TV Review: The Cleveland Show

The Cleveland Show is simultaneously inventive and familiar in how it chronicles the adventures of a loving and garden-variety dysfunctional American family. The second episode lets us get to know the interpersonal dynamics and challenges Cleveland faces as he seeks to ingratiate himself and command respect in his newly blended family.

It is easy to root for the character, Cleveland. Like many adults, he does not enjoy putting on the mask adulthood requires, but, as with the rest of us, he does try to rise to the occasion that age inevitably poses. (Granted for men, these days, effort seems to be all that matters.) Cleveland fumbles at first. He would rather buy off his step children, Regina, who he tries to appease with a pair of cubic zirconium earrings, and Rallo, who he tries to win over with a new dog. He seems most uncomfortable parenting his own son, Cleveland Jr., perhaps as he sees in his son his own tendency to avoid conflict and active-passivity. What is most refreshing and wry is how Cleveland tackles his own disappointment in his son's shortcomings.

Cleveland refers to his son's dumb decisions as "curious," a far more clever and gentle response than his more misanthropic comedic counterparts, be it Larry David, Homer Simpson or Cartwright, might offer their kinder. As the prototypical comedic, buffoonish dad character goes, Cleveland falls in the well-intentioned variety. He feels bad about running over his step-children's dog, revolted by his friend eating the dog, and clear-eyed about how the kids will react, even if it was a mistake. His goal is not to subvert growing up at any cost, only do right if it is the only way out. Cleveland is more of an every man, capable of good and bad acts, despite having a heart that beats.

There are moments and characters that are not as earnest. The show's otherwise traditional format is broken up intermittently by catty, biting sketches ridiculing celebrities. The jabs are on point but easy, like how pop star John Mayer, actor/Bono-to-be Brad Pitt, and several other famous males all share one thing in common: dating then dumping Jennifer Aniston. Some of the other potshots made in hindsight over yesteryear's inconsequential news are mocking the deceased Indie musician Kurt Cobain's questionable judgement in sleeping with train-wreck Courtney Love, and Halle Berry's tear-strewn acceptance speech over being the first black female actress to win an Oscar. 

Overall, The Cleveland Show is funny and, for lack of a better word, true. When Rallo compliments Cleveland for being supportive during this vulnerable time in Rallo's life, and then blows his nose on Cleveland's shirt, it hilariously and accurately conveys how children, like adults, can be, as the French say, mechante. The writers also deftly demonstrate how humans do dumb things well. Cleveland Jr. makes a concerted effort in becoming a bathroom attendant, oblivious to the nine zillion other options he can pursue in making a niche for himself at a new school. With both boys, Cleveland buoyantly steps in, as he does with Regina, when her own father neglects to do so. He is rewarded, successfully wining over Regina and Rallo, not to mention a growing audience fan base. 

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Comments

[AsISaid]

Comparing 'The Cleveland Show' to 'Family Guy' as many will do, is not an apt comparison. As a father figure, Cleveland has some redeeming value, while Peter is....well, Peter. I personally don't understand the bear neighbor - it's nonsense. Perhaps the bear replaces Brian in 'Family Guy', but the character makes less sense in the scheme of things than Brian does. For certain, the humor is not a ball-bat-i­n-the-face like 'Family Guy', but it has its moments.

The show kind of reminds me of a cross between 'Family Guy' and 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' - situational stuff - with Cleveland being a nicer guy than Larry David. It will be interesting to see how the show evolves. I hope it gets better.

[Tonetare]

I thought The Cleveland Show was very entertaining. I don't think it so much pulls in African American viewership to McFarlene's projects as we were already pulled in by his successful Family Guy/American Dad masterpieces, but rather makes a powerful statement. That powerful statement is 'look, my comedy is not for one particular audience; it's for everybody to take partake in. In my first comedy, most of the characters were this color. The second comedy will be a lot of characters of this color.' That's what I like about McFarlene. You can tell through much of his humor and comedy that he is truly an open-minded, sympathetic person with good values and it's admirable that he's using his entertainment to prove that. I've noticed however, no further than the first episode, much of McFarlene's viewership hasn't taking a liking to this show. Considering McFarlene's overwhelming succes in other projects, you'd think viewers would be willing to give this show a chance after only the first episode. II wonder why a lot of viewers are unwilling to give this show a chance despite despite it just launching and the merits of the creator. It might sound crazy but here we have an ironic situation where a talented White American is the victim of subtly indirect anti-Black racism that Blacks are faced with a lot. It's an odd situation where subtly indirect racism is now not only hurting Blacks, but a talented, good-hearted, innocent White American.

[JL-Sosa]

Family Guy: Part 3

[BlackJAC]

Correction: Regina is the wife. The stepdaughter is Roberta.

[euell]

i hate to be mean but yall should check out the review by la times. theres nothing said here; its wierd. that new show is the worst thing ive ever seen by mcfarlane. and anyone with average good taste can see it. its almost like he tried to make a bad product as an artistic strategy of some kind. seems weirdly dumber than his usual fare

[JimR]

"Overall, The Cleveland Show is funny"

Guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

[Catie Lazarus - Huffpost Blogger]

Why did you not think it was funny?

[Qreality]

I would agree with JimR, the Cleveland Show is not funny!! it pace is so slow and not funny it is almost painful to watch. I tried watching the second show - delete from the DVR. The LA times review was fairer and more in line with what the show is really like.

And judging from the size of the crowd at Comic Con for American Dad I don't see it lasting more than one or two more seasons