Better With You

Better With You was an ABC sitcom that ran from 2010-2011 and was best appreciated for its comedic exploration of love, relationships, and the intrigues of family dynamics. This delightful series revolved around three distinct but inevitably interconnected couples, each at different stages in their relationships, brought together by familial ties. The lead actors include the talented JoAnna Garcia Swisher alongside Jennifer Finnigan, Josh Cooke, Jake Lacy, with Kurt Fuller and Debra Jo Rupp playing the hilarious parents.

The series opens with Maddie Putney (Joanna Garcia Swisher) and Ben Fox (Josh Cooke) as the longest-running couple that have been dating for nine years without any talk of marriage. Maddie is a high-strung attorney, continually stressing about the details, while Ben is lighthearted, easygoing, and content with their current relationship status, creating a classic ‘opposites attract’ scenario. Their contrasting personalities often stir the humor pot, with Maddie's inherent need for perfect planning continuously clashing with Ben's carefree outlook on life. Their dynamic is unique, with their hilarious arguments, debates and negotiations forming the show’s comedic backbone.

However, their world is upended when Maddie’s younger sister, Mia (played by Jennifer Finnigan), who is impulsive and a free-spirit, announces that she is pregnant and engaged to her boyfriend of only 7.5 weeks, Casey (played by Jake Lacy). Introducing this unconventional pair into the narrative adds spice and spontaneity, effectively shaking up the steady routine of Maddie and Ben’s life. The result is an intriguing canvas of reactions, interactions, and adaptations that unravel in the most humorous ways possible.

Despite the considerable age difference between Mia and Casey, they prove that their passionate love for each other is more important than societal norms and expectations. Their whirlwind courtship and pregnancy announcement stir a multitude of reactions, particularly from Maddie and Ben who have always adhered to their established relationship timeline, offering an exploration into different perceptions of love and commitment.

The flames of hilarity are further fanned by the inclusion of Maddie and Mia's parents, Vicky and Joel Putney, played by Debra Jo Rupp and Kurt Fuller with flawless comic timing. Married for 35 long years, the Putney parents believe their jaded experience upholds the essential truths about love and relationships. However, this assertion forms the basis of much of the show's comedic elements, as their outdated advice clashes with the modern relationship dynamics of their daughters.

Better With You has a clever way of exploring how each couple impacts the other, using humor and wit to navigate relationships, disagreements, and sincere moments. The dialogue is snappy, filled with verbal sparring and comedic jousting, and the cast’s chemistry is effortless, making the characters’ interactions all the more believable and engaging. The show doesn't shy away from delving into the complexities of relationships but always keeps a lighthearted tone.

The series handles prevalent themes like love, commitment, the people we choose to be with, and how they eventually shape our lives, in a light-hearted, approachable manner. It deciphers the concept of 'better', questioning whether a better way to relate, communicate, and love actually exists, or if the 'better' way is simply the way that works for those in the relationship. This exploration of 'better', combined with the universal theme of love and relationships, is what adds complexity to the lighthearted comedy.

Better With You weaves a tapestry of what relationships are, a blend of joy, laughter, roadblocks, and compromise anchored by love. It is a series that tries to decode the unscripted rules of relationships and how each couple has its unique journey, navigating highs and lows with humor and companionship.

Overall, Better With You was a humor-filled exploration of relationships that offered honest insights while triggering hearty laughter. It was a show that asked viewers to question their ideas about relationships, commitment and love, demonstrating that every relationship is as unique as the people involved, and what works for one might not work for another. It delved into the complexities of imperfect relationships with warmth, humor, and endearing characters, making it a beloved part of ABC's lineup during its run.