COMEDY SERIES "Welcome to the Family" 
 WHEN | WHERE Premieres tonight at 8:30 on NBC/4 
 WHAT IT'S ABOUT He's the hardscrabble valedictorian (Joseph Haro). She's the pampered slacker (Ella Rae Peck). They're unexpectedly pregnant. And, wooo, boy, these teens' parents haven't even met yet. 
 When the dads (Ricardo Chavira, Mike O'Malley) do cross paths, unaware of imminent in-law status, it's instant dislike. The moms (Justina Machado, Mary McCormack) stand by helplessly. The kids' true love means everybody has to learn to get along, and the dim daughter has to learn the difference between patriotic, parochial and patriarchal. Which task is worse? 
 MY SAY Sometimes it's hilarious when family members collide and clash. (Change channels to see CBS' "The Millers.") Sometimes it's just contrived and lifeless, despite every effort to grease the gears. 
 "Welcome to the Family" plays like some "inspired" notion of a "cross-cultural" "modern" "single-camera comedy," and no, those quotes aren't typos. This feels like "funny" by focus group, one composed of cloistered network executives. We'll make the smart kid a poor inner-city Latino! We'll cast the well-to-do father with working-class comic O'Malley! He'll say things like "Take her hand, you've already had all the other parts"! 
 BOTTOM LINE Bye-bye to this "family." 
 GRADE D

COMEDY SERIES "Welcome to the Family" WHEN | WHERE Premieres tonight at 8:30 on NBC/4 WHAT IT'S ABOUT He's the hardscrabble valedictorian (Joseph Haro). She's the pampered slacker (Ella Rae Peck). They're unexpectedly pregnant. And, wooo, boy, these teens' parents haven't even met yet. When the dads (Ricardo Chavira, Mike O'Malley) do cross paths, unaware of imminent in-law status, it's instant dislike. The moms (Justina Machado, Mary McCormack) stand by helplessly. The kids' true love means everybody has to learn to get along, and the dim daughter has to learn the difference between patriotic, parochial and patriarchal. Which task is worse? MY SAY Sometimes it's hilarious when family members collide and clash. (Change channels to see CBS' "The Millers.") Sometimes it's just contrived and lifeless, despite every effort to grease the gears. "Welcome to the Family" plays like some "inspired" notion of a "cross-cultural" "modern" "single-camera comedy," and no, those quotes aren't typos. This feels like "funny" by focus group, one composed of cloistered network executives. We'll make the smart kid a poor inner-city Latino! We'll cast the well-to-do father with working-class comic O'Malley! He'll say things like "Take her hand, you've already had all the other parts"! BOTTOM LINE Bye-bye to this "family." GRADE D

Entertainment

ETBOT03.WEB

'Welcome to the Family' review: They're not welcome

Newsday

Welcome to the Family cropped

Entertainment trending

Take our quizzes

34 must-see fall concerts

Fall theater preview

Too much 'Jeopardy'?

Most Popular

Entertainment Rail Module

'Bring Dylan back': Hundreds gather in support of fired Cinema Arts Centre co-director

Before "Abbott Elementary," there was "Our Miss Brooks" and more shows with smart TV teachers.

Remember these classy TV teachers?

The city of New York plays a big role in this "NCIS" spinoff.

Does 'NCIS: New York' make the grade with its locations?

The sitcom star and the executive producer of "Everybody Loves Raymond" will be inducted on Nov. 5.

Ray Romano to be inducted into LI hall of fame

Florence Pugh stars in Netflix's remake of John Steinbeck's classic, which is too long and too tedious.

'East of Eden' review: A tale of several deadly sins

Probably not, but some locals can't imagine what other place it could be.

Is Taylor Swift singing about LI's 'Babylon' in her new song?

Sign up for Newsday's Entertainment newsletter

Entertainment newsletter widget

More Entertainment

Entertainment Article Bottom Module

The veteran reporter and anchor is now working on a documentary on NYPD Det. Steven MacDonald.

Former WCBS, WPIX crime reporter Mary Murphy looks back at her career

From the wizarding world to what's new on Netflix, Newsday TV writer and critic Verne Gay previews the fall season,

'Harry Potter is the most important series of the decade'

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits MJ Social in Island Park to learn how to play mah-jongg.

Mother-daughter team create a place to play mah-jongg

How this Long Island mother-son duo are taking over TikTok

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits Das Biergarten in Long Beach.

It's Oktoberfest every day at this Long Beach restaurant

Newsday travel reporter Carissa Kellman takes a tour of the farmhouse at Kerber's Farm, which is one of four properties available to rent for overnight stays on the farm.

Stay the night at this LI farm

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visits Bisqo in Hicksville to try the Miso Overload, a Dubai-inspired creation which combines a frappe with a slice of tiramisu.

 Trendy Bites: Have your frappe with a slice of tiramisu on top

Ex-NYS court officer Brian Burke accompanied Rex Heuermann to nearly all of his court appearances. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Former LI court officer talks about Gilgo Beach serial killer's chilling admissions

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed explores a Cutchogue vineyard's unique operation on preserved land.

Out East: McCall Wines

The revitilization to Westbury Avenue in Carle Place will include sidewalk replacement, street repaving and improved pedestrian crossings. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

$4M street revitalization project begins in Carle Place

The Knicks began training camp on Tuesday with the hopes of repeating as NBA champions. Newsday's Knicks beat writer Steve Popper reports.

New season, new journey for Knicks

NewsdayTV's Andi Berlin visits No Good Burger Joint in Baldwin.

Newsday's Top 50 restaurants: A burger joint joins the list

Sitewide Video Playlist

Nearly $1.2 billion in unclaimed funds is available across more than 5 million accounts on Long Island, according to the state comptroller's office. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

$1.2B available across 5 million accounts on LI

Santos Banegas Reyes, a 42-year-old ICE detainee, died in Nassau County Jail last year after staff provided "inadequate medical care," a federal report found. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'My reaction to the report is outrage'

They likely belong to an elderly woman who went missing in the area in December, Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa has more.

'The body has not been positively identified'

'Long overdue'

'The most disturbing case I ever worked'

Roslyn, Syosset and Jericho school districts were recognized in the top 10 nationwide. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'Speaks to the hard work of our district and their families'

The state's latest pension sweeteners pushed the burden of the expense onto taxpayers. Newsday towns reporter Joseph Ostapiuk has more.

'There's a few factors'

The coast was hit hard this weekend after a nor'easter swept through Long Island, NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'You can't mess with Mother Nature'

A Newsday/Siena poll shows support for limited screen time in schools. Newsday education reporter Lorena Mongelli explains.

'I think they should be limited'

Many Long Island families were left to deal with flooding from the nor'easter Sunday. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'It's been a day'

At Jones Beach Long Islanders can already see the effects of the nor'easter. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'Anywhere from moderate flooding to major flooding'.

NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger talks to Freeport residents about the flooded roads caused by Saturday's nor'easter.

'It's nature, there's nothing I can do about it'

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

TV - megaslot

Newsday TV critic Verne Gay reviews new TV shows and series from Netflix, Max, Hulu and more. Plus, what Long Island actors are working on and Long Island filming locations.

'Welcome to the Family' review: They're not welcome

Most Popular

Top Stories

Stay logged in.