This is a cute series, light hearted and fun. It treats one taken-for- granted subject of our human life per episode and it manages to turn it on all sides in a nice way...does what very well exactly what'the new normal' fails terribly: produces interesting characters that we care about, nice stories, criticize slightly some aspects of daily life that are less than ideal and reframe our daily life, while actually manage to be funny and not fall in an overly judgemental storyline. OK, it might not be the comedy of the century, but its really catching some steam lately and it deserves proper time and attention to develop. I read some awful reviews of the pilot and i totally disagree with most of them. This is a nice series, with nice and funny actors, good story and quite some laughs. Very enjoyable...let's give it some support!
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elicatis30 November 2012
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cherold18 October 2012I don't have much hope for the future of The Neighbors. Sure, it's wildly funny, Toks Olagundoye (who I've never seen before)is brilliant, and the show's wacky sensibility and great sight gags (like a formation of pie-carrying aliens) make it the season's best new comedy, but way too many people just don't like it. The reviews have been very poor (as opposed to the almost universal praise heaped on the terrible Ben and Kate), and the average rating on IMDb and TV.com is low.
This is Better Off Ted all over again. It's wildly funny but for some reason only a select group of us seems to recognize the fact. I am just bracing itself for its inevitable cancellation, and wish Toks and the equally funny and obscure Simon Templeman better luck with their future careers. -
throatmotor4 October 2012Where this show is so new I'm inclined to keep this short and sweet: I'm unsure why some are rating this show so low, as it seems to have been quite clearly written and designed for fun. I'd like to suggest more cynical viewers lower their proverbial gun barrels and take pleasure in a show that simply wants to be silly, creative and a little bit cheesy...as opposed to the barrage of deep message-laden pseudo-preachy programs that we're currently bombarded with.
I found the pilot a bit shaky in spots, but I can't recall a pilot of any program where this wasn't the case. The characters were well-portrayed; I found the acting particularly strong given the subject matter. It also had a decent spectrum in relation to how it will relate to adults and younger viewers; hence the steady-fire logic of visual and vocal quips that kept things rolling along nicely.
I'm trying to be as vague as possible as I'd rather entice people to check it out, instead of spoil it by trying to summarize or describe it adequately in text. It's a situational-style sitcom with Sci-Fi overtones. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and clearly has a lot of fun in the production. I found the writing particularly clever in many spots, and laughed out loud on many occasions. I can only hope the humour and writing stays strong throughout the season, because if that starts to weaken, it may deflate the whole concept altogether. Nonetheless, I've found it to be a decent breath of fresh air so far. -
russmillerwy-957-68243917 November 20123rd Rock from the Sun is a tough act to follow. The Neighbors does a pretty good job, but uses wit and timing instead of zaniness and slapstick comedy to get its laughs. That makes it consistently funny, just not side-splittingly funny. Naming all of the aliens after sports heroes was an inspired choice-- they'll never run out of funny names (a tot named Dick Butkus?), and the fact that the aliens are dorky doubles down on the running gag. So are all their matching outfits/uniforms that remind us of golf clothes from the 1970s.
Also on the upside, some of the cast members are real gems. I don't know where Toks Olagundoye has been up til now, but she's got real movie star power as the glamorous alien mom. Her rapid fire back and forth with alien husband Simon Templeman, who has perfect comedic timing and never wastes a good line, are my favorite parts of the show. Jami Gertz and Max Charles are good enough as the earthling straight man/woman, but I think maybe too much of the plot compares their unfunny ordinariness to the aliens' backwards/upside down view of what humanity is like. The child actors are pretty good, too, even if the show relies a little too much on alien child Ian Patrick's precociousness. Clara Mamet is exceptional as the brooding, frighteningly calculating and cynical teenager.
I was worried that after a few episodes the running gags would wear thin and they'd run out of ideas. Not so at all! I've just finished the Thanksgiving episode and, if anything, it's getting better and better. -
mongoose-maelstrom26 September 2012As a fan of the Coneheads, this familiar premise held some hope for me, but I was prepared to be disappointed. However, within the boundaries of where a show like this is aimed, this was a very funny show. No audience laughter and no talking to the camera were welcome assets.
We laughed out loud several times. The jokes moved quickly and were a pleasant mix of the surreal and absurd. The cast was solid and I especially enjoyed the fact that Jami Gertz was the only actor I was all that familiar with.
Looking forward to more and hope that they can sustain the comedic tone established in the pilot. -
thevagusgirl20 September 2012Having been underwhelmed by the trailer, I found the pilot much funnier than I had expected. It's essentially a show about the trials and tribulations of family life, with overtones of "The Coneheads" and shades of "Monty Python".
The pilot has laugh out loud moments and the cast did a good job. I have a fondness for sight gags and there are some great ones in the opener. The premise was set up with ruthless efficiency (that's a compliment); the creative strength and viability of the series will only be apparent after a few regular episodes. It has the potential to attract a broad audience; kids should find it funny and anyone who likes what I will call absurdist "British" humor will find it a refreshing change from the swathes of sitcoms about how awful it is to be in your 20s. This show is different, in a potentially good way, and it deserves a shot. I hope that it gets a run to see where it goes. It certainly has a prime time slot. -
When i have spotted the promo's of this show, i thought it was so random, childish and unattractive. It turns out i was WRONG. The pilot was likable and the further episodes kept getting better and better. The dialogues were fine and i think the overly-sophisticated English would really contribute to young viewers their vocabulary. However, the only thing that bothered me is that even tho they are all in a closed community, it seems a bit odd that the aliens have mastered the English language but they are unaware of everything that takes place outside of their community. But still, i have seen progress through the episodes and it might be worth for you folks to try it out as well. I can assure you that you will not be disappointed. Take it from someone who is very selective on what to watch. This show. A 7.0 from yours truly.
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nocalnut10 October 2012It's so nice to finally pick a show that looks like it won't be prematurely canceled or moved around until viewers loose interest. This show is written so well and really is quite funny. The cast is remarkable and for only watching three episodes, I'm hooked. My husband also likes it and it meshes well with Modern Family, The Middle, and Suburgatory. Yeah for finding a show that will last.
Also, for what it's worth, my favorite actor is the gal who plays the character of "Jackie Joyner Kersee." Her accents and mannerisms are hilarious and she sells it as the alien mom. I'm going to go look up her name so I can hopefully edit this and list her name. She's golden. -
SnoopyStyle10 May 2014The Weavers (Jami Gertz, Lenny Venito, Clara Mamet, Max Charles, Isabella Cramp) are a Jersey family who moves into a gated community. Then they find out that all the neighbors are aliens from another planet. Every one of them picked a famous sport star name. The leader is Larry Bird (Simon Templeman) with his wife Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Toks Olagundoye) and their kids Dick Butkus (Ian Patrick) and Reggie Jackson (Tim Jo).
I love the aliens and the crazy hijinx they get into. They're ridiculous and loads of fun. It doesn't try to be too serious. The aliens look at the world in a totally different way and every once in awhile, they teach the Weavers lessons of their own. There is also a teenage love story between the grumpy Weaver girl and the wide eyed boy Reggie Jackson. That too is fun. It was canceled after two full seasons. It's too bad since it's one of the funnier shows around. -
I have no idea how someone could actually enjoy this. After the season premier of Modern Family me and my Brother just decided to give the show a chance, which was a mistake. After the very first scene I knew it was going to be bad, but they successfully made it worse.
First, the aliens are not funny. The cold alien humor has been done so many times that it is bordering on cliché. I also happened to notice that everything was green, which made me want to throw a remote at the TV because really? How cliché is it for aliens to be green.
Second, they desperately pull for jokes to the point where it is actually sad. The "wife" alien throwing the dishes out the window was slightly funny the first time, but after the fourth or fifth time it just got tired.
Third, why is the phone sex lady from Seinfeld the biggest actor in the show? There was no one else willing to do the show? Shocking because it is terrible.
Fourth, the aliens telling the humans that they are aliens in the first episode? What is the rest of the show going to be about because I could not tell you. If it is just about aliens learning from humans then it is going to get real old real fast for people who actually enjoyed this show.
Fifth, how in the world can this show seriously think it can follow Modern Family? How many Emmy's did Modern Family win? I can tell you this show will never win anything. Whoever thought they could ever try and follow the greatest sitcom (that actually makes people laugh) on TV was sadly mistaken.
Sixth, who thought of this horrible plot for the show? If I was a sitcom writer and someone gave me the Neighbors idea or the Seinfeld "this show is about nothing" idea I would choose Seinfeld. I cannot believe this was actually aired.
Seventh, they really tried to make people laugh by naming all the aliens after famous athletes, but it did not work. It was not funny when the aliens first started naming the other aliens and it was not funny when they kept calling the little kid "dick".
Eighth, I need to point out how the aliens looked...you have got to be kidding me. E.T. looks more believable. They look like the pile of crap that Lisa turns Chet in Weird Science, and even the pile of crap looks better than these aliens.
Ninth, The aliens having "sex" was by the far the worse part in the TV show. The writer's seriously tried to grab every last laugh out of everyone that they could, and it was not successful.
Tenth, the second I heard the aliens call their "phone" a poopad I knew I should have turned it off, but I did not because I figured I would give it a chance. All the aliens have cliché things like a UFO, Sleeping Pods, oh and of course space suits.
Most of the time I watch something and do not like it I will tell people "Just give it a chance because you may appreciate it more than me," but for the love of TV shows do not contribute to this show. I wish I could have that 30 minutes of my life back. Whatever you do stay away from this horrid thing they call a sitcom.
One more thing I would like to point out. When they casted the actor for the aliens son did they just say "Hey, we should get the most hideous kid that has no emotion what so ever" -
eiserlois15 October 2012I love this show. It is the best new comedy since The Big Bang Theory. The characters are a perfect blend. I love the kids, the facial expressions the concept, I just love it all. I have watched each episode more then once because I keep showing it to people who haven't watched it yet and I laugh at the same lines all over again. I had my 19 year old grandson watch it with me and he couldn't wait to tell his friends about this show. We were both laughing so hard and enjoyed it so much. I didn't think I was going to like this show at all but now
I can't wait till Wednesday. I have been talking about it all week. This is what the world needs less of those stupid reality shows and more comedies so we can laugh. Laughter is the best medicine for all of us. Thanks again for a wonderful show. -
UnoFlickChick6 September 2013I agree with a previous review I read. This show probably isn't as popular as it should be, which is a shame. The show is quirky, funny and is just getting it's momentum, if given the chance. If I was to give a quick analogy of this show, it's kind of like, "My Family" meets "Third Rock from the Sun".
Although not quite at the level of the afore mentioned shows, I think it has plenty of potential to become one of the more interesting little cult comedy shows out there. Unfortunately, we now exposed to such a mass of unoriginal rubbish, which sadly seems to thrive. So let's hope this potential little gem is given the chance it deserves to prove itself.
The show is still getting it's legs, so I hope it continues to gain confidence and originality. If it does that, it may make it beyond a second season and start to gain more of an audience.
Worth a watch if you're looking for something new and off the cuff. -
spkelsekladden16 October 2012This show could have been good, with some better comedian's tom Arnold or something. When I started watching it I was hoping for something like Tom Hanks Burbs. But forever hoping in vain. I really liked Jamie Gertz in the 80s but a comedian she never been. She mostly played serious role and after watching this I understand it was for a good reason. The lines stinks, the acting is wooden at the best. I can't think of a single moment where I actually laughed, while watching this show. The Daughter of the house looks like a man, a cross-dressing man. Jamie Gertz has only one expression most of the time. They could have so much fun with the hole alien neighbours in suburbia, thing but instead they try their hardest to bore us to death
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giggedyguy12 October 2012I've only seen Lenny Venito once before and I was so impressed with him I knew immediately this show would shine. He's one of those guys who can be funny just standing still. And then there's Jami Gertz who displays perfect comedic timing in this show, not to mention she gets some of the best lines.
There's a lot that would seem to be formulaic on the surface yet grows on you very quickly as the premise just gives a neat context for some zany situations. Just about every male alien seems to be latently gay until you realize they are just innocent alien SUPER NERDS that have no clue how human men are "supposed" to behave. The cultural misunderstandings occur frequently and actually are quite funny, even if you expect the punchline. And the physical comedy displayed by Toks Olagundoye (AKA Jackie Joyner Kersee), being a giant Amazon Woman From the Moon (I'm guessing), have given my roommate and I some great laughs. She's a superb actress (The Real Housewives of New Jersey skit was simply amazing) who obviously truly understands how to be a comedian.
There's a lot more I can say about this show, but it's not necessary as it stands on it's own and doesn't need IMDb reviewers to defend it. I just worry when a show displays real charm that's DIFFERENT from other shows (The Finder immediately comes to mind, WHAT A CRIME!), as those kinds of shows take some time to create a real following. Executive producers don't give a DAMN about whether a show makes viewers happy; they only care about commercial profit--which would come if they only had the damn patience to give these shows enough time to get the notice they deserve. Chuck, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Everybody Loves Raymond, Seinfeld, ER and the list goes on, to name some prime examples. Not to mention a lot of shows are viewed online nowadays (not to mention file sharing) , making TV shows appear to have low ratings when it's quite the opposite. It's the COMMERCIALS that aren't being watched.
Anyway, the actors in this show bring real life to their respective characters and I hope they succeed in making it popular enough to dodge the chopping block. So watch it and enjoy! -
Heef9 January 2013I love the way the main cast meshes, especially the kids. I love the concept behind the show, especially the setting provided to work in. So why am I almost certain that we will never see a second season? It has to come down to the writers, the plots are kitschy and laborious, and try as they might to develop new aspects of the characters, they remain incredibly shallow. It appears to me that whoever is behind the series is afraid that the 'new and shiny' of aliens coexisting in a suburban environment (how many seasons long was A.L.F.?) is going to wear off, so we have to be thoroughly trounced with it at every opportunity.
If they can't get on with the show and start making the plots a little more engaging, the characters are going to drown in inanity. -
evenik-531-53892517 November 2012"The Neighbors" is a breath of fresh air if you are tired of reality shows, talent shows and the like. It takes a little stretch of your imagination and some faith to fully appreciate this show. You will be rewarded if you stay with it. Just like your first scary carnival ride: after it was over you thought "that was fun, I want to do it again".
I also think the nuances of East Coast/New Jersey/ New York are in play here. I get it, and hope others will too.
I love the fact that there is no laugh track.
Sometimes I have thought my own neighbors were so weird they could be aliens, so here is a show that parallels that concept. -
Sylviastel17 October 2012I think the show is a little too far-fetched for me at times. The aliens on earth who live among the humans in their New Jersey neighborhood. Jami Gertz's character and her husband have moved into a strange neighborhood where the neighbors are friendly aliens from another planet. Despite the obvious plot, they have made it work so far and I hope they continue too. Sometimes, it gets a little much but I would prefer those aliens than the Real Housewives of New Jersey anytime. They are a lot more civilized. The sitcom doesn't have a laugh track and is filmed on a studio lot. The aliens sure seem happy most of the time even though they are trying to blend into the Earth. The other actors and actresses seem to be doing a good job. The writing needs to be consistent with this plot and premise and that's what they have to work for the season. Jami Gertz has long been under appreciated as a comedic actress for years. Maybe she'll get the recognition that she richly deserves.
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Ivkaa16 December 2012When I saw the beginning of the first episode I thought "Oh Gosh....another bad comedy-wanna-be with horrible effects". By the time I finished the episode my mind was completely changed.
The effects are bad but it is on purpose. The aim of the show is to be silly and entertaining. They have simple plot with lots of funny moments. What I like best is that this show doesn't "try" too hard to be funny. Jokes are in the right place and moment which makes the show entertaining to watch.
Despite the low overall review people gave the show (too underestimated) I recommend that you watch the first 2 episodes and make up your mind. I am personally enjoying the season so far. :) -
GandalfCorleone17 October 2012The first episode was really bad; boring, distasteful, and somewhat annoying.
On to the second episode. This episode felt as if the writers were trying too hard to juice out the weakest of chuckles from the audience.
For some odd reason I decided to give the show one more chance, and i'm glad i did. The third episode had me laughing uncontrollably. I hope this show stays around, it seems like it could gain momentum and be a great show.
The whole bit where the aliens have names of athletes is entertaining and funny at moments but gets quite annoying after a while.
And lastly, the main reason I wanted to write this review: The alien child. First off, his name is Dick Buttkiss which was never funny and is too annoying. I couldn't tell for half the first episode whether it was a girl or a boy. His hair is absolutely ugly. He has a sickening face and i am not a mean person but he annoys me to no end. The other alien child though, Regi Jackson, is a great actor and one of my favorite characters on the show.
Overall, shaky but improving show. -
tortiswithp9018 November 2012The show is terrible. It is unoriginal, not funny (actually, its funny when you make fun of it), bland, and poorly acted. 30 minutes of my life I'm not getting back. It's almost like they're trying to take something that would've been popular in 1950, relate to the modern world, get one horrible actor that looks like Gary Busey (I thought it was him at first but I guess it isn't). Tanya Osgood or whatever her name is is not bad, but she is the show's only saving grace. Naming your kids after athletes. It's not even remotely funny. Whoever is writing this show might as well be writing a comedy for a third-grade play...written by third-graders. Because it's just as funny (meaning its not funny at all.)
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bd734926 September 2012The pilot episode was hilarious and made me laugh out loud many times. It has the possibility to become great show. It's so much more different than all the other shows that seem to be airing on TV nowadays. In the end, it's a great, funny, entertaining, and genuinely new show.
If you like a good funny show that has a genuinely different plot, you'll love this show. Watched this with my mom and dad tonight and they think it's a little strange, but very funny. Definitely has a lot of potential.
I'd highly recommend you at least watch the pilot episode before calling this a flop. Very funny new series. -
taylorkingston9 June 2015I didn't mind this show. I thought it was quite funny and completely different from many other shows. I personally am upset that it got cancelled after two seasons, because there are a lot of other shows I wish had gotten cancelled first. But, I can't control the cancellations and renewals of TV shows, no matter how much I try and wish that was true. This show has a funny concept and a funny cast.
This show is about a group of aliens who move into a gated community in New Jersey. They look like humans and then one day, a family move into the empty house. The new neighbors must come to terms with the fact that they're living all around aliens.
Overall, I give this TV show a 7 out of 10, which in my ratings book is: Great. -
Saenzvero21 May 2013This show was strategically placed between to great shows, and I can only assume people didn't bother to change the channel while waiting for the next show, that is what I think explains the renewal of this show. I made the mistake of not taking it off the DVD recording list so I contributed to this nonsense I guess. I really tried to give this show a chance by watching 4-5 episodes while doing my morning dishes. I did not find any humor or anything unique that had not been done. I just don't understand the good reviews I really thought this was the worst thing I have ever seen. The constant naive behavior of the aliens was over done, the names of the aliens were ridiculous, there sex scenes were silly. I hate to say it also but I can't stand looking at the teenage daughter Amber, she reminds me of Brooke Burns character on Shallow Hal OK that was mean
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Hairy1067 December 2012I stumbled upon The Neighbors by accident when I was setting up my PVR to record Modern Family--and it was the happiest stumble I have ever taken. This has to be one of the most original and odd shows ever to grace television. ABC has truly found a hit with this strange supernatural-comedy. The first episode drew me in immediately with its fluid dialogue, inexplicably different story line, and entertaining cast. There is nothing better than watching Simon Templeman as the hilarious, misunderstanding leader of the aliens, Larry Bird. I wondered at first how the writers could possibly carry on from the first episode, which seemed to contain everything someone could ask for in a comedy series, but they have pulled it off week-after-week. There has yet to be a substandard episode. The kids can get a bit irritating, I'll admit, but their roles are small and this is forgivable.
I was elated to find out that the show had received a full-season order and I hope that there are many more to come. Don't come into this series expecting a traditional comedy. If you like odd shows filled with subtle humour in the background to the entertaining foreground, you'll love The Neighbors. -
The Neighbors - what a weak title for an extraterrestrials TV show.
The first time watching it I though: "It is terrible!". But it also has something to make it enjoyable.
The premise of "kind of stupid" aliens passing has humans is what makes this show attractive. So one stays on watching it hopping it would bring something more.
The characters are linear. The situations most of the times are transparent. The acting can be really bad, major character's voices anoyingly pinchy and squeeze, weak screenplay. Inspite of this major errors, maybe because it is not supposed to be taken seriously, the show brings 20 minutes of fun. They say in their corny opening credits "30 minutes" but their math is obviously wrong.
Special regards to the actors who played Amber and Jackie Joyner- Kersee. They where excellent (read this with the voice of Mr. Burns from the Simpsons).
The developing romance between the human and the alien came to be the best part. Not credible at all are the children's characters. They are all Kids acting like know-it-all adults. None is normal. That gets very tiring to watch and it is annoying. Bad casting? Probably. I came to realize it was painful to hear and watch "Dick Butkus", witch is another untactful name for a kid's character.
I never though The Neighbors would have a second season but it did and is far better than the first one. To ABC to have cancelled this is... well, its ABC. Be very careful when stepping on ABC ground. One should never start watching an ABC TV series before the 4rd or 5th season.