Enlisted on FOX

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Source: Enlisted on FOX


When the promotions team from the new FOX show Enlisted reached out to me to check out their new show, I jumped at the opportunity.  I’d seen a preview or two on the TV, and had a good feel for what to expect.  I finally had the opportunity over my winter break to sit down and watch four uncut, preliminary episodes, including the pilot.  The show started a bit slow for me, as I was wrangling my daughter, but as I kept at it I found that I really enjoyed it.  What was even more surprising was that DH was just as transfixed by the program, which had him laughing through numerous comedic moments.  Whoa there!  My husband is a hard man to please when it comes to military-based shows, being a veteran of three branches of service.  Media representations of the military that fall short annoy him, and he can’t see past inaccuracies to buy into the plot, no matter how well written.  He used to roll his eyes and make negative comments when I would settle in with Army Wives on the DVR.

 
Enlisted is different, much in the way that M.A.S.H. or Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. were different.  They’re military shows, yes, but the show’s themes emerge not through the portrayal of military conflict, but the interaction and relationships of their characters.  They’re friends, family, and they also happen to be soldiers.  We see mentorships, leaders struggling with their roles, friendships forming, and relationships blooming, all in the context of a military setting.
 
The show has apparently received some negative feedback, although I haven’t seen any of it online.  Some people are complaining about inaccuracies like haircuts out of regulation, overweight soldiers, grooming standards, etc.  Really, folks?  What’d you expect?  It’s a comedy.  Not to say that the Enlisted team didn’t receive military advisement.  To appease the nay-sayers, they’re doing a “Spot Our Snafus” contest, so go ahead and take notes while you watch – pick it apart!
 
As for those that claim this show is disrespectful to the military, I think that’s a little far-fetched.  Like any other source of comedy, the show magnifies characteristics, both positive and negative.  The hearts of the creators are in the right place, and the Enlisted team is really connected to their viewers. My question about who’d be watching on the AHE FB page last night hit Twitter and it blew up!  A simple question for my readers was acknowledged and appreciated over and over by the creator, the writers, a producer, an actor, and so forth.  It was like IMDB threw up on my Twitter Interactions.
 
Ultimately, Enlisted provides a great opportunity to unwind at the end of a long week, poke fun at ourselves, and have a good laugh.  We need that, especially during wartime.  We face the harsh realities of our duty day in and day out.  Laughter is cathartic, we owe it to ourselves.
 
Enlisted premieres on FOX this Friday, January 10th, at 9:30/8:30 central.

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5 Comments

  • Megan Wadsworthsaid
    January 7, 2014 at 8:02 am

    I'm excited to watch it. The previews look funny. If your hubs can give a semi-nod of approval, then that's good. B is SO HARD on any military movie/show and proceeds to point out just how unrealistic everything is. It'll be nice to see a comedy about the military, rather than just drama, because honestly I enjoy hearing all of the funny stories that B brings home. Hundreds of boys together all the time usually leads to shenanigans!

  • Dina Farmersaid
    January 7, 2014 at 3:36 pm

    I will most certainly be watching it. Even with them being in the Army I'm sure I can find things to relate to. I don't think it matters that they are not 100% true to the military. After I don't believe Film and television are allowed to portray to perfection what the rules and regs are in the military. We have seen it so many times in other movies and shows. I think it's just nice to have it poking fun about being in the military and it's light hearted. I mean look at Scurbs. I'm sure there were tons of things that didn't really make sense to you if you happened to be in the medical field. But that wasn't what the show was about! It was about the relationships and interactions of the characters. I am very much looking forward to watching this! Since I don't watch too many sitcoms at all. I'm more nerdy and enjoy Doctor Who and other sci-fi shows.

  • Erinsaid
    January 11, 2014 at 9:28 pm

    @Megan Wadsworth – Exactly. So many humorous moments even in my short time in the military!@Dina Farmer – Scrubs is EXACTLY what I thought about when I heard about Enlisted being a workplace comedy. I loved that show, and I hope that Enlisted is able to reach that level of success. I tend to watch more dramas and reality TV myself.

  • Starr Chismsaid
    February 7, 2014 at 9:24 pm

    I'm loving Enlisted!! I mean, sure, I've noticed things here and there and have voiced them to my hubby. Like the fact they're outside without their covers. Ultimately, it doesn't take away from the show, and it's not a show that's trying to be super accurate. It's hilarious! Randy is definitely my favorite!

  • Erinsaid
    February 10, 2014 at 9:21 pm

    @Starr – Glad you're enjoying it! I have to admit – I'm not used to having free time in the evenings to watch TV and I've completely forgotten the last two weeks in a row. Doh!

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