanner. Of course, Surviving Suburbia is geared toward a more mature audience than that family-friendly '90s series was, as Steve's jaded outlook on life and ready sarcasm -- while sure to garner chuckles from those of us who can relate to his many beefs with adulthood -- will be lost on kids and tweens who probably won't understand the jabs at everyday grown-up experiences.

Expect some sporadic swearing, drinking, and sexual references -- but nothing too eyebrow raising by modern primetime standards. Moderately bad behavior on the adults' part (lying to a friend to get an expenses-paid vacation, for example) is also a non-issue for mature viewers but could send mixed messages to kids.
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