10 Family Sitcoms You Should Watch Instead of the Roseanne Spinoff
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In theory, I can kind of see how the reboot of Roseanne seemed like a good idea: a nostalgic reunion of a beloved cast, family-oriented storylines unafraid of exploring politics, and a production team boasting the comedic talents of Wanda Sykes and Whitney Cummings. But in reality, bringing the '90s sitcom back from the dead was always going to fail because of one important, racist factor: Roseanne herself.
While Roseanne Conner might have originally had liberal-leaning views and embraced her LGBTQ+ friends, Roseanne Barr has made a habit of spewing racist ideas and fact-free conspiracy theories on Twitter over the years. Those qualities resulted in a revamped version of her character, one who supports Donald Trump and irrationally fears her Muslim neighbors. ABC finally said enough was enough on May 29 when the network abruptly canceled the series after Barr shared a particularly hateful tweet, which she later blamed on taking Ambien.
Fans have been quick to share their sadness over the loss of the revival, and even came up with ideas of how to continue the show without Barr. There are tons of other series currently on the air that offer thoughtful, nuanced takes on issues like politics, family, gender, and race without needing to also mock other, more diverse shows or cater to the Islamophobic views of its star.
So, if you're in the market for a TV show that's like Roseanne but isn't Roseanne, you've come to the right place.
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Black-ish
Kenya Barris's Black-ish is the perfect balance of characters that recall familiar sitcom tropes — the curmudgeonly grandfather, the dork — while also carving out original, hilarious new ideas. The series follows husband and wife Dre (Anthony Anderson) and Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross) as they navigate the ups and downs of family life while also creating a sense of ethnic identity for their four children.
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Life in Pieces
CBS's ensemble comedy boasts a seriously incredible cast: Dianne Wiest and James Brolin star as the heads of the Short family, which includes the likes of Betsy Brandt, Thomas Sadoski, Colin Hanks, and Zoe Lister-Jones. At the end of the day the family has an unbreakable bond, but that doesn't mean they're free from tense or awkward moments. Think Parenthood, but with a sitcom feel.
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Bob's Burgers
Even if you're not into animated series, you should still give Bob's Burgers a chance. The half-hour Fox comedy is a zany take on a white, working class family, but core issues — like bullying, not making enough money, and marriage — keep it far more grounded than you might expect.
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Jane the Virgin
No, technically Jane the Virgin isn't a sitcom. But Jennie Snyder Urman's CW drama has quietly been taking on life's toughest issues with grace, humor, and heart over the course of its four seasons, so it deserves a mention. What starts off as a telenovela about what happens to Jane (the brilliant Gina Rodriguez) after she's accidentally artificially inseminated, soon develops into a moving family drama with wonderfully well-rounded characters whose real-life experiences will no doubt closely mirror your own. From abortion to immigration to sex, there's nothing this show can't handle.
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American Housewife
American Housewife isn't a perfect show, but any family struggling to fit in with their seemingly perfect town will appreciate Katie's journey to acceptance with the help of her husband and three kids. Also, it costars stand up comedy goddess Ali Wong, which is reason enough to check it out.
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One Day at a Time
Executive producer Gloria Calderon Kellett has given Norman Lear's One Day at a Time a modern facelift, dusting off the '70s family sitcom and reimagining it with a Cuban-American family. It's an absolute delight that packs an emotional punch as it dives into the struggles of single motherhood, being a veteran, and coming out. Seriously — go watch it!
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Fresh Off the Boat
Before Crazy Rich Asians mania launches Constance Wu into the stratosphere, you should park yourself on the couch for a Fresh Off the Boat marathon so you can say you knew her way back when. The ABC series is based on chef Eddie Huang's best-selling memoir of the same name, and offers a humorous look at the lives of immigrants in 1990s America.
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Big Mouth
Netflix's latest raunchy animated comedy, Big Mouth, is a vulgar, insightful look at growing up that everyone should watch. The series was created by Nick Kroll, Andrew Goldberg, Jennifer Flackett, and Mark Levin, and shows us adolescence through the eyes of three close friends over the course of its first season.
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Superstore
America Ferrera executive produces and stars in this NBC comedy, which presents a different kind of family: the one you work with. A close-knit group of oddball employees face the daily grind at the supersized megastore they work at, Cloud 9, and rely on each other to get through it all.
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Mom
Oscar winner Allison Janney and comedic genius Anna Faris play an entertaining mother-daughter duo in this CBS sitcom. Christy (Faris) is a single mom and recovering alcoholic who is trying to right the wrongs she's made in life while also dealing with her own passive aggressive mother (Janney) and her dysfunctional love life. Hijinks and touching moments ensue.