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Season 1 – The New Normal

2012 Comedy List
51% Tomatometer 47 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Los Angeles couple Bryan and David have successful careers and a loving relationship and are ready for a baby. Just as they start to worry that they will never be blessed with parenthood, they meet Goldie, a waitress who has just moved to California with her precocious 8-year-old daughter to escape from her closed-minded grandmother and a life without a future. The guys quickly work out a deal with Goldie to become their surrogate, and in the process, the little group forms a unique family unit of its own.
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The New Normal — Season 1

The New Normal — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

The New Normal is heartfelt and briskly paced, but it suffers from one-dimensional characters and jarring tonal shifts.

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Critics Reviews

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Diane Shipley Bitch Media The theme of the show, that because we're all so diverse there's no such thing as "normal," is admirable, but its execution is questionable. Jan 13, 2021 Full Review Kelsey Wallace Bitch Media I'm all for more diverse representations on the big networks, but it doesn't change the fact that this is a standard, predictable, dare I say "normal," new show. Jan 13, 2021 Full Review James Poniewozik TIME Magazine Frankly, given that gay parenting has been a major subject for three years on one of the most popular sitcoms on TV -- Modern Family -- it's hard to buy The New Normal's premise that it's making us confront a shocking shift in society's norms. Sep 10, 2012 Full Review Randy Dankievitch Processed Media As a pilot, it's a very mixed bag of dull character tropes, rushed emotional moments, and insensitive portrayals that ultimately rob it of its charm and positive vibes. Rated: C- Feb 20, 2020 Full Review Stephen Marche Esquire Magazine The most shocking new show on television this season is The New Normal. It's shocking because it's so boring Oct 19, 2018 Full Review Terence Johnson AwardsCircuit.com The show has a lot of promise and if it can continue to balance the adult humor and family comedy elements, this could be the breakout show of the fall. Rated: 3.5/4 Aug 27, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member clearly inspired by Modern family, it's a bit too soft and the jokes never really land... a shame because it had great potential! you should still watch it, preferably when modern family is on their break. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member The New Normal wants to be Modern Family, except Modern Family is much better written. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Despite it's good intentions, especially with it breaking ground in introducing gay characters, it never really ended up being the show that I wanted to see but rather ended up being the one that I'd sit through because nothing better was on. It wasn't horrible by any means, but I was never grabbed. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The New Normal — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 10, 2012 Pilot A waitress and single mother from the Midwest agrees to be a surrogate mother for Los Angeles couple Bryan and David. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 11, 2012 Sofa's Choice Shania tries to adapt to her new surroundings; Bryan and David plan a night out on the town after reminiscing about when they first met; Jane makes a disturbing discovery. Details Episode 3 Aired Sep 18, 2012 Baby Clothes The guys meet resistance when they try to return the baby clothes Bryan bought against David's advice; Shania makes a new friend when she wears a baby outfit to school. Details Episode 4 Aired Sep 25, 2012 Obama Mama Shania surprises Bryan and David when she reveals she plans to vote for Obama in her school's mock election; the guys throw a party to prove that they have a diverse group of friends. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 2, 2012 Nanagasm David plans a family dinner to tell his mother about the baby; Bryan commiserates with Goldie about mother-in-law problems; Jane seeks out David's medical advice after experiencing an unusual sensation. Details Episode 6 Aired Oct 9, 2012 Bryanzilla Shania announces that she and a classmate are having a pretend wedding; a life-changing decision is made. Details Episode 7 Aired Oct 23, 2012 The Godparent Trap Bryan starts thinking about the traditions of his Roman Catholic upbringing and seeks advice from a priest at a local church; David and Bryan want their friends Victoria and Tiffany to be their baby's godparents. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 13, 2012 Unplugged When Shania, Goldie, Bryan and David's lives are interrupted by electronic devices, Shania suggests that they all give up modern technology for a day; Rocky teaches Jane how to use Twitter. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 20, 2012 Pardon Me Shania and Bryan adopt all the turkeys at the farm and decide to have a meat-free Thanksgiving; the family invites people that they need to make amends with to dinner. Details Episode 10 Aired Nov 27, 2012 The XY Factor Bryan and David accidentally learn the baby's gender; Shania's performance at a school assembly reminds Goldie she has dreams to pursue; Shania gets suspended. Details Episode 11 Aired Dec 4, 2012 Baby Proofing Bryan and David start fighting after David hires a woman to baby-proof their home; the family discovers eggnog has a pleasant effect on Jane; Bryan and Jane attend a party. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 8, 2013 The Goldie Rush David and Bryan set Bryan's ex-boyfriend (Matt Bomer) up with Gary, who wants a family of his own; Jane and Rocky help Shania deal with mean girls. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 15, 2013 Stay-at-Home Dad After failing to find a nanny, Bryan and David vie for the role of stay-at-home dad. Details Episode 14 Aired Jan 22, 2013 Gaydar Shania thinks Rocky's new crush might be gay, while Jane wonders about a fellow realtor's sexuality; David considers how his future son may be treated. Details Episode 15 Aired Jan 29, 2013 Dairy Queen Bryan buys an apparatus that allows men to simulate breastfeeding; Shania is upset when she learns that she was not breastfed as a baby. Details Episode 16 Aired Feb 19, 2013 Dog Children David and Bryan fret when they have to rush their puppy, Harvey Milkbone, to the vet; Shania disrupts class with an homage to actress Maggie Smith; romantic feelings are rekindled between Goldie and Clay. Details Episode 17 Aired Feb 26, 2013 Rocky Bye Baby Despite not wanting one, Bryan and David allow their friends to throw them a baby shower; Clay and Shania decide to throw a surprise shower for Goldie. Details Episode 18 Aired Mar 5, 2013 Para-New Normal Activity Bryan gets into the Halloween spirit by decorating the house and making his annual trip to the pumpkin patch with his friend, Nicole Richie; David disagrees with Bryan's Halloween costume theme; Clay makes an announcement. Details Episode 19 Aired Mar 19, 2013 Blood, Sweat and Fears Bryan researches natural birthing techniques; Goldie tries to expand her children's clothing business; Shania helps Rocky face her insecurities. Details Episode 20 Aired Mar 26, 2013 About a Boy Scout During a Boy Scout overnight, a father disagrees with David's lifestyle; Rocky helps Goldie with her secret crush. Details Episode 21 Aired Apr 2, 2013 Finding Name-O David and Bryan struggle to choose a name for their baby; Goldie and Shania both have an identity crisis; Clay decides to share his feelings with Goldie. Details Episode 22 Aired Apr 2, 2013 The Big Day Despite the many challenges that arise, David and Bryan are determined to get married before their baby is born. Details
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Season Info

Executive Producer
Ryan Murphy, Allison Adler, Dante Di Loreto
Network
NBC
Rating
TV-14 (D|L)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 10, 2012