NBC's Parenthood was celebrated in Los Angeles last night with a special screening and panel at the Paley Center for Media's annual PaleyFest event-- which basically meant fans got to ugly cry in the comfort of other fans.
Series creator Jason Katims admitted to LA TV Insider Examiner on the press line that things certainly do get emotional in the writers room when they are breaking stories, especially last season's bout with cancer for Kristina (Monica Potter) and Ryan's (Matt Lauria) PTSD. But he feels things only really take a turn for the extremely emotional once the actors bring the words to life.
"It's a combination of their chemistry and their own emotions and the fact that you've gotten to know, and I hope, love these people over several seasons. So you feel what they feel because we're trying to tell very realistic stories, but you feel it more because you're invested," Katims said.
He elaborated on the panel, pointing to the key season four scene during which Julia (Erika Christensen) is overwhelmed with parenting and Crosby (Dax Shepard) advises her as a perfect example of something that didn't read nearly as tear-worthy until the two played it out.
Peter Krause thought the show should be used as a litmus test of sorts: "Parenthood is a good test to see if you're emotionally okay," he said, only half-joking. "If you tune in and don't laugh a little and don't cry a little, you might be a sociopath."
So with so many tears being shed (Paley Center volunteers passed out personal packets of tissues along with the night's commemorative program), what does the cast use to lean on when watching the episodes at home? I set out to find out! Quite frankly, my dog doesn't love it when I sob into his fur, so let's face it, I needed tips on something new to try.
Thankfully, Jason Ritter, Sam Jaeger, Max Burkholder, and Potter herself had some good suggestions! Check out our video interview to find out what they said.
Parenthood has not yet been renewed for a fifth season. Let's all keep our fingers crossed the Bravermans come back into our lives soon, though!
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