Table of Contents
For those looking for a light and entertaining watch, ‘Dinner With the Parents’ promises a comedic exploration of family dinners gone wrong.
Get ready to laugh and maybe see a bit of your own family in the Langers’ weekly antics on Showcase.
‘Dinner With the Parents’ Trailer and Overview
‘Dinner With the Parents’ is a TV comedy that captures the awkwardness and humour of family dinners. It centers on two brothers who navigate weekly meals with their parents.
Premise and Genre
The show is a single-camera comedy series that focuses on two brothers in their 20s who visit their parents’ home every week. Despite the usual embarrassment and chaos, they manage to survive each dinner.
The series is set in a family-oriented and somewhat relatable setting. It explores the humourous and sometimes cringe-worthy dynamics of family gatherings. The comedy portrays everyday situations, making viewers laugh at the familiar yet exaggerated family interactions.
Creation and Production
The show was created by Jon Beckerman and produced by CBS in collaboration with Big Talk Studios. The production team aimed to capture the essence of a typical family dinner thrown into turmoil.
The series stars Michaela Watkins as Jane, Dan Bakkedahl as Harvey, Carol Kane as Rose (Nana), Henry Hall as David, and Daniel Thrasher as Gregg. It premiered on the Showcase channel of RiverTV, with the first five episodes currently available for streaming on-demand.
Series Synopsis
‘Dinner With the Parents’ portrays the weekly dinner gatherings of a dysfunctional family. Each episode brings forth new embarrassing moments and conflicts. The characters include Jane and Harvey, the parents, and their sons, David and Gregg. Nana, played by Carol Kane, adds another layer of humour and unpredictability.
Guest stars occasionally appear, adding variety to the family dynamic. The show effectively uses a blend of wit and awkward situations to keep the audience engaged. Despite the chaos, the underlying theme is the enduring bond of family.
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Cast and Characters
‘Dinner With the Parents’ features an engaging ensemble of characters brought to life by a talented cast. The main roles, key supporting characters, and occasional guest stars all contribute to the unique narrative and humor of the show.
Lead Roles
Michaela Watkins stars as Jane, the nurturing yet often overwhelmed mother. She is known for her comedic talent, previously appearing on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”
Daniel Thrasher and Henry Hall play Gregg and David, the two brothers in their 20s who navigate weekly dinners at their parents’ house. Their characters often find themselves in awkward, hilarious situations that form the crux of the series.
Dan Bakkedahl takes on the father’s role, providing a grounded yet quirky counterpoint to the chaos of family dinners.
Supporting Cast
Jon Glaser portrays Donnie, who adds extra layers of humor and complexity to the family dynamics. His interactions with the main cast often lead to memorable moments.
Carol Kane, the most notable supporting actor, steps in as Rose/Nana, bringing her unique charm and wit to the grandmotherly role. Her character is beloved for her quirky remarks and old-fashioned wisdom.
The ensemble cast includes other family members and friends, who appear consistently throughout the series, adding depth to the main storyline.
Guest Stars
The show occasionally features guest stars who play various family friends, neighbours, or extended family members. These appearances often add fresh twists and turns to the plot.
Notable guest stars include Rob Delaney, Christine Adams, and Mircea Monroe for example. These well-known comedians and actors make special cameos to enhance the comedy and keep each episode unpredictable.
Guest stars help to keep the show dynamic, making family dinners even more eventful and entertaining for the audience. They often bring in new challenges for the brothers and their families to face, highlighting the diverse range of social scenarios at play.
Plot Dynamics
The show explores themes of love, comedy, chaos, and family dynamics, often leading to pranks, lies, and schemes.
Family Interactions
The core of the show lies in its depiction of family interactions during the dinners. Each family member brings their quirks and troubles, creating an atmosphere filled with humor and tension.
The parents, Jane and Harvey, attempt to keep peace while navigating the antics of their sons, David and Gregg. These interactions often lead to laughter, misunderstandings, and unexpected emotional moments.
Family dinners serve as the setting for many memorable events and discussions. Nana Rose adds her unique perspective and wisdom, which can sometimes cause unintended chaos.
David and Gregg’s childhood memories and sibling rivalry often resurface, sparking arguments and laughter alike.
The presence of unwelcome neighbors also contributes to the chaos. Their unexpected visits and meddling in family matters often create additional layers of tension and comedy. These elements together make each dinner an unpredictable blend of warmth and disorder.
Relationship Threads
The series carefully weaves various relationship threads. Jane and Harvey‘s marriage is portrayed with depth, showcasing love mixed with occasional frustration. Their dynamic highlights the challenges and joys of long-term relationships.
David is often seen grappling with feelings for childhood crushes, which are a frequent topic of conversation and source of amusement. His ongoing romantic endeavors add a lighter side to the narrative.
Gregg, on the other hand, is known for making bad decisions, adding complexity and humour.
Nana Rose’s relationship with her grandchildren is another focal point. Her old-fashioned views sometimes clash with their modern outlooks, yet her deep affection for them is always evident. These relationship threads contribute significantly to the show’s charm and appeal.
Conflicts and Resolutions
Conflict is a constant presence at the Langer family dinners. They range from minor misunderstandings to serious betrayals. The weekly dinners serve as a stage for these issues to unfold. This often involves pranks that backfire or lies that come to light, leading to temporary rifts.
On one occasion, Donnie’s involvement in a small felony case becomes a family secret that must be addressed. The family’s collective efforts to resolve such shocking events highlight their underlying bond.
Despite the chaos, the show often resolves conflicts in a heartwarming manner. It emphasizes forgiveness, understanding, and the strength of family. Each resolution brings the family members closer, no matter how tumultuous the journey.
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Production Details
Dinner With the Parents is a comedy series that combines the creative visions of talented directors and producers, shot in carefully chosen locations with a distinct cinematographic style.
Directors and Producers
The series was created by Jon Beckerman, who is known for his insightful storytelling and humor. Tristram Shapeero, a prominent name in television directing, helms many episodes, ensuring a comedic yet heartfelt direction.
Kenton Allen and Robert Popper serve as executive producers, bringing a wealth of experience from their previous work in comedy. Caroline Leddy and Saurabh Kakkar are also listed as executive producers, adding depth to the production team. Their combined expertise shapes the series into a must-watch show.
Filming Locations
The primary filming location for Dinner With the Parents is set around suburban homes, reflecting the show’s focus on family and daily life. The production team chose these settings to create a relatable and authentic atmosphere.
Some scenes were filmed on location in Winnersh, England to capture the genuine feel of a family dinner setting. This use of practical locations instead of studios adds to the realism that viewers appreciate.
Outdoor scenes, such as the brothers arriving at their parents’ house, are shot in picturesque streets to enhance the visual storytelling.
Cinematographic Style
The series employs a single-camera setup, typical of many modern sitcoms, giving it a polished and cinematic look. This approach makes the interactions feel more personal and engaging, focusing on character expressions and dynamics.
Lighting is used to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, highlighting the family-centric theme of the show.
Color palettes are chosen to evoke a sense of comfort, with soft hues and natural lighting playing a significant role.
Camera movements are smooth and deliberate, emphasizing the comedic timing and emotional beats of the script. By maintaining a balance between traditional sitcom style and more contemporary techniques, the series visually captures the essence of a family dinner.
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Broadcast and Reception
‘Dinner With the Parents’ has garnered attention for its unique blend of humuor and family dynamics. The show’s broadcast information and its reception by both viewers and critics highlight its rising popularity.
Release Dates
‘Dinner With the Parents’ premiered in Canada on Showcase. The release date was strategically chosen to capture the mid-spring audience, providing viewers with fresh comedy content as the television season peaks.
The series airs weekly – this schedule keeps consistent engagement with its audience, allowing viewers to anticipate and prepare for each episode.
As a spring release, it avoids competing with major fall premieres, finding a unique spot in the viewing calendar on RiverTV.
Viewing Platforms
‘Dinner With the Parents’ is available to stream and watch on-demand with RiverTV. This platform choice underscores the show’s aim to reach a broad audience in Canada.
RiverTV can be accessed on various devices, including smart TVs, tablets, smartphones, and PCs. The availability across diverse platforms ensures that viewers can watch the show conveniently, whether at home or on the go. This accessibility has contributed to the series’ growing fan base in Canada.
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