''The Real O'Neals'' is an American single-camera

sitcom A sitcom, a portmanteau of situation comedy, or situational comedy, is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troupe may use ne ...

that aired on

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

from March 2, 2016, to March 14, 2017. The series, based on an idea by

Dan Savage Daniel Keenan Savage (born October 7, 1964) is an American author, media pundit, journalist, and LGBT community activist. He writes ''Savage Love'', an internationally syndicated relationship and sex advice column. In 2010, Savage and his husba ...

(who also served as executive producer), was picked up to series on May 7, 2015. The series was renewed for a second season on May 12, 2016, which premiered on October 11, 2016. On May 11, 2017, ABC canceled the series after two seasons.

Plot

The series chronicles the lives of a close-knit, Irish-American

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

Catholic The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

family whose matriarch takes their reputation in the community very seriously. In the pilot episode, their perfect image is shattered when each family member has a secret revealed to the community: middle child Kenny is gay, oldest child Jimmy is anorexic, youngest child Shannon is running a money scam and might be atheist, and parents Eileen and Pat are no longer in love and wish to divorce. Subsequent episodes explore the new family dynamic as Pat and Eileen separate and everyone reconciles Kenny's sexuality with their faith.

Cast and characters

Main

Martha Plimpton Martha Plimpton (born November 16, 1970) is an American actress. Her feature-film debut was in '' Rollover'' (1981); she subsequently rose to prominence in the Richard Donner film ''The Goonies'' (1985). She has also appeared in '' The Mosquito ...

as Eileen O'Neal, the Catholic matriarch *

Jay R. Ferguson Jay R. Ferguson (born July 25, 1974) is an American actor, known as Taylor Newton in '' Evening Shade'' (1990–1994), Stan Rizzo in ''Mad Men'' (2010–2015), and Ben Olinsky in '' The Conners'' (2018–present). Biography In 1990 Ferguson pla ...

as Pat O'Neal, a Chicago Police Department officer who is secretly contemplating divorce *

Noah Galvin Noah Egidi Galvin (born May 6, 1994) is an American actor and singer. He is best known for playing Dr. Asher Wolke in the TV series ''The Good Doctor (TV series), The Good Doctor'', Kenny O'Neal in the American Broadcasting Company, ABC sitcom ...

as Kenneth "Kenny" Christopher Sebastian O'Neal, the 16-year-old middle child who comes out to his family as gay * Matthew Shively as James "Jimmy" O'Neal, the athletic 17-year-old oldest child who learns he is

anorexic Anorexia nervosa, often referred to simply as anorexia, is an eating disorder characterized by low weight, food restriction, body image disturbance, fear of gaining weight, and an overpowering desire to be thin. ''Anorexia'' is a term of Gre ...

Bebe Wood Bebe Wood is an American actress and singer. She is known for her roles as Shania in the NBC television series '' The New Normal'', as Shannon on the ABC television series ''The Real O'Neals'', and as Lake Meriwether on the Hulu Original series ...

as Shannon O'Neal, the 14-year-old youngest child and the only daughter who is questioning her faith *

Mary Hollis Inboden Mary Hollis Inboden is an American actress and writer best known for appearing on the TV shows ''The Real O'Neals'', ''Kevin Can F**k Himself'', and ''The Righteous Gemstones''. Early life Inboden is a survivor of the 1998 Westside Middle Scho ...

as Jodi O'Neal, Pat's ex-sister-in-law

Recurring

Matt Oberg Matthew French Oberg (born August 12, 1976, in Larchmont, New York) is an American actor and comedian. He is primarily known for his roles in television series such as ''The Real O'Neals'' and '' Ugly Americans'' and ''Hart of Dixie ''Hart ...

as Vice Principal Clive Murray, Eileen's boyfriend and Pat's friend *

Ramona Young Ramona Abish Young (born in Los Angeles, California) is a Chinese American actress. She is known for her recurring roles on the television series ''Man Seeking Woman'', ''The Real O'Neals'', and ''Santa Clarita Diet''. Young is also known for he ...

as Allison Adler-Wong, Kenny's lesbian friend and the other member of the school's LGBT club *

Hannah Marks Hannah Marks (born April 13, 1993) is an American actress, writer, and director. She played Amanda Brotzman on the television series '' Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency''. Early life Hannah Marks was born in Los Angeles, the daughter of R ...

as Mimi Waxberg, Kenny's ex-girlfriend *

Sean Grandillo Sean Grandillo (born December 9, 1992) is an American actor, singer and musician, known for his roles as the Voice of Otto in the 2015 Broadway revival of '' Spring Awakening'', Eli Hudson in MTV's horror series ''Scream'', Brett Young in ABC ...

as Brett Young, Kenny's first boyfriend *

Sarayu Blue Sarayu Rao (born March 7, 1975), also known as Sarayu R. Blue, is an American actress. She is perhaps best known for her recurring role as Angela on the Fox sitcom ''Sons of Tucson'', as well as Dr. Sydney Napur on David E. Kelley's ''Monday Morn ...

as Marcia Worthman *

Brian Huskey Brian Huskey (born September 8, 1968) is an American character actor, comedian, and writer. He is best known for his roles in comedy programs such as '' People of Earth'', ''Childrens Hospital'', ''Veep'', and ''Another Period''. He also provides ...

as Father Phil * Caleb Pierce as Stuart * Madison Iseman as Madison *

Kaylee Bryant Kaylee Marie Kaneshiro Bryant (born November 1, 1997) is an American actress and model. She is known for portraying Josie Saltzman on The CW television series, ''Legacies'', a role she played from 2018 to 2021. Biography Bryant grew up in Sou ...

as Lacey * Jeremy Lawson as Jesus (Kenny's "

shoulder angel A shoulder angel is a plot device used for dramatic and/or humorous effect in fiction, mainly in animation and comic books/ strips. The angel represents conscience and is often accompanied by a shoulder devil representing temptation. They a ...

") *

Angela Kinsey Angela Faye Kinsey (born June 25, 1971) is an American actress. She played Angela Martin in the sitcom ''The Office'' (2005–2013) and appeared in the sitcoms '' Your Family or Mine'' (2015) and ''Haters Back Off'' (2016–2017). Since ''The ...

as Sheila DeMars, Eileen's rival * Jessica-Snow Wilson as Gloria, Pat's colleague and love interest * Christopher Avila as Ethan, Shannon's boyfriend * Ray Ford as Steve the Colorist, Jodi's colleague * Lizzie White as Claire, Shannon's friend

Guest

Jimmy Kimmel James Christian Kimmel (born November 13, 1967) is an American television host, comedian, writer, and producer. He is the host and executive producer of ''Jimmy Kimmel Live!'', a late-night talk show that premiered on ABC on January 26, 2003, ...

as himself *

Garrett Clayton Gary Michael "Garrett" Clayton is an American actor and singer. He is known for portraying Tanner in the 2013 Disney Channel movie '' Teen Beach Movie'' and its 2015 sequel '' Teen Beach 2'', and other film, television, and stage roles. Life ...

as Ricky *

Madison Pettis Madison Michelle Pettis (born July 22, 1998) is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Sophie Martinez on the Disney Channel comedy series '' Cory in the House'', as Peyton Kelly in the 2007 film '' The Game Plan'', and as Allie Bro ...

as Chloe Perrente *

Caroline Morahan Caroline Morahan is an Irish actress and television host. In 2010, she was chosen as the face of Littlewoods Ireland. Early life Caroline Morahan graduated from Dublin City University with a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies, earni ...

as Maleficent (Kenny's "shoulder devil") *

Frances Conroy Frances Hardman Conroy is an American actress. She is best known for playing Ruth Fisher on the television series '' Six Feet Under'' (2001–2005), for which she won a Golden Globe and three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and received four Pr ...

as Grandma Agnes *

Phil LaMarr Phillip LaMarr (born January 24, 1967) is an American actor, comedian and screenwriter. LaMarr was one of the original featured cast members on the sketch comedy television series ''Mad TV''. His voice acting roles in animated series include Jo ...

as Archie, Pat's partner *

Ian Gomez Ian Braque Gomez (born December 27, 1964) is an American actor known for his comedic TV work, which include series-regular roles as Javier on '' Felicity'' and Andy on ''Cougar Town''. Early life He was born in New York City, New York, to an art ...

as Michael-Gregory *

Noah Crawford Noah Caleb Crawford (born October 13, 1994) is an American actor and singer. He is best known as Nelson Baxter from his time in the Nickelodeon sitcom ''How to Rock'', as well as portraying Young Earl Hickey in ''My Name Is Earl''. Life and caree ...

as Drew *

Scott Menville Scott David Menville (born February 12, 1971) is an American actor who is known for his voice work in animated films, television series and video games. Life and career Menville was born on February 12, 1971, to television animator and writer C ...

as Gangbanger ("Pilot") and Tony ("The Real Halloween") *

Cheyenne Jackson Cheyenne David Jackson (born July 12, 1975) is an American actor and singer. His credits include leading roles in Broadway musicals and other stage roles, as well as film and television roles, concert singing, and music recordings. After beginni ...

as Mr. Peters * Marija Omaljev-Grbić as Dream Woman *

Jordin Sparks Jordin Sparks-Thomas (born December 22, 1989) is an American singer and actress. She rose to fame in 2007 after winning the sixth season of ''American Idol'' at age 17, becoming the youngest winner in the series' history. Her self-titled debu ...

as herself *

Tim Gunn Timothy MacKenzie Gunn (born July 29, 1953) is an American author, academic, and television personality. He served on the faculty of Parsons School of Design from 1982 to 2007 and was chair of fashion design at the school from August 2000 to Mar ...

as himself *

RuPaul RuPaul Andre Charles (born November 17, 1960; stylized as RuPaul) is an American drag queen, television personality, actor, musician, and model. Best known for producing, hosting, and judging the reality competition series ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' ...

as himself *

Tyler Oakley Mathew Tyler Oakley (born March 22, 1989) is an American YouTuber, actor, activist and author. Much of Oakley's activism has been dedicated to LGBT youth, LGBT rights, as well as social issues including health care, education, and the prevention ...

as himself *

Lance Bass James Lance Bass (; born May 4, 1979) is an American singer, dancer, actor, film, and television producer. He grew up in Mississippi and rose to fame as the bass singer for the American pop boy band NSYNC. NSYNC's success led Bass to work in film ...

as himself *

Jane Lynch Jane Marie Lynch (born July 14, 1960) is an American actress, comedian and author. She is known for starring as Sue Sylvester in the musical comedy series ''Glee'' (2009–2015), which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award. Lynch also gained recogni ...

as herself *

Gus Kenworthy Augustus Richard "Gus" Kenworthy (born October 1, 1991) is a British-American former freestyle skier, actor, and YouTuber. He competed in slopestyle, halfpipe and big air. Kenworthy won the silver medal in Men's slopestyle at the 2014 Winter Oly ...

as himself *

Robbie Rogers Robert Hampton Rogers III (born May 12, 1987) is an American former professional soccer player. He played as a winger and as a left back. Rogers has also represented the United States men's national soccer team. In February 2013, Rogers came o ...

as himself * Antonia Lofaso as herself *

Alex Guarnaschelli {{Infobox chef , name = Alex Guarnaschelli , image = , caption = , birth_date = {{birth date and age, 1969, 6, 20 , birth_place = St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. , birth_name = Alexandra Maria Guarnaschelli ...

as herself *

Graham Elliot Graham Elliot Bowles (born January 4, 1977)Vettel, Phi ''Chicago Tribune'' blog, July 29, 2010 is an American chef, restaurateur, and reality television personality. He first gained recognition in the restaurant business as a three-time nominee fo ...

as himself

Episodes

Series overview

Season 1 (2016)

Season 2 (2016–17)

Ratings

Season 1 (2016)

Season 2 (2016–17)

}

Reception

Ratings

Critical reception

The series received a generally favorable response from critics. On review aggregator site

Metacritic Metacritic is a website that review aggregator, aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted arithmetic mean, weighted average). M ...

, ''The Real O'Neals'' has a metascore of 62 out of 100 based on 22 critics signifying "generally favorable reviews". On another review aggregator site

Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wang ...

, the show has a 67% approval rating, based on 27 reviews, with an average rating of 6.4/10. The site's critical consensus: "Funny writing and a solid cast save ''The Real O'Neals'' from traditional sitcom perils."

Awards and nominations

Controversies

News of the series' pickup

The news of the series' pick-up attracted attention and controversy before its debut. On May 12, 2015, the day it was announced that the series had been added to the ABC network schedule,

Christian right The Christian right, or the religious right, are Christian political factions characterized by their strong support of socially conservative and traditionalist policies. Christian conservatives seek to influence politics and public policy with t ...

groups such as the

American Family Association The American Family Association (AFA) is a Christian fundamentalist 501(c)(3) organization based in the United States.

and the

Family Research Council The Family Research Council (FRC) is an American evangelical activist group and think-tank with an affiliated lobbying organization. FRC promotes what it considers to be family values. It opposes and lobbies against: access to pornography, emb ...

called for a boycott and petitioned to prevent the series from airing. They also cited Savage's views on religion, sexuality, and

same-sex marriage Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is the marriage of two people of the same Legal sex and gender, sex or gender. marriage between same-sex couples is legally performed and recognized in 33 countries, with the most recent being ...

, which they believed had been infused into the series due to it being based on his life, but Savage claimed that the concept went in a different direction since he was not involved in the writing.

Bisexual joke

The second-season episode "The Real Acceptance" featured a joke regarding bisexuals, in which Kenny, who is openly gay, compared being bisexual to having "webbed toes" or "money problems". Bisexual actor

Sara Ramirez Sara Elena Ramírez (; born August 31, 1975) is a Mexican-American actor and singer. Born in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Ramírez moved to the United States at eight years old, eventually graduating with a fine arts degree from the Juilliard School. R ...

, who played the bisexual character

Callie Torres Calliope Iphegenia Torres, M.D. is a fictional character from the medical drama television series ''Grey's Anatomy'', which airs on the ABC in the United States. The character was created by series' producer Shonda Rhimes, and is portrayed by ...

on ''

Grey's Anatomy ''Grey's Anatomy'' is an American medical drama television series that premiered on March 27, 2005, on ABC as a mid-season replacement. The series focuses on the lives of surgical interns, residents, and attendings as they develop into se ...

'', criticized

and the series, finding the joke offensive.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Real O'Neals, The 2016 American television series debuts 2017 American television series endings 2010s American single-camera sitcoms 2010s American LGBT-related comedy television series 2010s American teen sitcoms English-language television shows Religious comedy television series Gay-related television shows Irish-American mass media American Broadcasting Company original programming Television series about dysfunctional families Television series about teenagers Television series by ABC Studios Television shows set in Chicago Television shows based on books Fictional portrayals of the Chicago Police Department Television shows featuring audio description American LGBT-related sitcoms