During its whole existence, you’re wondering who else in the world, if anyone, is seeing these changes. Some of the characters transition between both sides, like Alison’s neighbor Patty, being able to exist in both the sitcom and the single-camera world with Alison, her personality changing ever-so-slightly based on which world she inhabits. The change from bright, studio-lit scenes with no swearing, no conflict, and canned laughter seem even more sinister when they flip to the blue/grey gritty single camera. Somehow, the fakeness of the sitcom is more glaring, giving it a somber tone. But don’t think it’s not funny, it is, it’s just very, very dark. Imagine, if you would, this is a world extended from a show similar to Black Mirror or Inside Number 9 — everything in theory is “right,” but it’s not. Everything is just a bit off. The sitcom aspect is very run-of-the-mill, akin to King Of Queens or Kevin Can Wait. The “lovable idiot” doesn’t know how much harm he causes because of his stupidity, but in the end, he learns a lesson, only to forget it all the next week and continue to treat his put-upon wife as nothing more than a maid or cook.
This show was canceled after its second season. The reasoning was that it was “too confusing to casual viewers,” which I understand in theory, but come on, have a little faith. Who says everything has to be for the casual viewer? I didn’t sit through eight seasons of Game Of Thrones, six seasons of Vikings, and seven seasons of Pretty Little Liars to be called a casual viewer!!
Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/kimberleymolden/sitcoms-that-got-cancelled-too-soon
