145 replies to this topic

[Bazinga]

I didn't see a topic for this yet on here so I figured I would post it. Jennifer Lopez is the producer here...hmm this could be interesting.

http://beta.abcfamily.go.com/shows/inside-abc-family/blogs/news/premiere-date-announced-the-fosters

Our red-hot summer line-up has been released, y’all! We’re so thrilled to announce that our new must-see original series The Fosters will premiere on Monday, June 3 at 9/8c – right after the series finale of The Secret Life of the American Teenager!

From executive producer Jennifer Lopez (American Idol, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, The Back-Up Plan), The Fosters centers on two moms (Teri Polo and Sherri Saum) raising a multi-ethnic family mix of foster and biological kids. The series also stars Jake T. Austin, Hayden Byerly, David Lambert, Maia Mitchell, Danny Nucci and Cierra Ramirez.

[scarlett45]

I think Switched at Birth will be a great lead in for this show.

I plan on watching. How often do we see foster families depicted on tv? I think it will provide for interesting and thought provoking story lines.

Edited by scarlett45, Mar 20, 2013 @ 11:31 AM.

[Featherhat]

I'll give the 1st couple of episodes a watch. I think S@B is probably a pretty compatible show with this, all about what makes- or doesn't- a family.

From the 1st promo it seems like most of the focus will be on the kids being foster kids together and how that works rather than the two moms which has always been the headline so far, which is probably a good way to play it, especially as ABC Family shows which focus a large amount on the "adult" characters during promotion don't seem to do well in the ratings ala Bunheads.

I was getting a little bit of a vibe of early O.C with Ryan/Callie the Troubled Kid taken in by this "perfect" happy family who need them just as much as visa versa, except without actual Newport Beach setting, so I guess the actual shows will be very different.

[Ayenat101]

I have a lot of faith in this show after finding out the other executive producers/showrunners are gay & lesbian, including Peter Paige from Queer as Folk.

The promo doesn't really imply that there are two moms at all which leads me to think that it will not be the central theme of the show. It seems more like the kids struggling with their own identity issues and the foster parents being gay won't be made into a big deal. As long as the teenagers are likable and not obnoxious I'm in.

[scarlett45]

I have a lot of faith in this show after finding out the other executive producers/showrunners are gay & lesbian, including Peter Paige from Queer as Folk.

I didn't know Peter Paige was involved in this! Thanks for the info, I knew he wanted to do some producing, even more reason for me to watch.

[Bazinga]

I admit I haven't done any homework on this show but what I got from this synopsis is that these two moms are lesbian and they adopted children together and one of them had biological children prior at a time in their life when they dudn't know they were lesbian? I'm interested to see how this plays out. Whats the angle going to be? I don't watch Switched At Birth so i'm not sure.

[Ayenat101]

Bazinga, well on Switched At Birth there's the obvious but one of the girls is also deaf and from the lower class so they've gotten a lot of storylines out of that. I'm also interested to see how a show like this could last for many seasons. Will they keep adopting or after they take in the delinquent girl all the drama may just come with that.

[Featherhat]

IF the show lasts multiple seasons they may have more fostering storylines, I remember a character description of the moms which said one wants to concentrate on the several kids they already have, one wants to save as many as they can, which I think was one of the storylines surrounding Callie in the pilot.

I guess like Switched at Birth the angle will be some kind of "what really makes a family?" Looking around the ABCFamily site the tagline might be "It's not about where you come from. It's about where you belong."

and one of them had biological children prior at a time in their life when they dudn't know they were lesbian?

Yeah the policeofficer!Mom played by Terri Polo has a bio son with another police officer she used to be married to and I think he's recurring in the show as well. From the promo it seems like they might be setting that son and Callie in a potential relationship. And there's a plot brewing about the latina brother and sister's birth mom. So I guess there's quite a few "hook" plot threads set up in the pilot just like S@B quickly established many issues that complicated the original mistake.

[Bazinga]

Interesting. I saw on the promo that one of the adoptive children wants to set out and look for the biological parents. I will have to atleast give this it's due dilligence.

Edited by Bazinga, Mar 23, 2013 @ 2:33 AM.

[Ayenat101]

Yeah the policeofficer!Mom played by Terri Polo has a bio son with another police officer she used to be married to and I think he's recurring in the show as well. From the promo it seems like they might be setting that son and Callie in a potential relationship. And there's a plot brewing about the latina brother and sister's birth mom. So I guess there's quite a few "hook" plot threads set up in the pilot just like S@B quickly established many issues that complicated the original mistake.

A romance between the biological son and the girl they take in could be a fun, if not awkward storyline. As long as they don't go around harping about how she's his new foster "sister" all the time like another ABC Family drama, cough*SecretLife*cough, would do. It also seems like Latina brother may not be interested in bio mom which can lead to conflict with his sister. So you can already see potential storylines in the promo. Here's hoping this is more like Switched at Birth and not at all like The Secret Life.

[maraleia]

I just saw this new promo and article Link. So far this show looks excellent especially regarding the portrayal of the mom's relationship. I am so looking forward to watching their story unfold.

[Ayenat101]

 

I just saw this new promo and article Link. So far this show looks excellent especially regarding the portrayal of the mom's relationship. I am so looking forward to watching their story unfold.

 

 

I'm also still very much looking forward to this show's premiere next week and the network has released a few sneak peeks that look pretty good. However, I'm not thrilled with the decision to premiere it after The Secret Life as I don't believe that show is lead-in material for a show of this content. TSLOTAT isn't even pulling in 1 million viewers these days. For whatever reason ABC Family has sorta left this show out to dry with this scheduling choice when they should have held off for another week. I suppose the network didn't want to premiere too many shows at once?I hope the show does well enough despite all of this.

[tip and fall]

I didn't know that Maia Mitchell was in this. I really liked her in the Australian series Trapped and Castaway. Seems like ABC/Disney is trying to make her happen now. 

[Featherhat]

I'm also still very much looking forward to this show's premiere next week and the network has released a few sneak peeks that look pretty good. However, I'm not thrilled with the decision to premiere it after The Secret Life as I don't believe that show is lead-in material for a show of this content. TSLOTAT isn't even pulling in 1 million viewers these days. For whatever reason ABC Family has sorta left this show out to dry with this scheduling choice when they should have held off for another week. I suppose the network didn't want to premiere too many shows at once?I hope the show does well enough despite all of this.

 

I guess they're hoping that Secret Life gets a bump in ratings for its series finale and a bump for the season premiere of S@B and this show taking advantage of both. And they can focus on promoting this this week and "Twisted" next week.

 

The sneak peeks look good and they confirm this show has a lot of issues crammed in to deal with.

 

Seems like ABC/Disney is trying to make her happen now.

 

Yeah apparently she's also in a DCOM later this summer.

[tip and fall]

Yeah apparently she's also in a DCOM later this summer.

She also made a guest appearance on Jessie earlier this year, IIRC. 

 

I'm glad that they're at least sending her off to ABC Family instead of putting her on a Disney Channel show (Jessie notwithstanding) where all she'd have to do is SAY HER LINES REALLY, REALLY LOUDLY. 

[Peterased]

What I've heard through the grapevine is that ABC Family expects The Fosters to be something of a self-starter. I hope that happens but I have my doubts; there are more people watching TV at 9 than at 8, so in theory ratings should be able to grow out of the lead-in; but it's never happened at ABC Family, where the 8 PM show tends to be stronger than the 9 PM show.

 

ABC Family really needs a new hit . . . Switched at Birth is currently the network's #2 show, even though its current ratings would've been considered middling only a couple years ago.  And I liked the script for this show. So I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.

[ShortyMac]

The previews and extended sneak peek I've seen for this look good but I'm wary of ABC Family shows because the actors in Secret Life are awful IMO. Looking forward to seeing this pilot.

[aliconehead]

 

The previews and extended sneak peek I've seen for this look good but I'm wary of ABC Family shows because the actors in Secret Life are awful IMO. Looking forward to seeing this pilot.

 

Give it a chance, the actors on SLAT are awful more from the writing and the direction then anything else.  I have seen them in other things and some are not so bad.  Plus the actors on the other shows on ABCFamily are much better.  I firmly believe the problems with SLAT are from Brenda because they had the same problems on later seasons of 7th Heaven

[scarlett45]

I am looking forward to this tonight. I am sad it's the same time as Defiance, but I think S@B is a good lead in for it.

Man this show was going to make me cry. I had a feeling Jude was her little brother. The bond between them, she has had to be there for him for so long.

 

Again on the sibling front, Jesus and Marianna, I am with Jesus- that woman abandoned them, didn't care to raise them and the second she has contact she is encouraging her biological daughter to support whatever habit she has. It disgusts me that people like that can have children while so many people who would want them and love them struggle to conceive. Family is not created by DNA, it is created by love and support -I am so glad this show is demonstrating that message.

 

Plus how often do we get to see foster families depicted on television?

[possibilities]

I liked it. It's obviously very heavy handed, but I love that the moms are already being shown to be affectionate, and competent, and we even get a butch character who's not being used to demonstrate the usual "poor thing, she's too butch to be loved" trope.

 

I hate the ex-husband, though.

 

I was glad they didn't immediately go to blaming Callie for the missing pills, or having her be chasing a thug boyfriend, or some other cliche.

 

And I think all parents should have trackers on their kids' phones!

 

It's hard to understand how Mariana could be as much of a dumbass as she is, but I suppose we'll get to know her story more. I liked the portrayal of her twin as ADD because it rang very true, based on actual ADD people I know. That kid is probably the best of the kid actors on the show.
 

KYLE XY was on ABCFamily and the acting was very good, not at all stilted. And they got serious, competent, name actors for the mom roles, so hopefully they intend to have the acting be decent here, too. I am hopeful the rest of the kids will improve.

 

Except for the lead girl who beat up Callie, and the loser birthmom, I thought they did a pretty good job of not being too stereotypical, and I really need that, so I hope the show gets enough ratings to stay on air and enough time for them to relax into their roles and for the writing to become a little bit less crammed with messages. I can take more message than most in my tv, but it can't be this much every week, even for me.

[LisaM]

I liked it too - particularly for a pilot. I can't recall another show which focused on the foster care system so I hope this does well.

[omgsowicked]

Family is not created by DNA, it is created by love and support -I am so glad this show is demonstrating that message.

 

This, so much this. Just because you don't come from a "traditional" household doesn't mean you're worse off, or that your family doesn't count. Seeing something like this on TV makes me so happy. And scarlett45, same here, I almost cried, too, haha!

 

Not bad for a pilot. A lot was packed into this episode, lots of set up for potential stories... I'm really looking forward to all the places they can go. Now there's another new foster kid in the bunch (I thought Jude was going to be Kalli's son), the moms and the dad co-parenting, Marianna... poor, naive girl. I hope she's learned her lesson because she's lucky she wasn't caught and jailed.

 

I liked Jesus, and loved the mom shutting down his "time of the month" comment even though I don't think he was being a jerk about it. Seems like they're setting up a Brandon/Kalli/Brandon's GF triangle, and if that happens, I hope it's just a kiss and a quick realization that it's not going to work. I'd rather stick with the family aspect, not have romance infiltrate it... but we'll see, I suppose. I didn't like Kalli very much but hopefully she'll grow on me.

 

Well, I'm pleased so far... still irked by the Kyle XY cancellation (no, I'll never get over it) so I'm worried about the longevity of this show but hopefully it will be good and ABC Family will stick with it.

Edited by omgsowicked, Jun 3, 2013 @ 10:24 PM.

[scarlett45]

omgsowicked
We have a lot in common then!

I didn't see Brandon's bio Mom (the blonde, can't remember her name), as butch! If THAT'S "butch" then....well I can't think of anything witty to say. Lol. I thought she was tough, being a cop that comes with the territory. (Not that being "butch" is a bad thing at all).

WHO in the world would assign an ex husband/wife as partners? That would be horrible administrative policy and I know nothing about police work.

[Peterased]

Potentially fun fact: the role of the twins' birth mother was written for Jennifer Lopez.

[Artemis Rain]

I kinda liked it! Sure, it was heavy-handed, but a pilot has to make an impact, so I'm willing to give it time.

 

It's bringing up fond memories of my childhood in Canada, watching my guilty-pleasure shows, like "Caitlyn's Way" and "Neon Rider." I knew they were cheesy but I just couldn't stop! I can't tell yet if my enjoyment of this show is based on nostalgia, or a measure of its quality, but I'm willing to stick with it to find out!

[ShortyMac]

I really liked the pilot. I love that the moms were supportive of Callie and were not rushing to get rid of her, e.g. "You're not disposable, Callie. You're not worthless". I like that Lena and Stef are affectionate with each other and the kids. I'm loving Stef so far (Teri Polo - Pam Byrnes from the Fockers movie trilogy) and Lena, Callie, Jesus, and Brandon. I like the moment of Callie having coffee and they all stare at her. lol The only story line I don't like so far is the Mariana/birth mom one. 

 

For anyone who's interested, here is the Jesus/Mariana/Stef Spanish convo translated:

 

Mariana: "Qué era esa chica?" - Who was that girl?

Jesus: "No me importa." - I don't care.

Mariana: "¡Digame!" - Tell me!

Jesus: "¡Cállate!" - Shut up!

Stef: "Ooh, hey. You guys know the rules: no se hablan español para hablar de ante." - Don’t use Spanish to talk about people.

Jesus: "Ah, very good."

Stef: "Gracias, señor." - Thank you, sir.

 

My three years of high school Spanish being put to use. lol

 

Looking forward to episode #2.

Edited by ShortyMac, Jun 4, 2013 @ 11:55 PM.

[possibilities]

Thanks for the translation. I actually find it really disturbing if they have a rule against the kids speaking Spanish.

[bluroses]

I was bothered by that too. But on second watch I think it's about not wanting them to exclude the rest of the family, rather than not wanting them to speak Spanish in general. Also the mom's reaction seemed pretty lighthearted so I don't think it's a strict rule.

I agree with most of the posts that it was good for a pilot, if rather crammed with stuff. Some if the SLs, like the bio mom, could have been saved for later. Though I wonder if there's going to be fallout from the sister selling the pills.

I liked the controlled chaos of the breakfast scene. That's the moment I really bought these people as a family.

[Featherhat]

I thought it was probably implimented when they were younger so there was no "us and them" in the house. The fact that Stef has learned Spanish and they are encouraging them to know their birth mother shows they aren't trying to cut them off from their heritage.

 

I also liked the pilot a lot, it managed to incorporate its various themes without being too preachy. Teri Polo and Sherri Saum seem very natural with each other and the kids and the kids are pretty good as well you can definitely buy them as a family. I can see why Disney is keen on Maia Mitchell, she has some charisma there. Callie's clearly not a bad kid at all but is really vulnerable underneath everything. Jude was a cutie. Trying to keep brothers and sisters together in care is pretty tough sometimes.

 

The ex is ok so far but seriously? In what world is assigning a divorced couple to be partners a good idea. Clearly a recipe for disaster, especially if you are aware one asked for it and the other really doesn't want it (and has remarried to a same sex partner potentially causing even more baggage than normal?).  He gets a say and she doesn't.

[scarlett45]

Thanks for the translation. I actually find it really disturbing if they have a rule against the kids speaking Spanish.

I don't think it's a "never speak Spanish" rule, I think it's a "don't speak Spanish to each other in an effort to have a private conversation and exclude members of the family in their presence."