SnoopyStyle It's a long-term care in a Californian hospital. Dr. Jenna James (Laurie Metcalf) is the stiff head doctor lacking in any social graces. She is more interested in running her medical studies than treating her patients. She is hard on caring head nurse Dawn Forchette (Alex Borstein). Along with Denise Ortley (Niecy Nash) and Patsy De La Serda (Mel Rodriguez), they struggle to provide care while having their own personal fallibilities.The tone of the show is too dour. The humor is dry. It's a black comedy but I simply didn't laugh. Actually I may have laughed once through the first season of six episodes. God bless those who love this show. It is too much of a downer to be funny for me. On the other hand, it's too wacky to work as a drama. It's great that this show has its fans but I'm not one of them.

ian80 I rarely contribute reviews. I felt compelled to add to the (mere!) 11 reviews posted. This show is such a gem. It is genuinely funny, the cast is spot-on stellar, and it has a a heartfelt center (without being sentimental). Niecy Nash is a stand-out. She steels many of her scenes. I only know Alex Borstein from MadTV and family guy; she surprises here with really great acting chops. Her dead-pan delivery takes the humor up a level. Laurie Metcald is a hoot as the neurotic doctor. Her characterization is eerily cemented in reality (unfortunately). I can't recommend this enough. I hope it gets a strong following and continues for a few more seasons.

ozjosh03 I've just listened to an NPR Fresh Air interview with Mark Olsen and Will Scheffer, who were constantly referred to throughout as the "creators" of Getting On. They happily accepted this accolade and proceeded, with truly nauseating sincerity, to explain how the stories in the series were based on their experiences caring for their respective elderly mothers, which, we're given to understand, is why it's all so real, so poignant, so personal. Curious then that 95% of the US adaptation of Getting On is identical - and I'm talking line for line, if not quite word for word - to the UK original, created by the wonderful Jo Brand. The 5% that's different is where the US version blunts the humour, misses the point, or merely adds lame phoney-sounding sitcom punchlines to otherwise achingly funny-sad scenes. Maybe Olsen and Scheffer had identical experiences to Brand, and maybe they just forgot to write it down first. Or maybe they actually believe they've added something of value to Brand's work. Or maybe they're just ****s.

chefy123 This show brings out an experimental comedy with smart writing, great cast of characters, and best of all, no cheap laughs. While it may take a couple of viewing, you just new a acquired taste for this show. If you're the type of person that's into health-care you love the show Getting On. This show brings on so many emotions into 30 minutes. This show also packs A great cast of actors as well. Niecy Nash is a new nurse just coming into a wing of the hospital for extended-care patients (elderly people). Alex Borstein is the senior nurse dealing with some of the crazy people on the ward. Then finally the Head nurse starring Laurie Metcalf.Getting On, on HBO, has strong language, other than that, deserve a shot to become a great show. For those that say this show is terrible just remember another show called "it always sunny in Philly" it started out different, and became a phenomenal show. Mark my words. This show will get better.