critic_w I just needed to get that off my chest! ...in fact so much better than the next best sitcom that it's not worthtrying to calculate. But depending on your opinion of the othershows, that may or may not be saying much. Let me put myopinion in a historical perspective and say that "Life with Bonnie" isone of the best sitcoms EVER on Television! It's "Cosby Show"good! It's "Happy Days" good! It's "Dick Van Dyke Show" good! It'scall all your friends, send e-mail, program your VCR and buy extratapes good! You know the type of good I'm talking about... so goodthey couldn't copy it if they tried?! Perhaps the people responsiblefor this show should have some decision making in all ABCsitcoms because this show is BUY DISNEY STOCK GOOD!! Am Imaking my point?!Watching "Life with Bonnie" causes you to have a gentle smile forat least 22 minutes of that hour. That is except for when you are inthe middle of a belly-laugh, or, when the writers want you to feelsentiment thick enough to make you fight back tears. It's sooriginal, so clever, honest, sweet and hilarious all that the sametime! There are movie comedies that aren't as good as this show.It's far far better than "Friends," because the whole family canwatch it. It's better than "...Raymond" or "Frasier" because it'scharacters remain consistent, and the comedy is never at theexpense of one character's misery. These shows are often quitegood, but just not in the same league as "Bonnie." I was sad tosee Ms. Hunt's last show cancelled, but if only I knew ABC wasgoing sneak Ms Hunt away from CBS and launch this show I'dnever would have shed a tear. "The Bonnie Hunt Show" wasexcellent, but this new show is simply the best! Everyone I knowwho knows anything about quality TV loves this show! Let me just close on this note. It may not have "Seinfeld's"numbers 'cause there's just so much else on TV (none of it asgood, just so much to choose from), but make no mistake, thisshow is a rare gem that will forever be remembered as one of thegreat high-water marks of TV comedy.

piewacketkitty I too would like to add to the growing list of discontent in not liking the so-called 'hit' comedy 'Life with Bonnie.' First of all, how can ABC claim it is a hit when it is so low in ratings, and is in last place against all the other networks for its show time of 9pm? I give it a definite two thumbs down. I have tried to watch it several times, but each and every time ended up turning it off, as it was so bad. And it seems a repeat of the same boring show week after week with just a few changes made, and of course the unending parade of tiresome 'guest' stars. I cannot believe that ABC is allowing this show on air at all. It has gone downhill since the last time I saw it a few weeks ago. Obviously it shows how desperate ABC is to continue to air this non-funny comedy, and how ABC continues to fail in their programming ideas. No wonder ABC is in last place when this is one of their 'hit' shows. The 'show' part of the show is just deplorable, no humor, and never makes any sense whatsoever. What is the point in it? And those kids really need elocution lessons; I can hardly ever understand a word any of them says. And her husband, played by Mr. Derwin, to me has no chemistry with Ms. Hunt, she seems uneasy every time they do any sort of intimate touches, and they are supposed to be married? Send him back to daytime where he obviously belongs. Don't see the love there at all, only friction. And, why should I feel sorry for a mother who only works two hours a day on a talk show, which means TV high salaries, not minimum wage, has a doctor as a husband, and a housekeeper? There is no way to identify with this character of Bonnie. I didn't even think that Carl Reiner was that special. Is this show merely a chance to give a paycheck to some in Hollywood, such as her endless parade of friends? If so, where do I sign up? Ms. Hunt should consider just doing film work, as she seems far better at that than primetime comedy. Also, why does Ms. Hunt wear the same black outfit each time I see her? Whether she is in a picture, on the show, or on a talk show touting her show, is ABC only giving her enough money for one outfit to wear? This show only spells disaster to me, which is sad since I have really liked Ms. Hunt in movies. I have totally given up on this boring 'hit', and I won't make the mistake of trying to give it another chance, as it is a total waste of my time. If ABC continues to give it 'Life' then how sad is this network- ABC shame on you once again. Let Hunt do movies where I can really enjoy her as I have many times in the past- this medium is not for her, because I don't enjoy her on TV at all.

katlover888 Whenever I see critiques that are split between very good reviews and very bad reviews, with nothing in between, I know that the show is worth watching, the book is worth reading, the politician is worth listening to. So it is with Life with Bonnie.It follows in the tradition of the very best of family comedy - from I Love Lucy to the Dick Van Dyke Show to Eight is Enough to Mr. Belvedere. Unfortunately, the form has been in short supply for the past decade, replaced by the work place comedy and the room mate comedy - forms that allow for more shock, controversy, sexual innuendo & raunch.Those who want cutting edge comedy that cuts to the quick will not be amused by this gentle, classy sitcom.However, if you want a show that you can watch with your 14 year old daughter and 10 year old son on one side, your husband, next to you, along with your 60 year old father and your 83 year old grandmother, this show is for you. You'll find that you are all laughing at the same things.The humor is a kind humor that is based in age old comedy. It is not at someone's expense. The improv segments add a spontaneity. You are invited to laugh with the characters - & with the actors themselves. It is simply funny stuff for those who love a classic kind of comedy that has been out of fashion.

tiekbane This show has absolutely no humor. The characters are bland. Plots are directionless with rambling, pointless dialogue. The ad-libbing is awkward. Bonnie Hunt, herself, looks bored.In one episode, the husband was nagging Bonnie (in a condescending manner), during the whole first act, about neglectful check-book keeping. I kept waiting for a punch line but after 8 minutes I expected to hear the husband ask for a divorce. Then Jonathon Winters ad-libbed some lines with Bonnie and the repore was so bad, I was embarrassed for him. At the end, the husband apparently forgave her for her dereliction of competent finances and they began kissing in bed. Loud, long, wet kissing. Yuck. (This has become a tradition on this show).I tuned in the following week just to see if the show had gotten better. Nope. More rambling, more dull ad-libbing, more super sloppy kissing.How this show can get big name cameos is a mystery to me. I hope it isn't because they need the money.How Bonnie Hunt got yet another TV show is even more of a mystery. I confess that I don't know much about her but I know she's failed at TV headlining several times before.Personal to Bonnie: lose the horn-rimmed glasses!