Network: ABC
Episodes: 29 (half-hour)
Seasons: Two
TV show dates: March 2, 2016 — March 14, 2017
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Martha Plimpton, Jay R. Ferguson, Noah Galvin, Mathew Shively, Bebe Wood, and Mary Hollis Inboden.
TV show description:
This single-camera comedy takes an inside look at a seemingly perfect family whose lives take an unexpected turn when surprising truths are revealed. Instead of ruining their family, the honesty triggers a new and messier chapter where everyone stops pretending to be perfect and actually starts being real.
Eileen (Martha Plimpton), the matriarch of the O’Neal household, is highly regarded in the community for her volunteer work and fundraising skills. Eighteen years ago, an unplanned pregnancy and a shotgun wedding made a young Eileen get her act together. After reinventing herself as the perfectly put-together Catholic mom, Eileen is a little reluctant to embrace this new era of honesty and openness in her family.
A cop with the Chicago Police Department, Pat O’Neal (Jay R. Ferguson) is a regular (though inept) guy who loves his city, the Bears, and his family. After eighteen years as Eileen’s compliant husband, their separation leaves him a little less than prepared to handle life on his own as a single guy. Now that he’s independent (though living in the family basement), Pat’s has to learn to make his own decisions for the first time in his life.
Eldest son Jimmy (Mathew Shively) seems to have it all. He’s the handsome, popular star of his high school wrestling team. Though he isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, he sometimes shows surprising insight. Jimmy reveals his struggle to make his weight class has turned into an actual eating disorder. It becomes clear that all the pressure and expectations have really gotten to him.
The smart, likable, and funny middle child of the O’Neal family, Kenny (Noah Galvin) has always felt like a bit of a black sheep compared to his perfect siblings. His decision to come out of the closet spurs the chain reaction of secrets from the rest of his family to spill out as well. He’s always been his mother’s favorite but his announcement about his sexuality threatens their special relationship when it opposes her firmly held traditional beliefs.
Wise-beyond-her-years, Shannon (Bebe Wood) is the family’s youngest and brightest child but her moral compass could definitely use some recalibrating. She’s been raising money for poor children in Africa but is actually saving to buy herself a car.
As Pat’s brother’s ex-wife, Aunt Jodi’s (Mary Hollis Inboden) connection to the family is more about proximity than blood. In the midst of the fallout from the family’s secrets, this hairdresser remains loyal to the O’Neals, always happy to play the role of their number one fan and cheerleader.
Episode #29 — The Real Secrets
VP Murray is nervous to tell Pat about his plans to ask Eileen to marry him and is relieved to receive Pat’s blessing to do so. Meanwhile, Eileen and Kenny realize how far they’ve come when they help Allison deal with her close-minded parents. Shannon and Jimmy discover a pregnancy test and prepare for life with another sibling.
First aired: March 14, 2017.
What do you think? Do you like the The Real O’Neals TV show? Do you think it should have been cancelled or renewed for a third season?
I ♥ The Real O’Neals. The daughter was SO freaking funny!! I loved her in New Normal, too! Of course, I ♥ Kenny, too!
The Real ONeals was stupid. Only watched because no one was being killed or raped…. like most other shows have on. Dr Ken was even worse. I love Last Man Standing at that is the only reason to watch ABC. Will see who the sponsors are and stop buying their products till Last Man is back on.
I thought this show really worked. It was quite humorous.
one of the worst cancellations. this was agreat show. to the powers that be, please bring it back
Not show I w seen when it was on TV it did not look like funny show!
Sad this show was not renewed. It’s one of the few show I actually watched live. I personally thought it presented that we are all not perfect. This show was not a perfect show but neither am I. ABC please reconsider renewing for another season.
This is so sad seeing all these homophobic Peopl posting on this section. Not everybody is a person of the righteous people seem to think that being homosexual liked allowed or normal seem to have poisoned this site.
Hating a bad TV show doesn’t make you homophobic. That would be as nasty as saying that everyone who watches the show is anti-Catholic.
Great show. Should NOT have been cancelled. ABC, please reconsider.
I don’t understand why they are pulling the plug on this show … It’s well written .. funny . honest . great characters . clean . Not to mention , a healthy role model for gay youth . I hope they reconsider
People some are anti Gay Homosexual. to those narrow minded people. Learn to get alone with people, speard hate isnt helping anyone.
Narrow-mindedness is using “anti-gay” as an excuse for everything.
Shame on you ABC. This show is relevant in a funny and “real” way. Please reconsider…..Loved this show and it deserves a 3rd season!
A show that turns back the clock to the 1960s is relevant? The 1st season ratings were dismal and it actually made it through season 2 before being cnacelled. What’s that tell you?
That tells me that I want the days of Archie Bunker back. Life wasn’t always so PC. People were allowed to smile. Do you know it used to be okay to tell off color jokes without everyone getting there lives out of sorts. Make fun of me as an old lady. I don’t care.
The show WAS politically correct. Bigotry against Catholics is one form of hatred that’s acceptable to the PC police. And, I too, love shows like Archie Bunker, Sanford & Sons, MASH and The Jeffersons. They were fearless in their non-PC humor, but used it in a way that showed the folly of stereotypes. Shows like these would never be allowed on television today, but we could use something like that these days.
Renewed! Definitely. Please reconsider.
This is a great show. I love how they show how humans are humans and it’s ok to be whoever you are or want to be
yeah it’s suspicious when exact same phrases come from many people…
RENEW!! Please! 🙂
Please renew. This show is very important. I enjoy watching this show with my teenage son. Lots of good life lessond