One Big Happy

Premiering in 2015, One Big Happy represented NBC’s attempt to modernize the multi-camera sitcom format under the executive production of Ellen DeGeneres. The series centered on the unconventional family dynamic between Lizzy, a lesbian woman, and her best friend Luke, who decide to conceive a child together. The introduction of Prudence, Luke’s impulsive new wife, created a unique domestic trio. While the show only lasted six episodes, it remains a notable footnote in television history for its early attempt to center an LGBTQ+ lead in a traditional broadcast comedy. Despite the chemistry between Elisha Cuthbert and Nick Zano, the series struggled to find a consistent audience. Today, it serves as a reminder of the mid-2010s push for diverse family structures on network television.