This show was not misogynistic in any way, on the contrary, it was a show that celebrated women. Yes the wonderful Bradley Whitford is the main man but the show does not revolve around him. Rather, it revolves around the women in his life. And although some surface reader types might have looked at him and seen his new young wife and assumed she was a Trophy Wife the whole point is that she was absolutely not a trivial piece of arm candy. The whole point was that she was a sweet, funny and slightly insecure young lady who was trying desperately to fit in to a ready made and very tightly bound family. Kate, the main character, takes on this Herculean task for one main reason, she truly loves this man. And his children. Kate has a very hard road to travel since the new man in her life comes complete with three children and two ex-wives, all of whom are much smarter and more capable than she (well Jackie and Warren may have been the exception).
She comes in and learns and learns and grows up along the way. This show told the story of so many families who are trying to figure out how to not allow divorce (even multiple) divorces to rob their children of a tight family unit. It featured excellent acting, unique storytelling and child actors that were more than just cute. The cast had an unmistakable chemistry, the show was light and full of love. Instead of the usual, tired female types we so often see in TV land these women were bright, vibrant, intelligent and deeply flawed. Very human. The children were the sort of overachievers that are usually overlooked in sitcom land in favor of slutty, dumb and smart mouthed kids.
I am so very sad that this wonderful show was not given a chance to grow just because some people could not get past the title. But I am grateful we had it for the time we did. "Lice and Beary White" and "Twas the Night before Christmas, or Twas It?" were two of the funniest sitcom episodes I have ever seen in my life. I only hope that they will finally put it all on DVD.
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