Grr. That second “ABC” is supposed to read “ABC Family.”
This one isn’t bad. I TiVo’d last night’s episode – must be the second week (?) – and liked it. The dialogue is mostly natural, mom and dad are a bit over the top but not continuously, and there were some funny bits, especially at the Australian theme restaurant where the kid works.
College kid living at home, car breaks down, he calls dad, dad comes to get him, looks at the car, and says “When’s the last time you put any oil in this thing?”
College kid (patronizingly): “Dad, they do that at the factory, it comes with oil already in it.”
Dad: “You’ve had this car for three years and never checked the oil?!”
Best part is there’s no laugh track.
I tried it last night, too. Got about halfway through the episode, and had to turn it off because I just didn’t find it funny.
I think Free Ride fits somewhere between My Name Is Earl and The Office, chuckles alternating with cringes.
They need to tone it down just a tad. The college kid’s old buddy is annoying , but college kid’s reaction to him seems natural. The aunt reminds me of what’s-her-name from Black Books, in behavior and appearance.
I liked seeing Julia Lee again (the blonde waitress), but had to IMDB her to find out what I’d seen her in (Buffy and Angel).