The Harper House

The Harper House is a unique animated comedy series launched on Paramount+ in 2021 that brings distinctive characters and humor to the streaming platform. The eccentric and engaging show is the creation of Brad Neely and showcases all the ingredients of quirky suburban life – a compelling plot, colorful characters, dry comedy, and interwoven subplots. Filled with laugh-out-loud moments, The Harper House deals with themes of social class, familial bonds, and the trial and tribulation of everyday life with a comedic twist.

The Harper House centers on the life of Debbie Harper, a formerly wealthy woman who finds herself and her family in a sudden financial downturn. Following their fall from grace, the Harpers move to a less affluent part of Arkansas, in a run-down Victorian house that Debbie inherited. The house is vibrant, filled with an extraordinary array of quirky, dark, and outlandish knick-knacks, giving the series an immediately identifiable visual appeal.

Debbie is a strong-willed, determined woman stubbornly trying to fit in and maintain her social status in this new environment, refusing to capitulate to their new financial reality. Her husband, Freddie, voiced by Jason Lee, is a somewhat more easy-going, everyman character who provides a contrast to Debbie's higher-strung approach. They have two children, Ollie and Todd, each dealing with the move and their new circumstances in their unique ways. The multi-generational family dynamic forms the backbone of the series and is instrumental in portraying the compelling situations that underlie the comedy in the show.

What sets The Harper House apart are the distinctive new characters the family encounters in their daily life in Arkansas. These characters range from eccentric neighbors to oddball city residents, all adding a different flavor to the overall narrative. The unique and unhinged nature of these characters remarkably complements the central family, creating a well-rounded lineup that keeps the audience invested. The animated medium gives the creators more freedom to play around with these characters, which results in a diverse and dynamic cast that keeps every episode fresh.

Every episode is a blend of dry humor, relatable plotlines, and well-timed punchlines that will leave you chuckling. Sometimes absurdist and often irreverent, the humor in The Harper House is its most significant selling point. The banter within the Harper family, along with their interaction with their wacky neighbors, forms the crux of its innate humor. The writing is sharp and nothing is off the table. Laughter is found in the mundane and the chaotic, with jokes presenting themselves in every corner of their world, from nuanced character quirks, to over-the-top situational comedy, and clever dialogue.

The series weds the animation style of other adult cartoons with elements of a live-action sitcom. Its animation style is reminiscent of classic animated shows but has its unique take. There is a certain “retro” feel to the artwork, and in turn, the show manages to capture a timeless quality that helps it welcome all-age viewership.

The Harper House is a series that features rich performances from an assortment of excellent voice actors that add depth to the characters. It includes performances from notable actors like Rhea Seehorn (Debbie), Jason Lee (Freddie), Ryan Flynn (Todd), and Tatiana Maslany (Ollie) among others. The voice acting is impeccable, delivering the right amount of comic timing and emotional depth as required by the narrative.

In a nutshell, The Harper House is a heartwarming yet sharp-edged animated comedy, abundant with interesting characters, engaging plotlines, and memorable laugh-out-loud moments. It’s a show that shines in its simultaneous acknowledgment and subversion of the standard sitcom tropes, offering a unique viewing experience for the fans of the genre. The Harper House dares to tread into the unexplored territories of storytelling with its non-traditional characters, intriguing premise, and hilarious outcomes. Despite its comedic overtones, it doesn't shy away from touching on thought-provoking themes, all the while maintaining its levity. It's a treat for those who love quirky humor interweaved with moments of genuine warmth and connection from an array of unusual, yet lovable characters.