The New Normal

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 10, 2012
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 32
  3. Negative: 3 out of 32
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Critic Reviews

  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Lori Rackl
    Sep 12, 2012
    88
    [A] witty-but-poignant look at what it means to be a modern family.
  2. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    Sep 10, 2012
    88
    At its best, it plays like a Woody Allen film, something you may notice most when secondary characters stop and explain themselves to the camera.
  3. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    Sep 10, 2012
    83
    Bartha and Rannells's characters display yin/yang neuroses that keep their characters interesting, but as Goldie, the would-be surrogate, Georgia King is unfortunately bland.
  5. Denver Post
    Reviewed by: Joanne Ostrow
    Sep 11, 2012
    80
    A little bit screechy, a little bit preachy, NBC's The New Normal is nonetheless the best comedy of the season--a season short on innovative comedies.
  6. Zap2it (Inside the Box)
    Reviewed by: Drusilla Moorhouse
    Sep 10, 2012
    80
    This heartwarming show just might become the sitcom success NBC so desperately needs.
  7. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: David Hiltbrand
    Sep 10, 2012
    80
    It's fast and funny. As long as Ryan continues to mix humor from the cute and the curdled sides of the aisle, this show will entertain.
  8. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    Sep 11, 2012
    75
    The New Normal finds its game when it's funny without trying so hard and sweet when it should be.
  9. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Sep 5, 2012
    75
    A fairly promising new show with a lot of humor, solid performances, a snappily written script.
  10. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Tom Gliatto
    Aug 31, 2012
    75
    The color, pace and performance are vibrant, often crazily so. [10 Sep 2012, p.39]
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  11. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    Aug 31, 2012
    75
    I'd give The New Normal a slight edge because it's tighter and more assured, but the bigger, odder "Go On" ensemble bears watching too--for a few more episodes, at least.
  12. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Alessandra Stanley
    Sep 10, 2012
    70
    It is an arch comedy with a soft heart behind its scrim of fast-paced patter.
  13. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Sep 10, 2012
    70
    The New Normal is at its funniest when it's most outrageous; other times it feels as if it might have worked better as a one-shot movie than a weekly TV series.
  14. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Sep 10, 2012
    70
    As you'd expect from co-creator Ryan Murphy (Glee), the tone can wobble from sappy to flamboyantly snarky, but there's a real emotional undercurrent that makes Normal a good fit with Matthew Perry's new sitcom Go On.
  15. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Sep 10, 2012
    70
    [The} New Normal won't be for everybody, but there's enough here to suggest it can connect with a loyal core, enticing some to stick around and see what develops.
  16. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    Sep 10, 2012
    70
    The New Normal is sweet-natured, in the way the characters mingle their lives together; but the jokes, they are mighty spotty.
  17. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Maysa Hattab
    Sep 10, 2012
    70
    The lack of cynicism is at least a bit unusual in the current sitcom universe, conferring novelty and a genuine, rather than confected, sweetness.
  18. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Sep 10, 2012
    67
    Go beyond the in-your-face, outrageous title here, and you'll find a somewhat sweet show struggling to create some real laughs.
  19. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Reviewed by: Gail Pennington
    Sep 10, 2012
    63
    The comedy is all over the place in tone, bouncing from broad and silly to poignant and real to silly again.
  20. RedEye
    Reviewed by: Curt Wagner
    Sep 10, 2012
    63
    NBC's The New Normal has its share of stereotypes and crass jokes that straddle the line of bad taste. But it's also sweet and, dare I say, funny.

Awards & Rankings

81
#81 Best TV Season of 2012
20
#20 Most Discussed TV Season of 2012
13
#13 Most Shared TV Season of 2012

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 121 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 74 out of 121
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 121
  3. Negative: 32 out of 121
  1. antena
    Sep 11, 2012
    8
    Has definite potential, although a bit worried about the harshness of Ellen Barkin's character. But the three (four if you count the girl)Has definite potential, although a bit worried about the harshness of Ellen Barkin's character. But the three (four if you count the girl) leads are all solid. Writing held up in the second episode, too. Worth watching to see if it delivers on the quality of the first two episodes.… Full Review »
  2. Savvas
    Oct 4, 2012
    7
    "The New Normal" is definetely a really interesting show. Whereas it's not something innoative on its story or in the way the story is"The New Normal" is definetely a really interesting show. Whereas it's not something innoative on its story or in the way the story is narrated, I think that it is a decent attempt for a comedy. What bothers many people is the stereotypical presentation of genders, or groups. On how I see it that's not pretty false. This story is for stereotypes and if someone can't stand them, he should just don't bother give it a try. The last point I want to raise is that this show also gives some food for thought, and that there are many scenes that will really touch you!… Full Review »
  3. Briancl25
    Sep 28, 2012
    2
    If you want a show full of stereotypes and predictable humor that isn't funny, then watch this show. Unfortunately, the premise had theIf you want a show full of stereotypes and predictable humor that isn't funny, then watch this show. Unfortunately, the premise had the potential to be funny. I know some people wouldn't watch it because there are gay characters, and nay-sayers will blame them when the show inevitably fails, but Modern Family sure seems to be doing all right. The difference is the writing. The New Normal is not groundbreaking in anyway. Even when they think showing people having sex within the first 5 minutes is edgy, it isn't because we see that constantly. Make something original. please. This is a DO NOT watch.… Full Review »
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