ABC recently launched a new show, “American Housewife,” based off an old concept. But this is not the traditional American housewife portrayed in network shows of the past. This light-hearted comedy fuses contemporary trends with self-deprecating jokes about weight and other “first-world problems” to depict an average, middle-class American family.
The wife, Katie Otto, played by Kate Mixon (“Mike and Molly”), juggles being a mother of three while living in a pretentious, upper middle-class community. In the first episode, Otto struggles with the fact that she is “the second fattest woman” in her community after her overweight neighbor moves out of her house. This is only the beginning of multiple below-the-belt jabs at overweight women in America in the show, along with other seemingly forced attempts at a quick laugh.
As if the cheap, unfunny jokes weren’t bad enough, the show’s painfully obvious attempt at incorporating diversity doesn’t actually do a spectacular job at representing the groups they are trying to portray. Instead, they continue to perpetuate harmful stereotypes. It’s almost ironic that the only diverse group of people on the show, an Asian woman and an African American lesbian, just so happen to be best friends with the “second-fattest woman” in town.
Perhaps the writers were trying to send a message to their viewers about a harsh reality involving the exclusion of people within a certain race or sexual orientation in America. However, considering the comment made about another overweight woman on the show (“There’s no getting around her on the sidewalk”), this is likely not the case. In fact, judging by the many “jokes” on the show, it seems the writers aren’t even intelligent enough to come up with that idea.
On the other hand, the family comedy didn’t completely fail to amuse its audience. The character development in just the first episode was, although terribly written, extremely well-portrayed by the actors. Mixon embodies her character with her quick wit and fabulous comedic timing, and it is blatantly obvious that Mixon takes her job as an actress seriously. Each line – as stupid as it may be – is delivered with purpose. Props to Kate Mixon for being able to accomplish that.
Another great actress on the show is Julia Butters, who plays Otto’s youngest daughter, Anna-Kat. Butters’ character, who can’t be more than 9 years old, obviously suffers from a mild case of OCD. Although it isn’t necessarily okay to laugh at the symptoms of someone with a serious psychological condition, the deliverance of Anna-Kat’s lines make it almost impossible not to let a quiet chuckle escape the lips of those watching. The young actress does an extraordinary job at bringing her character to life while keeping her personality exaggerated enough for the audience’s amusement.
There are a lot of things terribly wrong with “American Housewife”. However, credit must be given where it is due. The jokes about “fat” women and OCD “quirks” are insensitive and poorly written, but the casting directors did a fabulous job at creating an ensemble of funny actors and actresses. No, the jokes aren’t very clever, but the actors work with what they’re given. Not all hope is gone for “American Housewife”. As the show progresses, it’s likely the comedic aspect of the show will improve, and the characters are already fairly likable. One thing is for certain: this American housewife isn’t like any that have been on TV before.
