watch this show because sometimes craig t. nelson plays the ukelele. there are other reasons, too. // nbc promotional photo

Over the course of a short, backstage-drama-ridden season, Parenthood emerged last year as the most consistently touching family drama on TV–and, if I do say so myself, the strongest hour on NBC. Not necessarily surprising coming from Jason Katims, whose other brainchild is Friday Night Lights, but a delight nonetheless.

As it moves into season two, let me please advise you all to watch it–even if you don’t have children (I don’t), even if you didn’t see the first season (this isn’t Lost, people), even if you don’t like the “herky-jerky” camera motions of Friday Night Lights (this show doesn’t have that, Mom and Dad).

Even though the show’s called Parenthood, it involves the interactions of the entire family, so I find every episode relateable in some way–as a daughter and as a sister. More than that, the characters are just interesting, and the drama is realistic while still being complicated. Last season, I loved being able to wind down from Lost on Tuesday nights with this show. And the kids–especially that little Sydney–are super-cute.

It’s a strange show for me to cover, because, unlike the other shows I watch, there’s no epic will-they-or-won’t-they drama, there’s no convoluted mythology to decode or spoilery tidbits to dissect, and the conflicts aren’t as high-stakes as, say, crime-solving or espionage.

Gosh, it’s just really, really good, so watch it, okay?

There’s proof!  The first promo for the March premiere of Parenthood featuring Lauren Graham aired last week.  It’s short but great, a nice hint at what the show will be.  If you recall, Graham stepped in for Maura Tierney when her breast cancer treatments made it impossible for her to continue with the show.

I have high hopes for this show, because it contains such a stellar cast (Peter Krause, Monica Potter, Craig T. Nelson, Erika Christensen…) and because it’s from Jason Katims, the Friday Night Lights showrunner.  And now my optimism for its success is running very high.  I’ve said before that it might have gotten lost in the fall shuffle amidst the Modern Family buzz.  Now that that show’s succeeded, I think viewers are looking for more quality family-based entertainment, and Parenthood will be a nice counterpart (a grittier, more dramatic, obviously hourlong family series).

Here’s the long-form promo that gives you a better idea of the tone of the series:

oh please oh please oh please! // the wb promotional photo

Updated 10/9: It’s official! Lauren Graham’s joining the cast of Parenthood!

When the news broke yesterday afternoon that Lauren Graham might take the Parenthood role vacated by an ailing Maura Tierney, a great deal of people (including myself) leapt for joy.  As a longtime fan of both Maura and of the film version of Parenthood, I was really bummed when breast cancer treatments prevented her participation.  By all accounts, it seems Maura will make a full recovery, but it still sucks that she’s not going to be able to do this role.  (I’m sure there’s still room for her over at Untitled Noah Wyle TNT Alien Pilot.)

Anyway, if we have to replace Maura, I’ve got my fingers painfully crossed for Lauren Graham, who, in my opinion, can basically do no wrong.  The woman lights up every scene she’s in, transitions seamlessly from comedy to drama, and spits that rapid-fire dialogue like it’s her job (oh, wait…).

Don’t forget that Parenthood, which was supposed to start in the fall on NBC but was pushed to midseason in the hopes of Maura’s quick recovery, is run by Jason Katims, the man behind Friday Night Lights.  Is that a dream team OR WHAT?  The rest of the cast aren’t no-names, either.  Craig T. Nelson plays the patriarch, Peter Krause is the oldest brother, Erika Christensen is the youngest sister, and Monica Potter is Krause’s wife.  Yeah, crazy extended family isn’t necessarily the freshest concept, but it’s also a concept with the power to deliver if coupled with the right writing.

And honestly, it might be a good thing that this show hasn’t premiered yet.  With Modern Family making such a huge splash, this show may have come out looking like the Studio 60 to MF‘s 30 Rock.  Now, they have more time to prep it, perfect it, and blend whoever takes Maura’s part into the family (please oh please, let it be Lauren, please oh please!).