Parenthood (2010 TV series)

Did You Know?

• The series is set in Berkeley, California, on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay.
• In December 2015, an Italian adaptation titled Tutto può succedere (Anything Can Happen) began broadcasting on RaiUno, following the Ferraro family in and around Rome.
• Max Burkholder, who portrays a boy with Asperger's, worked to ensure his portrayal was accurate.

Cast and characters

Peter Krause portrays Adam Braverman, the eldest Braverman sibling, a husband to Kristina and father to Haddie, Max, and Nora; he worked at a shoe company before opening a recording studio with Crosby. Lauren Graham plays Sarah Braverman-Rizzoli, the second oldest sibling and a single mother to Amber and Drew, who later marries her boss Hank Rizzoli; she begins as a bartender and becomes a photography assistant. Dax Shepard is Crosby Braverman, the third sibling, a music producer who co-owns a studio with Adam from season 3, and is husband to Jasmine and father to Jabbar and Aida. Monica Potter plays Kristina Braverman, Adam's wife who works in politics and is mother to Haddie, Max, and Nora. Erika Christensen portrays Julia Braverman-Graham, the youngest sibling, a lawyer married to Joel Graham and mother to Sydney, Victor, Millie, and Eddie. Sam Jaeger plays Joel Graham, a licensed contractor and Julia's husband. Savannah Paige Rae is Sydney Graham, their daughter. Sarah Ramos appears as Haddie Braverman (main seasons 1–3; recurring season 4; guest seasons 5 & 6), who attends Cornell in season 4. Max Burkholder plays Max Braverman, who has Asperger syndrome. Joy Bryant portrays Jasmine Trussell, a dancer and Crosby's on/off girlfriend and later wife. Miles Heizer is Drew Holt, Sarah's shy son. Mae Whitman plays Amber Holt, Sarah's outgoing daughter. Bonnie Bedelia portrays Camille Braverman, the matriarch and an artist. Craig T. Nelson plays Ezekiel 'Zeek' Braverman, the patriarch and a Vietnam veteran. Tyree Brown appears as Jabbar Trussell (recurring season 1; main seasons 2–6), Jasmine and Crosby's son. Xolo Maridueña plays Victor Graham (guest season 3; main seasons 4–6), adopted by Julia and Joel at the end of season 3.

Production

The series is based on the 1989 film of the same name, co-written and directed by Ron Howard. After an unsuccessful 1990 television adaptation, Jason Katims, showrunner of Friday Night Lights, approached Howard and Brian Grazer about a new adaptation; they accepted despite initial reluctance. NBC green-lit the show in January 2009, and Katims completed the pilot script in early 2009. Erika Christensen was the first actress cast in the pilot in early March 2009. By the end of that month, Peter Krause, Maura Tierney, Dax Shepard, Mae Whitman, Sarah Ramos, and Craig T. Nelson joined the drama; Nelson had passed on the role of Jay Pritchett in Modern Family. In April, Max Burkholder was cast as Peter Krause's son, and Bonnie Bedelia, Sam Jaeger, and Monica Potter were also cast. Diane Farr was originally chosen as Kristina Braverman but left due to scheduling conflicts with Californication and was replaced by Potter. The series was originally scheduled to premiere on September 23, 2009, but was pushed to midseason after Tierney's breast cancer diagnosis. Tierney left the show in September 2009 due to treatment schedule conflicts, and her filmed scenes were deleted. Lauren Graham replaced Tierney in October 2009; Helen Hunt had been approached but could not reach a financial deal with NBC. The pilot was reshot in November. Ray Romano joined the cast as Hank Rizzoli on September 11, 2012, a role created for him after he expressed love for the show and met with Katims on the set of Friday Night Lights. Production for the first season began in 2009 with Katims as executive producer, showrunner, and head writer; he also directed some episodes later. The pilot was filmed in Northern California using local crews, while the rest of the series was filmed in Los Angeles.

Soundtracks

On August 31, 2010, Arrival Records/Scion Music Group released a soundtrack for the first season, containing 10 songs including the theme song 'Forever Young' by Bob Dylan and the international theme 'When We Were Young' by Lucy Schwartz, as well as a cover of 'Forever Young' by John Doe and Lucy Schwartz. Andrew McMahon of Jack's Mannequin stated that the song 'Casting Lines' was written after producers contacted him about a possible theme song; after he recorded and sent it, producers told him they appreciated his efforts but had selected 'Forever Young'. The song appears on Jack's Mannequin's third album, People and Things. The track listing includes 'Forever Young' by Bob Dylan, 'Darlin' Do Not Fear' by Brett Dennen, 'Colors' by Amos Lee, 'Kick Drum Heart' by The Avett Brothers, 'Put Your Records On' by Corinne Bailey Rae, 'In My Dreams' by Eels, 'Change of Time' by Josh Ritter, 'When We Were Young' by Lucy Schwartz, 'In These Arms' by The Swell Season, 'Solitaire' by Wilco, 'Let It Be Me' by Ray LaMontagne, and 'Forever Young' by John Doe and Lucy Schwartz. A second soundtrack was released on October 8, 2013, through J-2 Music, produced by Jason Katims and Liza Richardson among others, featuring songs from the second through fourth seasons. Its track listing includes 'Dance in the Graveyards' by Delta Rae, 'If I Had a Boat' by Lyle Lovett, 'Piece Of My Heart' (Live Recording) by CeeLo Green, 'What I Wouldn't Do' by A Fine Frenzy, 'Man on Fire (Little Daylight Remix)' by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, 'Honey I'll Try' by Emile Millar, 'Take a Bow' by Greg Laswell, 'Hard Times (Come Again No More)' by Brett Dennen, 'Lady Adelaide' by Benjamin Gibbard, 'My My Love' by Joshua Radin, and 'High Hope' by Glen Hansard.

Reception

The first season received generally positive reviews, with a Metacritic score of 61 out of 100 based on 29 reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it scored 63% based on 30 reviews, with a critics consensus calling it 'a warm and engaging show that sometimes succumbs to the chaos of its cast.' Alessandra Stanley of The New York Times described it as 'unexpectedly compelling' and 'a coming-of-age drama for all ages,' praising the writing and cast. Alan Sepinwall of The Star-Ledger wrote that it 'isn't an instant classic, but it's smart and warm and knowing.' Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly noted it 'isn't better than Modern Family, but it's different—it's its own creation.' For the second season, Rotten Tomatoes reported a 91% approval rating based on 11 reviews, with a critics consensus stating the cast 'hits its collective stride.' Tucker wrote that the actors had 'cohered into a believable clan.' Maureen Ryan of The Huffington Post called it a 'solidly rewarding drama.' The show was praised for its portrayal of Asperger's; the scene where Kristina and Adam explain to Max he has the syndrome was listed in TV Guide's Top TV Moments of 2011.