One of the funniest new sitcoms from 2010 is FOX’s “Raising Hope.” With an all-star cast of Martha Plimpton as Hope’s grandma, Virginia, and Cloris Leachman as Hope’s great grandma, Maw Maw. Both of whom have been nominated for Emmys, Plimpton for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and Leachman for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.
Jimmy, Hope’s dad, played by Lucas Neff, finds out in the premiere that his one night stand with a serial murderer Lucy led to the birth of his daughter originally named Princess Beyonce by her mother. Hope’s mom Lucy was executed when Hope was 6 months old for killing several of her ex-boyfriends. And now continues Jimmy’s story as he hilariously tries to figure out how to raise his little girl with the help of his mom and his dad Burt, played by Garrett Dillahart, and his extremely entertaining Maw Maw.
Created by Greg Garcia who also brought “My Name is Earl” to television, “Raising Hope” continues to bring belly laughs to America’s living rooms every Tuesday night as Season 2 started September 20th 2011. So, in honor of the new season here is a list of the five funniest episodes from Season 1 of “Raising Hope.”
“Pilot” Season 1, Episode 1 – In the premiere of “Raising Hope” Jimmy learns that he is a father and decides to keep her even though his family is initially against the idea.
One of the funniest moments of not only this episode but the entire first season is when Jimmy goes to change Hope’s diaper and starts to gag. He is then shown running down the hallway with a roll of paper towels that he went to grab after throwing up on the baby. Virginia then comes in and after seeing what Jimmy did and the mess in Hope’s diaper also throws up on Hope.
Dead Tooth” Season 1, Episode 2 – Jimmy gets a job at the local grocery store where he meets the girl of his dreams, Sabrina, and has to find day care for Hope.
In this episode Maw Maw is caught nursing baby Hope and when Jimmy and his family rush in as grandma is says to Hope “Ow, no biting.” as Jimmy’s dad dry heaves over the scene.
And the next morning Jimmy wakes up in Hope’s crib because she was crying all night and that was the only thing that would quiet her. It was extremely funny to see a tall and lanky guy pull himself out of a crib as he tried not to squish his baby.
“Meet the Grandparents” Season 1, Episode 9 – Jimmy convinces his family to invite Hope’s maternal grandparents over for Thanksgiving dinner so that Hope can meet them.
When Lucy’s parents show up for dinner in their tiny eco-friendly car, Burt decides to prove to everyone that he could indeed lift a car. It was quite funny to see the expressions on Dale and Margine’s faces as their car was lifted forward off the ground during their more serious conversation about how they should be the ones raising Hope.
“What Up, Cuz?” Season 1, Episode 14 – Virginia’s cousin Delilah comes to visit and collect on her half of Maw Maw’s stuff since she was under the impression Maw Maw had died several years earlier.
Because Delilah thought Maw Maw was dead, Jimmy had to take her to work with him while she was visiting and this caused quite a scene at the grocery store as Maw Maw was placed as a greeter by Sabrina. Probably some of Maw Maw’s best one-liners as she greeted customers in this episode were “Welcome big nose and fat friend.” “Welcome lady and ugly baby.” “Welcome. Ooh, you smell bad. Deodorant is in aisle 3.” “Sup, lesbo’s?” “Hey honey, I hope you’re nice to your husband cuz, he could have done a lot better.” “Hey, dancing freak” and “Welcome. Sorry, we don’t sell chins.”
The episode only got funnier as Jimmy decided to leave her with Shelly (Hope’s babysitter) and Maw Maw escapes on a moped. Maw Maw is then shown for the rest of the episode on various vehicles including a skateboard and a bicycle before Jimmy is able to get her safely home.
“Cultish Personality” Season 1, Episode 16 – Burt’s nephew shows up with his wife and is brother husbands in a reverse polygamy family.
At the beginning of this episode Jimmy and Sabrina are playing Hide-and-Seek with Hope and throughout the episode Maw Maw continues this game thinking everyone is still playing with her. She is seen hiding in the living room under the lamp shade and also behind the broom closet. At the end of the episode she remarks “They don’t know how to play it.” as she heads up to bed.
