This show is another of my favorite sitcoms, it's also another childhood relic of mine as this was literally the very first one, I ever seen, if you can believe that when I was about seven. I really liked watching it then and as an adult I still like watching it now. Though I also feel this show is also an under the radar gem as it's one that is under credited in the comedy genre.
It seems like the basic sitcom setting however what made this show unique is how it really switched things in the familiar dynamics we commonly saw in the sitcom. For one thing this was two families coming together but were single parents but here we have a father and daughter and a mother and son. The second both were from different classes with the mom the upper middle class and the dad the middle or working class. And third it was job occupation where the father was in the housekeeping business and the mom is the one that goes out to some white-collar job as well as position employee and employer. I personally liked these things because it broke the typical clichés and stereotypes, but also seeing how these dynamics came together clash but at the same time fill in the gaps in something that's been vitally missing in the dynamics.
That theme song is one of my favorite theme songs of all time, it fits the show perfectly as it reflects on one of the themes of the show. It's the kind of song I could just download onto my iPod and listen to and I also feel the theme song is something we sorely need back once more.
The characters are all great as their all well rounded and play off each other well. Mona is my third favorite character. I really love how despite her age she doesn't let it slow her down as she is just energetic and slightly spontaneous as she's a person that simply follows her heart or whatever she feels like doing and just does it. She fiercely independent as she doesn't give a crap about what anyone thinks except herself, which I can emphasize with along with those other things as I'm that way myself. She's funny as she has this witty crass charisma to her, but she also does help provide needed wisdom when necessary.
One of the things about Mona is the fact that she has a dream and she is following it going to collage regardless of her age. It just goes to show it's never too late, if there is something you want to do in life do it, it's only too late if you do nothing at all. In a way it's the same case with Tony despite his circumstance is really trying to do and be something more in life.
Second favorite character is Tony, Tony Danza whom I think is an underrated comedic actor is great, in a strange way you could say this show easily could have been a "Taxi" spin off as his character in this show is a bit similar; though in this show I feel the character he plays is more well-rounded has a bit more going on.
He a common struggling guy whom is doing his best in raising his daughter while providing well at the same time. He's got a laid back sometime energetic charisma; I like how sometimes he can be a little insecure sometime which makes him carry a load of worry even though by its nature it's no big deal; which is understandable as we've all had those bad insecurities to deal with.
I even like how he really does put joy in the lives of the other family Angela, Mona and Johnathan that has been missing in their ordered lifestyle, which is common in most sitcoms where there is always a colorful character that puts fun into another character's joyless/dull existence. But most importantly is selfless each of them out of certain dilemmas they can't help themselves out of, which is always the most important thing about family.
However, what I really like about him is how he's not really a person with big dreams but he's a person with big ambitions. He always believes the life can be better or their can be more to life and that he can be more. I really love how he's a person whom is not just working hard but trying hard as we see him try different things out not just to make extra money but to find himself and be more than what he is. Yes, he doesn't always succeed but he never stops trying and is always getting somewhere in life. Which makes him relatable because that's what most to all of us do in our everyday existence in fact that is part of what life is about trying hard and doing our best.
I even like his chemistry with Angela which does become something more, I really like how it's handled which feels a bit realistic as both have their ups and downs. And it really feels it could go either way, but even if they're not meant for each other one thing will never change and that's their friendship. Both truly do respect one another and yes like any friends there are agreements and disagreements along with differences, but both all the same do support each other when needed and fill that missing piece to each other's life which is what friends do but also what a couple does.
Though my favorite character in the show is Sam played by Alissa Milano. This girl was literally the very first actress I had a crush on. She is just one of the hottest women on the planet and a bit of an underrated actress. This is still my favorite role from her, despite being a tomboy she's not a stereotypical one. What I like about her is how honest with herself she is, she does and likes doing most things guys do and doesn't hide it, she's mischievous sometimes and has a sort of sharp snappy charisma.
But she is also open about certain things as she is somewhat curious about the culture/subculture of the girls. What I really like about her is how much she really evolves and grows not so much just physically (which she did will let's face it) but emotionally and characteristically. As she grows up, we see she becomes a bit softer, but most importantly more mature and her perspective on life and what she wants in it gets bigger, though she maintains a characteristic or too as she doesn't let herself conform to stereotypical social norms.
And that's really what makes her character endearing as she's a person that wants to grow up and do things her way which really is how any of us really do grow up by learning to be our own person, which is the other theme of this show.
The best boss in life is ourselves.
Rating: 3 and a half stars
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