I am not known for my patience, but I have been a stoically patient lady waiting for the announcement of a Season 2 pickup for USA Network’s comedy, Playing House. I have gotten to a point of impatience where I can no longer stay quiet.
TV hates me.
It must. For the first time in years, a network presents a show that perfectly encapsulates my life, my desires and my TV wants and then after dangling a few episodes of perfection in front of me and likeminded viewers, it withholds the very TV manna that I have come to crave. Of course, I am talking about Playing House on USA Network. How is it that the brightest TV watchers in the world can’t demand one measly half hour of quality TV? TV is a wasteland of vampires, and comic book characters, can’t USA Network cobble out a half hour of great scripted TV? I thought that USA was the perfect home for Playing House; it’s a network that has long supported quirky, funny shows, yet it’s turning its back on viewers by its failure to renew a program that is universally adored. USA can present sexy dramas like Satisfaction and Rush in addition to the funny stuff. I promise it can be done and we’ll still watch it all.
I watch TV for a living and I freely admit that I am amongst the world’s luckiest people. But most of the TV that I watch isn’t stuff that I would watch if it weren’t my job. I would not sit through True Tori if it wasn’t a train wreck that makes for a great story and Dating Naked wouldn’t be on my DVR, but Playing House was a show that both my husband and I genuinely looked forward to watching. The writing is whip-smart, the actors are amongst the brightest on TV and for the first time in a long time, we felt like TV was being made for us. Smart, suburban, well educated people — who enjoy laughing. I don’t know, I thought advertisers would flock wherever groups of thirty something’s eyeballs congregate. We’re prime bait for commercials for family vacations, laundry detergents and tampons. Disney and Proctor and Gamble should be rabidly beating upon the doors at USA to advertise during Playing House.
Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair could be my best friends. When I interviewed them before the premiere of Playing House, the first thing out of Lennon’s mouths was, “Kellie, I just found a thong in the pocket of my jeans and I have no idea how it got there.” I knew we were meant to be friends. They’re like the cool pretty girls that inexplicably still want to hang out with you even though you show up for girl’s night out in sweat pants. In my imaginary world, we’d be a group of friends who sit on a patio drinking wine and laughing like we were straight out of a birth control commercial. You know the one I’m talking about, the one for Yazz.
I don’t think I have ever laughed as much while watching TV as I did during Playing House. And I cried too. And I giggle-cried — although that’s perhaps not exactly right — I did more of a cackle-cry, because if you’ve ever heard me laugh, I sound like a cartoon witch. But I cackle unabashedly when watching Playing House.
So here’s my plea. If you like funny TV, really funny TV, not just “hmm, that was amusing” TV, I’m talking laugh so much you pee just a little TV, then watch Playing House. It’s probably onDemand or online. Watch it. Then tweet about it. Tell your friends about it. Make them watch it. (My friends know that if they don’t watch Playing House, we can no longer be friends.) Then retweet other people’s tweets about it. Especially mine; because why not?
Because we’re fighting a war. But we’re not the Beastie Boys fighting for our right to party; we’re fighting for our right to good TV.
And Playing House is better than good TV, it’s great. And TV fans deserve a second season of greatness.
I have never heard of this show. But now I really want to watch it
These hilarious smart women need to be given a second series, I could hardly wait each week for the next episode, Series 1. Come on make the intelligent choice and give the Series the go ahead already!!!
Renew it…pretty please! Everyone I have recommended watch it has loved it!
My husband (a straight man!) and I loved watching this show every week. This is the perfect comedy. We don’t see much of that these days. DO NOT Let it go.
Dear USA, you are not American, if you do not renew Playing House.
I gave up on this show being renewed a few months ago when they stopped updating their Facebook page. I think, at this point, USA is just too chicken to tell us it’s cancelled. I think an answer either way would be nice but I just don’t see that happening at least not anytime soon.
Laugh out loud comedy!! Great chemistry….this show MUSTTTT be renewed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Playing House.
Fantastic TV.
Is that why it hasn’t been renewed yet?
It’s not mindless drivel?
What if I ask nicely?
Please?
Please renew the show.
Please?
Yes PLEASE – for the love of all that holy!!! What the (string of expletives) is going on at USA??? Renew them already!! How many shows are on TV that can boast and equal number of men & women, gay & straight, young and old as fans. Straight. Up. Fans.
To steal from ESPN
“Come On MAN!!!!!!!!”
Playing House was the most funniest show I’ve ever seen in a long time … I never laugh so hard in my life … We should boycott USA ..
This was my favorite show of last season. Comedy is difficult to do well, and this is pure gold. I’m disappointed in USA that they haven’t yet renewed for season two.
Ugh, THIS. It really upsets me that USA still hasn’t renewed this show. Sure, it may not have huge ratings now but that’s how first season comedies go….you have to give them more time to gain footing. If USA wants to add comedy to their brand, they’ve found it in this show. They just need to give it a chance to grow! (unintentional rhyme) But seriously.
SERIOUSLY! USA, you’re idiots. This is arguably the best show on TV. Second on my list is Mindy Project. Why is it so challenging to find humorous, intelligent shows for women on TV? I hope Jess + Lennon find a good home for them (holler if you also watched their short livedBFF show on NBC!)
USA, are you listening? Please renew Playing House!
PLEASE RENEW PLAYING HOUSE!!!!! For the love God USA Network what the hell is taking so long ?? Some of those other “shows” you immediately signed on to a second season and this gem you leave hanging. I know Playing House made me laugh from start to finish. One of the few shows I looked forward to seeing every week.
Please please please renew this show! It has become my favorite show on TV!!
I have told everyone I know to watch Playing House because it shares company with the great comedy duos of our time like Lucy and Ethel, Laverne and Shirley, et. al. I’ve watched every episode several times and I still laugh (and cry during the last two). I’m not prepared to say goodbye to this best-ever sitcom. USA must renew or Lennon and Jessica need to find another network to embrace their genius.
I love Playing House! I agree with the writer wholeheartedly! Please renew!
You MUST renew “Playing House” USA! It’s the funniest,freshest pairing since “The Odd Couple”These ladies are just getting started. We want to see more‼️
You are sooo right!! I absolutely LOVE this show!! And I don’t laugh at any shows anymore, but this show… It made me laugh again… Was awesome… And real, and raw and makes you crave more!!! PLEASE! Love, love, love it….
This show is excellent. As a man I like smart, beautiful and funny women. And this show has all that in spades. Come on USA network. Do the right thing here. Bring it back.
I wish I could upvote your comment Marion. Part of me thinks that USA doesn’t want to renew Playing House because they think it only appeals to women. I can’t tell you how many men I’ve come across that love the show too.