Media: TV show, 5 seasons made up of 10x22min episodes (with 12 episodes in s3).
Approx length: 52x 22min episodes.
Where to find it: UK - BBC iPlayer, Disney+ USA - FX
What is it, in summary?: A single mother and working actress doing her best to get by in LA. In between juggling the pressures of both parenthood and Hollywood, Sam lets loose in brave and funny ways. Things often get the better of her and her three young daughters, but her bold, funny, and always loving approach to life is what makes Sam—and indeed the show—a true knockout.
Better Things is a semi-autobiographical story, with Pamela Adlon also having daughters of her own, so it’s no surprise that many things ring true in this big-hearted show about single motherhood.
What do you love about it?: PAMELA ADLON (she was nominated for the 2018 Emmy Award in the Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category for her role as Sam Fox.) Her portrayal of Sam is raw and endearing and funny and she's everything I would ever want in a mother. The kids are fresh and unlike most TV kids; they're as real as kids get, too. I totally understand why some people don't like this, but you'd be crazy not to give it a try!
There are lots of opportunities for genderbending too - All three daughters, Max, Frankie and Duke, as well as their mother, Sam, have gender-neutral names. The grandmother Phyllis is also called Phil, and Sam's brother is named Marion. Even Duke's pet mouse is named Mandy Patinkin; though the actor Mandy Patinkin is male, the pet mouse is female.
What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: Family fic, Rule 63 Genderbending, Mother-daughter relationships, single Mom dating (a couple of missed opportunities over the course of the series).
Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: s2-3 primarily.
Some may find some of the dialogue written for the girls to be shocking, considering their ages. Mbr>
Louis C.K. did co-produce the first two seasons, and following the confirmation that the sexual misconduct allegations against him were true, FX cancelled their overall deal with C.K. and his production company. Pamela has continued to make the finaly three seasons of the show without him.
Better Things - FX TV Show, 2016-2022
Media: TV show, 5 seasons made up of 10x22min episodes (with 12 episodes in s3).
Approx length: 52x 22min episodes.
Where to find it:
UK - BBC iPlayer, Disney+
USA - FX
What is it, in summary?:
A single mother and working actress doing her best to get by in LA. In between juggling the pressures of both parenthood and Hollywood, Sam lets loose in brave and funny ways. Things often get the better of her and her three young daughters, but her bold, funny, and always loving approach to life is what makes Sam—and indeed the show—a true knockout.
Better Things is a semi-autobiographical story, with Pamela Adlon also having daughters of her own, so it’s no surprise that many things ring true in this big-hearted show about single motherhood.
What do you love about it?: PAMELA ADLON (she was nominated for the 2018 Emmy Award in the Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category for her role as Sam Fox.) Her portrayal of Sam is raw and endearing and funny and she's everything I would ever want in a mother. The kids are fresh and unlike most TV kids; they're as real as kids get, too. I totally understand why some people don't like this, but you'd be crazy not to give it a try!
Voted #71 in the Rolling Stone 100 best TV shows of all time
There are lots of opportunities for genderbending too - All three daughters, Max, Frankie and Duke, as well as their mother, Sam, have gender-neutral names. The grandmother Phyllis is also called Phil, and Sam's brother is named Marion. Even Duke's pet mouse is named Mandy Patinkin; though the actor Mandy Patinkin is male, the pet mouse is female.
What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: Family fic, Rule 63 Genderbending, Mother-daughter relationships, single Mom dating (a couple of missed opportunities over the course of the series).
Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: s2-3 primarily.
Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence):
Some may find some of the dialogue written for the girls to be shocking, considering their ages. Mbr>
Louis C.K. did co-produce the first two seasons, and following the confirmation that the sexual misconduct allegations against him were true, FX cancelled their overall deal with C.K. and his production company. Pamela has continued to make the finaly three seasons of the show without him.