Parenthood-TV show

I was 12 years old when the Ron Howard film Parenthood came out, and I remember seeing it when it was available to rent on tape. I liked it despite the adult themes of the movie. It's rated PG-13, and I was probably about 13 when I saw it, but I enjoyed it as much as a young lad can. The film was actually star studded. Steve Martin, Mary Steenbergen, and Diane Weist were all stars of the time, but Keanu Reeves, Martha Plimpton and Joaquin Phoenix are big names today; almost 25 years later.

I never watched the 12 episode flop that was the TV version with Ed Begley Jr. that came out in 1990. Did you? Probably not. I mean, Blossom and The Fresh of Bel Air came out that year. No one talked about Parenthood in school, but we could all sing the theme to the Fresh Prince on the bus ride.

The Parenthood TV show that's on now is in its 5th season, and with so many shows on TV now I can't say it's the best of the bunch, but I can say that it's the best of what I watch right now. It has seen its ups and downs throughout its five years. Last season, for instance, was a down one. The writing seemed lazy and it wasn't as gripping as seasons past.

Every character (and there are many) is involved in an interesting arc this year. I feel that Adam and Christina are going to get a breather after Christina's cancer and subsequent mayoral run. And I guess Crosby and Jasmine are laying low. But Zeke realizing how special Camille is while she's in Italy for 5 weeks, to Hank identifying with (Mad) Max and Aspergers, to Sarah finding out that her tenant-crush is a doctor, to Amber and Ryan, and what ever is going to happen with him reenlisting, to Julia and Joel's rocky marriage. Even Drew, who I hoped would get the Haddie treatment, has an interesting story with his two college girlfriends. This season has really hit its stride.

As a screenwriter I watch everything and picture how it's written on the page. My professor said it would happen and can't be turned off in the head. I don't know when it happened to me, but I can't turn it off. However for me, great writing overrides it. Right now Parenthood is doing just that. Megan is out with friends tonight. Ozzie got a dad-bath, and I put him down, and seriously lost myself in the latest episode on my DVR. Not bad for a network show with commercials (that I fast forward).