Raising Hope (2010)

About Raising Hope

Created by Greg Garcia, 'Raising Hope' is a sitcom that aired from 2010 to 2014. It follows the life of Jimmy Chance, a clueless 20-something who unexpectedly becomes a single parent to a baby girl when the mother he had a one-night stand with ends up on death row.

Jimmy and his quirky, dysfunctional family struggle to raise the child, named Hope, and navigate through the ups and downs of parenthood, love and life. The show is filled with comedy, drama, and heart as they learn about responsibility, love, and how families work in their own unique way.

Making / Production

The series was created by Greg Garcia, and produced by Amigos de Garcia Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television. The show’s pilot was directed by Michael Fresco and shot in Los Angeles in 2010.

Actors

• Lucas Neff plays Jimmy Chance, He played the role with a blend of naivety and maturity, evoking laughter and sympathy from the audiences.
• Martha Plimpton as Virginia Chance, Jimmy's mother. She played the character with charming eccentricity, encapsulating a mother's determination and love.
• Garret Dillahunt portrays Burt Chance, Jimmy's father. His portrayal of an unlikely yet warm-hearted father figure adds depth and humor to the show.
• Cloris Leachman as Maw Maw, the elderly, often confused yet important member of the family, her performance brought comedy and sentimentality to the storyline.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• 'Raising Hope' was created by Greg Garcia, also known for creating the hit TV series, 'My Name Is Earl'.
• Cloris Leachman was in her 80s during the filming of the series, yet she played a character who was supposed to be in her 90s or even a 100.
• Many references are made in the series to 'My Name is Earl', another series by the show’s creator, particularly the concept of karma.

Awards

The show received multiple nominations, including Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Martha Plimpton and Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for Cloris Leachman.

Quotes

• "Life's a beach. Enjoy the waves." - Burt Chance
• "Just because you're used to something doesn't mean you like it. You're used to me." - Virginia Chance
• "The hardest part in life is knowing which bridges to burn, and which to cross." - Jimmy Chance

Music, Soundtrack

• The theme song, called 'Daddy O', was written by Parry Gripp.
• Music was used extensively in the show to create a realistic environment, with a mix of contemporary and classic songs featured in each episode.