The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh

The show's portrayal of Indian culture feels incredibly simplistic and fails to capture the true essence of modern India. For instance, the image of Indians wearing kurtas in meetings is a glaring stereotype that does not reflect reality. This reliance on outdated representations overlooks the diversity and dynamism of contemporary Indian society.

It would have significantly improved the show if the creators had conducted even basic research into how India is. A little effort could have led to a more authentic depiction, showcasing the nuances of Indian culture rather than resorting to clichés. Authenticity matters in storytelling, as it fosters a deeper connection with the audience and offers a more accurate reflection of the society being portrayed.

Moreover, while the plot has potential, the acting and direction leave much to be desired. The performances often feel flat and lack the depth needed to bring the characters to life. Strong direction is essential for transforming a good script into a compelling narrative, yet here, it seems to be lacking. Moments that should resonate emotionally instead fall flat, which detracts from the overall viewing experience.

Ultimately, the show misses an opportunity to present a richer, more relatable narrative. By relying on stereotypes and neglecting the cultural realities of modern India, it fails to engage viewers meaningfully. A more thoughtful approach, grounded in research and authentic representation, could have made for a much more impactful experience.

No laughs out loud, which is how I judge comedies. But it's an interesting idea and rather fun. Culture shock is usually great comedy.

But the biggest objection I have is that none of the Pittsburgh natives speak Pittsburgese! I caught one "yinz," but the pronunciations are all wrong. I was born Pittsburgh. So it's painfully obvious.

The acting is good, overall, and Vinod is precious. He got smiles. And Naveen Andrews is always good. As I see it, the show just needs better writing. Maybe season 2 will be better, and I do hope it gets another run. I'll try the show again.

But if it's Pittsburgh, and that's in the title, make it Pittsburgh. Don't dance around it. That could be much funnier. And p.s., it should be easy for actors to assume the dialect.

The show felt like a guilty pleasure - entertaining but with average acting. What really disappointed me was the shallow portrayal of Indian culture, especially considering it was directed by an Indian.

I don't mind lighthearted jokes that play with stereotypes, but it missed the mark on traditions. For instance, Rakhi signifies a brother's duty to protect his sister, not the other way around, yet they got that wrong along with many other cultural elements.

On top of that, it rehashed the usual stereotypes about poverty and cleanliness in India without offering anything new or insightful. I had hoped for an accurate and authentic representation of India, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a mix of hits and misses.

This is great, happy to see this. The film Growing Up Smith (also on Prime with Jason Lee from My Name is Earl and Hilarie Burton) helped open doors for this show (and many like it). Houghton was the original creator of Growing Up Smith after living with four gents from India in a small apartment. OIt's crazy, a Growing Up Smith series was actually shopped around H-wood with Alec Baldwin, the series had even been discussed with Lorne Michaels.

But this is a fun show. Fade the haters who won't/don't get it. They'll say "stereotyping", etc. It's based on a TRUE STORY, for goodness sakes. Uh, duh. And it's a strong story about strong people.

Yes, the characters are over the top. That's because this is a comedy and not a documentary. The Indian characters are stereotypical, but so are the American ones. The Mills Family are every single American stereotype wrapped into one family - it's actually impressive that the writers managed it: overly religious, petty, redneck, hunting, etc. - every American stereotype ever, wrapped up in a bushy beard and a bleach-blonde hairdo.

So two stereotypes - Indian and American - living next-door to each other: it was just funny. The youngest Pradeep was adorable, and not at all realistic for any child his age, no matter what country they came from. But it's a tv show and not reality.

It's not perfect, far off from that. But it's definitely pretty funny and good for a Sunday binge.