New Shows Parents Can Watch Together

Once again I think parents will enjoy the Simpsons even though they are not exactly "new," they have change every year that revamps the show and they add and enhance characters. They are pure entertainment.

One newer sitcom is "The Office." I think parents will enjoy that because it reflects work. It shows some of the things that people go through and while it can be irreverent at times; once again parents need to relax as well as learn a little something.

The show "Notes from the Underbelly," premiers April 12th at 10 pm ET on ABC. This is the perfect sitcom for parents because it is about a couple who have just found out that they are going to have a baby. The pressures they are now under, and the way they handle their lives now as compared to when they didn't think things were changing makes for great laughs.

Again, while not exactly new I would recommend "Malcolm in the Middle" for parents. These parents are irreverent and give in to their own needs at times. It shows that parents shouldn't have to be and for that matter aren't perfect.

I think a wonderful show for parents is "The American Life" which is on Showtime Thursdays at 10:30 pm ET. This shows people who made plans in real life and some of the problems they encountered while trying to achieve their goals. This is an uplifting program with humorous overtones.

In another article I brought up this next show because I am so excited about it. "Planet Earth" is something you can watch with or without your children. Either way it is educational and entertaining. "Planet Earth" is on the Discovery Channel at 8:00 ET and it covers all things about our earth. It is said to be an outstanding television effort.

A great new comedy is Andy Barker P.I. Andy Barker is your regular CPA who has high hopes about having his own office and building a business. But, alas things don't go as planned. Fate steps in however and Andy gets involved in a crime which ultimately leads to his own Private Investigator firm and a load of laughs.

Finally I would once again suggest that parents spend a little time watching old sitcoms as they find them. Most are on TBS or Fox and they would include "Married...with Children," "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Still Standing," "Home Improvement" and "That Seventies Show" to name just a few. They often deal with situations at home but just as importantly they will bring a smile to your face. That is something we all need.