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Aliens in America, on The CW
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Justin Tolchuck is a social outcast. His parents decide to get a friend for him via the student exchange program. They're supposed to get a kid from London, but they end up with Raja Musharaff, a Muslim from Pakistan. He is of course more of an outsider than Justin, but he ends up being a good friend. At first, however, Justin's mother, Franny (who oddly enough is the only character in the Wisconsin setting with a Wisconsin accent) is uncomfortable with Raja, and wants to send him back. Justin's father, Gary, is happy enough to have him around, because the student exchange program sends a monthly check, and also because Raja is very helpful around the house. By the end of the first episode, though, Franny has come around and lets him stay. Which is good, because she has other things to worry about, like Justin's blossoming younger sister, Claire, who is suddenly becoming popular with the guys at school....

Well, of course, Raja tries (and to an extent succeeds) in making Justin and his family more sort of moral, or whatever. But they also tend to have an effect on him, making him a bit more prone to moral slips. And he tends to cause Justin alot of embarrassment at times. But they become friends, in spite of their differences. And the whole family comes to appreciate Raja. And... I'm not sure what else to say. The show is fairly amusing, and not too wacky or treacly or anything. Certainly it's nice to see Scott Patterson as Gary, though his character here isn't nearly as good as his character in Gilmore Girls. Amy Pietz as Franny, on the other hand, is much better than she was in Caroline in the City, IMHO. Oh, I also should say I like Justin's narration. Anyway, it's kind of a shame the show didn't last longer, but... eh, it was never really a favorite, or anything....


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