"The Ranch" - A multi-camera, laugh track filled sitcom on Netflix

[Simul Parikh]

The basic premise is a failed pro football player played by Ashton Kutcher goes home to Colorado to live with his family (dad- Sam Elliott, brother - Danny Masterson, mom - Debra Winger).

Not getting into plot. This show is completely innovative in that it's one of the first streaming sitcoms that does the multi-camera, laugh track-style sort of comedy that's typical to network TV. It's taking something like Two and Half Men or Friends, but modifying it to work in the new world. Longer than 22 minutes? Check. Cursing? Check. Racy? Check. Utilizing drama to fit the space between the comedic scenes? Check. Introducing concepts that may be foreign to those that watch "high end" tv? Check.

This show isn't perfect. But, it's probably like nothing you've seen before. The other thing it does is show red state America to the blue state people that watch "higher end" tv. It's not laughing at the Red States, but it's smiling in a way that's quite touching. To those that don't know rural America and how important the end of a drought is, and those that don't understand how a duck blind can lead to or damage family harmony, this show is a real nice introduction. I grew up in a place where opening day of hunting season was a day off, but I'm not sure everyone else understands that.

Check it out. It's not going to blow your mind, but it has such potential. And it is Netflix continuing to turn things upside down.

[DanielK]

I haven't gotten around to watching it yet, but a friend of mine is in the show, though unnamed in credits.