What's Wrong WIth this Show
I will always support certain black family comedies by tuning in on occasion, this one included. But there are no shows now that I really think are indicative of comedies from my childhood and youth.
I like the fact that they are not resorting to over the top schtick like Curtis Payne in House of Payne or like Mr. Brown or like Terri J Vaughn's characters in "Meet the Browns"
I like that the three females all sport natural hair.
However
#1 - Malcolm is not funny in this as the father. In fact he was only funny as a teenager because of his story lines, as an adult he is not. Even in the later episodes of the Cosby Show, he lost his funny edge based on the story lines. In this show, he tries too hard to teach lessons and does not know how to do it in a funny way like his predecessor Bill Cosby. He is too preachy ALL the time.
#2 - I also don't get his whole stay-at-home college professor. I think it would be nice to show him lecturing at college sometimes. That way you would have some people in that 20-35 group that is missing from this show. Because everyone on this show is either a child or over 40.
#3 The kids are not funny - the oldest girl chews up her words so she is not always clear. The boy tries but the lines and the set-ups they write for him and the twin sister are not good. The little girl is actually a bit funnier than the two older kids. She was quite funny in this last episode - the one with the brother wanting to do gymnastics.
#4 The guest artists have been okay ASIDE from Ron Artest. I liked what they did with the whole Robin Givens and Malcolm thing in the first episode where Traci was a bit jealous. They should have kept her around and not let Traci admit to her jealousy so quick. I really think they wasted Romeo with the dancing thing in that episode. He was clearly not a ballroom dancer. They should have let him be a basketball coach/mentor to the son, or maybe a neighbor, or one of Malcolm's college students or something like that.
#5 They need more comedians or persons who have acted in comedies successfully - Jason Weaver or Omar Gooding (Smart Guy), Alexis Fields (Sister Sister, Moesha), even Shar Jackson. Also just thought of Karen Malina White (voice of Dijone - Proud Family, Lean on Me, Cosby Show, allegedly Malcolm's ex) .
Anna Marie Horsford has IT!! From the beginning. I listen out for what she is going to say. Her one liners were funny. She really should have been like the mother-in-law who lived with them or something. She is going to take this show over like Jaleel White's Steve Urkel did with Family Matters if the rest of them don't find their funny. Traci Ross has always been the queen of facial expressions but she needs a better supporting cast to give her something to open up her eyes about. They under-use Gabby as far as it relates to the comedy of the show which makes the character not necessary.
#6 - The entire family (aside from the little girl) have NO CHEMISTRY with each other. The "twins" with each other, with their parents and vice versa. Ross still does not come across as a mother.
I hope it lasts and I hope it gets better
"They told you you were stupid, ugly and doomed to fail............and you believed them"