Big Day
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this high-concept sitcom includes vivid discussion of sexual activity. Viewers see a couple wake up in bed together without knowing each other's names -- as well as a character having an orgasm during a foot massage (the incident is discussed pretty frankly). The show's humor is usually clever, but it can also be crass and immature. Some characters smoke cigars and several discuss getting drunk.
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What's the story?
BIG DAY is a quirky sitcom that follows a single day in the life of two families who are about to become in-laws. Each episode of the show edges viewers later in the day when sweet Alice (Marla Sokoloff) will marry loveable Danny (Josh Cooke) ... unless something terrible happens. The fact that Alice's bitter older sister slept with the boorish best man and then drank his contact lenses from the nightstand water glass won't be enough to stop the ceremony. Nor will the accidental orgasm that Alice's high-strung mother Jane (Wendie Malick) experiences thanks to Danny's free-spirited father's reflexology massage. Meanwhile, wedding planner Lorna (MADtv veteran Stephnie Weir) must bear the brunt of Jane's micromanaging wrath when things go wrong. Along with debates about fiscal responsibility, Caesar vs. vinaigrette dressing, and the What's Happening theme song, Big Day sweetly addresses some of the real anxieties that come along with weddings -- after Alice's father tells her he doesn't approve of Danny, for example, she has a crisis, fearing that Danny isn't a responsible adult who's ready for the commitment of marriage.
Is it any good?
Much of the show's humor is crass and sophomoric, but its clever writing and talented acting are pleasant surprises. There are also some questionable comedic targets in the plot, like the recurring character of a portly Spanish-accented cosmetologist who wanders through the house with tweezers saying, "I pluck bride?"
The show's unrestrained dialogue about sex, drinking, and sexual orientation -- as well as its visible drinking, smoking, and gag violence -- means that younger viewers should stay away. Older teens may enjoy some of the physical humor as well as the funny dialogue, but Big Day is clearly oriented toward adults.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the show's premise and structure, which are unusual for a sitcom. How does the single-day time-span affect the series' pace? What will happen after the wedding? Families can also talk about wedding mishaps. Did anything go wrong at weddings you've attended? What's the worst wedding mishap you've heard of? What's the best way to handle a snafu at a big event? What kind of wedding, if any, do teens want for themselves?
TV details
- Premiere date: November 28, 2006
- Cast: Josh Cooke, Marla Sokoloff, Wendie Malick
- Network: ABC
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: September 19, 2019
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