Through Good Times and Bad, This Is Us

Written by PTC | Published September 14, 2016

This touching, inspirational slice-of-life drama is one of the best new shows of the year. Plus-size Kate has problems with her weight, her feelings of loneliness, and her desire for romance. Successful businessman Randall has just tracked down the biological father who abandoned him as an infant, and struggles with his mixed feelings of joy and resentment. Jack is thrilled that his beloved wife Rebecca is expecting triplets. And hunky Kevin, tired of baring his chest for viewers, has just walked off his successful sitcom, wanting to be taken seriously as an actor. All these disparate individuals share the same birthday – and their lives will intertwine in surprising ways. This Is Us is one of the best new shows this fall. A touching look at ordinary peoples’ lives, how we all struggle with problems large and small, and how life’s lemons can be turned into lemonade, the program is positive and life-affirming without being saccharine, and is a solid pick for families. The program does contain a bit of adult content, such as Kate standing on the scale naked (seen from behind) and bemoaning her “fat ass,” her date jokingly requesting a “handy,” and Jack and Rebecca’s doctor assuring them that he is expert in “pulling eight-pound objects out of women’s vaginas.” But these instances are always brief, and do not detract from the program’s rich optimism and audience appeal. This Is Us premieres Tuesday, September 20 at 10:00 p.m. ET on NBC.