Fall TV Preview: Raising Hope Is So Wrong It's Right

Get our take on Fox's Raising Hope: Should you watch or pass?

Raising Hope (FOX)

Premieres: Tuesday, Sept. 21, 8-8:30 p.m.
Time-Slot Competition: Life Unexpected (CW), NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS), Dancing with the Stars (ABC)
Cast: Lucas Neff, Martha Plimpton, Garret Dillahunt, Skyler Stone, Shannon Marie Woodward, Cloris Leachman
Status: We've seen the pilot episode.

Should you watch Raising Hope? Read on…

Raising Hope, Greg Garcia's follow-up from My Name Is Earl, is centered around your typical male in his early 20s, doing nothing and going nowhere. This one is Jimmy Chance, played by Lucas Neff, and he comes with a kooky family to boot. After a one-night stand with a wanted felon (guest star Bijou Phillips), Jimmy suddenly finds himself a father. Insanity and hilarity ensue (no, really!) whilst he figures out how to raise a baby girl.

Not an original concept by any means, but Raising Hope is surprisingly entertaining and full of at least a few laugh-out-loud moments. Some of the sight gags and family dynamic is reminiscent of My Name is Earl, so fans of that show (RIP again) will probably hop on board. Another reason to check out Raising Hope? Cloris Leachman. As you can imagine, Cloris is amazing and inappropriate as the crazy Maw Maw. Hopefully, the eclectic mix of supporting players and the usually successful combo of heart and humor can build a great show we'll all keep tuning in for.

The only caveat? Hope's oh-no-they-didn't style of humor can be a wee bit, er, off-putting in a few spots. (The things they do with this baby should not be shown in any parenting classes, a la The Hangover.) You'll either laugh till your your belly hurts, or let out a belly groan and flip the channel.

Verdict: Watch it. This one is defintely worth giving a shot--and will easily become the new Fall TV comedy favorite for many (but not all).

Poll

Fall TV Preview 2010: Raising Hope

Raising Hope?

Watch

Watch

36.4%

DVR

DVR

30.7%

Pass

Pass

32.8%

Vote Now

What's your take on Raising Hope? Share your thoughts in the comments! And don't miss our reviews of Fox's other new shows: Running Wilde and Lone Star.

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Click through E! Online's Fall TV Preview photo gallery, check out all our reviews for this season's new shows, and be sure to bookmark our calendar of premiere dates!