ON-AIRJOBS
Those other shows featuring working class characters
BELIEVE it or not, the now-cancelled “Roseanne” wasn’t the only working-class series in prime time. (It only seemed that way, based on the sitcom’s huge ratings.)
There are many other shows featuring down-toearth people with family struggles tackling topical issues. You just have to know where to look.
Viewers who liked “Roseanne” may find these shows worth a peek.
One Day at a Time Netflix): Norman Lear’s Latino-flavored revival of his ’70s-era sitcom stars Rita Morena, Justina Machado and Isabella Gomez as members of a CubanAmerican family living together in LA and has tackled issues including PTSD, homophobia and racism. “Reminder: @OneDayAtATime is a sitcom about a tight-knit, working class family that tackles extremely topical social issues in a smart and innovative way,” Netflix touted on its Twitter account. “Ya know, if you’re suddenly looking for a show like that...” Season 3 will premiere next year.
Superstore (NBC): America Ferrera, Ben Feldman, Nico Santos and Nichole Bloom star in this ensemble workplace comedy set in the drab world of a Walmart-type box store in Missouri.
Shameless and SMILF (Showtime):
“Shameless” follows the Chicago-based Gallaghers, with William H. Macy as grifter, deadbeat patriarch Frank Gallagher. “SMILF,” meanwhile, is centered around Boston-based single mom Brigette Bird (Frankie Shaw). Class and economic anxiety take center stage in both shows.
Mom ( CBS): Oscar winner Allison Janney and Anna Faris (as waitress Christy Plunkett) star in this sitcom, which tackles addiction and frank explorations of single motherhood (among many other topical issues).
Speechless and Fresh Off the Boat
(ABC): “Speechless” follows the offbeat, money-strapped DiMeo family, which includes son JJ (Micah Fowler, who has cerebral palsy) and dad Jimmy, who works in an LA airport overseeing baggage handlers. “We too make a show about a middle class family come and watch us instead #speechless @Speechless_ABC,” star Minnie Driver tweeted. “Fresh off the Boat” features the Asian-American Huang family, struggling to assimilate into American culture.
Yellowstone (Paramount Network):
The series, premiering June 20, follows a family of ranchers led by patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner).