Tomorrow night, TV’s slightly less modern family returns to television. I’m of course referring to the rotary-dial-phone-using Chance family on Fox’s returning comedy series Raising Hope. Beginning its second season, Hope’s premiere once again makes me wonder how the series wasn’t on the list of Comedy nominees during last night’s Emmy Awards.
Created by Greg Garcia, Raising Hope follows Jimmy Chance, the single father of an adorable baby girl named Hope. Season 2 finds Hope headed into toddlerhood, as Jimmy, with the help of his parents Burt and Virginia (Garret Dillahunt and Martha Plimpton), and Maw Maw (Cloris Leachman), attempts to raise her as best he can. Shannon Woodward is also back as Jimmy’s friend, crush and co-worker Sabrina. And the premiere episode offers a bonus Chance in the form of guest star Greyson Chance.
We’re introduced to the new season through a song, which catches us up on Season 1 and shows just how much little Hope has grown. After that, the bulk of the episode, titled "Prodigy" focuses on Jimmy and how, at one point in his life, he was on his way to Bieber-like stardom. Of course, things didn’t quite turn out that way, but I won’t spoil you on that other than to say that "ambrosia" is involved. Singer Greyson Chance fittingly guest stars as young-Jimmy. Tweens and Ellen fans are likely to be familiar with Chance’s talent.
Raising Hope’s season premiere encompasses everything that's so great about the series. Raising the baby has proven to be an opportunity for the Chance family to explore their family history and values and celebrate everything that’s so great about who and what they are. There's enough love and humor to go around. The Chances aren’t wealthy or all that professionally successful but they have each other and now they have Hope.
Season 2 is off to a good start, as the series eases us back into the Chance household, offers plenty of laugh-worthy moments, and gives us one more reason to tune in to Fox on Tuesday nights. (New Girl is another reason!)
Raising Hope Tuesday, September 20th (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
