Review: 'One Day A Time' - Season Three

Each generation has at least one television comedy that defines it.

There are certain classic TV comedies that are more than just the sum of their parts. Sure, they are funny and poignant. But there are a number of series that fit that definition which are also easily overlooked by the next generation. Only a rare and select few television shows have a feel and point of view that manages to be both timeless and specifically tied to a certain moment of time. "I Love Lucy," "The Andy Griffith Show," "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "Cheers," "Roseanne" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" all have comedy that is firmly rooted in the American zeitgeist of their moment. They reflect what people felt at the time these shows were produced and at their best they are a snapshot of what mattered right then and why.

It's not always obvious at the time whether a certain show will still resonate in the souls of viewers until a decade or two have passed. But if I had to make a bet about which current television comedy will matter most in the 2040s, I'd quickly choose the Netflix comedy "One Day At A Time."

Like a lot of people, I was a bit skeptical of the show when it was announced. While I enjoyed the original "One Day At A Time" when it aired in the 1970s, there wasn't much about the show that screamed "remake me!" in the 2010s. The one thing that gave me hope was that some extremely talented people were attached to the series. Gloria Calderón Kellett was coming off of a supervising producer stint on "iZombie," and had held a similar role at shows such as "Mixology" and the woefully under-rated "Devious Maids." Mike Royce is probably best known for his work on "Everybody Knows Raymond," but it's his work on "Men Of A Certain Age" that is the most impressive for me. And it's a show that also gives a strong indication of why he was a good choice for this show.

MORE: "One Day At A Time" Season Three Photo Gallery

From its first episode in 2017, "One Day At A Time" has been a show that defies expectations. It's a multi-camera comedy at a time when that format is out of favor on the broadcast television networks. It's a successful comedy that is proud of its Latinx roots and point of view at a time when that wasn't an easy sell. But it's also a show that's not afraid to be emotionally honest and complicated. At a time when nuance on a television comedy is as hard to find as an unretouched Taylor Swift Instagram photo, "One Day At A Time" has managed the rare feat of being both a wonderful comedy and a show that matters. Its universality and willingness to trust the audience to follow along on the emotional journey of its characters has made it a show that accurately reflects the complicated times we live in.

The show returns for a third season on Friday, February 8th and as much I'd like to dive in and discuss the twists and turns that take place over the 13 episodes, I don't want to spoil anything. Other than to say that Todd Grinnell manages the difficult task of having some award-winning moments in a show that is often filled with magnificently understated acting. There is not one weak link in this cast and anyone is capable of carrying the entire show on their backs if need be. "One Day At A Time" has the best comedy ensemble on television right now and twenty years from now audiences will fondly remember the show in the same we recall our favorite episode of "All In The Family" or "Seinfeld."

But for all of the things that make "One Day At A Time" special, the aspect of the show I'll remember with the most fondness is its ability to tell universal stories that cut across gender and race and sexual preference. You might not have had THAT specific problem, but your life and your challenges mirror the experiences of the Alvarez family. "One Day At A Time" isn't a show FOR Hispanic audiences. It's a show about an Hispanic experience that is also universal and realistic.

I have a son with autism who is now 13 and in middle school. He struggles with social cues, worries about fitting in and is scared about whether or not he'll ever find his place in the world. On the surface of things, his life as an autistic white teenager in Minnesota seems as far as you can get from the day-to-day lives of the Alvarez family. But he adores "One Day At A Time" and couldn't wait to see new episodes. He might not have struggled with gender identity. But he knows the loneliness and fear that comes with being afraid the world might not accept you as you are. He knows what it feels like to want more than anything to be popular at school. He's struggled to see the value of therapy and of the need to have people you can talk to without feeling judged. All of that and more has been at the core of the journey taken by the Alvarez family and their friends. 

He sees "One Day At A Time" as a show about him and that's the greatest gift of the series. It's managed to tell the story of a very specific family in a way that is universal. Like all great television comedies, it's a show that rises far above its origins. And it's a show we'll still be talking in some future when Netflix programs are just being beamed directly into our heads.