Based on the 1989 movie and the short-lived 1990 television spin-off, Parenthood may seem like your ordinary family-themed sitcom, but its cast alone is already getting raves from critics. Twenty years after the theatrical release of the movie, Parenthood the new series stars the likes of Peter Krause, Maura Tierney, Dax Shepard, Monica Potter, Erika Christensen, with Craig T. Nelson and Bonnie Bedelia playing the parents. Friday Night Lights' Jason Katims will serve as the show's executive producer.
The new one-hour version will reportedly feature an update on the original, taking into account the modern parenting challenges brought about by technology.
"We're incredibly excited about our new and returning series and have more comedy programming than anyone else, as well as two of the most buzzed about new shows,
Community and
Parenthood. We can't wait for the fall," says Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.
For its part, the modern revival of
Parenthood stars 61-year-old Bedelia, who was a regular on the CBS soap Love of Life during the 1960s. She also played Bruce Willis and Harrison Ford's wife in the two
Die Hard films and
Presumed Innocent respectively. Nelson, 65, meanwhile, is best known for his titular role as good ole Coach on the ABC series of the same name for nine seasons from 1989 to 1997.
The 1989 ensemble movie of the same name was a box office hit and had a cast that included Steve Martin, Dianne West, Mary Steenburgen, Joaquin Phoenix, Dennis Dugan, and even Keanu Reeves. It was nominated for two Academy Awards, including one for West for Best Supporting Actress. The television spin-off, meanwhile, starred child actors Leonardo DiCaprio, David Arquette, and Thora Birch. Parenthood, which aired for only 12 episodes, had pre-
Buffy Joss Whedon on its writers' roster. The last episode aired mid-August in 1991.
- Glenn Diaz, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: ABC
(Image courtesy of ABC)