Send questions and comments to askmatt@tvguidemagazine.com and follow me on Twitter!
Question: How do you feel about the subject matter on Parenthood this season? Some of my favorite moments on the show have always been the lighthearted sibling moments with the jokes and teasing. Those moments are all but gone as the Kristina storyline has taken precedence this year. From the Twitter and Facebook comments I've read, it is really ringing realistically to many viewers. The show is handling it with grace, but it's so very heavy that it seems like a departure for a show that has always had a good dose of comedy in each episode. I doubt that they're gaining viewers this year. My fear is that for a show that has always seemed to get renewed by the skin of its teeth, this feels like the end. Do you have any insight as to ratings or where it stands with NBC? — Jennifer
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Send questions and comments to askmatt@tvguidemagazine.com and follow me on Twitter!
Question: With the introduction this year of new comedies like the promising The New Normal and the dreadful Partners featuring prominent characters who are gay, I was wondering what you think of the current state of gay characters represented on TV. In some ways while I am thrilled to see more representation of the gay community on television, I have to admit I was disheartened by the same stereotypical, flamboyant gay characters once again being represented. Haven't we moved past this? I do think we have some very positive portrayals today in shows like Glee and Grey's Anatomy, but this just seems like a step backwards. What are your thoughts? — Rob
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A quick look back at some of what got this critic talking about TV this week:
THE MAIN EVENT: Now that's how you do a TV debate, as the veep candidates squared off Thursday night in a lively encounter that made for great TV, unlike last week's unfocused and lost-in-the-weeds presidential face-off. Rousing, contentious, scrappy, with an actively engaged moderator...
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[Spoiler alert: The following reveals major plot points from Tuesday's episode of Parenthood. Read at your own risk.]
A son with Asperger's, money troubles, an unexpected pregnancy. Like almost every member of the Braverman clan, Parenthood's Kristina (Monica Potter) has been put through the wringer. So when it came time to start work on Season 4 of the NBC family drama (Tuesdays at 10/9c), Potter had a gut instinct for what should come next...
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Another sign that summer is over (as if the scattered fall premieres weren't enough): USA Network draws the curtain on two of its better hot-weather diversions — although one will be back before you know it.
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