Watch Welcome to the Family

Welcome to the Family is a warm and humorous family sitcom, created by Mike Sikowitz, that aired on NBC in 2013. The series follows two families, the Hernandezes and the Yaegers, who are brought together by an unexpected pregnancy of their teenage children. The Hernandezes are a Mexican-American family headed by parents Miguel (Ricardo A. Chavira) and Lisette (Justina Machado) with two teenage kids, the academically talented and determined Molly (Ella Rae Peck) and her younger brother Junior (Joseph Haro), who is, in his own words, a "master of the art of chill". The Yaegers, on the other hand, are a white family led by perky matriarch Caroline (Mary McCormack) and her easy-going husband Dan (Mike O'Malley) with only one daughter, the high-achieving and somewhat snobbish Ashley (Sierra McCormick).

The show's premise is set into motion when Ashley, the valedictorian of her high school, is accepted to Stanford University and is all set to embark on a bright academic career. However, her plans are changed when she discovers that she is pregnant by her boyfriend, Junior, during her graduation ceremony. When Junior unexpectedly turns up at her house to introduce himself, Caroline is initially convinced that he is a Latino gang member and that her daughter is in grave danger. The two families clash and tensions run high as they grapple with the unexpected pregnancy and their cultural differences.

As the two families are forced to co-operate and come to terms with each other, they soon realize that they have more in common than they thought. Through the course of the series, the Hernandezes and Yaegers discover that they share common goals and desires for their families, including a quest for success, respect, and love. They learn to appreciate each other's strengths and quirks, and the series celebrates the value of family, no matter how different they may be.

Welcome to the Family features a talented ensemble cast, led by Mary McCormack, who delivers a hilarious and nuanced performance as the uptight but loving Caroline. Mike O'Malley, known for his work on Glee and Yes, Dear, is equally funny as the goofy and lovable Dan. Justina Machado and Ricardo A. Chavira provide a grounded portrayal of the Hernandez parents, bringing authenticity to the show's portrayal of Latinx family dynamics.

The core cast is ably supported by a talented group of young actors, including Sierra McCormick, who brings depth to the character of Ashley, and Joseph Haro, who is a scene-stealer as the laid-back and charming Junior. Ella Rae Peck also impresses as Molly, who is caught between her parents and her brother on one side, and supporting her friend Ashley on the other.

The show's writing is sharp and witty, thanks to the creative team led by Mike Sikowitz, who previously worked as a writer for Two and a Half Men and Friends. The show's humor is rooted in the cultural and generational differences between the two families, and the writers do an admirable job of balancing the laughs with the more serious themes of teenage pregnancy, family dynamics, and identity.

In its short run, Welcome to the Family received positive reviews from television critics, who praised the show's diverse cast and its ability to tackle complex issues with humor and heart. However, it failed to gain a strong audience, and was canceled after just one season.

Overall, Welcome to the Family is an enjoyable family comedy that explores the challenges of bringing two families together in a relatable and entertaining way. With its talented cast and sharp writing, the show was a promising addition to NBC's lineup, although it ultimately failed to find an audience. Nevertheless, the series remains a charming and heartwarming portrayal of family life in all its messy, complicated, and ultimately rewarding glory.

Welcome to the Family is a series that ran for 1 seasons (9 episodes) between October 3, 2013 and on NBC