Suburgatory ran on ABC from 2011 to 2014, created by Emily Kapnek. It follows George Altman, a single father, who moves his sixteen-year-old daughter Tessa from New York City to the suburbs after finding a box of condoms in her room. The show ran for three seasons, 57 episodes, and ended on May 14, 2014.
Trailer, via tvpromos2011.
George and Tessa
Jeremy Sisto plays George, an architect who raises Tessa alone since his wife left him when she was an infant. Jane Levy plays Tessa, a teenager who lands in a town where the other kids have nothing in common with her. The core of the show rests on their bond, and Sisto and Levy sell it.
The Suburban Cast
Cheryl Hines plays Dallas Royce, and Ana Gasteyer plays Sheila Shay, the mothers of the town’s other teens. Carly Chaikin plays Dalia Royce, and Allie Grant plays Lisa Shay. Chris Parnell rounds out the group as Fred Shay. These four characters represent the show’s satirical target: the perfect lawns, the spray tans, the nose jobs, and the Red Bull-guzzling teens.
What the Show Targets
The show’s title is a portmanteau of “suburban” and “purgatory,” created by former CNN Senior Producer Linda Keenan. That name captures the show’s premise: George and Tessa jump from one problem to another. The source describes the show as a sitcom, and it fits the genre’s rules: jokes land in episodes, and the Altmans learn to live with their new neighbors.
How It Works
The show’s engine is simple. George discovers a condom box, moves to Chatswin, and finds a whole new set of problems. The show leans on satire rather than character development, and some viewers find the jokes too easy. Others find the setup worn thin by the third season.
Here is what the show delivers consistently:
- A clear premise about suburban life
- A strong father-daughter relationship at its center
- A sharp, satirical approach to the town’s residents
- A consistent tone across its run
Final Word
Suburgatory is a solid sitcom that occasionally reaches for more than it can hold. Its best moments come from the Altman family’s struggles to fit in, while its weakest episodes lean too heavily on easy jokes about the town’s residents. The show is worth watching for the chemistry between George and Tessa, even if its satire grows thin over time.
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