Raising Hope

Jimmy Chance is a well-meaning but clueless 24-year-old whose life flips when a one-night stand results in a baby, and the mother is later revealed to be a convicted serial killer. With custody falling to him, Jimmy has to learn parenting on the fly, leaning on an offbeat, loving family that often complicates rather than simplifies his efforts. His mother Virginia tries to keep the household functioning, his father Burt offers strange but earnest guidance, sister Sabrina brings practicality, and great-grandmother Maw Maw injects unpredictable humor. The series tracks their messy attempts to raise a child while juggling jobs, romantic misfires, and the demands of small-town life, staying light on plot twists and focused on character-driven comedy.

Premiering on Fox in 2010, Raising Hope was created by Greg Garcia and spotlights Lucas Neff alongside Martha Plimpton, Garret Dillahunt, Shannon Woodward, and Cloris Leachman. The show ran for four seasons and blended single-camera sitcom rhythms with offbeat, character-focused setups.

The series attracted awards attention, with critics and industry observers often praising its ensemble work and the strength of individual performances. Reviewers frequently noted the writing's knack for oddball moments that still served characters, and praise helped raise the profiles of several cast members beyond the show.

Its quirky cast of supporting characters, especially Maw Maw, became firm fan favorites, and the show developed a devoted audience who appreciated its mix of weirdness and warmth. The show's willingness to center an unconventional family and mine humor from awkward domestic situations helped it stand out among other network comedies of its time.

Critics generally liked how the series balanced absurd humor with genuine affection, and viewers reflect that sentiment, the show holding a 7.4/10 average from 312 votes. Recurring themes include responsibility in unexpected parenthood, working-class pressures, found family dynamics, and the awkward, often funny process of growing into adulthood while caring for someone else.