About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

The animation style isn't really different than King of the Hill, but not to the show's detriment. The Goode Family is another family-centered animated series, so no reason to re-invent the wheel. The characters' faces are more rounded, but the colors and backgrounds are very similar.

Be sure to watch The Goode Family on Comedy Central. You'll find refreshing, thoughtful and funny stories and characters, without lazy pratfalls and easy sight gags.

Pros

• Reputable creative team
• Talented Cast
• Solid storylines
• Well-rounded characters

Cons

• Funny, but not a laugh riot

Description

• Politically correct family trying to stick to their beliefs
• Seasoned cast of voices
• From Mike Judge of King of the Hill

Guide Review - 'The Goode Family' Review

The Goode Family is an animated series from King of the Hill'sMike Judge, along with John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky, also part of the creative team behind King of the Hill. So it's no surprise that many of the qualities that make The Goode Family good TV are the same qualities that kept King of the Hill on the air for 13 years.

First let me say that if you regularly watch cartoons like Family Guy and Robot Chicken, you will need to center yourself and take deep breaths to watch The Goode Family; this is not a show about punchlines and sight gags. The Goode Family easily introduces characters and storylines, but takes its time to build into a solid, meaningful story. In "Pleatherheads," adopted son Ubuntu becomes frustrated that he doesn't fit in with his pottery-throwing family.

But he discovers he has a talent for football, a sport that his passive father suggests he "audition" for. Helen, the matriarch, begs Gerald to keep Ubuntu away from football; we assume because the violence is against her beliefs. However, Ubuntu's team's success brings out the face-painter in Helen, much to everyone's chagrin. The tale continues with the possibility of Ubuntu quitting the team, and finally is resolved in reasonable conclusion.
The Goode Family is about real conflicts that families face, with only slightly exaggerated circumstances and actions. It's solid, good storytelling without irrelevant flashbacks or shocking jokes. But because time is spent on building character and plot points, there aren't as many jokes per minute, like in Family Guy. (My favorite line: "Who knew adoption could have a happy ending?") I can see why ABC was quick to cancel the show, probably expecting more yucks for their bucks.
Part of The Goode Family's failure to stay on ABC is related to how the series was marketed. Sure, making fun of P.C. liberal-leaning granola-crunchers is easy laughs, but then what? If ABC had done a more thorough job of marketing, would-be audiences would have seen more to the characters than the promos revealed. Yes, Ubuntu has a deep, oafish voice; but he has a giant heart and isn't stupid. Gerald is a peaceful vegetarian who drives a hybrid car; but he puts his family's needs first, and stands up for them when he needs to. Helen is at first the most two-dimensional, coming off as a shrew. But she has her own vulnerabilities that make her funny and human. Finally, Bliss isn't the sulky teen she appears to be in promotional images; she's more intelligent and good-natured than I expected. All the characters are more well-rounded than ABC let on.

The talented cast is one of the reasons the characters are relatable. Mike Judge supplies the voice of Gerald, but in a lighter register than Hank Hill's voice. Nancy Carrell has a nice husky quality as Helen, David Herman uses a deeper voice than I've ever heard from him and finally, Linda Cardellini his the perfect intonation for a teen who is wise beyond her years.