ABC's new addition to their formidable Wednesday night comedy block isn't nearly as good as its neighbors, but it's cute enough to keep you from changing the channel.
"Better With You" is a fast-paced laughtrack sitcom about three couples from the same family who are each at distinctly different points in their relationships.
The couples are made up of two sisters and their respective boyfriends, plus their mom and dad. The youngest boyfriend-girlfriend set (Mia and Casey) have been together just under eight weeks, the second set (Maddie and Ben) have been together for nine years, and the mom and dad (Vicky and Joel) have been together for 35 years.
In the pilot episode, Mia gets engaged to Casey, and Maddie, previously content to just live with Ben unmarried, freaks out a little. The two sisters -- and their beaus -- are very different. Mia is impulsive and her boyfriend Casey is a dumb but lovable guy played UNC School of the Arts grad Jake Lacy. The older sister Maddie is more of a Type A over-achiever, and her people-pleaser boyfriend Ben always tries too hard to win over her judgmental parents.
There are a few funny lines, mostly when the three couples get together and the engagement news is broken to the parents and it's revealed that they have all sort of made fun of the unmarried "Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn" pair for years. There's even a drinking game.
It's not a bad show, and it'll probably be fine sandwiched between "The Middle" and "Modern Family," even though it has nothing in common with either show.
“Better with You” has JoAnna Garcia as Mia, Jennifer Finnigan as Maddie, Josh Cooke as Ben, Jake Lacy as Casey, Kurt Fuller as Joel and Debra Jo Rupp as Vicky.
Brooke Cain isn't always proud of the number of hours she logs in front of the TV, but her loss of brain cells can be your gain. From reality shows to sitcoms to the more serious stuff, Brooke keeps her DVR smoking so that she can help keep you in the know. Brooke also tweets for Happiness is a Warm TV (you can follow