Watch In the Big House

In the Big House is an American reality television series that aired on Logo, a ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks' flagship cable network, in 2012. The show centers around the unique dynamic of the Verdi-Martelli family, an unconventional ensemble trying to assimilate their divergent lifestyles and opposing views.

At the heart of the series is Louis Verdi, a successful gay man who enjoys an affluent lifestyle in Los Angeles, California with his partner, Christopher. Verdi has spent most of his adult life away from his old neighborhood in Philadelphia and his “traditional” Italian-American family. Now, decades later, both worlds converge as his relatives move out west to live with him in Los Angeles. The series largely presents the dramatic culture shock that unfolds as a result of this unanticipated familial commingling, where stark contrasts in values, beliefs, and ways of life are put to the test.

Verdi's family comprises of his older brother, Chuck Martelli, an accomplished boxer and traditional family man, his sister, Michel Verdi-Kratz, a strong, independent woman and her husband, Jay Kratz, a former police officer. Accompanying them is the family's vivacious 70-year-old matriarch, Dotty Verdi, who, despite her age, is in no way lacking in energy or opinions. Together, they depart from their tightly knit Philly community to begin an unpredictable new chapter in the "City of Angels."

The series portrays Verdi as the quintessential urban sophisticate – faultlessly stylish and living in a swanky home, while his kin lean more towards heavy-metal t-shirts and frequent displays of sibling rivalry. Verdi's family move to Los Angeles not only sees a geographical shift but a drastic shift in the culture and values they're used to. They must grapple with a more diverse societal fabric, including an array of alternative lifestyles, something quite distant from their blue-collar Philly past.

One of the central elements of In the Big House is its treatment of sexuality. In particular, the series endeavors to challenge societal norms and prejudice around homosexuality. As Louis' family adjusts to their new surroundings, they're also faced with accepting the fact that Louis is gay, in a relationship, and leads a lifestyle worlds apart from the norm they understand and follow.

However, despite their differences, the Verdi-Martellis are a family, something that proves to be their binding force. Despite bickering quite a bit, their love, support, and loyalty to each other remains unshakeable. This makes for heartwarming viewing, interspersed with comedic moments, as they attempt to navigate through their new lives. It's a depiction of a modern family fighting the shackles of tradition while trying to embrace diversity without losing their identity in the process.

In the Big House blends humor and real-life drama to create a captivating storyline. The narrative flows naturally, allowing the family's intricate interpersonal dynamics to dictate the pace and direction of the show. Whether it's Louis and Christopher hosting a gay mixer at their home; Chuck and Jay attempting to adjust to the fashion-forward West Coast; Michel's struggle with her independent streak against her family's traditional mindset — the show skillfully explores multiple facets of today's family units in an ever-changing social structure.

Dealing with an amalgamation of themes including family bonds, acceptance, diversity and change, In the Big House isn't just another reality TV show. It attempts to provide viewers a lens to perceive the different layers within a family structure and their collective journey towards acceptance and love. With its unique mix of unavoidable conflict, palpable tension, and heartfelt bonding, the series presents a deeply moving and entertaining look at the trials and triumphs of a family trying to merge two vastly different worlds under one roof. It's a series packed with compelling characters, emotional narratives and heated exchanges, all infused with a healthy dose of humor.

In the Big House is a series that ran for 1 seasons (9 episodes) between July 16, 2012 and on Logo