Run the Burbs (2022– ) User Reviews

Fun show to watch

[dg135 · 6/10 · 25 February 2022]

It's a fun show to watch. The characters are likeable. The opening montage, from the first episode, of carrying the groceries from the car to the house was hilarious -- very good physical comedy.

I do feel it's missing some tension. Everything just seems okay. The characters are all charismatic and a bit zany without any actual problems. There's no plain anchor character for us to relate to and experience the zaniness with. So that does make it tough to embrace it and leaves the stories a bit flat.

First episode was ok

[iamoilers · 5/10 · 9 January 2022]

Really only checked this out because the guy from Kim's Convenience is in it. Casting is decent but I think they need to recast the daughter in the show. Her acting seems weak even for this show. Humour was ok but didn't laugh out loud to anything. Will give it another shot by watching episode 2. Maybe things get better and I'm wrong about certain casting.

I watched "Run The Burbs"

[ekwatson_ · 7/10 · 13 August 2023]

So I streamed the first two episodes of "Run the Burbs" on The CW. It was pretty decent.

The show presents a unique perspective on modern family dynamics. The Phams, a Vietnamese family, redefine suburban life through community, humor, and togetherness. As leaders of local events and cul-de-sac heartthrobs, they tackle challenges with a strong bond.

Although the humor can be hit or miss, I didn't find it as engaging as Son of a Critch, another CW comedy show from the Great North. Additionally, some of the characters and situations the family (or "Phamily," I should say) gets into bother me sometimes.

However, I am still intrigued enough to give another episode a chance. The suburban escapades of the Phams may ultimately hit their stride and win over many American "Phamilies."

EKRating: 🙂 (It's Alright)

Unfunny Sham Diversity

[bizonmoose · 3/10 · 8 January 2022]

Very often when we talk about diversity and inclusion, it's assumed that if roles are to be taken up by people of color then we're on the right track. However, there's one key component that's missing even if there's a multi-racial/ethnic/gender cast i.e. Telling their stories and appreciating the complexity behind such narratives.

'Run the Burbs' has a diverse cast but the story lines are very Euro-Canadian and wholly incoherent. As for the first episode, the only thing diverse apart from the cast is the South Asian food item of somosa. Both Rakhee and Andrew are decent and talented actors. However, the lines lack comedic feel and the first episode fails to convey the crux of the series.

Previous CBC productions like 'Kim's Convenience' and 'Little Mosque in the Prairie' had their fair share of flaws and deserves a lot of criticism. Having said that, both series' were able to narrate a tale of the non-European ethnic group in concern and the recurring roles revolved around them. For an example, in Little Mosque, Fred the radio host was funny and complemented the main story very well illustrating the interactions he had with the main characters and vice-versa. Similar trends were seen With Kim's, characters like Gerald, Shannon, and Kimchee. Telling stories about Korean-Canadians and Muslim-Canadians as the central theme was key to their success.

In conclusion, the CBC should stop lumping all 'known' identities into a show for the sake of 'diversity and inclusion'. A serious attempt to any diversity and inclusion would be to allow members of different groups to speak about their experiences through these shows without sanitizing it to make it look that everything in Canada is hunky dory. Since Andrew is one of the co-creators, it would be a positive step to delve a little bit deeper into the origins of each character and how the past influences the present. The show shouldn't be about how 'Canadian' they are or how well they are 'integrated' into society. Showing the complexities and contradictions is a right step forward as opposed to some faux diversity that Trudeau likes to exude.

Wasn't impressed with first episode, but by episode 4 it's not bad

[stud_meister_footlong · 8/10 · 17 February 2022]

The first episode sort of just left me meh. But gave episode 2 a chance, and as the various characters started to build, each episode became more interesting. The first episode just tried ramming all the various characters in your face, and just felt like a bad SNL skit, but as the episodes progressed started to see the various layers of the characters showing up.

It's not a perfect series yet, but I am more interested now to see how each episode will turn out and willing to give the series a shot.

From a performance standpoint, I think the widowed grandfather is pretty cool. I was a bit skeptical with the wife and the daughter but they both have good enough to handle the range. It will be interesting as the season progresses on the changes that can be expected in these 2 characters.

In all, the laughs aren't like rofl, but there are some pretty good chuckles but it's more to see the how the family grows through the series.

Cultural Diversity

[missjst-64302 · 6/10 · 4 February 2024]

I feel this is an entertaining television show. I don't understand why there are so many negative reviews. The show lets us see different cultures that co-exist in our world. It's nice how they share their different cultures. The show let us see we all are basically the same. Also the various age groups at their points in life are entertaining and relatable. I enjoyed the episode where the Father-In-Law re-evaluated his feelings on his granddaughter being queer.

Television shows here in Sacramento CA are white-washed. We rely on streaming services in order to see ourselves in movies and TV series.

Not terribly funny

[sdowen-59793 · 4/10 · 13 January 2022]

CBC is in such a huge rush to replace Kim's Convenience. They keep creating diverse comedies with weak writing & weak casting. It took two years to write, develop & cast Kim's Convenience.

They missed an opportunity to make a much better show. Moving from Toronto to the suburbs is a huge adjustment for people living the DT Toronto lifestyle.

There was plenty of humour that can be found in transitioning from city life.

They need to spend more time casting & finding better comedy writers. The show requires a solid adversary for Phung.

Conflict drives the comedy. This show is so obsessed with trying to portray a conflict-free idealized diversified world; it fails to deliver any laughs.

There are too many one dimensional characters who do nothing to drive the comedy.

I like Andrew Phung. Run the Burbs is not very funny. It's a huge miss.

Binged it too fast!

[pjabari · 10/10 · 1 February 2024]

Saw a clip of this show on instagram and decided to check it out on hulu. My roomate joined in and we binged two seasons of this show in a few days. It's so relatable and honestly just cool to see a mixed family on tv but it's not a show about just being mixed. It's about them just living life. Not every show has to be about deep dark problems and this is just feel good tv. You fall in love with Andrew and Camille but all the characters are great and as the show goes on you see more and more of them. I was a fan of Andrew when he was on Kims Convenience and didn't even know he had a new show. The show really figures itself out part way through the first season and the second season is just amazing to watch.

Its easy to watch television that just makes you happy to watch. It also blends the familys culture in really well. We both grew up in the suburbs and everyone feels like someone we know from growing up. We finished both seasons and found out there is a third one but not sure when it's coming. Hulu, we need season three now!

Lame!

[jaydoo · 3/10 · 8 January 2022]

Not funny. The one thing Kim's Convenience could always be relied on to provide was "funny". Last season's new series starring a former KC actress as a pet rescue manager was also lame.

Where is the writing talent? Perhaps everyone is busy working on Letter Kenny.

Real enjoying this new comedy, lots of funny-ness

[bluemanmtl · 10/10 · 18 January 2022]

I am surprised @ the low rating this show has received here, i really like it, the characters are funny and have depth, lots of potential for a great show, its one of my new favourite comedies it gets 9 stars!!!

Trying too hard to be good, no redeeming value

[qemrucqs · 1/10 · 14 January 2022]

There's been some great Canadian shows recently and I was hopeful this would shine as another one. Unfortunately there's really no redeeming value in it. The cringey over-acting, the lame plot lines, the effort to hit every current social issue in the first episode or two. Can't see this one getting renewed.

Dissapointed

[apots-84718 · 2/10 · 28 January 2022]

I had high hopes for this show being a big fan of Kim's and especially Kimchee but after 2 episodes I'm no longer interested.

I have to agree with the previous comments about how the acting is over the top. Seems like they are trying way to hard. Overacting IMO.

Its starts slow but gets much better

[arctusxz · 8/10 · 21 January 2023]

Run the Burbs is an interesting take on the hyphenated Canadian experience. It is unique in a way this focusses not just on the fact the co-leads are both culturally different but the tiny quirks that each of them have and has a lot of nuance. It is a sitcom. They are not stereotypes of specific ethnicities which was such a relief to see. They are an amalgamation of their cultures which is a beautiful thing in itself. I am glad that they show an intercultural family as happy and not as full of strife and only buffoonery for the sake of the audience.

I annoyed to see some of the reviews here. I felt like they didn't quite understand the show but realised it their own experience and it is valid. I am just happy to see people just having fun and a good time instead fighting against racism or colorism or some heavy topic. There is a time and a place for those things. I hope they provide a comedic and nuanced take on these things a bit later. The writing can be dull in the first few episodes and it is funny to see some white characters as one-note caricatures but brings the writing a bit down at times.

It is entertaining!

CBC Give me my tax dollars back!!

[JBender365 · 1/10 · 7 January 2022]

If that's how you're going to spend them, on this garbage, please can I have my money back?

Terrible acting. Terrible writing. Awful Casting.

And you can tell that nobody is watching based on the number of people who rated it on IMDB.

Every character is trying to "act the Sh## out of it". They're all one note and over the top.

Sad that this is what CBC is releasing. They used to be so much better than this.

Maybe well-made representation frustrates people?

[antoinenguyen · 10/10 · 21 January 2022]

I don't get the low ratings. The show is well written and cleverly uses popular culture to form some solid comedy.

In response to the comments comparing the show to Kim's Convenience, please keep in mind that Jean Yoon, while playing Umma, was not satisfied with the portrayal of her character. She was disappointed that Kim's Convenience's screenwriters did not consider her ideas and comments when asking to improve the Korean representation of the show's characters. The representation in Run the Burbs is well done, and Andrew Phung is even more hilarious as a Vietnamese father than a Korean. The characters are relatable, and each character has their colours and personality. Their differences and ethnic background are embraced in a sensitive and humorous manner. I find the representation in this show even better than Kim's Convenience. This show was made for Andrew, and he wrote the dialogue brilliantly. He should be proud of the beautiful Vietnamese-Canadian representation he brings to the small screen. I am delighted to have heard the first "troi oi" of Canadian national television history.

Can't carry the show with just Pham

[xichigoichie · 2/10 · 16 January 2022]

Pham is funny, but the others seem annoying and pointless. The kids to the neighbours, no one is memorable. The daughter is annoying. Hard to carry on from Kim's Convenience. As the characters don't have chemistry.

Love it so far

[kzzxjq · 10/10 · 15 January 2022]

Love Canadian content and especially when it is Kimchee from Kim's Convenience...pretty good so far and enjoying it. Love how Kardinal is in the first episode,

Back to the old drawing board

[getbacks · 4/10 · 29 January 2022]

Had high hopes for this show after noting the disastrous CBC "Strays".

Episode 1 greeted me with over acting, weak script and the irritating characters which is not good to it being largely from the Pham family.

And it hasn't gotten any better.

It does check some boxes: ✅ Diversity ✅Less white people (a triumph for some people) ✅Homosexuality Can a show succeed while pushing an agenda? Likely.

But it's the writing and the direction to over react to every day situations that's pulls this show down.

Kim's Convenience wasn't just good, it was excellent and realistic. People could relate. It also touched many times of the Korean culture.

It also appeared to not be worried of having an agenda but just being funny and at times educational.

I may work my way back to Run the Burbs and give it a second look....but it needs help.

Unfunny, preposterous and just plain dumb!

[backofthevan · 1/10 · 23 January 2022]

Even though there's an attempt at diversity in the casting (and that's good), any of these parts could be played by white actors and there'd be no difference. I mean the actors might be Asian, Black, Indigenous, but there is nothing to highlight their cultures as part of the characters in the show. CBC casting has thrown every politically correct description into the casting but none of it is reflected in the storyline. I hope that makes sense. I have no problem with casting non-white actors (it's about time) but something other than their appearance should tell me they aren't just Mr. And Mrs. White.

Apart from that, the plot, if you can call it that, was ridiculous and OTT, as was the acting. I gave this show a shot as I had at times enjoyed Kim's Convenience and thought perhaps the CBC was continuing to improve its comedy output. I haven't massively enjoyed anything allegedly comedic on the CBC -- apart from the stonkingly wonderful Schitt's Creek -- since Codco, so I've long looked forward to something entertaining and original. Run the Burbs ain't it. Another dumb, silly, preposterous and annoying sitcom that nobody needs and is a waste of money. Once again, if this is the best CBC can come up with they aren't trying nearly hard enough.

I suspect the high ratings are from cast and crew members or their mothers trying to support the unsupportable.

Another Great Canadian Sitcom!

[votedavepurdy · 8/10 · 21 January 2022]

From the look of the houses to the realistic feel of a Toronto family, this show is more relatable than the average sitcom. While each episode gets funnier, you'll care about the characters within the first 3 minutes. Another CBC hit and great work by Andrew Phung.

Waste of time, dont bother

[Richard24156 · 3/10 · 28 January 2022]

CBC needed to fill some quota i guess. Just sad, so sad. The acting looks and sounds fake. It does not feel professional to me. Must be because of covid.

Such a fun show

[tashachin · 10/10 · 20 April 2022]

This is such a fun show. Love all the character and the stories are so silly and have so much heart. It's so nice seeing a loving family on TV. Everyone is so well cast and the I love the parents and neighbours.

Horrible Writing and Directing

[nixflixnpix · 1/10 · 2 February 2022]

Annoying. All of it. Too Canadian. Writing is bad. Acting is worse. Makes other Canadian straight-to-streamers look better.

Waste of time and money and effort.

cute family comedy

[wnrhdqr · 10/10 · 20 January 2022]

Family sitcom with lots of representation!! Lovable characters, funny writing and good acting. The writers and creators of Kim's convenience showed they are capable of creating another top notch comedy. I hope it gets more seasons. I highly recommend.

awful

[ameekim269 · 1/10 · 8 March 2022]

Couldn't even get past the first episode. Its like they are trying to be funny but failing. It comes off cheesy. I was really hoping to like this show but another fail comedy , i feel horrible for even calling it a comedy because its utter torture.