Worst Week
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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 sitcom based on the British show The Worst Week of My Life centers on an unmarried couple who lives together and is expecting a child. The series includes fairly frequent (though generally pretty mild) sexual references -- mostly people inferring that they'd like to have sex -- and some social drinking among adults (one instance of excessive drinking shows a woman throwing up on someone), but it's probably nothing teens haven't already seen. Expect some language ("ass," "bitch," and the like) as well.
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What's the story?
In WORST WEEK, nice guy Sam (Kyle Bornheimer) attempts to impress his girlfriend Mel's family before breaking the news that the two of them (Erinn Hayes) are not only getting married but are expecting a baby as well. But when he misses his train because an intoxicated co-worker throws up on his shirt -- and then mistakenly urinates in a pot holding a marinating goose for Mel's dad's birthday dinner -- Sam knows he has to take drastic measures to prove his worth to Dick (Kurtwood Smith) and Angela (Nancy Lenehan). With fate firmly positioned against him, Sam pulls out all the stops to win over his stubborn in-laws-to-be.
Is it any good?
Based on the British series The Worst Week of My Life, this amusing series is the creation of Scrubs producer Matt Tarses, so there's no shortage of laughs. Bornheimer is a delight as unlucky Sam, and it's easy to get absorbed in rooting for him each time he hatches a new plan to impress Mel's family. And aside from the couple's unplanned pregnancy, there's little content here that's likely to concern parents of teens, so they can enjoy the laughs along with you.
That said, it's not the most original concept; not only is it based on an earlier show, but if Meet the Parents is on your top 10 list, you'll find plenty of similarities between that riotously funny, star-studded movie and this series. From an unyieldingly protective father to unfortunate mishaps with treasured family pets, the parallel plots make Worst Week feel a bit like a cheap knock-off. But if copycats don't ruffle your feathers, this show offers plenty to chuckle over.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about how the media promotes itself, particularly on TV. How do promos for upcoming series or episodes entice us to watch? How do these "hooks" vary among different types of shows -- like comedies, dramas, and reality series? Do you ever find you're bored watching a particular show? If so, what do you do? Families can also discuss the kind of laughs this show goes for. Is Sam's frequent humiliation funny or uncomfortable? Why?
TV details
- Premiere date: September 22, 2008
- Cast: Erinn Hayes, Kurtwood Smith, Kyle Bornheimer
- Network: CBS
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: TV-14
- Available on: DVD
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