Sullivan & Son: A Family Reunion You Didn’t Ask For
Welcome to the world of Sullivan & Son, a sitcom that’s like an awkward family reunion where you can’t escape Uncle Joe’s inappropriate jokes and Aunt Linda’s obsession with her cats. Set in a bar in Pittsburgh, this show follows the charmingly mundane life of Steve Sullivan, a successful corporate lawyer who decides to abandon his high-flying career to take over his family’s bar. Because, let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to swap a corner office for a corner booth?
Right off the bat, we’re introduced to Steve, who is played by the delightful Steve Byrne, a man whose charm is only outshone by his ability to tolerate his family’s incessant antics. You’d think returning home would be a sweet escape, but no, it’s an endless loop of dad jokes and family drama. The bar is filled with a cast of characters that are as colorful as a box of crayons—if the crayons were slightly worn and had questionable pasts.
Let’s get to the meat of the show, shall we? Steve’s father, the ever-quirky Jack Sullivan, is the kind of guy who thinks “dad jokes” are an Olympic sport. He’s determined to give his son a hard time about giving up a lucrative career for a bar that serves drinks and unsolicited life advice. Meanwhile, Steve’s friends—who also happen to be the bar’s staff—are a collection of misfits that make the cast of The Breakfast Club look like a group of overachievers.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting: the family dynamic is as chaotic as a toddler’s birthday party with too much sugar. Steve’s childhood friends and their various quirks provide the perfect backdrop for a sitcom that thrives on misunderstandings and awkward encounters. From the eccentric bartender to the wise-cracking waitress, every episode is a riotous exploration of familial love and dysfunction. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, someone brings out the karaoke machine, and chaos ensues.
And then there’s the relationship aspect. Steve’s attempts to navigate his love life amidst the madness is like trying to find a needle in a haystack—if the haystack were made of bad advice from his family. Each romantic entanglement is more cringe-worthy than the last, filled with moments that make you want to scream, “Just talk to each other, for crying out loud!”
But wait, there’s more! As the series progresses, we get to witness the classic sitcom trope of “will they, won’t they” between Steve and his childhood friend, who is also conveniently a waitress at the bar. Because nothing says “I love you” like serving drinks and dodging awkward family dinners together.
In conclusion, Sullivan & Son is a delightful romp through the trials and tribulations of family life, bar antics, and the struggle of finding your place in the world. It’s a show that reminds us that no matter how dysfunctional our families are, at the end of the day, we’re all just trying to get along—and maybe share a drink or two along the way. So if you’re in the mood for a laugh and a reminder that family is everything (even when they drive you up the wall), grab a seat at the bar and enjoy the ride!