Oldest child Meghan is an achiever who is nominated for class valedictorian and is accepted to UC Berkeley, but she drops a bombshell on her parents when she announces she is foregoing college.

The Green kids periodically address the camera, a technique show creator Clyde Phillips employed in his previous teen series Parker Lewis Can't Lose.

"[4] Ray Richmond of Variety reviewed the show positively, saying "it manages to feel sassy, hip and provocative" and "[carries]...sophistication, angst and wit while adding a healthy dash of self-aware irony to the stew.

"[5] The Star Tribune also gave a positive review, noting "The narration and pop-culture asides are fast, loose, and often very funny, especially when delivered by the sarcastic Jesse Eisenberg, who reacts to bullies and his parents' marital troubles with hilarious nerd-in-the-headlights takes.

"[8] Hal Boedeker of the Orlando Sentinel wrote the show's style "is comical, smart-aleck, [and] cynical", but its "emotional force is blunted by fantasy scenes, glib dialogue and constant references to other TV series.

[9] The series aired in a competitive Wednesday night time slot, going up against the debut of NBC's The West Wing and The WB's teen drama Roswell.