Raising Hope (2010–2014) User Reviews

Underrated Brilliance Cut Short

[jsucie · 9/10 · 30 June 2021]

My Name Is Earl-verse continues with this brilliant warm-hearted show about a family dealing with the unexpected challenge of an unplanned baby that comes into their lives. You will see many callbacks and similarities to past shows combined into 4 seasons of good-natured hilarity.

The cast is terrific with leads Lucas Neff (Jimmy) and Shannon Woodward (Sabrina) being the will they won't they couple. Martha Plimpton (Virginia) and Garret Dillahunt (Burt) as the young simple uneducated parents to Lucas' Jimmy Chance character. We get flashbacks showing Burt and Virginia's early life raising a young Jimmy and the mistakes teenage parents make.

A shout-out needs to go to the late Cloris Leachman who played Maw Maw; the grandmother who raised Virginia as her own daughter but who now suffers from the onset of dementia. She plays this character with pure joy and hilarity with many of the shows comedic moments coming from her. I will say I'm sure the ridiculous Cancel Culture would come for this show over some whiny "my feeling are hurt on behalf of those suffering from dementia" garbage if this show was made today.

This, like My Name is Earl, was a show cut too soon from TV-land and was never able to fully conclude the way it should have in 3 or 4 more seasons. As long as it is able to will be put in my rotating lineup of comedy shows that I run through.

Totally Surprised

[janine0912 · 8/10 · 29 September 2010]

I have to be completely honest...i didn't want to invest any more of my precious time watching another boring sitcom.. Was i surprised! The premise though a bit far fetched, ala the serial killer mother who is executed... and someone actually naming their child "Princess Beyonce" I was absolutely entertained. The writing is fun and imaginative, the characters are complex and real at the same time. I can bet we have all known one family in our neighborhood just like this. Dysfunctional and slightly psychotic and yet like a train wreck you cant look away. The actors are delightful and i find myself quoting lines the next day to my kids and husband. Oh god I'm dysfunctional and psychotic....oh well :-)

Comic Veneer, Heart of Gold

[moonandstarf · 9/10 · 13 October 2010]

Just brilliant! I rarely laugh out loud at my flat screen but it usually is happening Tuesday evening during Raising Hope. This is largely due to the acting ensemble which is one of the best on the air: most of these veterans come from Steppenwolf, theater extraordinaire, and it shows. Their timing, grasp of character and ability to engage audience enhance and grow with each episode. The writing is edgy, sharp and tight especially considering the half-hour venue. Although the laughs and comic commentary about the nature of family may dominate, what really makes this show for me is the homage to love and nurturing that is buried inside. Despite losing babies, bathing babies once a week, bouncing babies, and general cluelessness about raising Hope, this sit-com speaks volumes about the importance of family, friends and resiliency.

A gem of a comedy!

[cadetgray · 10/10 · 27 September 2010]

The writers of Raising Hope must have lived in or visited South Carolina, because the characters are not too far off from the folks one would encounter at the local Wal-Mart in these parts. In terms of wit and timing, this show is dead on. The characters may seem pathetic upon first view, but by the end of the episode one is witness to the depth of their humanity. This is the first of the new shows that is on my static viewing schedule.

Cloris Leachman has a surprising role for such a legacy actor, but that is what makes the show brilliant. Her appearances are like the exclamation point in a sentence...though her appearance is brief, it is what elevates the scene from a smile to a laugh out loud. Looking forward to the next episode.

Bring it back! Please!!

[micah-39739 · 10/10 · 20 April 2020]

The funniest show I have ever seen. I am so sad there aren't new episodes. I no joke laugh at every episode and love every character. It's perfect. All of it. Feeling down? Watch this and you will be in a better place.

Please bring it back

I Finally Found a Show I look Forward to Watching

[bridget-862-764287 · 10/10 · 4 October 2010]

I have to admit, from the previews, I wasn't planning on watching this show. I was simply setting up my DVR to record another Fox show and figured, why not record this one too since I have been a fan of Martha Plimpton since the Goonies. I am so glad I did.

I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!! The show is hilarious. I go from laughing out loud, thinking, "I can't believe they did that" to feeling warm and fuzzy. Garret Dillahunt is absolutely hilarious, Lucas Neff is adorable, and I love watching Martha Plimpton's character capture both a roughness and sweetness at the same time. She is brilliant. I find myself watching the episodes twice and laughing out loud each time. Looks like a great show and I hope it continues to stay as funny as the first two episodes have been.

No laugh track, and I never noticed!

[deanbean317 · 10/10 · 31 December 2020]

The reason I didn't notice is that I was too busy laughing...out loud...A LOT! There is not a sour note or a bad performance in the all too short four season run of this gem. Garret Dillahunt, usually cast as the resident baddie, is fantastic as the patriarch of the Chance family, even managing to one up Brian Cranston from Malcolm In The Middle, and that's no easy feat! Watch it... YOU'LL LOVE IT!

Great

[Bronco46 · 10/10 · 22 September 2010]

First really smart, funny, well written, and performed comedy in years. As the story progressed it just stayed funny and they didn't have to rely on off color jokes or language. Martha Plimpton (Virginia) is Lucas Neff's (Jimmy) mother. She was apparently very young when he was born because both she and his father seem to be in there late 30's and Jimmy is 23. They live with Virginia's great grandmother maw maw (Cloris Leachman) who is demented, but has lucid moments. Jimmy, his father Burt (Garret Dillahunt), and his cousin have a lawn care business that they try to keep going in spite of lack of ability. Jimmy accidentally saves a young girl charged with murder from arrest, his family catches on, and she's arrested. But after she's convicted and sentenced to death; we find out she's pregnant. After his daughter is born, he brings her home in a prison onesy. His family tries to convince him he should leave the baby at the fire house, but he is determined to raise the little girl. Her mother gave her a rather unusual name (Princess Beyonce), as the pilot finishes her new name is decided on: Hope. This looks like a fresh, and funny new show. Highly recommended.

Raising Hope raises hope for television

[reneweddan · 10/10 · 25 October 2010]

Many series have ceased to exist, most running their course and production ending, but Raising Hope brings new potential.

The shows currently alive on my list are Modern Family, House, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Raising Hope.

The story is about raising a child in a dysfunctional family with little money to spare. Although parallels can be made with My Name is Earl (namely the same creator), I find them to be completely different. This series seems to be fresh, more modern, without the accents as well.

The comedy is hilarious, the dialog is inventive, and the show is enjoyable. I suppose I'd call this the opposite of Modern Family, seeing as how everyone in Modern Family is extremely wealthy, this show depicts the lives of an impoverished family, but with the humor abundant.

This isn't a long series, 21 minutes an episode or 30 minutes on television, give the pilot a chance, you will enjoy it!

It's going to be really funny.

[xskateboardxkidx · 11 August 2010]

I got a chance to see the pilot of Raising Hope, which was originally called Keep Hope Alive, and I loved it. I was laughing pretty hard at pretty much the entire show. Most of the things that were going on during the program were things I haven't seen before on a cable television show. It is very original and has a lot of visual comedy also some very funny dialogue. The characters go together well and the acting is very believable. If you liked My Name Is Earl(RIP) then you are going to love Greg Garcia's newest creation! Raising Hope gives you almost the same feeling as My Name Is Earl when you watch it but it's definitely not going to be the exact same show. It's on Fox premiering September 21, 2010. I can't wait to watch it again and see other episodes!

Started great, later boring

[TheKomer · 6/10 · 12 May 2020]

As a lot of shows, it started great. I gave it 8*. Later down the road, it got boring and kringey so I decided to quit.

A really funny show in making ...

[atkhan-1 · 10/10 · 22 September 2010]

I happened to catch 'raising hope' by accident. I was expecting just another mindless sitcom with over-dubbed laughs ... but i got to say ... surprised..

First of all not a lot of shows are shown these days which had teenage parents raising their child, considering the fact a huge amount of teenagers go through with it. may be society wants to keep this hidden or some doesn't find the idea of an idiot teenager raising kid funny. i still think its a good move because all parents are near-idiots there first time.

Secondly this show has just the right combination of elements of sincere family sarcasm (like modern family) and totally insane hilarious situations (like how i met your mother).

Since i have only seen the pilot, i can guess the upcoming episodes would be extremely funny if the writers did well or FOX didn't cancel it for being such a ratings whore.

Funny but a bit gross.

[Shopaholic35 · 7/10 · 2 August 2014]

Raising Hope is like My Name Is Earl's weird bogan cousin. Still incredibly funny but not quite as good. It would make sense that the comedy style and idea are very similar as they are both from the same creator.

Initially I thought the episodes were hilarious but as I progressed I realised that the characters were not as charming or endearing. They are extremely rough around the edges and pretty gross. I still can't help but laugh though.

One of my favourite parts of the show is seeing the actor crossovers from My Name Is Earl. It's nice to see familiar faces take on a new role. I also really enjoy the family dynamic of the Chance family. When it counts they are there for each other. It's nice.

Overall Raising Hope is a funny show that has a few blah moments but is mostly successful.

Huge disappointment

[KathrynBrooks1 · 1/10 · 19 March 2012]

As a fan of My Name is Earl, I expected to enjoy this show. Instead, I was let down, with vomit "humor", poor acting and predictable dialogue. The "in your face" comedy, such as incessantly referring to the baby as "it" and repeated suggestions to drop off the baby at the fire station were insulting to anyone's intelligence. Cloris Leachman has sadly lowered herself by appearing in this show and by playing a stereotype. The main character, Hope's father, seems incredibly uncomfortable with his lines. I only watched the pilot. If I can stomach another episode, I may be able to find some redeeming qualities, but as of now, I am not a fan.

Literally cried I laughed so hard. Ridiculously extraordinary.

[philohooke · 10/10 · 6 October 2010]

Literally cried I laughed so hard. Ridiculously extraordinary. My daughter came home from college and we watched this together at her suggestion. If I ever make the effort to actually sit in front of the TV, I will surrender to watch John Stewart, Steven Colbert,Cash Cab,Curb Your Enthusiasm, or Flight of the Conchords. That is it. I usually do this to make an effort at participating with other family members. I must admit though, these shows are good and I do enjoy them. The rest of TV is an insulting bore. I know that sounds harsh but it is the truth. Raising Hope is hysterical. I actually searched the internet for more episodes last night when I could not sleep. Almost worth purchasing that absurdly large flat screen for. Bravo!

Gregory Thomas Garcia ROCKS!

[zaenkney · 10/10 · 6 October 2010]

My daddy always told my brother he better never pick up a girl when he was using the van because that was just a recipe for trouble! Jimmy (Lucas Neff) is compelled to give a lift to a young lady who seems to be running for her life from an angry man. She then shows him her gratitude for saving her and goes home to meet the family. The family – I would call this a contemporary 'Clampett Family', even down to the car Jimmy remembers riding in during his formative years with a 'pavement view' in lieu of a sunroof. His mom and dad, even Maw Maw (Cloris Leachman), are very impressed with his new girlfriend, at least for a short time. Many months later, Jimmy is a single parent in a singular environment and this is where the fun begins.

Garret Dillahunt and Martha Plimpton are outstanding as Jimmy's parents, Burt and Virginia. Dillahunt has grossly deviated from his usual bad guy role into comedy and he is hilarious. Martha Plimpton has already proved she can do anything. In this series the baby's potential comes under suspicion with comments regarding her 'hermeditary' evilness, and her species when Maw Maw hollers, "Get that dog off my couch!" At this house, Maw Maw's lucidity is a curse, but don't worry, it only comes in short bursts. This show is an unexpected and riotous treat. 10/06/2010

Quirky but funny

[chiguy17 · 8/10 · 26 May 2019]

It may not be the smartest written comedy, and it probably helps that I began watching it as early morning reruns, but there's something very endearing about the quirky characters. It's definitely goofy, but it's also quite funny. It definitely doesn't take itself too seriously.

Martha Plimpton and Garret Dillahunt in particular do fantastic jobs. Some actors, while talented, don't have much range, but Martha and Garret both do a great job of creating characters vastly different from their other projects. I've seen Garret in a few other films and TV shows since where he's played the villain, and had I not seen him as "Burt" first, I would probably think differently about him - as many lesser known (or less versatile) actors are cast because their personalities have a certain similarity to that of the character. There's a reason for type casting.

If you like "My name is Earl" you'll love this one

[marco-30-384328 · 10/10 · 30 June 2012]

I was very sad when the show "My name is Earl" was canceled. So first I didn't want to know anything about a new show from the creator of Earl. But then I gave this show a chance. I remember that it took me like 2 or 3 episodes until I really loved the show "My name is earl", but it took me only one episode to love "Raising Hope" It is not only nice to meet some of the characters of "My name is Earl" again, it is the whole atmosphere equally to Earl that Garcia managed to capture on Film and transfered into his new show. It is the daily life of average American people with all its surprises and defects that make this show outstanding. You feel that you become a member of this family right after the first episode and just want to see more of their life. If you want to call this show a replacement of "My name is Earl", it really earned this honor. I just hope that this show will stay on air for another 3-4 seasons.

One of the best comedic shows out there!

[emilycervanyes · 10/10 · 29 June 2022]

I've watched the show many times it's just that good! During my breakup I couldn't stand watching any of my regular comedic shows but something about raising hope got me through it. I was able to eat and sleep again. This show is perfect for everyone to watch and the comedic timing is perfect. A must watch!

Easygoing Comfort Watching

[LNABRIE · 10/10 · 13 July 2022]

Just come back to this again after watching the first 2 series when they first aired, and I still truly adore this show.

Loveable, stupid, and hapless characters with complete insanity in every episode. If you take things seriously and have set expectations then you'll probably not like this, but if you just want something that's easy to watch and laugh at then, you'll be hard pushed not to enjoy this even a little bit.

I'd pitch this as similar to something like Schitt's Creek, where the enjoyment comes from falling in love with the characters and just enjoying seeing where it goes.

So good and one I know I'll come back to again and again.

a family

[Kirpianuscus · 19 July 2018]

...in its best traits. a provocative film. surprising episode by episode. proposing the right chemistry between characters, a not comfortable humor and a sort oof impecable architecture, from Lucas Neff to Cloris Leachman. sure, it could be defined eccentric and vulgar and bizarre. but its proposition is so simple - the liffe style of an ordinary family, out of each form of " make - up".

it gets difficult the more you see it

[angelorwez · 6/10 · 20 May 2022]

It's kinda original...the premise not so much...the execution is what i feel is different...new...

every character is perfect...a little over-acting...almost every character falls to this...

it's not bad at all...it's just...i feel like a few episodes later...you don't want to keep watching...but it's okay...

maybe don't expect much...you might enjoy it...

A show that needs to stay

[tiney-derabbie · 10/10 · 3 December 2010]

I love television shows and I watch every show at least till the third episode to give it a chance. I was not sure what to expect for this show and had never heard anything about it previously to pressing play for the pilot episode. After about five minutes, I was hooked. That day i watched all 7 episodes i had missed and never miss it during the week since.

The family drew me to this show the most. Yes a dysfunctional family but very loving and in both these respects it showed a regular family which is much needed on television shows these days.

This show needs to continue and get more publicity.

I especially enjoyed Burt's very ironic comment in the last episode that "shows about babies never last longer than a year." Lets prove him wrong.

Shannon Woodward wrecked it

[harisch · 7/10 · 29 December 2016]

the show is good(not brilliant). most of the characters are good. Shannon Woodward or her character was useless. She is like a fake third wheel and this show frequently tries to use that wheel to move itself. the character is badly written the actor is no gem. She makes the character more blunt with her very limited style of acting(exact opposite of J. K. Simmons acting) this show does not need her. She's like a bad commercial break. you just forward the flow of episode till she disappears from the screen. no thanks to this idiot, I stopped watching this show after s1e21. don't waste your time watching this show. instead watch My Name is Earl ,Modern Family, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia or The Middle

raising hope sucks!!!!

[fatkidwithnoswag · 1/10 · 19 July 2016]

I rated this a one out of ten because this show is straight garbage!! The stuff that they try to make funny in this show isn't even funny in fact I laugh at it because how sad and poorly this show was put together. Another reason why this show is horrible is because every day when my sister wakes up she plops herself down on the couch and watches at least three hours of this, and that's just the beginning. On average she watches about seven hours of raising hope each day!!!! On Netflix she has been through all 88 episodes twice in about two weeks. Raising hope is more that definitely taking over her life. When she is watching the show her eyes are ten inches deep into the TV screen. This is absolutely crazy!