Norman Lear always had a knack in creating bonafide hits. While I am grateful for the reboot of one of my favorite sitcoms, "One Day at A Time," has Penelope Alvarez (a divorced mother) living with her overbearing mother, Lydia (Rita Moreno) and her two teenage kids. It's set in Los Angeles, California and not Indianapolis, Indiana. I was glad to see Mackenzie Phillips return to the series. The character Schneider is back as the superintendent and best friend played by Todd Grinnell. Stephen Tobolowsky played Penelope's boss and doctor and Lydia's companion. I haven't seen much of the series only the two episodes from the fourth season. While I am always grateful for a Lear series, it doesn't feel much like one. Penelope is a bit affront about everything. She's no Bonnie Franklin who was much more subdued in the role. I don't know Justina Machado's background. Rita Moreno's Lydia is almost obnoxious and overly annoying at times. I love Moreno but I just wished the writers would take it a step back. Moreno is a larger than life performer who has won every award imaginable. Stephen Tobolowsky is barely used. The kids in the series don't seem well-developed for me. They're just a one-dimensional character to me. What I enjoyed about the original was the reality and the interaction among the cast. I'll keep watching and hoping that it will get better.
Review of One Day at a Time
One Day at a Time
(2017–2020)
Your favorite book is the Chamber of Secrets. Why can't you keep them?
13 October 2020