Image Credit: Ray Mickshaw/FoxThis week’s Raising Hope looks like last week’s Raising Hope — you know, adorable and hilarious. It’s everything I loved about My Name Is Earl (sincerity married to strangeness), with the added bonus of Garrett Dillahunt and Martha Plimpton. Come for the adorable baby, stay for the frequently half-dressed Cloris Leachman!
This week’s episode, “Say Cheese,” finds accidental dad Jimmy trying to organize a family photo, which predictably goes awry. One of the things I’ve noticed about the first three episodes is that they tend to tell one story per episode. Contrast that with, say, Modern Family, which generally tells at least three, or The Office, which tells sometimes four or five. It’s not inherently better or worse, but it does give Hope part of its distinctive tone and style.
Have you been loving Raising Hope as much as I have, PopWatchers? Were you as glad as I was to hear it had been picked up for a full season?
Read more:
Breaking: Fox orders full season of ‘Raising Hope’
‘Raising Hope’: Can we get some love for Martha Plimpton?
I have; this is one of the few new shows that have earned a season pass from me. It was unexpected too, I thought it might be a good buffer between Glee and Running Wilde but now I find it’s the show I look forward to the most of the three. Also, am I the only one who thinks Jimmy resembles Jake Gyllenhaal from his early indie days? Circa Moonlight Mile and The Good Girl.
Not in look, but his voice sounds a lot like Jake G.
So far, aside from Nikita, it is the only new show that i’ve become addicted to.
I love Raising Hope!
It’s my favorite new comedy, and I was thrilled that FOX ordered a full season.
You know the kind of baby who does nothing but bad things then wonders why her life sucks? Well, that was me. Every time something good happened to me something bad was always waiting around the corner. Karma. That’s when I realized I had to change… my diaper. So I made a list of all the bad things I’ve done and, one by one, I’m going to make up for all my mistakes. I’m just trying to be a better baby; my name is Hope.
I cried I laughed so hard when the dad was using the pool vacuum to get Hope out from under all of that junk. Clever writing, a great cast (although Cloris gets a bit tiresome after awhile) and the added bonus of NO laugh track makes this show really worth watching!
Totally disagree. I LOVE Cloris in each episode! She’s that ‘WTF?’ moment that always super hilarious, IMHO.
I wished they gave Cloris more to do in each episode. She is a really funny lady and I feel she is under used.
Best new comedy of the year!
But on a sidenote, how can Jimmy arrange a family photo when he doesn’t even know where to go to get decently priced family portraits?
I watched the first three episodes on demand this past weekend. I thought it was cute and funny
Aside from Hawaii 5-0, it’s the only new show that had interested me and the only one I’m watching!
It’s one of those very few shows that cleverly manages to create both funny and adorable situations out of the ordinary, everyday life… and I love it for that!
So YES! I do feel hopeful! =)
I agree about Raising Hope. I find myself watching and laughing out loud which is not something I do often. Can’t agree about Hawaii 5-0 though, the stories are too contrived and it lost me midway through Week 3. Contrived and so predictable; covering for family, chip on shoulder, obligatory banter from Scott Caan. It is trying way too hard and has become cliche very quickly
i was very suprised on how good this show is I LOVE IT!
Last week’s episode kind of hand two stories – started with grandma playing Jenga which later was used for her to help unpack the garage. There are layers to this show.
I thought that was real funny. Her playing Jenga with the music & then doing the same thing with the garage. FUNNY!
Best new show, hands down. And where has martha plimpton been hiding all these years? The awesomesauce lawyer she played on The Good Wife to a sheriff in Fringe to a hilarious mom?! I’m OBSESSED.
She was also on the HBO series ‘How To Make It In America’. She played Edie, interior designer & clingy boss to the lead girl. I loved her in it & so glad to see her here!
really like it– Jimmy is not typical cookie cutter cute like most Fox and CW actors– and Martha Plimpton is great.
love this show. hated earl….hmph.
I never watched Earl, nor had any desire to, but I LOVE Raising Hope. Go figure.
I am glad I gave this show a try. Was worried it wouldn’t be around for long.
LOVE THIS SHOW!!! My husband is getting irritated with me as I try to tell him about the show and keep laughing through the telling. Going to give it a season’s pass so that he can watch too.