Single by 30
By Joyce Slaton,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Romantic comedy is sweet and charming but slight.
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Single by 30
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What's the Story?
During their senior year of high school, Joanna (Kina Grannis) and Peter (Harry Shum Jr.) made a pact to be each other's backup: If they were still SINGLE BY 30, they'd marry each other. They lost touch after high school, but when they meet up by chance just as Peter turns 30, both brokenhearted over relationships that recently imploded, they decide to take that impulsive agreement a little more seriously. First, since Joanna's birthday is in a few months, they agree to help each other date. But as her birthday grows closer, and their romantic lives grow ever more frustrating and complicated, Peter and Joanna can see what the audience already knows: They're clearly perfect for each other.
Is It Any Good?
Sweet, and occasionally even clever, this show unfortunately relies on a very clichéd setup: the couple who'd be happy together if they'd just succumb to love. Peter and Joanna grew up together, share friends, have interests in common, are both super foxy -- they're perfect for each other! If only they knew! Blergh. If only that premise had the crackle of some of Single by 30's lines, like when Joanna's flighty roommate Chloe (Hillary Anne Matthews) leads off a conversation by revealing she's "SWF, ADD, and ESFP on the MBTI" or when Peter says that by age 30 his dad had married, had two kids, and escaped a communist regime, yet his own biggest decision on his 30th birthday was whether to send back his burrito because it came with salsa verde.
Joanna and Peter are easy to like, and the show does have a few things to say about modern love. Dating apps don't work for her or for many others, Joanna says, because there are so many choices that it's tough to "find the good ones." "We're a generation overrun by choice," muses Peter. "Seriously, have you seen how many types of Chex Mix there are now?" returns Joanna. They have chemistry together, and it's nice to see an Asian man as a romantic lead (extremely rare in American TV and cinema). But the setup? Cribbed straight from screwball of the '30s (or, given the age of Single by 30's creators, from 1980s TV comedies) and in need of an update.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Joanna and Peter show communication and teamwork in Single by 30 by building a romantic relationship on top of a layer of friendship. Why are these important character strengths? How do they communicate with each other when going through difficult times? How does teamwork help them muddle through adversity?
Television shows and movies generally focus on new relationships rather than established marriages or relationships. Why? What's more interesting about people just getting together, or exploring a single life, than characters who are already settled romantically? Can you think of any TV shows or movies about already coupled characters where the focus is their relationship?
Television shows filmed for nontraditional content providers such as YouTube are often made for less money than shows for established providers such as broadcast or cable networks. Do you think Single by 30 is a low-budget show? How can you tell? Does the lack of expensive touches such as custom-built sets, big scenes with lots of extras, and special effects make this show less interesting or appealing?
TV Details
- Premiere date: August 24, 2016
- Cast: Harry Shum Jr., Kina Grannis
- Network: YouTube
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Communication, Teamwork
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: July 1, 2022
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