One of the many LGBT-themed shows of the 21st century is about a seemingly perfect Irish-American family in Chicago whose veneer gets shattered when the son comes out as gay and the parents announce plans to divorce. The rest of the run is about how the brood deals with this. "The Real O'Neals" manages to be simultaneously funny and serious at the same time, addressing real-world issues is a relatable way.
I think that the cast member who deserves the most praise is Martha Plimpton. Far removed from her "cute" days as a Brat Packer, she plays the matriarch as a stern gal forced to accept her family's reality. I'd say that Plimpton is one of the best actresses of her generation.
Like "Six Feet Under", "Ugly Betty", "Modern Family", "Glee", "American Horror Story", "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" and "Pose", this is a show that has helped promote tolerance of queer people on the small screen. Too bad it got canceled after only two seasons.
