What? RAISING HOPE is a new single-camera family comedy from Emmy Award winner Greg Garcia that follows the Chance family as they find themselves adding an unexpected new member into their household.   At 23 years old, Jimmy Chance is going nowhere in life. He skims pools for a living, parties every night and still lives at home with his family, including his Maw Maw; his mother, Virginia and his father, Burt.   Jimmy’s life takes a drastic turn when a chance romantic encounter with Lucy goes awry once he discovers she is a wanted felon. Months later, when Jimmy pays a visit to the local prison, he learns Lucy is pregnant with their baby, and after she gives birth, he is charged with raising their daughter.

Back at home, Jimmy’s family is less than enthusiastic about a new addition to the household. His parents, who had him when they were 15, never knew anything about raising a child and have no interest in trying again. Jimmy may be able to get some help from Sabrina, a sardonic checkout clerk he met at the supermarket if only he can work up the nerve to ask her out. Despite it all, Jimmy is determined to take care of his baby – whom Virginia thinks they should name Hope.   With very few useful skills but their hearts in the right place, will the Chance family be successful when they step into the unpredictable and immensely challenging world of parenting?

Who? Stars Lucas Neff as Jimmy, Cloris Leachman as Maw Maw, Martha “AMAZING” Plimpton as Virginia, Garret “ALSO AMAZING” Dillahaunt as Burt, guest star Bijou Phillips as Lucy, and Shannon Woodward as Sabrina.  RAISING HOPE is produced by Amigos de Garcia Productions in association with 20^th Century Fox Television. The pilot was written by Greg Garcia and directed by Michael Fresco. Garcia serves as executive producer on the series.

Where/When? FOX, 9/8c Tuesdays after GLEE.

Why (Why Not)? RAISING HOPE is my favorite new show of the season.  Others will pick the smart drama LONE STAR, but I am putting my vote down for this charming family comedy that shocks as much as it warms the heart.  Lucas Neff is fantastic as Jimmy learns how to handle raising a baby, and his parents (Plimpton and Dillhaunt) are absolutely fantastic.  Any time I see Martha Plimpton these days, I’m just so happy because she’s incredible, really!  I don’t know that this show is going to be a show that the masses embrace, but it’s certainly one that I’ll be sad to live without!

How? An absolute must watch!  DVR, watch live, do what you can to watch!