Living Biblically

Such a promising premise from a rich and subtle book, spoiled with burlesque execution. Producers, please watch "The Good Place" for inspiration on how to treat deep topics in a funny way with believable characters. I so want to love this show as much as I did the book. Give more control to the author, AJ Jacobs. His lines are FUNNY without being cheap. Let me feel what Chip is wrestling with as he decides how to live out a particular scripture. Have faith that this show will draw thoughtful people. I'll be praying for you.

This isn't the worst sitcom I've ever seen (that honour would probably go to the deservedly short-lived "Work It") but it is a pretty generic one-liner-based show. There are moments that may make you smile, but I'm fairly sure you will rarely laugh at the cardboard characters and contrived situations.

This show has been so disappointing. With a refreshingly new plot and a pretty stellar cast, you'd think this would've been a slam-dunk from the beginning, but...no. The dialogue is so forced and predictable it's really hard to watch the actors attempt to make something of the lines without cringing.

The canned laughter is extremely disruptive and unnatural. People say a line, wait for the canned laughter, say another line, etc, etc. The show dynamics would be completely changed if the canned laughter would disappear. I love Jay Ferguson, the lead, & I love AJ Jacobs, the author of the book, but this series needs to be a lot of tweaking. It is annoying and preachy as it is. Surely with such great components, awesome actors, this could be made good. I hope they are able to fix it. Start with that horrible laugh track!!

Unfortunately this show is getting dumped on from all sides. Christians are offended because it makes light of their religion (it doesn't). Anti-religious are annoyed simply because it's about religion. Big Bang Theory haters are annoyed because it's a very similar style of humor produced by and featuring Big Bang alumni.

First off I'll just say that this is NOT a vulgar comedy, at all. At least the first episode (which is all I've seen). This isn't 2 Broke Girls... this isn't even BBT-level crassness. If anything it's almost wholesome, a 90's broadcast sitcom throwback.

Judging by the pilot alone: It is very simple "canned-laughter" style sitcom that seems to be starting slow while laying the foundation of it's promising premise.

If you like standard sitcom-style humor, and aren't offended by the mere presence of religion in a comedy I'd say give this one a try. If you're a devout, easily offended Christian and/or hater of canned laughter... I'd say give this one a miss.

Personally? I want to see which direction they go once they get up to speed with the story. Until then I'm not ready to jump off.