Bob Hearts Abishola: Pilot

September 23, 2019 6:07 PM - Season 1, Episode 1

Compression-sock businessman Bob falls for his cardiac nurse, Abishola, a Nigerian immigrant, while recovering from a heart attack. (CBS US broadcast)

The Wrap: ‘IMAG': Chuck Lorre Hands Out ‘Immigrants Make America Great’ Hats to TV Critics

Deadline: ‘Bob ♥ Abishola’ Co-Creator Gina Yashere Promoted To Series Regular On New CBS Comedy

TV Guide: Chuck Lorre's Bob Hearts Abishola Is a Love Story That Crosses Boundaries

posted by oh yeah! (6 comments total)

I don't think this episode got more than a chuckle from me. I guess I'm supposed to find Bob's tactics rom-com-cute rather than stalker-y-creepy? But I did like the scenes between the non-Bob characters, and knowing that there's some authenticity behind the camera with Gina Yashere being Nigerian-British rather than this being a completely Chuck Lorre production is promising, so, I'll probably keep watching for another few episodes.
posted by oh yeah! at 6:21 PM on September 23, 2019

Yeah, the HIPAA violations and stalking were pretty cringey, but I like pretty much everyone in this show, so I'll give it a little more time.
posted by Etrigan at 7:55 AM on September 24, 2019

It's a Chuck Lorree production. The laugh track is too loud. The show is only about twenty minutes long. Even with those constraints I liked the characters enough that I'll keep watching.
posted by rdr at 8:15 AM on September 24, 2019

Also, the "LATER THAT DAY" etc. intertitles are cutely done, except for the opening credits one, which is way too long and pointless.
posted by Etrigan at 8:16 AM on September 24, 2019

The nicest thing I can say is that this episode wasn't as bad as the episode of Young Sheldon I watched. If they got rid of Paul Blart Sock Salesman it might be an improvement.
posted by GoblinHoney at 9:30 AM on September 24, 2019 [1 favorite]

Having been through a heart attack with multiple stents, I think that Bob recovered waaayyyy too quickly - but I get that they only had twenty minutes to set everything up and introduce everyone, so had to skip some steps. I'll keep watching - both because of Gina Yashere and because of the generally amiable atmosphere with the occasional laugh. A nice counterpoint for my usual dystopian/noir diet.
posted by Mogur at 10:09 AM on September 24, 2019