[2][3][4] The pilot is written by Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker, and the series is based on Halpern's autobiographical book I Suck at Girls.
On October 25, 2013, the order of episodes was cut to eight, due to scheduling restrictions.
Set in Southern California, in 1991, the series centers on Jack Dunlevy, an ex-military man and no-nonsense guy who becomes a full-time parent when his wife decides to go to law school.
He takes an unorthodox approach to keeping his kids, a boy, Frankie and a girl, Rachel, in line.
The website’s consensus reads: "Christopher Meloni's comedic chops help sell Surviving Jack's fresh twist on gender roles and the traditional sitcom formula, even if the show falls a little flat in other areas.