For over fifty years, television has given us every type of family sitcom imaginable.Starting its history in the late 50s and 60s and featuring shows like Father Knows Best, Ozzie and Harriet and Leave it to Beaver, to the 70s with the Brady Bunch and All in the Family; the 80s Full House, The Cosby Show, and most recently shows like Everybody Loves Raymond and George Lopez. Many of these sitcoms, though at times can seemingly unrealistic, are relatable to many people. “Parenthood” is a show that in turn could relate to many of us as we make our journey through  life not only as a mother and father but a sister, brother, aunt or uncle.             “Funny Absurd and Heroic”, Parenthood is a slight take off from the 1989 movie directed by Ron Howard who is now executive producer of the show. Though the story line is similar, it has been brought up to date with familiar family topics and given a new twist. The stories intertwine nicely within the characters lives, and though the experiences they can encounter can often be difficult, at the end we realize the important connection is that family really does matter.             Parenthood has everything from illegitimate children, rebellious teenagers, kids with development disabilities and career hungry spouses. It is looking into and exploring roles and the responsibilities of parenting, whether is a coaching a little league game, protecting them from a lousy father or bailing them out of jail. Parenthood has great supporting class with veterans Craig T. Nelson, know for hit series  Coach, and Bonnie Bedelia, as Camille, the mother that holds it all together. The cast also features fresh faces such as up and coming actors Sarah Ramos and Max Burholder. Sarah Graham is wonderful as Sarah Braverman who after too long a time decides at 38 to leave her husband take her two children and move back home with her parents-wise choice or not? She’ll blame her older brother, Adam, played by Peter Karuse who got her to move back in the first place. Although compared to her younger and immature brother Crosby, played by Dax Shepard, Adam has his own serious problems to deal with.We are introduced to the rest of the family who are all dysfunctional in their own way, such as Sarah’s younger sister Julia played by Erika Christensen, who tries to climb the ladder of success while raising a daughter and seems to be failing miserably.But in just a brief hour viewers have gotten a glimpse about this family and want to know more because Jason Katims, known for “Friday Night Lights”, writes his characters in such a way that we actually like them and care about their lives, whatever they may be.Although this is only the first episode, this show has great promise and with the creative and dedicated visions of Katims and Howard, should be around for many seasons to come.