The New Normal

Attention The New Normal fans! One Kings Lane is hosting a flash sale of goods from and inspired by the show. In case you don't watch as much TV as we do, allow us to give you some background. Ryan Murphy (creator of Glee) has a new show called The New Normal, about a gay couple that are becoming parents via surrogate. Set in California, couple Bryan (Andrew Rannells) and David (Justin Bartha), reside in a Spanish Colonial house that is based on show creator Ryan Murphy's own home (which also happens to be the former home of Diane Keaton, home design enthusiast and author of California Romantica). Got it? Good. The sale goes live at 9 p.m. ET today on OKL and includes 120 pieces directly from the show, as well as items inspired by the set. We've got our eyes on those beautiful orange Bauer pots and that Edward Curtis photograph!

And the Fall TV pickups have begun! Today NBC officially ordered full seasons of three of its new series — Go On, Revolution, and The New Normal — making them the first new shows to get whole seasons. All three shows debuted in early September, with the J.J. Abrams-produced drama Revolution earning strong ratings since its premiere. Meanwhile, sitcoms The New Normal and Go On haven't seen quite as high ratings, but they've apparently been decent enough for NBC to take a chance on them for an entire season.

We're in the midst of welcoming new TV shows into the fold, including Ryan Murphy's comedy The New Normal, about a gay couple using a surrogate to have a baby. Even though I wasn't completely sold on it from the pilot, I was pretty charmed by lead couple Andrew Rannells and Justin Bartha. That appeal is what's keeping me watching: both guys are cute and funny, they make a believable pair, and I want to see them take on relationship challenges as they face the reality of having a kid. However, I'm not in love with every element of the show, particularly the obnoxiousness of Ellen Barkin's bigoted grandma character and what feels like way too much envelope and agenda-pushing. Still, I'm hoping that those things get toned down as the show goes on, and I'll continue to tune in for now. But I'd like to know what you think of The New Normal. If you're watching this new series, let us know in the comments, along with what you like (or don't like) about it.

Glee creator Ryan Murphy is expanding his television empire with another envelope-pushing series. Tonight, he's debuting a new half-hour comedy on NBC that's a bit more grown-up than the teen musical: The New Normal, about a gay couple trying to find a surrogate.

• What it's about: Committed couple Bryan (Andrew Rannells) and David (Justin Bartha) want to add a tiny new member to their family. Though they would provide a loving and stable home, they're having trouble finding the right surrogate. Enter Goldie (Georgia King), a doe-eyed single mom whose cheating husband has left her looking for a major life change.
• Where it works: The cast is solid; Ellen Barkin is the strongest link as Goldie's brazenly intolerant grandmother, and I was surprised by how well Bartha and Rannells (hot off his gig on Girls) mesh as the fathers-to-be. I was skeptical about the decision to have NeNe Leakes play Bryan's cheeky personal assistant, but I have to admit that I enjoyed her performance.
• Where it doesn't: Goldie's naiveté is a bit unbelievable for someone who had a baby as a teenager. I'm not saying all teen moms have to be jaded, but her idealistic mentality gets grating.
• When it's on: Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. on NBC
• You might like this show if: You've been waiting to see a more progressive comedy on network TV.

Check out a preview of The New Normal after the jump.

Old-school or home school? Trash or compost? Newspaper or news feed? These days, for every conventional option, there seems to be a fresh way to explore something different and break away from the ordinary. As a result, the concept of "normal" is constantly being redefined — if it even exists at all anymore!

That's the idea behind The New Normal, premiering Sept. 11 on NBC. From the creator of Glee and starring Justin Bartha (The Hangover) and Emmy and Tony Award-winner Ellen Barkin, it's the story of how a family is a family and love is love — even if the brood includes two committed dads, their starry-eyed surrogate, her opinionated 8-year-old, and her overbearing Nana. Visit the show's Facebook page for inspiration and learn more about one of this Fall's most anticipated new comedies.

Then, show us an Instagram of how you redefine convention. Enter our "New Normal" Instagram contest and you could be one of two grand prize winners to receive $1,250.

How to enter:

1. Take an Instagram photo of your "new normal." It could be a funky outfit, an edgy workout idea, an innovative decorating trick, or a fun day with friends. Just be yourself and be extraordinary!
2. Hashtag #instanewnormal on your photo for a chance to win.

Official Rules

This giveaway has been extended through Tuesday, 9/11!