(Debbie, Freddie, Todd and Ollie. Courtesy of Paramount+ on YouTube)
Fans of adult-animated cartoons can get excited for the new series, “The Harper House,” which is found exclusively on Paramount+, with new episodes dropping every Thursday until November 10, 2021. With a quick wit and likable characters, it’s easy to see this show lasting for a very long time.
“I am a poor-ass mama with a hangover and a crappy job in a sh***y house!” Straight out of the mouth of a giggling Debbie Harper (voiced by Rhea Seehorn, of “Better Call Saul,” fame), who is one of the main characters of “The Harper House,” this quote essentially covers the core theme of this new show.
Meet the Harpers. A family of four, they include boisterous Debbie, ever-helpful and accommodating husband Freddie, who is very self-deprecating, and kids Todd and Ollie, who are teenagers. They have inherited Freddie’s old aunt Maggie’s home, and have moved into it “temporarily, for the summer, while their home gets renovated.” The kids don’t know that this is a lie; Debbie has actually lost her job and this move to the poor side of town is anything but temporary. Going from the rich side of town to the poor side in this Arkansas town is an upset in the lives of the Harpers.
In this small-town Arkansas setting, the Harpers have gone from the good side of town to the bad, and eventually, Debbie’s secret about their permanent living arrangement at “The Harper House,” comes to light when she finally comes clean to her kids. Not happy, but not angry, there is some tension among the family members but they all try to “be cool,” with the change. Ultimately, the family is very close and their love for each other is what sustains them. This is their story.
Quite frequently, new, colorful characters are introduced into the storyline, like “Gwen,” voiced by Vyvy Nguyen. There is an easy humor that makes this show relatable in many ways, from the kid’s antics at their school to the husband’s sighing acceptance of his wife’s shenanigans and boisterous personality, which most definitely overshadow his more meek, and mild, manner.
Upon their arrival, ever-cheerful Debbie lays it on thick to ensure that the kids don’t suspect anything about her firing; that this will be the family’s temporary summer home, Freddie runs into a gang of possums under the house, of which he has to battle. The kids deal with neighborhood kids. The whole premise is focused on the strength of character in Debbie, who’s doing everything in her power to be everyone’s everything. Adjusting to life on the other side of town isn’t just hard on the kids, or Freddie, but on Debbie as well. Only when she finally tells her secret, that “The Harper House, ” is their new residence, does she finally find some inner peace.
They have no idea Aunt Maggie’s corpse is still in the house, either.
Zany characters are introduced consistently, who are not only entertaining but also diverse. Even Barack Obama makes an appearance. This is only season one, and already so many adventures have taken place. “The Harper House,” airs exclusively on Paramount+ and new episodes drop every Thursday. The season finale is set to air on November 10, 2021.
“The Harper House,” is voiced by an all-star cast including Seehorn, Jason Lee, Tatiana Mastlany, Maitland, Ryan Flynn, Gabourey Sidobe, Gary Anthony Williams, Nyima Funk, Vyvy Nguyen, and Lance Krall.
Written by Mandie Stevens
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