Normal, Ohio

I just watched the first episode of "Normal Ohio" and yes it's different but it has some potential for success. It's simple John Goodman plays a gay man who returns home to Normal, Ohio from Los Angeles to take up home with his strict family especially his parents. Goodman also makes good with his son he left behind when he told his wife he was gay, now papa must be proud to have a son going off to medical school. And Joely Fisher stars as Goodman's sexy sister who's a single mother who lightens things up for John. Sure I know a beefy, beer drinking football-loving Midwestern man doesn't fit the profile or look of a homosexual but I'm glad the producers made it this way to show that many people can have a lifestyle that fool the norm. It yet remains to be seen whether or not FOX has a surprise hit or just another ordinary show. Only time will tell.

I loved this show! How wonderful it is to finally see a program on television that features a gay male character in the lead(!) that isn't a stereotype. In fact, he breaks all stereotypes. John Goodman plays William "Butch" Gamble, a tough, macho, masculine guy who also happens to be gay. He stands up for himself when verbally attacked and he likes football too. When is the last time a gay character on television or in the movies had all of those qualities?

I knew it would be a good show simply because everything John Goodman does is a showcase for his amazing talent and natural style of acting. His character in "Normal, Ohio" brought to mind the characters he played in "Roseanne" and "Coyote, Ugly," but this time he is the central focus.

The main point I want to make is that I have worked in network programming for years and I know how hard it is to get a show on the air. In fact, I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for this show's producers to even make this show at all. When critics say "Normal, Ohio" isn't as good as other programs, those critics do not realize that a few years ago, a show with a gay male character in the lead would never have been on TV at all.

It doesn't matter if you're gay, straight, bi or whatever - everyone should support this program and watch it. Let's not forget the way America jeered Margaret Cho's sitcom "All American Girl," which should have been praised for its wonderful portrayal of an Asian family. Hopefully, "Normal, Ohio" will find an audience before it's too late.

I am so excited that this show is getting watched. I am thrilled that it breaks down the stereotypes of gay people. Hollywood does tend to glamorize gay people and pigeonhole the entire community. This show gives people a different take on the all too utopian Will and Grace. I personally like how Butch has to put up with fear and ignorance in the episodes. There are a lot of gay people who aren't affluent New Yorkers who deserve a role model. Too many times the gay community sells out. This show may not be high art, but it caters to those who have a taste for realistic characters.

If you haven't seen it yet, please take time out of your schedule to see an extremely gifted actor play the new American Hero. Thank you Fox for taking a chance on a risky show. Thanks Mr. Goodman for being there.

I watched the show pretty regularly until it's recent cancellation. While there were funny bits here and there (mostly in the early episodes), most of the show was loud, crass & way too broadly acted, in the usual Fox Network style. The two parents - played by Orson Bean and Anita Gillette - were particularly tiresome.

The idea of having a non-urban, average-guy gay man as the central character is terrific. But this show had too many characters to juggle; some of the more interesting ones (the ex-wife, the son) had too little to do, while I could've done with less of the sister and the parents.

Given how bad most of the new network comedy shows have been over the last few seasons, I was really hoping this one would be the exception.

I've watched this show and I can only say one thing: great!.I knew this show would be good because John Goodman is the star.This show once again proves the immense talent of Mr. Goodman.I've been a huge fan of his since his excellent performance in The Babe.Anything he's in is great,though,so...This show could run a long time if everyone found time to watch it.I agree that it doesn't showcase the usual gay stereotypes found in other shows.Once again,great show.