Jobeth Williams, Richard Dreyfuss, Cynthia Stevenson, and Ed Begly Jr. They are the only reason this show keeps anyone coming back. Not hard to see why. They're seasoned actors that carry us through each formulaic episode order. This show in particular has an every-other-episode way about it.Every other episode features Williams and Dreyfuss, or Stevenson and Begly Jr. Our two main characters (Kyle Howard, Kat Foster) are a loving couple, with two kids, and probably a nice little house, white picket fence, etc. They spend each episode at either parent's house where off-the-wall issues ensue. Premise is promising. The trials and tribulations that a couple have to endure as they work through the differences and culture clash of the parents they're visiting. Each episode feature's the other side of the family. This is common ground that any married couple will have to deal with, so it's a relatively approachable and identifiable status. No big deal, except that the writing (ie-punch lines, gag response et al) are a little too predictable in this day and age. We've seen it all before. Supporting siblings (brothers sisters) are easy to pin-point. Sibling rivalry's and difference of opinion seems to be the ONLY arc that comes forth in any given episodic visit. The aforementioned four Parental units are often relegated to modern day lingo complete with swearing, sex humor, and often falling to the same cliché'd behavior as the younger characters. Perhaps this is because they are marketing it for the unfortunate younger demographic, as just about any and every network, production co. and media format seems to do. Shame. Next there is the acting itself. Our two main cast members Kyle Howard and Kat Foster are enthusiastic but amateur in their portrayals. You'd see the same thing in a standard high school or college production. They give it there best shots every episode and some of it can be adorable at best, but it always pales in comparison to the supporting players. In fact, all the supporting players who feature in every other episode are far more interesting and the cast entertaining. Some new direction and writing might clean this up, maybe. The goods surely come from said parental actors. The issue's that come with a non-original member of either family are not unfamiliar but that way either Williams and Dreyfuss, or Stevenson and Begly Jr. pull it off, it's always fun and endearing, no matter how pedestrian or acrid some of the material can be. It's all about the parent's here.
