"Home Economics"

Had I not been a fan of "Single Parents" or "Life in Pieces" this would come across as being great.  Instead, it's just okay.  It's smart funny, in the vein of those other two but the kids, for the most part, are just interchangeable duds.  Part of what made the other two series great was the back and forth between kids and adults which gave them a Peanuts vibe.  This is simply misadjusted adults trying to figure it all out, and getting much of it wrong.  Kudos to Sasheer Zamata who never misses a chance to find the funny even though she is given so little.  It's entertaining but not brilliant.  I do wish the networks would commit to the "good" instead of always switching out their sitcoms for something similar in the hopes of boosting ratings.

"Superman & Lois"

The latest incarnation of a very familar territory is enjoyable and manages to mine some new stuff.  For that, I am grateful.  I also like how the show balances the needs of each family member, including Lois, with the superhero theatrics.  There is something touching about returning to Smallville.  It humanizes a story which can be more about symbols than people.  All that being said, there is room for improvement.  The CW (or is it Greg Berlanti?) has become somewhat morose.  "Arrow" was dark, that's fine, it's a dark tale.  "Batwoman" dark?  No problem.  But the darkness has expanded.  "The Flash", which opened as the polar opposite to "Arrow", is downright bleak with a touch of sadness.  And now, in "Superman & Lois", we have a Smallville which is always overcast and grey and a Superman who is partially unshaven and struggles to find the silver lining.  It's just not what Superman is.  Superman should be bright and shiny and wholesome.  Wholesome is kind of the brand, you know?  Smallville looking like Gotham?  Wrong.  The show has enough going on for it that it can hang in there for a good while (and the CW is loathe to cancel shows) but I'm hoping as it moves forward that it finds the funny and finds the dawns because more bleak I can't take.  

"Kung Fu"

Brava, brava, brava.  Not a lot to say here but very good, very contemporary, very enjoyable.  Yes, it is not only a perfect tale for our times but a terrific remake which corrects so many mistakes of the past.  Great cast, great premise, great writing.  Terrific job.