Guys with Kids
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Guys with Kids promo.jpg
| caption = Promotional image for Guys with Kids
| genre = Sitcom
| creator = {{Plain list|
- Jimmy Fallon
- Charlie Grandy
- Amy Ozols
}}
| starring = {{Plain list|
}}
| theme_music_composer = {{Plain list|
- Amy Miles
- Michael Robertson
}}
| opentheme =
| endtheme =
| composer = John MacDonald
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 17
| executive_producer = {{Plain list|
- Jimmy Fallon
- Charlie Grandy
- Amy Ozols
- Rick Weiner
- Kenny Schwartz
}}
| camera = Multi-camera
| runtime = 22 minutes
| company = {{Plain list|
- Holiday Road
- Charlie Grandy Productions
- Universal Television
- Open 4 Business Productions
}}
| network = NBC
| first_aired = {{Start date|2012|09|12}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2013|2|27}}
}}
Guys with Kids is an American sitcom television series that aired on NBC, from September 11, 2012, to February 27, 2013, as part of the 2012–13 television schedule. The series was created by Jimmy Fallon and Charlie Grandy and starred Anthony Anderson, Jesse Bradford, Zach Cregger, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Erinn Hayes, and Tempestt Bledsoe. The series chronicles the lives of three friends, and their respective partners, as they raise their children in a modern environment.{{cite web |title=Review: NBC's new comedy 'Guys With Kids' dumbs daddy down |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-xpm-2012-sep-25-la-et-st-guys-with-kids-20120926-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times|first=Mary|last=McNamara|access-date=November 23, 2021 |date=September 25, 2012}}
Guys with Kids also aired on Global as part of the 2012–13 Canadian network television schedule.
Guys with Kids also aired on Comedy Central India.
Cast
=Main cast=
- Anthony Anderson as Gary, father of Yoda, Clark, and twin boys, Robbie and GJ (Gary Jr.).
- Jesse Bradford as Chris Campbell, father to Ernie
- Zach Cregger as Nick Theyer, father to Violet and Freddie
- Tempestt Bledsoe as Marny, wife of Gary
- Erinn Hayes as Sheila, divorced from Chris
- Jamie-Lynn Sigler as Emily Theyer, wife of Nick
=Children=
- Brian Mganga as Clark
- Marleik Walker II as Yoda
- Mykayla Sohn as Violet
=Recurring cast=
Cast members appearing in at least two episodes include:{{IMDb title|2281583}}. {{retrieved |accessdate=2013-05-17}}
- Brian Posehn as Victor, the apartment building's maintenance man
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as himself
- Fiona Gubelmann as Sage, Chris's girlfriend prior to his relationship with Shelia
- Mark Consuelos as Andy, Ernie's nanny
Development and production
NBC placed a 13-episode order in May 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nbc-series-orders-jimmy-fallon-322608|title=NBC Pickups Continue With Series Order for Comedy From Jimmy Fallon|date=May 9, 2012 |last=Goldberg |first=Lesley |work=The Hollywood Reporter |accessdate=May 9, 2012}}
It was announced in June 2012 that Sara Rue, who portrayed Sheila in the original pilot, would be replaced by Erinn Hayes, a change necessitated when ABC decided to pick up the comedy Malibu Country, which also starred Rue.{{cite web|last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |url= https://deadline.com/2012/06/erinn-hayes-lands-regular-role-on-new-nbc-comedy-series-guys-with-kids-293391/ |title=Erinn Hayes Joins Cast Of NBC's Upcoming 'Guys With Kids' |publisher=Deadline Hollywood |date= June 27, 2012 |access-date=2012-09-15}}{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/10/malibu-country-canceled_n_3241224.html|title='Malibu Country' Canceled: ABC Will Not Order Season 2 Of Reba McEntire-Fronted Comedy|date=May 10, 2013 |work=The Huffington Post|accessdate=2013-05-11}}
The series ran from September 12, 2012, to February 27, 2013. The series aired in Canada on Global, premiering one day early, on September 11, 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.globaltv.com/GuysWithKids/index.html |title=Guys with Kids {{!}} Watch Guys with Kids Online - Full Episodes |work=GlobalTV.com |accessdate=March 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424211413/http://www.globaltv.com/guyswithkids/index.html |archive-date=April 24, 2013 |url-status=dead }}
On November 15, 2012, NBC announced it has ordered four more episodes, bringing the series to a total of 17 episodes.{{cite web |url= https://deadline.com/2012/11/nbcs-guys-with-kinds-gets-order-for-four-more-episodes-372484/|title=NBC's 'Guys With Kids' Gets Order For Four More Episodes |author=Nellie Andreeva |date=November 15, 2012 |publisher=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=November 20, 2012}}{{cite web|title=NBC Extends "Guys with Kids" to 17 Episodes|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/11/15/nbc-extends-guys-with-kids-to-17-episodes-727515/10067/|work=The Futon Critic|date=November 15, 2012|accessdate=15 November 2012}}
On May 9, 2013, NBC canceled the series after one season.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2013/05/nbcs-parks-recreation-renewed-494142/|title=UPDATE: 'Guys With Kids', 'Up All Night', 'Whitney' & '1600 Penn' Cancelled, 'Parks & Recreation' Renewed|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=May 9, 2013|access-date=May 9, 2013}}
Episodes
{{Episode table |background=#0050C8 |overall=5 |title=20 |director=15 |writer=19 |airdate=13 |prodcode=6 |viewers=10 |country=US |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 1
|ProdCode= 101
|Title= Pilot
|DirectedBy= Scott Ellis
|WrittenBy= {{StoryTeleplay|s= Jimmy Fallon, Charlie Grandy & Amy Ozols|t= Charlie Grandy}}
|OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2012|09|12}}
|Viewers= 6.25{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/09/13/wednesday-final-ratings-the-voice-big-brother-adjusted-up-no-adjustments-for-americas-got-talent-or-guys-with-kids/148502/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916015938/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/09/13/wednesday-final-ratings-the-voice-big-brother-adjusted-up-no-adjustments-for-americas-got-talent-or-guys-with-kids/148502/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 16, 2012 |title=Wednesday Final Ratings: 'The Voice' 'The X Factor' & 'Big Brother' Adjusted Up, No Adjustments for 'America's Got Talent' or 'Guys With Kids'|work=TV by the Numbers|date=September 12, 2012 |last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|accessdate=September 13, 2012}}
|ShortSummary= Chris stands up to his ex-wife Shelia when he wants to go on a date.
|LineColor=0050C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 2
|ProdCode= 103
|Title= Chris' New Girlfriend
|DirectedBy= Michael Lembeck
|WrittenBy= Keith Heisler
|OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2012|09|26}}
|ShortSummary=Chris has a new girlfriend who used to date Nick. It is later revealed that Nick used the same first date for multiple women.
|LineColor=0050C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 3
|ProdCode= 104
|Title= Marny Wants A Girl
|DirectedBy= Ken Whittingham
|WrittenBy= Courtney Lilly
|OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2012|10|3}}
|ShortSummary=Marny decides she wants another kid: a daughter. A fight breaks out during the CPR class that Shelia forces everyone to participate in.
|LineColor=0050C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 4
|ProdCode= 102
|Title= The Standoff
|DirectedBy= Michael Lembeck
|WrittenBy= {{StoryTeleplay|s= Charlie Grandy|t= Rick Wiener & Kenny Schwartz}}
|OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2012|10|10}}
|ShortSummary=Gary tries to discipline Yoda with unconventional tactics, including setting up a slip in slide in the middle of the apartment. Nick learns that there is more to a school project and gets competitive.
|LineColor=0050C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 5
|ProdCode= 105
|Title= Gary's Day Off
|DirectedBy= Ken Whittingham
|WrittenBy= Matt Lawton
|OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2012|10|17}}
|ShortSummary=Shelia moves out of her old place with Chris, Nick and Gary's help so that Chris can have his Giants tickets back. Marny gives Gary a day off which results in her needing help from Emily.
|LineColor=0050C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 6
|ProdCode= 106
|Title= Apartment Halloween
|DirectedBy= Leonard R. Garner, Jr.
|WrittenBy= Donald Diego
|OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2012|10|24}}
|ShortSummary=After the new co-op board president tells Nick he can't have his hall haunted house, Shelia and Nick set her up with Chris to get what they want. Meanwhile, Chris wants Shelia to become friends with Nick.
|LineColor=0050C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 7
|ProdCode= 107
|Title= The Bathroom Incident
|DirectedBy= Michael Lembeck
|WrittenBy= Charlie Grandy
|OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2012|10|31}}
|ShortSummary=Freddie and Ernie lock themselves inside a bathroom causing Nick to realize he needs to be better prepared. Emily helps Gary organize his apartment.
|LineColor=0050C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 8
|ProdCode= 108
|Title= First Birthday
|DirectedBy= Leonard R. Garner, Jr.
|WrittenBy= Alan R. Cohen & Alan Freedland
|OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2012|11|14}}
|ShortSummary=Ernie's first birthday arrives and Shelia and Chris fight over the birthday party.
|LineColor=0050C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 9
|ProdCode= 109
|Title= Thanksgiving
|DirectedBy= Betsy Thomas
|WrittenBy= Keith Heisler
|OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2012|11|21}}
|ShortSummary=Shelia hosts a crazy thanksgiving as Gary waits on line for three days to get a new TV.
|LineColor=0050C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 10
|ProdCode= 110
|Title= Christmas
|DirectedBy= Michael Lembeck
|WrittenBy= {{StoryTeleplay|s= Charlie Grandy|t= Rick Wiener & Kenny Schwartz}}
|OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2012|12|05}}
|ShortSummary=Gary and Marnie get drunk and insult Emily and Nick's idea of a romantic date.
|LineColor=0050C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 11
|ProdCode= 111
|Title= First Word
|DirectedBy= Leonard R. Garner, Jr.
|WrittenBy= {{StoryTeleplay|s= Rick Weiner & Kenny Schwartz|t= Charlie Grandy}}
|OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2013|01|02}}
|ShortSummary=As Shelia sticks around due to waiting on Ernie's first word, Nick and Chris reminisce on the past, including the night that Nick got engaged to Emily while Chris was dating Sage (Fiona Gubelmann), the night that Violet was born and they met Gary and Marnie, Chris's wedding to Shelia, the night that Gary chipped his tooth, and the night that Chris had told his friends that he was getting a divorce. In the present, Nick and Emily try looking up Sage.
|LineColor=0050C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 12
|ProdCode= 112
|Title= Marny's Dad
|DirectedBy= Betsy Thomas
|WrittenBy= Courtney Lilly
|OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2013|01|09}}
|ShortSummary=Gary learns why Marnie's dad doesn't like him when he comes to visit.
|LineColor=0050C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 13
|ProdCode= 113
|Title= Me Time
|DirectedBy= Michael Lembeck
|WrittenBy= Alan R. Cohen & Alan Freedland
|OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2013|01|30}}
|ShortSummary= Marnie wants some alone time as Shelia, Nick, Chris, and Emily start competing in trivia nights at the bar.
|LineColor=0050C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 14
|ProdCode= 114
|Title= The Will
|DirectedBy= Mark Cendrowski
|WrittenBy= Lauren Caltagirone
|OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2013|02|06}}
|Viewers= 3.20{{cite web|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=February 7, 2013|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/07/wednesday-final-ratingssupernatural-criminal-minds-modern-family-the-neighbors-suburgatory-adjusted-down/168476/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209190649/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/07/wednesday-final-ratingssupernatural-criminal-minds-modern-family-the-neighbors-suburgatory-adjusted-down/168476/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 9, 2013|title=Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Supernatural', 'Criminal Minds' & 'Chicago Fire' Adjusted Up; 'Modern Family', 'The Neighbors' & 'Suburgatory' Adjusted Down|work=TV by the Numbers|publisher=Zap2it|accessdate=February 7, 2013}}
|ShortSummary=After suffering a health problem, Marnie and Gary decide whom to leave their kids to in their will. Chris becomes overwhelmed by Shelia's nanny, Andy (Mark Consuelos).
|LineColor=0050C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 15
|ProdCode= 115
|Title= Gary's Idea
|DirectedBy= Leonard R. Garner, Jr.
|WrittenBy= Lauren Caltagirone & Donald Diego
|OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2013|02|13}}
|Viewers= 2.85{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/14/wednesday-final-ratings-csi-suburgatory-law-order-svu-adjusted-down/169419/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217090451/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/14/wednesday-final-ratings-csi-suburgatory-law-order-svu-adjusted-down/169419/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 17, 2013 |title=Wednesday Final Ratings: 'CSI', 'Suburgatory' & 'Law & Order: SVU' Adjusted Down |last=Kondolojy |first=Amanda |date=February 14, 2013 |work=TV by the Numbers |accessdate=February 16, 2013}}{{Cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/30/tuesday-final-ratings-ncis-raising-hope-new-girl-go-on-adjusted-up/167315/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202234156/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/30/tuesday-final-ratings-ncis-raising-hope-new-girl-go-on-adjusted-up/167315/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 2, 2013|title=Tuesday Final Ratings: 'NCIS', 'Raising Hope', 'New Girl' & 'Go On' Adjusted Up|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=January 30, 2013|accessdate=January 31, 2013}}
|ShortSummary= With Chris deciding to change something in his life, he decided to pick up a new hobbie. Nick and Emily's babysitter Stacy (Sara Paxton) likes Chris.
|LineColor=0050C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 16
|ProdCode= 116
|Title= Rare Breed
|DirectedBy= Leonard R. Garner, Jr.
|WrittenBy= {{StoryTeleplay|s= Charlie Grandy|t= Rick Weiner & Kenny Schwartz}}
|OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2013|02|20}}
|ShortSummary= Gary tries to be a stay at home dad while working on his wrapkin.
|LineColor=0050C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 17
|ProdCode= 117
|Title= Divorce Party
|DirectedBy= Betsy Thomas
|WrittenBy= Matt Lawton
|OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2013|02|27}}
|Viewers= 3.07{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/28/tv-ratings-wednesday-american-idol-falls-further-nashville-hits-a-low-arrow-survivor-rise/171204/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302144444/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/28/tv-ratings-wednesday-american-idol-falls-further-nashville-hits-a-low-arrow-survivor-rise/171204/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 2, 2013 |work=TV by the Numbers |title=TV Ratings Wednesday: 'American Idol' Falls Further, 'Nashville' & 'CSI' Hit Lows + 'Arrow' & 'Survivor' Rise (Updated) |first=Amanda |last=Kondolojy |date=February 28, 2013 |accessdate=March 30, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/28/wednesday-final-ratings-chicago-fire-american-idol-suburgatory-adjusted-down/171202/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304153634/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/28/wednesday-final-ratings-chicago-fire-american-idol-suburgatory-adjusted-down/171202/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 4, 2013 |title=Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Chicago Fire', 'American Idol', & 'CSI' Adjusted Up; 'Suburgatory' Adjusted down |last=Kondolojy |first=Amanda|date=February 28, 2013|work=TV by the Numbers|accessdate=February 28, 2013}}
|ShortSummary=Marnie's sister Bridget (Keshia Knight Pulliam) comes to town and Marnie hires her to work with Gary. When Nick learned that Shelia and Chris were thinking of having another baby, he decided to host a divorce party and invites Sage. Shelia and Sage meet when Chris stayed at the party. The show ends with a cliff-hanger.
|LineColor=0050C8
}}
}}
Reception
=Critical response=
Guys With Kids received generally negative reviews from critics. On Metacritic, the show received a score of 38 out of 100, from 25 reviews, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/guys-with-kids|title=Guys with Kids - Season 1 Reviews, Ratings, Credits and More|date=September 11, 2012|work=Metacritic |accessdate=September 12, 2012}} Rotten Tomatoes rated season 1 as 7% based on reviews from 30 critics, with an average rating of 3.4/10 and the critical consensus reads: "Worthless and abysmal, Guys with Kids is pitiful in its lack of humor and plot."{{cite web | url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/guys_with_kids/s01 | title=Guys with Kids - Rotten Tomatoes | publisher= Fandango Media | work = Rotten Tomatoes | accessdate=5 August 2016}}
Glenn Garvin of the Miami Herald was only one of a few who gave a positive review, saying "Guys With Kids is a perfect confection of witty dialogue and slapstick action."{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/09/12/2996662/a-hilarious-riff-on-a-familiar.html|title=A hilarious riff on a familiar theme |last=Garvin |first= Glenn |date=September 12, 2012|work=Miami Herald|accessdate=September 13, 2012}} Matt Zoller Seitz of New York Magazine stated "I expected to hate Guys With Kids... My animosity faded after about five minutes, when it became clear that the show wasn't terribly interested in the kids."{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2012/09/tv-review-guys-with-kids.html |title=Seitz: Guys With Kids Is Charming Pro-Bro Propaganda|last=Zoller Seitz|first=Matt |date=September 12, 2012|work=Vulture.com|publisher=New York Magazine |accessdate=September 13, 2012}} Diane Wertz of Newsday gave it a D and stated "Nothing to see here. Move on."{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/guys-with-kids-review-a-crying-shame-1.3991506 |title='Guys With Kids' review: A crying shame |last=Wertz |first=Diane |date= September 11, 2012|work=Newsday |accessdate=September 13, 2012}} Matt Rouse of TV Guide wrote, "The season's most depressingly generic and retro sitcom, so squishy and lacking in edge it might as well been written in nerf".{{cite book|title=TV Guide September 17-23, 2012. pg.58}}
=Accolades=
On December 11, 2012, Anthony Anderson was nominated for an NAACP Image Award, as Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series.{{cite web | url= http://www.naacpimageawards.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/44th-NIA-Nominations_Final_Release.pdf | title= The "44th NAACP Image Award" Nominees Announced | date= December 11, 2012 | publisher= NAACP Image Awards | work= Press release | accessdate= 2013-05-17 | url-status= dead | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20130319130412/http://www.naacpimageawards.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/44th-NIA-Nominations_Final_Release.pdf | archivedate= March 19, 2013 }} The award went to Don Cheadle for his work on Showtime's House of Lies.
See also
- House Husbands, a 2012 Australian television comedy with a similar premise
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.nbc.com/guys-with-kids/}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20130502154853/http://www.globaltv.com/guyswithkids/ Guys With Kids] at Global Television Network
- {{IMDb title|2281583}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Guys With Kids}}
Category:2010s American multi-camera sitcoms
Category:2012 American television series debuts
Category:2013 American television series endings
Category:American English-language television shows
Category:Television series by Universal Television
Category:Television shows set in New York City