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 I love the show "Catastrophe" because it knows a secret about marriage, i.e. Marriage is fascinating. As one writer observed, "In many TV shows, the husband looks like Rush Limbaugh, and the wife looks like Gwyneth Paltrow, and there are jokes about football and beer. And that's all. But that's not what marriage is."


Viewers have described watching "Catastrophe" with a spouse: "I get the side-eye at least six times per episode." One moment that strikes a chord for me is Sharon complaining about Rob's toilet behavior: "You're spending too much time on that seat. Something is going to crawl up inside your hole. Or something crucial is going to fall out."

When Rob and Sharon are in sync, the writing becomes weirdly poetic. After a brutal day, Rob says, "Sharon, why don't you head home and we'll watch some Better Call Sauls and I'll brush your hair." This is something more special than Paris or Venice--but it doesn't "wear fancy clothes." I love that "Catastrophe" makes this observation.

Also, it seems like these writers can mine gold *anywhere* (meaning not just on toilets and in bedrooms). When Rob and Sharon discuss the possibility of hiring a nanny, they turn their thoughts to the current babysitter. "She sucks, but your babysitter is supposed to suck. Do you know, the last time I came home to pay her, this living room smelled like sex. It smelled like solo sex." (The babysitter does indeed suck; she is one of my favorite characters. When Sharon's father has a stroke, the sitter makes a clucking sound and says, "So sorry. Did you know him well?")

I regret that this series wrapped after four seasons--but, also, I admire the decision to end on a high note.
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