Watch How to Live with Your Parents

How to Live with Your Parents from ABC is a delightful television show that premiered in 2013. The series stars Emmy Award nominee Elizabeth Perkins, Brad Garrett, Jon Dore, Orlando Jones, and Sarah Chalke. Created by Claudia Lonow, the show only ran for one season of 13 episodes, but it has garnered a cult following due to its fresh perspective on boomerang kids.

The show follows the life of a divorced, financially struggling Polly (Sarah Chalke) who moves back in with her parents Max (Brad Garrett) and Elaine (Elizabeth Perkins) with her young daughter, Natalie (Rachel Eggleston). Max is an over-the-top, albeit lovable, man-child who struggles to move on from his divorce from Elaine. Elaine, on the other hand, is a successful businesswoman, but with limited parenting skills. Polly's desperate situation leads her to depend on her parents for help, forcing her to navigate their quirks while trying to raise her daughter in a stable environment.

One of the show's strongest qualities is its portrayal of the family dynamics. Max's antics often leave Polly, Elaine, and Natalie exasperated, but they remain mostly supportive of him despite his antics. Elaine is too busy trying to impress her friends with her business acumen to make a meaningful connection with her daughter, all while providing comedic relief as one of the funniest characters on the show. Polly, truly the show's protagonist, finds herself in a precarious situation when she moves back in with her parents. She quickly realizes that she hasn't resolved her childhood issues, and she struggles to come to terms with her parents' quirks.

Adding to the show's charm are the quirky, off-beat characters that reside in its world. The most notable of these characters is Gregg (Orlando Jones), Max's best friend, and a trust fund baby who's trying to find his calling in life. Jones brings his comedic pedigree to deliver an endearing and neurotic character who becomes one of Polly's closest friends.

Each episode of How to Live with Your Parents has its standalone story arc, and the vast majority of them are character-driven, allowing viewers to get to know these quirky characters even better. Whether it's Max trying to parent his granddaughter in his own misguided way, or Elaine struggling to bond with her deeply wounded daughter, the show consistently delivers fresh and hilarious comedic moments. The show's creators have done an excellent job of writing these characters with complex layers that allow them to be relatable despite their over-the-top antics.

The show isn't all laughs, though. It delivers some poignant and touching moments that ground the characters in reality. Polly's struggles with being a single mother are authentic, and the show doesn't shy away from exploring the financial hardships of a newly single mother living at home with her parents. The struggles of parenting are also explored, which is a refreshing take on the family sitcom format.

In conclusion, How to Live with Your Parents from ABC is a smart, funny and heartfelt show that takes the boomerang kid concept and turns it on its head. The show's refreshing take on family dynamics, outstanding writing, and endearing performances have solidified its legacy as a cult classic. Though the show was short-lived, it is undoubtedly worth a watch for anyone who wants to laugh, cry and feel connected to some of the most lovable and outlandish characters ever depicted on television.

How to Live with Your Parents is a series that ran for 1 seasons (13 episodes) between April 3, 2013 and on ABC