‘Parenthood’ ratings in trouble

ur help. NBC’s “Parenthood” wrapped up its third season Feb. 28 this year, and is in danger of getting the ax.
The one-hour drama is one of the greats on the dial these days, but is cursed with being on television’s worst network, NBC. It seems impossible for any show, other than maybe “The Voice,” to get solid ratings on the network, and “Parenthood,” despite its greatness, is no different.
The show centers around the Braverman family. “Parenthood” stars Craig T. Nelson, who plays Zeek Braverman, and Bonnie Bedelia who plays Zeek’s wife, Camille Braverman. Zeek and Camille have four children of their own.
They are Adam, played by Peter Krause, Sarah, played by Lauren Graham, Crosby, played by Dax Shepard, and Julia, played by Erika Christensen.
All four of the kids are married and have families of their own. The show follows each branch of the Braverman family tree through the thick and thin of their daily lives.
What makes the show great is how close to real life it is. The struggles on the show are things everyone that watches, all of four of us, can relate to. The show is not filled with happy, go-lucky activity. It captures the real-life pains of family life.
There are fights, disorders, financial problems, a whole lot of infidelity and the grind of being a part of a family.
You fall in love with the characters on the show, you yell at them when they mess up, you’re happy for them when they succeed and as you become enthralled with the show, you start to think you actually are a Braverman.
If you don’t believe me, try watching the show.
This is not writer Jason Katmis’ first experience with a great show and sub-par ratings. Before “Parenthood,” Katmis was the writer of the critically acclaimed NBC drama, “Friday Night Lights.”
Much like “Parenthood,” “FNL” suffered from people not watching the show despite good acting, writing and storylines.
In fact, the only way the show was renewed beyond three seasons was by the saving grace of DirecTV, which offered to air consecutive seasons of the show on its satellite service before each of the 13-episode seasons made its way to NBC.
While it looks as though the ratings from season three of “Parenthood” will be enough to get the show renewed for another year on NBC’s fall schedule, a final decision will not be made until May.
Even if the show is renewed for a fourth season, another lackluster ratings year will all but doom the show. That’s where you come in.
I know everyone out there likes a good drama, and you will find it with “Parenthood.” I promise you won’t be disappointed.
If you want to catch up on the show while no new episodes are airing, the first two seasons of the show can be found on Netflix’s instant streaming and the third season can be seen on Hulu Plus.
During the fall season, new episodes air on Tuesdays at 9 p.m.
All I ask is that you give this show a chance, but I must warn you that you will become addicted.