The New Normal (2012–2013)

TV ShowEndedNBCComedy1 season, 22 episodes
The New Normal posterReview score: 71%

Plot

These days, families come in all forms - single dads, double moms, sperm donors, egg donors, one-night-stand donors. Bryan and David are a Los Angeles couple and they have it all. Well, almost. With successful careers and a committed, loving partnership, there is one thing that this couple is missing: a baby. Just when they think the stars will never align, enter Goldie an extraordinary young woman with a checkered past. A midwestern waitress and single mother looking to escape her dead-end life and small-minded grandmother Goldie decides to change everything and move out west with her precocious eight year-old daughter. Desperate and broke - but also fertile - Goldie quickly becomes the guys' surrogate and quite possibly the girl of their dreams. Surrogate mother, surrogate family.

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Highest-rated episodes all ranked

  1. 01The New Normal S01E22The Big DayS01E22 · 4.5The wedding is finally here and despite all of the challenges that pop up throughout the day, Bryan (Andrew Rannells) and David (Justin Bartha) are dead set on getting married before the arrival of their baby, but their son has other plans.
  2. 02The New Normal S01E20About a Boy ScoutS01E20 · 4.0Despite Bryan’s concerns, David, a former Eagle Scout, jumps at the chance to chaperone a Boy Scout overnight with his friend’s son. His skills earn him the respect of the other fathers and scouts, but when one father disagrees with his lifestyle, David’s Boy Scout membership is revoked. Elsewhere, Rocky is helping Goldie sort out her secret crush on Brice. Bebe Wood also stars.
  3. 03The New Normal S01E21Finding Name-OS01E21 · 4.0Bryan and David are facing the hardest decision of their relationship, what to name their baby. The conflict prompts Goldie to reveal the origin of Shania’s name leading to brief identity crises for both of them. Later, While breezing through their wedding planning, David suggests that Bryan invite his mother Colleen, but her added opinion leads to more conflict and an unusual resolution. Meanwhile, Clay decides it’s time to let Goldie know how he feels, after receiving some unsolicited advice from Brice.

Episodes by season

Season01Episode ratings across the season — the gold bar is its best episode22Episodes2012–13Aired 1.4Season avg
  1. S01E01The New Normal S01E01PilotSeptember 10, 2012 1.0A gay couple start a family with the help of a young single mother who becomes their surrogate.
  2. S01E02The New Normal S01E02Sofa's ChoiceSeptember 11, 2012 1.0Shania is working to adapt to her new surroundings and, much to the delight of Bryan, begins impersonating Little Edie from ‘Grey Gardens.’
  3. S01E03The New Normal S01E03Baby ClothesSeptember 18, 2012 1.0Bryan goes on a shopping spree for baby clothes, and returning them proves to be a problem. Meanwhile, Shania dresses up in baby clothes for
  4. S01E04The New Normal S01E04Obama MamaSeptember 25, 2012 1.0Shania's mock school election sparks political upheaval in the household when it's discovered Goldie plans to vote against Barack Obama. The
  5. S01E05The New Normal S01E05NanagasmOctober 2, 2012 1.0David plans a family dinner to tell his mother about the baby; mother-in-law miseries plague Goldie; Jane feels a unique sensation when she
  6. S01E06The New Normal S01E06BryanzillaOctober 9, 2012 1.0Shania and a classmate pretend to get engaged and plan an imaginary wedding. As a delighted Bryan arranges the big event with help from Rock
  7. S01E07The New Normal S01E07The Godparent TrapOctober 23, 2012 1.0David and Bryan decide they need godparents for their baby. Meanwhile, Shania worries about the future of her relationship with the guys.
  8. S01E08The New Normal S01E08UnpluggedNovember 13, 2012 1.0When technology begins to interrupt their lives Bryan, David, Goldie and Shania reluctantly give up their various electronic devices for one
  9. S01E09The New Normal S01E09Pardon MeNovember 20, 2012 1.0After recalling the disastrous dinners of Thanksgivings past, Bryan, David, Goldie, Shania and Rocky decide that this year they are going to
  10. S01E10The New Normal S01E10The XY FactorNovember 27, 2012 1.0Bryan and David accidentally learn the baby's gender; Shania's performance at a school assembly reminds Goldie she has dreams to pursue; Sha
  11. S01E11The New Normal S01E11Baby ProofingDecember 4, 2012 1.0Bryan and David start fighting after David hires a woman to baby-proof their home; the family discovers eggnog has a pleasant effect on Jane
  12. S01E12The New Normal S01E12The Goldie RushJanuary 8, 2013 1.0Bryan and David discuss their future and how big they want to grow their family. The conversation leads them back to Expanding Families wher
  13. S01E13The New Normal S01E13Stay-at-Home DadJanuary 15, 2013 1.0After a failed attempt at finding a nanny, Bryan and David contemplate the idea of a stay-at-home dad. Both express interest in the role and
  14. S01E14The New Normal S01E14GaydarJanuary 22, 2013 1.0When Shania meets Rocky's new crush, Chris, she claims that her 'gaydar' is going off and that Chris might be more interested in men. Elsewh
  15. S01E15The New Normal S01E15Dairy QueenJanuary 29, 2013 1.0Bryan wishes to have a natural connection to his baby-to-be. Later, Shania is upset to learn that her mother didn't breast-feed her when she
  16. S01E16The New Normal S01E16Dog ChildrenFebruary 19, 2013 1.0Bryan and David get a preview of the highs and lows of parenting when their beloved puppy has a veterinary emergency. Meanwhile, Goldie meet
  17. S01E17The New Normal S01E17Rocky Bye BabyFebruary 26, 2013 1.0The gang wants to throw a baby shower for a reluctant Bryan and David, who decide to donate all their baby gifts to an adoption agency. Mean
  18. S01E18The New Normal S01E18Para-New Normal ActivityMarch 5, 2013 1.0Bryan basks in the Halloween spirit by decorating the house, going to a pumpkin patch to spot celebrities and ruling over everyone's costume
  19. S01E19The New Normal S01E19Blood, Sweat and FearsMarch 19, 2013 1.0Bryan proposes using natural childbirth for the baby's delivery, but a classroom video may change his mind. Meanwhile, Goldie searches for n
  20. S01E20The New Normal S01E20About a Boy ScoutMarch 26, 2013 4.0Despite Bryan’s concerns, David, a former Eagle Scout, jumps at the chance to chaperone a Boy Scout overnight with his friend’s son. His ski
  21. S01E21The New Normal S01E21Finding Name-OApril 2, 2013 4.0Bryan and David are facing the hardest decision of their relationship, what to name their baby. The conflict prompts Goldie to reveal the or
  22. S01E22The New Normal S01E22Season's bestThe Big DayApril 2, 2013 4.5The wedding is finally here and despite all of the challenges that pop up throughout the day, Bryan (Andrew Rannells) and David (Justin Bart

Season 1 ranked & reviewed

Cast

Andrew RannellsAndrew RannellsBryan BuckleyJustin BarthaJustin BarthaDavid MurrayGeorgia KingGeorgia KingGoldie ClemmonsBebe WoodBebe WoodShania ClemmonsEllen BarkinEllen BarkinJane ForrestNeNe LeakesNeNe LeakesRockyJayson BlairJayson BlairClay Clemmens

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