The Bonnie Hunt Show - First Impressions

I watched the premiere episode of The Bonnie Hunt Show and I liked it. 

I think she was nervous, I think she didn’t do herself any favors by picking a crazy first guest (Robin Williams – who I love, by the way) but I forgave it all for a number of reasons:

• She wore regular clothes.  I felt comfortable with her right away because she and I look like we’ve got the same wardrobe.  It wasn’t distracting and her hair was gorgeous!  I liked the glasses too.  My oldest child barely recognized her with them on (see?  Bonnie is already pulling a Superman/Clark Kent!).
• She loves her family and made them a focal point throughout the show.  The fact that the intro animation is based on her little niece’s drawings really won me over.  So sweet!
• She spoke with her Chicago accent (my family is from there!).  I had no idea that Bonnie actually sounded that way in real life.  I loved just listening to her!
• The set is really beautiful.  It’s as if she is welcoming us into her home and those floors are stunning! 

The episode wasn’t without it’s share of trouble, though.  Robin Williams, who regularly ventured into inappropriate banter, was hard to control.  You could tell that they clearly are great friends and that she actually was mortified once or twice.  I think if she had just relaxed during those times, it would have looked better.  Instead, she looked like she had lost control of the show and was worried about it rather than just sitting back and saying “yeah, everyone knows what Robin is like.  They are going to understand…”  With time, though, I think she could be great.  The format reminds me of the Rosie O’Donnell show a bit, before Rosie got angry. 

Did you watch the show?  If so, what did you think?

image used with permission