It was announced in June 2012 that Sara Rue, who portrayed Sheila in the original pilot, would be replaced by Erinn Hayes, a change necessitated when ABC decided to pick up the comedy Malibu Country, which also starred Rue.[4][5]
The series ran from September 12, 2012, to February 27, 2013. The series aired in Canada on Global, premiering one day early, on September 11, 2012.[6]
On November 15, 2012, NBC announced it has ordered four more episodes, bringing the series to a total of 17 episodes.[7][8]
On May 9, 2013, NBC canceled the series after one season.[9]
Gary tries to discipline Yoda with unconventional tactics, including setting up a slip in slide in the middle of the apartment. Nick learns that there is more to a school project and gets competitive.
Shelia moves out of her old place with Chris, Nick and Gary's help so that Chris can have his Giants tickets back. Marny gives Gary a day off which results in her needing help from Emily.
After the new co-op board president tells Nick he can't have his hall haunted house, Shelia and Nick set her up with Chris to get what they want. Meanwhile, Chris wants Shelia to become friends with Nick.
As Shelia sticks around due to waiting on Ernie's first word, Nick and Chris reminisce on the past, including the night that Nick got engaged to Emily while Chris was dating Sage (Fiona Gubelmann), the night that Violet was born and they met Gary and Marnie, Chris's wedding to Shelia, the night that Gary chipped his tooth, and the night that Chris had told his friends that he was getting a divorce. In the present, Nick and Emily try looking up Sage.
After suffering a health problem, Marnie and Gary decide whom to leave their kids to in their will. Chris becomes overwhelmed by Shelia's nanny, Andy (Mark Consuelos).
Marnie's sister Bridget (Keshia Knight Pulliam) comes to town and Marnie hires her to work with Gary. When Nick learned that Shelia and Chris were thinking of having another baby, he decided to host a divorce party and invites Sage. Shelia and Sage meet when Chris stayed at the party. The show ends with a cliff-hanger.
Reception
Critical response
Guys With Kids received generally negative reviews from critics. On Metacritic, the show received a score of 38 out of 100, from 25 reviews, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[29]Rotten Tomatoes rated season 1 as 7% based on reviews from 30 critics, with an average rating of 3.4/10 and the critical consensus reads: "Worthless and abysmal, Guys with Kids is pitiful in its lack of humor and plot."[30]
Glenn Garvin of the Miami Herald was only one of a few who gave a positive review, saying "Guys With Kids is a perfect confection of witty dialogue and slapstick action."[31] Matt Zoller Seitz of New York Magazine stated "I expected to hate Guys With Kids... My animosity faded after about five minutes, when it became clear that the show wasn't terribly interested in the kids."[32] Diane Wertz of Newsday gave it a D and stated "Nothing to see here. Move on."[33] Matt Rouse of TV Guide wrote, "The season's most depressingly generic and retro sitcom, so squishy and lacking in edge it might as well been written in nerf".[34]
