Leanne kicks off with a classic multi-camera sitcom setup, complete with an unnecessary laugh track. The opening scene finds Leanne Morgan, who both created and stars in the show, in a pristine kitchen looking visibly distressed—a cue for the prerecorded audience laughter, despite the lack of actual humor in her plight. This use of canned laughter, once a staple on network television, feels somewhat out of place in today’s streaming landscape, which tends to favor darker, more nuanced comedies that don’t prompt the audience when to laugh. Once viewers adjust to this old-fashioned feature, however, Leanne proves to be quite delightful. The charm of the show lies in its blend of classic sitcom style with a modern perspective.

Although Chuck Lorre, a seasoned sitcom producer, is involved, the show veers away from the likes of Two And A Half Men and The Big Bang Theory. Instead, it draws closer to Reba, featuring a resilient, sweet-natured Southern woman at its helm, navigating personal chaos. Like Reba McEntire’s character who dealt with a marital betrayal, Leanne faces a similar upheaval when her husband leaves her for a younger woman, thrusting her into the life of a single mother to grown children. Throughout the first season, viewers follow Leanne as she discovers new romance, strengthens familial bonds, and rediscovers herself. The show, while formulaic, is comforting and familiar, much like Reba itself.

Attempts to revive the multi-camera format on streaming platforms often lean heavily on nostalgia. Netflix, for instance, tried to capture past success with shows like The Ranch and Fuller House, with varying degrees of success. The 2017 reboot of One Day At A Time managed to strike a good balance by modernizing Norman Lear’s concept while staying true to its roots. However, subsequent attempts like Pretty Smart and No Good Nick did not meet expectations. Leanne, however, emerges as a refreshing exception since its debut.

Unusually for a streaming series, Leanne offers 16 episodes per season, allowing for character development without drawn-out story arcs. The humor is light, with jokes about modern phenomena like TikTok and menopause, though some may hit or miss. The cast, including Kristen Johnson and Ryan Stiles, adds depth, making even the less successful jokes bearable. A notable dynamic, similar to Reba, is Leanne’s evolving relationship with her sister, Carol.

As the episodes unfold, Leanne finds its groove, encouraging audiences to embrace its charming, albeit imperfect, family. This approach to storytelling is reminiscent of traditional network TV sitcoms, which are revisited in Hulu’s Mid-Century Modern. Created by Will & Grace alumni, the show features three aging gay friends and their adventures in Palm Springs, offering a mix of personal and humorous challenges.

Despite its use of a laugh track and some questionable jokes, the likable main characters and guest stars keep the show engaging. Hulu’s previous attempt with the How I Met Your Father, while promising, failed to fully capture the essence of its predecessor.

On the other hand, Mid-Century Modern taps into the spirit of The Golden Girls, focusing on friendship and light-hearted, age-defying antics. The series occasionally falters by reducing its leads to stereotypes but generally maintains a heartwarming, engaging pace across its episodes.

Mid-Century Modern and Leanne both feature significant narratives—dealing with themes of grief and starting anew amidst life changes. They manage to offer substantial themes through a breezy, humorous lens, continuing the legacy of past sitcom successes while carving out their own space in the streaming world.