If you spent any time flipping through channels in the mid-2000s, you definitely ran into Bill and Judy Miller. They were messy. They weren’t exactly "parenting goals." Honestly, they were kind of a disaster, but that’s exactly why the TV sitcom Still Standing worked so well during its four-season run on CBS. While Everybody Loves Raymond got the Emmys and Two and a Half Men got the massive ratings, the Millers were over in Chicago just trying to survive their kids without losing their own identities. It’s one of those shows that feels like a time capsule of a specific era of multi-cam comedies that we just don't see anymore.
It’s weird how we forget the hits.
The show premiered in 2002 and managed to stick around until 2006. That’s nearly 100 episodes of Mark Addy and Jami Gertz bickering about who had to deal with the teenager. Addy, coming off The Full Monty, was an inspired choice for Bill Miller. He brought this grounded, slightly exhausted British sensibility to a very American role, playing a toilet salesman who would much rather be listening to classic rock or drinking a beer than attending a PTA meeting. Gertz, meanwhile, was the perfect foil as Judy. They weren't the polished, "perfect" parents of the 1950s or the hyper-competent moms of the 90s. They were just two people who still felt like teenagers themselves, stuck in adult bodies with three kids who were often smarter than them.
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The Relatability of Being a C-Plus Parent
Most sitcoms try to give you a lesson. You know the drill: the music slows down, the dad gives a speech, and everyone hugs. TV sitcom Still Standing almost went out of its way to avoid that. Bill and Judy were selfish. They lied to their kids to get out of things. They hid snacks. They competed with their neighbors, the Halversons, in ways that were petty and, frankly, hilarious.
Take the dynamic with their children. Brian (Taylor Ball) was the nerdy, overachieving son who was constantly embarrassed by his parents. Lauren (Renee Olstead) was the popular, rebellious daughter. And then there was little Mazzy. Usually, in a sitcom, the parents are trying to "fix" the kids. In this show, Bill and Judy were mostly just trying to make sure the kids didn't ruin their weekend plans. It felt real. It captured that specific blue-collar exhaustion where you love your family, but you also really just want them to go to sleep so you can watch a movie in peace.
People connected with the fact that the Millers weren't rich. They lived in a normal house in the suburbs of Chicago. They had a "good enough" marriage. It wasn't about high-concept plots; it was about the friction of everyday life. That friction is what made the writing pop.
Why the Critics Were Wrong About the Millers
Critics at the time were somewhat dismissive. They called it "standard" or "formulaic." But looking back through a 2026 lens, there is a craft to the "standard" sitcom that we’ve lost. The timing of the jokes in TV sitcom Still Standing was sharp. The chemistry between Addy and Gertz was undeniable. You actually believed these two people had been together since high school and still found each other attractive, despite the chaos.
- The show didn't rely on "will-they-won't-they" tropes.
- It celebrated the "working-class" aesthetic without making it a caricature.
- The supporting cast, especially Jennifer Irwin as Judy’s sister Linda, added a layer of family dysfunction that felt earned.
Linda was the sister who lived in the guest house (or was always around), providing a constant reminder of the life Judy might have had if she hadn't settled down. The sibling rivalry there was some of the best writing on TV at the time. It wasn't just about jokes; it was about the subtle resentment and deep love that exists in long-term family dynamics.
The Legacy of Mark Addy’s Performance
Before he was Robert Baratheon in Game of Thrones, Mark Addy was the king of the Miller household. It’s actually a testament to his range that he could play a lovable, lazy dad so convincingly. He didn't play Bill as a "dumb" dad, which was a common trope back then. Bill was smart—he just didn't want to use that intelligence for anything productive if it interfered with his comfort.
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His physical comedy was understated. It wasn't about big falls; it was about a look or a sigh. He represented a specific type of American fatherhood that felt authentic to the Midwest. When you watch old clips now, his timing still holds up. He and Jami Gertz worked in a shorthand that made the dialogue feel improvised even when it was strictly scripted. Gertz herself was a powerhouse. She brought a frantic, high-energy vibe that balanced Addy’s laid-back demeanor.
Moving Past the "Fat Husband, Pretty Wife" Trope
A common criticism of 2000s sitcoms is the "Schlubby Dad, Hot Mom" dynamic. Think According to Jim or The King of Queens. While TV sitcom Still Standing technically fits that visual mold, the power dynamic was much more balanced. Judy wasn't a saint. She wasn't the "voice of reason" who spent every episode cleaning up Bill's messes. Half the time, she was the one making the mess.
They were partners in crime. If they were doing something wrong, they were usually doing it together. This made the show feel more modern than its peers. It wasn't about a husband hiding things from a nagging wife; it was about a couple against the world (and their kids). This unity is what gave the show its heart. Even when they were being terrible parents, they were being a great couple.
The show also leaned heavily into their history. They were former rockers. They went to concerts. They had a past that didn't involve diapers and mortgage payments. This "cool parents who are now uncool" vibe resonated with Gen Xers who were then raising their own kids. It gave the characters a life outside of their roles as "Mom and Dad."
What Really Happened With the Cancellation?
It's a question fans still ask. The show was doing decent numbers. It wasn't a flop. However, 2006 was a weird year for CBS. The network was moving toward different types of programming, and the multi-cam sitcom was starting to feel "old hat" to executives who wanted the next Big Bang Theory or more procedurals like CSI.
Still Standing ended after 88 episodes. It didn't quite hit that magical 100-episode mark for easy syndication, though it did run in reruns on ABC Family (now Freeform) for years. Its departure felt abrupt. There wasn't a massive series finale that tied everything up because, in the world of the Millers, life just kept going. They were still going to be arguing about the laundry and the car keys long after the cameras stopped rolling.
The lack of a proper send-off is probably why the show feels a bit like "lost media" to some. It exists in that purgatory of shows that were popular while they were on but didn't become cultural icons like Friends. But if you talk to anyone who watched it, they usually have a favorite "Bill moment."
How to Revisit the Series Today
If you’re looking to scratch that nostalgia itch, finding the show can be a bit of a hunt. Because of music licensing—the show used a lot of classic rock references—and the way the rights were distributed, it isn't always available on the big streaming platforms like Netflix or Max.
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- Check Local Syndication: Some local channels still run blocks of mid-2000s sitcoms.
- Digital Purchases: You can often find seasons on platforms like Amazon or Apple, though availability fluctuates.
- Physical Media: If you can find the DVDs, grab them. They contain the original soundtracks that often get scrubbed in streaming versions due to those pesky licensing costs.
Honestly, the best way to enjoy it is to just dive into an episode without overthinking it. It’s "comfort food" TV. It’s the kind of show you put on while you’re folding laundry because it makes the chore feel a little less lonely.
Why We Need Shows Like This Now
In the current era of prestige TV, where everything is a dark thriller or a high-concept sci-fi epic, there’s something deeply satisfying about a show that is just about a family. No one is a secret spy. There are no dragons. It’s just people trying to figure out how to be adults.
TV sitcom Still Standing reminded us that it’s okay to be a "C-plus" human sometimes. You don't have to have all the answers. You can be a little selfish, a little lazy, and a little loud, and as long as you have a partner who is right there in the trenches with you, things are going to be okay. It’s a message that feels even more relevant today than it did twenty years ago.
For those looking to dive back into the world of Bill and Judy Miller, the best approach is to look for the "Best Of" compilations online to get a feel for the rhythm again. You'll quickly realize that the jokes about parenting, marriage, and the struggle to remain "cool" haven't aged a day. The clothes might be different—lots of low-rise jeans and oversized polos—but the heart of the show remains completely intact.
The next time you’re scrolling through endless menus of "gritty reboots," do yourself a favor and see if you can track down a few episodes of this forgotten gem. It’s a reminder of a time when TV didn't have to be important to be good; it just had to be funny.
Next Steps for Fans and Collectors
- Audit Your Digital Libraries: Search for "Still Standing" on secondary streaming apps like Pluto TV or Tubi, which often host "lost" CBS sitcoms from the Paramount catalog.
- Support the Cast: Check out Mark Addy’s later work in The Syndicate or Jami Gertz’s hilarious turn in The Neighbors to see how their comedic styles evolved post-Miller.
- Join the Community: Look for the small but dedicated fan groups on Reddit or Facebook that share high-quality clips and trivia that haven't been wiped by copyright strikes.