If you read a description of the concept of this show, you'd probably roll your eyes and think it's just another terrible sitcom. But what sets this one apart is the writing and characterization of people who could so easily become trite stereotypes. Malin Ackerman plays the hot young woman who marries a successful, twice-divorced older man, and is determined to fit into the role of wife and stepmother that she's fallen into. Despite the oversimplification of her character in the show's title, she manages to come off as a real person whose heart is genuinely in the right place. Equally impressive are the duo of ex-wives, the perfectionist Diane (Marcia Gay Harden) and the spacey Jackie (Michaela Watkins), who are able to rise above their potential caricatures and become women of depth. Diane is not just a cold, severe ex-wife, she's incredibly driven, hilariously calculating, and at the end of the day, just wants the best for her kids. Jackie is a bit flighty, to be sure, but she's an incredibly loving person and values emotions over logic. And lest we forget, there's a trio of kids in the mix, and although all are great in their own way, Jackie's adopted son Bert (played by Albert Tsai) is clearly the breakout star of the group. Try to start watching this one if you can, because if numbers stay the same it looks like it might be facing an early cancellation. Status: Unknown, not looking good
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
