THE GUIDE TO 
A DRAMA TELEVISION SERIES
“THIS IS US”
PART 1
(SEASON 1, EPISODES 1-6)
STUDENT’S BOOK

                  

МІНІСТЕРСТВО ОСВІТИ І НАУКИ УКРАЇНИ
ПРИКАРПАТСЬКИЙ НАЦІОНАЛЬНИЙ УНІВЕРСИТЕТ
ІМЕНІ ВАСИЛЯ СТЕФАНИКА
ФАКУЛЬТЕТ ІНОЗЕМНИХ МОВ
КАФЕДРА  АНГЛІЙСЬКОЇ ФІЛОЛОГІЇ

THE GUIDE TO 
A DRAMA TELEVISION SERIES
“THIS IS US”
PART 1
(SEASON 1, EPISODES 1-6)
STUDENT’S BOOK

Івано-Франківськ
2021

УДК 821.111(075.8) – 057.87 
ББК  83.3(4 Англ)
А 86

Рецензенти:
Білик О.І., доцент кафедри англійської філології факультету іноземних мов Прикарпатського національного університету імені Василя Стефаника, кандидат філологічних наук, доцент
Бойчук В.М., доцент кафедри перекладу та філології Університету Короля Данила, кандидат філологічних наук, доцент  

Рекомендовано до друку 
Вченою радою факультету іноземних мов
Прикарпатського національного університету
імені Василя Стефаника

А 86	Артиш О.О. The Guide to a Drama Television Series “This Is Us” Part 1 (Season 1, episodes 1-6). Student’s Book.  – Івано-Франківськ, 2021. – 85 p.

Пропоноване видання знайомить з сучасним американським драматичним серіалом «Це ми», який є прикладом живої розмовної мови, багатим на загальновживану лексику та звороти. 
Посібник містить розробки до перших 6 серій першого сезону серіалу. Автором було розроблено  вправи спрямовані на збагачення лексичного запасу слів, перевірку розуміння, розвиток навичок спілкування, слухання та письма.
Матеріал посібника можна використовувати у вищих навчальних закладах, а також для проведення факультативних занять в старших класах ліцеїв.

© Артиш О.О., 2021

CONTENTS

Preface…………………………………………………….……………..5	
Episode  1……………………………………………………..…………9
Episode  2 ……….………………………………………..……….……19
Episode 3 ……………………………….………..…………………......28
Episode 4 …………….……………………….….……………………..37
Episode 5 ……………………………………………………………….49
Episode 6 ……………………….………………………………………58
Student’s Self-Study………………………………..………...…………69	
References ….…………….………………………………………….....84	

PREFACE

The influence of digital videos on our everyday culture is undeniable. Online video sharing site boast monthly audience numbers in the millions. With digital videos continuing to gain popularity, it seems only natural that this familiar and widespread platform should extend into the education system. 
Here are 5 key benefits of using video in ESL classroom: 
1. Videos engage students of all ages and abilities
Video has a huge advantage over reading texts, writing activities and listening exercises in that it’s instantly engaging. Students young and old are attracted to video and many even see them as a treat when used in class.
Whether a video is authentic or made specifically for an ESL audience, it has been designed to catch and keep your students’ attention. As all teachers know, this is a key part of a successful class. Once the students are interested in the content, they will be ready to learn and be receptive to the activities you have planned.
2. Videos motivate with authentic content
One of the biggest advantages of using video in class is its ability to motivate students. Knowing that they can understand a real person speaking English is a milestone for many students.
What’s more, it shows the language points your students are learning in action, giving them even more reason to pay attention.
Video also demonstrates that English is not just a subject at school; it’s a skill that has applications in the real world. And that can spark students’ imaginations!
Make sure to highlight your students’ success in understanding video content and ask them to reflect on how easy or difficult video activities are for them. It will help you plan subsequent classes and focus on student progress.
3. Videos provide context to help understanding
Unlike reading texts and listening activities, video provides strong visual cues. These help learners understand what’s happening – even when the language is hard to follow.
In some cases, you can even play videos without sound at first and have students guess what’s happening. This works in a similar way to a reading prediction activity – and helps prepare students.
Documentaries often also provide text overlays that share additional information with the audience. This, in turn, helps with general understanding authentic content which is key to students’ language development.
4. Videos expose students to a variety of language and cultures
Video offers unlimited opportunities to expose your students to different accents and dialects of English.
When students travel, meet new people or start working they are likely to speak with people from all over the world – and that will probably be in English.
It’s, therefore, a good idea to use video to expose students to a range of English accents. This will help them become aware that there is more than one variety of English and will help them get used to hearing English spoken in different ways.
What’s more, globally, there are many more people who speak English as a second language than there are native speakers. So it’s a good idea to expose your students to a variety of non-native speakers in videos too.
5. Videos introduce culture and new ideas
Videos can bring the outside world to students, introducing different cultures, new places and ideas. They provide a great way to integrate new content and language learning at the same time – giving students the opportunity to learn about a whole range of subjects and ideas, at the same time as learning English.

This manual is a guide to an American drama television series This Is Us that premiered on NBC on September 20, 2016. There are 6 assignments in the manual, each presenting one from the first six episodes of Season 1. Each assignment consists of 3 parts: before watching, while watching, and after watching. Before watching part introduces students to the active vocabulary and comprises different tasks on practising it. While watching part checks students’ comprehension of the video and gives the opportunity to specifically practise their listening skills. In after watching part students will find a variety of tasks on grammar, writing, reading, and literary translation. There are also discussion and role-play activities that can help students boost their critical thinking skills and express themselves.
 
Series overview
The series follows the lives of siblings Kevin, Kate, and Randall (known as the "Big Three"), and their parents Jack and Rebecca Pearson. It takes place mainly in the present and uses flashbacks to show the family's past. Kevin and Kate are the two surviving members from a triplet pregnancy, born six weeks premature on Jack's 36th birthday in 1980; their brother Kyle is stillborn. Believing they were meant to have three children, Jack and Rebecca, who are white, decide to adopt Randall, an African American child born the day before and brought to the same hospital after his biological father William Hill abandoned him at a fire station. Jack dies when his children are 17 and Rebecca later marries Jack's best friend Miguel. Randall becomes a successful finance professional and marries college classmate Beth; they raise two daughters (Tess and Annie) and adopt a third, Deja. Kevin becomes a successful actor while struggling to be taken seriously. After lacking direction much of her life, Kate meets and marries Toby, pursues a career in music, gets a degree, and becomes a mother.

Most episodes feature a storyline taking place in the present (2016–2021, contemporaneous with airing) and a storyline taking place at a set time in the past; but some episodes are set in one time period or use multiple flashback time periods. Flashbacks often focus on Jack and Rebecca c. 1980 both before and after their babies' birth, or on the family when the Big Three are children or adolescents (and played by two sets of younger actors); these scenes usually take place in Pittsburgh, where the Big Three and their parents are born and raised. As adults, their homes vary more widely: Kate lives in Los Angeles; Randall and his family are in New Jersey (and later Philadelphia); and Kevin relocates from Los Angeles to New York City and back again, with a brief return to western Pennsylvania along the way. Various other time periods and locations have also served as settings, and some episodes have focused on the earlier experiences of other characters, including Randall's family members William, Deja, and Beth. Beginning in the second season, the show also uses flashforwards to show a later time period, when Randall's daughter Tess is an adult and an elderly Rebecca is on her deathbed.

THIS IS US
EPISODE 1
PILOT

BEFORE WATCHING
1.	Check the meaning of the following words. Write the translation next to the word: 

lingerie 
to gag       
triplets    
a crack addict  
to sabotage  
inappropriate 
faculty     
onesie       
a crib      
to envision      
a badass  
fancy-ass  
delivery   
stillborn 
meltdown 
a nightcap 

2.	Check the meaning of the following phrases and word combinations. Write the translation next to them: 

Go ahead!

This is a low point! 

Got a sec? 

He brought me up to speed. 

To cross the line 

To get intense 

To show up 

I am up to the task 

To be in distress 

To pass the time 

To fall for smb. 

To bang on the door 

She is a no-talent knitter! 

Hold on! 

Screw you! 

To storm out  

To lighten up the situation 

To make amends 

A lucky break 

To crack up

To process smth. 

To talk smb’s ear off

I am screwed! 

3.	Match each word with its definition:
1.	triplets	a.	not suitable or proper in the circumstances	
2.	a badass	b.	three children born at the same time to the same mother	
3.	delivery	c.	to deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct (something)	
4.	inappropriate	d.	a child's bed with barred or latticed sides; a cot	
5.	to sabotage	e.	a tough, uncompromising, or intimidating person	
6.	a crib	f.	women's underwear and nightclothes.	
7.	lingerie	g.	to put a piece of cloth in or over a person's mouth to prevent them from speaking.	
8.	to gag	h.	an inherent mental or physical power	
9.	faculty	i.	the process of giving birth	

4.	Match the beginning with the end of the phrase. There are two extra choices you do not need to use:
1.	to get	a.	break	
2.	to cross 	b.	lingerie	
3.	to make	c.	the line	
4.	a lucky 	d.	ear off	
5.	to talk smb’s 	e.	intense	
6.		f.	a sec	
7.		g.	amends	

5.	Fill in the gaps with the following phrases:

In distress, I am screwed, fall for, Got a sec, brought me up to speed, talking…ear off
1.	____________, boss?  - Yeah. What’s up?
2.	Dr. Schneider ___________on everything concerning your case.
3.	I can’t _______________ a fat person right now.
4.	Your wife is ____________ , Jack.  Right now you just need to trust me.
5.	I like to think that maybe one day you’ll be an old man like me … _____ a younger man’s ________ . 
6.	I am in so much trouble, __________.

6.	Complete the sentences with the correct prepositions: 
1.	It's just to lighten ______ the situation a little bit.
2.	You need anything, just bang _____ the door.
3.	I bet men fall _____ her all the time.
4.	I didn't mean to talk your ear ______ about my personal life.
5.	We are confident that they will both be ________ to the task.
6.	Seth showed _______ , apologising for being late.
7.	Hold _______, I’ll just get my coat.

7.	Translate the sentences into English:
1.	Якщо ти не перестанеш грюкати в двері, поліція буде (з’явиться) тут за хвилину. Не переходь межу! 	
2.	Він запросив її до своєї кімнати випити по чарці на ніч. Щоб згаяти час вона погодилася, хоча її подруга вважала це недоречним.  	
3.	Хоча Ваша дружина в критичному стані, нема про що хвилюватися. Все під контролем. Я впораюся. 	
4.	Це межа навіть для такого задираки як ти. Справи погіршаться, якщо ти не загладиш провину.  	
5.	Маєш хвилинку? Я намагаюся зрозуміти все своє життя і ніяк не можу. Можна я виговорюся тобі? 	

8.	 Make up 5 sentences with the words, phrases and word combinations from Exercise 1 and 2. 

9.	The TV series is called “This Is Us”. What do you think the series is about?

WHILE WATCHING
1. Identify the speaker and the scene of each of the following lines:
1.	You know when I think it all went wrong for me was 1986, second grade. They were sending the Challenger up into space.
2.	Between his screams of agony, Schneider brought me up to speed on everything concerning your case. I know all about these triplets, and I know that this is a high-risk pregnancy.
3.	I can't fall for a fat person right now.
4.	It also happens to be my birthday today, which tends to be a pretty great day in our house, a day when I get pretty lucky.
5.	Anyway, I don't know if that's what you're looking for, but either way, you can be sure this life of mine is punishment enough for the things I've done.
6.	I... I have no explanation, baby. Like, everything I want to say or do around this man, I do the opposite.
7.	I don't normally like risotto, but if you put it in a ball form, and-and deep fry it, I can eat, like, a thousand of them.

2.  Complete the sentences with the words you hear (00:18:30 – 00:19:44):
-	Yeah, yeah. Stop all that banging, I _________ you the first time, banging on the door. Who the hell is... 
-	My name is Randall Pearson. I'm your________son. 36 years ago you left me at the front door... No, ____________, just let me say this. 36 years ago you left me at the front door of a ____________. Now, don't worry, I'm not here because I want anything from you. I was raised by two __________ parents, I have a lights out family of my own, and... that car you see _____ out in front of your house? Cost $143,000 and I bought it for ______. I bought it for cash because I felt like it, and because I can do stuff like that. Yeah, you see, I turned out pretty all right. Which might surprise a lot of ______ considering the fact that 36 years ago my life started with you leaving me on a fire station _______ with nothing more than a ratty _______ and a crap-filled diaper. I came here today so I could look you in the eye, say that to you, and then get back in my ______ car and finally prove to myself, and to you, and to my family who loves me, that I didn't need a thing from you, even after I knew who you were.
-	 You _____ to come in? 
-	Okay.

3.	While watching the episode identify the main characters and make some notes about them ( name, appearance, the problems they face):

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

AFTER WATCHING

1.	Report the excerpt (change direct speech into reported):
-	 Mmm, coffee. 
-	Hi. 
-	Boy, these people hate me. 
-	You kind of crossed the line. 
-	Yeah, you laughed. 
-	That's because I live across the line. 
-	Oh! (LAUGHING): Okay. Toby. 
-	Kate. 
-	Yeah. Nice to meet you. So, you want to be fat friends? (LAUGHS)
-	Sure. But I'm gonna lose the weight. 
-	You know, I'm probably not. 
-	Okay. I can't fall for a fat person right now. 
-	Well... I guess I'll lose the weight then.

2.	Insert the correct tense form of the verb in brackets:
-	Now since I'm new here, I thought we might have a conversation now before things (to get) more intense. 
-	Yeah, that (to sound) nice. So, you said you have grandchildren? 
-	Not that kind of conversation. Now. I know that Dr. Schneider (to talk) to you about the positioning of the babies, and how complicated this delivery could get. I thought we should... 
-	I'm sorry, no, we're not gonna have this conversation. 
-	Jack, we need to have this... 
-	We (not to have) this conversation because it's not gonna happen. 
-	Well, we need to talk about... 
-	We (to walk) out of this hospital with three healthy babies and one healthy wife. 
-	Absolutely, but we still... 
-	I have three cribs at our new home that we (to buy) specifically for our three children to grow up in.
-	 I understand. 
-	My-my mother, my mother already (to knit) three onesies. 
-	I know. 
-	And she (to be) a slow, no-talent knitter. It  also happens to be my birthday today, which (to tend) to be a pretty great day in our house, a day when I get pretty lucky. So I'm gonna need everyone in this room to believe me when I say that only good things are gonna happen here today. Actually... I-I don't just want you to believe it. I want you to know it. Do you know it, baby? 
-	I ( to love) you. Yeah, I know it. I know it.
-	 (To know) you it, Doc? 
-	I know I like you. Let's just start there, get you what you want.

3.	Write the brief summary of the episode.

4.	Read the following lines in pairs with proper intonation and pronunciation: 

-	Rebecca's vitals are good. She's gonna be asleep for a little while, but she's doing fine. We're monitoring her closely. –
-	(QUIETLY): Okay. –
-	We lost the third baby, Jack. I'm-I'm very sorry. (SIGHS): The, uh... second baby is a girl, very strong. The third baby was a little boy, but the, uh, umbilical cord was cutting off his oxygen. He was stillborn. Nothing anybody could've done. 
-	I'm sorry, I'm... I'm not processing anything. (SNIFFLES) My wife? 
-	Is fine. And she'll be awake pretty soon. You have two beautiful, healthy children, Jack. Boy and a girl. (SNIFFLES) But we did lose the third child. (SNIFFLES) (TREMBLING BREATH) –
-	I need to be with my wife. –
-	And you will be. But she needs to sleep now. But soon. You just sit down. Sit. Sit. Okay if I keep you company a second? –
-	Yeah. (SIGHS) –
-	Okay if I... try and say something meaningful? –
-	Yeah. –
-	I lost my wife last year. Cancer. That's the reason I still work so much at my age. Just... trying to pass the time. (CHUCKLES) We were married 53 years. Five children, 11 grandkids. But we lost our very first child during the delivery. The reason I went into this field, truth be told... ...I have spent five decades delivering babies. More babies than I can count. But there is not a single day that goes by that I don't think of the child I lost. And I'm an old man now.  I like to think that because of the child that I lost, because of the path that... that he sent me on, that I have saved countless other babies. –
-	Yeah. –
-	I like to think that maybe one day you'll be an old man like me... ...talking a younger man's ear off, explaining to him how you... took the sourest lemon that life has to offer... and turned it into something resembling lemonade. If you can do that, then you will still be... taking three babies home from this hospital. Just... maybe not the way you planned. I don't know if that was meaningful or senile, but I thought it ought to be said. Your wife'll still be asleep for a little while. Go see your babies. They're excited to meet their father. I think maybe they got a good one.

5.	Translate the excerpt above into Ukrainian:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6.	Answer the following questions:
1.	What are your impressions of the episode? 
2.	What are the most memorable and striking moments in the episode? What is your favourite part?
3.	Are there any scenes or moments you are still unsure how to interpret?
4.	What issues are raised in the episode? Comment on them.
5.	Dwell on the main characters of the episode. Who appeals to you most of all? Whom do you like the least?
6.	Pay attention to the soundtracks in this episode. How does music define the atmosphere, mood and tone of the episode?

7.	Watch the following conversations with the sound off and try to dub the characters:
a)	between Kevin and Kate (00:05:32 – 00:07:33);
b)	between Kevin and the director ( 00:10:50 – 00:11:42);
c)	between Randall  and Beth ( 00:11:48 – 00:13:00)

8.	Work in pairs or small groups and discuss the following: 
1.	According to Wikipedia, the average human being shares his or her birthday with 18 million other human beings. There is no evidence that sharing the same birthday creates any type of behavioural link between those people. Do you agree with this?
2.	Do you like your birthday? Do you have any birthday traditions? What is your ideal birthday celebration?
3.	Comment on the following: “There's no lemon so sour that you can't make something resembling lemonade." Think of the examples from life to illustrate the quote.

EPISODE 2
THE BIG THREE

BEFORE WATCHING
1.	Check the meaning of the following words. Write the translation next to the word: 

Yuck      
a sleepover      
endgame    
vice        
to vent  
groundbreaking  
a litterer     
a whore       
to overstep      
a laughing stock      
to tickle    

2.	Check the meaning of the following phrases and word combinations. Write the translation next to them: 

To get definition of smb./smth

To censor oneself 

To overstay one’s welcome 

I get a lot on the mind 

What’s done is done 

To sue smb. for damages

It’s gonna be a blast!  

It’s not open for discussion 

To get smth. confused 

Are you comfy? 

To cut loose 

To call smb. names 

To be hard on smb. 

To be on the same page 

To get back on track 

To reign smth. in 

To fix the problem 

For the record 

To cut to the chase 

To be at smb’s worst 

To look dapper 

To be wasted 

To catch up on smth.

To keep up to speed 

3.	Unscramble the words. Give Ukrainian translation:

RTITLERE                                                
RGOEUIDBRNKNGA                            
GLHIGNAU TCOKS                               
EPROVTSE                                              
MEDAGEN                                              
VRSEEPLEO                                            

4.	Match the phrases and word combinations on the left to their synonyms on the right:

1.	to overstay one’s welcome	a.	to settle the issue	
2.	to fix the problem	b.	to get straight to the point	
3.	to be hard on smb	c.	to trespass upon hospitality	
4.	to cut to the chase	d.	to be drunk	
5.	to be wasted	e.	to give trouble	

5.	Complete the expressions with the correct preposition:

for, on (x2), up(x2), to, in

to sue smb. ……….  damages
to be ……  the same page
to catch ……  on smth.
to get back ….. track
to reign smth …… 
to cut ….. the chase
to keep …… to speed

6.	Complete the sentences. Use the phrases and word combinations mentioned above:
1.	I was …. as my friend about our plans for a holiday. (думати однаково) 	
2.	…….. , honey, OK? (це не обговорюється) 	
3.	Just admit you have no idea how ….. , and then we can both get on with our lives. (вирішити проблему)  	
4.	... and you can't change it. (зробленого не повернеш) 	
5.	She … it   ...  with something else. (плутати)  	

7.	Translate the sentences into English:
1.	Усі діти люблять ночівлі у друзів вдома. Це завжди весело, але головне при цьому не зловживати гостинністю. 	
2.	Прикро, але ми більше не на одній хвилі з тобою. Нам доведеться прикласти багато зусиль, щоб повернутися до того як було раніше. 	
3.	Я знаю все про тебе і твоє життя. Джейн тримає мене в курсі справ. 	
4.	Ця вечірка буде справжньою бомбою. І, між іншим, багато відомих осіб погодилися засвітитися на ній  	
5.	- Визнай, ти той, хто захоплюється шкідливою їжею і це твій недолік. – Перестань ображати мене. 	

8.	 Make up 5 sentences with the words, phrases and word combinations from Exercise 1 and 2. 

WHILE WATCHING
1.	Put the things in order they happen in the episode.

●	Jack and Miguel are having a drink at the bar.
●	Kate and Toby are at the gym.
●	Kevin decides on moving to New York.
●	The Big Three are having their breakfast.
●	Rebecca says that Jack’s drinking has to stop.
●	Randall and Beth are talking about William’s stay.
●	Kevin’s agent tells him that he’s contractually bound to the show for another two years.

2.	Choose the correct answer (A, B or C).

1.	Every day William goes by bus to Philadelphia:
A.	to get drugs
B.	to feed a cat
C.	to see a doctor

2.	At the party Kate:
A.	got drunk
B.	broke a leg
C.	kissed Mr.Manning

3.	What was Jack’s present to Rebecca?
A.	a ring
B.	a bracelet
C.	a necklace

4.	Kevin is going to New York:
A.	to host a TV show
B.	to do theatre
C.	to play in the orchestra

5.	Who came to Randall at the end of the episode?
A.	Toby and Kate
B.	Jack and Rebecca
C.	Miguel and Rebecca

3.	Watch the episode with Randall and Beth (00:03:24 – 00:04:48) and choose the word you hear:

-	Raby/Baby? Yeah. I want to ask you something, but... I'm not sure how to say it. 
-	Since when do we censor/render ourselves with each other? 
-	No, I know, it's... 
-	You know, Beth, we've been together for 17 years. That's almost half our lives. I know your face/pace, your hands, your soul/goal better than I know my own. You don't have to censor yourself. Never/Ever. Not with me. What was your question? 
-	How long is your crack-addict biological daddy gonna be sleeping in our six-year-old daughter's bedroom? 
-	Damn. 
-	I know, right? 
-	You need to censor yourself, woman/human. 
-	It's just got near/real.  But Randall, he's been here for three days. And the girls still think he's your 70-year-old coal worker/co-worker who likes sleepovers. What's our endgame here? 
-	Beth, the man has Stage 4 stomach cancer. I'm just trying to get him to his first doctor's ointment/appointment, make sure he's gonna make it past Thursday/Wednesday. Then we can take the rest from there. Okay? 
-	Yeah. Okay. 
-	And he's a warmer/former crack addict, by the way. 
-	Oh, well, then he can stay forever/wherever. 
-	See? You didn't even think about that.

AFTER WATCHING

1.	Report the excerpt (change direct speech into reported):

-	 So now Rebecca's all worked up because the kids at school are calling him "Webster." You know, the black kid the white family adopts on that show?
-	 I love that show. 
-	Yeah. I don't know. I don't know, Miguel, it's just... It's hard to see the woman I married sometimes, you know?  
-	What? 
-	Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. 
-	You... I'm your, I'm your best friend. You're venting. Best friends let best friends vent without judgment. I'm not even gonna say anything about it being 5:03 and that being your second bourbon. 
-	I appreciate that. 
-	The thing is... your wife is, like, the gold standard of wives. 
-	I know, Miguel. 
-	I mean, she's smart, funny, beautiful, great personality, greater ass... 
-	Easy. 
-	She's raising not one, not two, but three eight-year-olds while you sit here drinking not one, not two, but soon to be three bourbons by 5:05. 
-	I know all this, Miguel. 
-	Yeah? 
-	Yeah. 
-	Because as your loyal best friend, it is my duty to remind you of what you've got there. You married way, way above your station. I'd be careful not to give her a reason to notice.

2.	Insert the correct tense form of the verb in brackets:

-	Kevin, you (to remember) where you were when I (to find) you? 
-	Yeah, sure. I (to be), uh, in an improv comedy troupe. 
-	That's right. And when I (to see) your first show, do you know what I thought to myself, Kevin? 
-	No, I-I... 
-	I thought to myself... I (to do) it. I (to  find) the least funny person on the entire planet. Okay. But I saw something there, so I took you on. And I (to get) you the commercials, (to get) you the soaps, eventually (to get) you a job paying you almost three million dollars a year, making you so famous that you (can) wear a ski cap when it is 80 degrees outside, and no one (to say)a damn thing. 
-	Okay, Lanie... 
-	Take off that hat. 
-	Okay. What's done is done, right? I mean, you know, can't we just... move on? 
-	Brian... speak. 
-	You contractually (to be bound) to the show for another two years. 
-	Okay. All right, and if I (to refuse)? 
-	Listen to me very carefully, Kevin. The network (to own) you. They can sue you for damages. They could bankrupt you. And even if someone (to slip) a chill pill into their collective drink, you would still be legally unable to work for the next two years. That's for any studio, any network. Television or film. So... that's the good news. Now here's the part you're not gonna like.

3.	Write the brief summary of the episode.

4.	Read the following lines in pairs with proper intonation and pronunciation: 

-	Hi, baby. 
-	Hi, baby. 
-	Did I miss putting them down? 
-	Just by an hour. 
-	Well, I was... I was... oh, shopping. I was shopping. I know... (clears throat) I know we haven't been on the same page lately. That we just got to get back on track, baby. So... consider this a... way-too-expensive peace offering. 
-	I think we've been more than off track. Hey, how do you think we're doing so far? 
-	At parenting? I... 
-	'Cause I think we're at a six. On a sliding scale, one through ten, I think we're at a six and I think I'm being generous. 
-	Bec... 
-	Seven, fine, but only because there are three of them. 
-	Baby, I...
-	 And the thing is, I'm trying really hard to get us to a nine. Because they are cute kids, and they deserve nine-parents. And, the thing is, I feel like I'm there, Jack. I feel like I'm operating at a nine. Because I do individualized lunches and I do individualized tuck-ins for each kid so nobody feels gypped. And... When you're home, and you're you, you're way better than I am. You're a ten when you're you, Jack. But you're getting home later and later and when you do come home, you're... 
-	Bec, what are you saying? 
-	The drinking has to stop. You have to reign it in, baby, because I won't have it in my house. 
-	You won't have it in your house. 
-	I won't. So if it's a problem, fix it. Be a man, and fix it. Because I'm done letting you lower our score.

5.	Translate the excerpt above into Ukrainian:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6.	Answer the following questions:

1.	What are your impressions of the episode? 
2.	What are the most memorable and striking moments in the episode? What is your favourite part?
3.	Are there any scenes or moments you are still unsure how to interpret?
4.	What problems does each of the character face in this episode? 
5.	What issues are raised in the episode? Comment on them.

6.	Role play the following scenes from the episode:
a)	Kevin is talking to Mr.Manning at the party (00:24:16 – 00:27:05);
b)	Beth is trying to explain William that he is overstaying their welcome (00:31:40 – 00:35:49);
c)	Kevin is calling Randall for advice (00:28:58 – 00:31:33).

7.	Think about what the characters in the episode are thinking but not saying. Work in pairs or small groups, come up with their interior monologues and present them to the class:

a)	William realizing that he has to leave Randall’s home;
b)	Kevin thinking how to fix the problem with the show and what he is going to do next after it;
c)	Kate realizing that she is not losing weight.

8.	Discuss the following:
1.	Drinking is considered one of the biggest issues nowadays. Do you think it’s a disease or just a bad habit? Is it necessary to help such people, support them or to let them overcome it all by themselves?
2.	What makes good parenting? Make a list of the things good parents should do/shouldn’t do.
3.	Do you have any vices? Tell the class about your biggest one. 

EPISODE 3
KYLE

BEFORE WATCHING
1.	Check the meaning of the following words. Write the translation next to the word: 

formula   
to bust up    
to devastate      
hangover    
gig   
to pull up  
dazed 
namesake    
regular people  
nut job  
a nursing home       
sappy      

2.	Check the meaning of the following phrases and word combinations. Write the translation next to them: 

To be pumped about smth. 

To have second thoughts 

To be overwhelmed with/by smth.

To black out 

I rocked it! 

It’s my new jam! 

Let’s lock and load! 

To drop by 

To spy on smb. 

To channel into action 

To bond with someone 

To kiss up to smb. 

To freak out 

To take smth. with a grain of salt

To play second banana to smb. 

On a whim 

To get pouty 

A red eye 

A booty call 

3.	Fill in the gaps with the missing letters. Translate the words:

N _ m e _ a _ e                  
_ a _ _ o v _ r                    
S _ p _ y                           
D _ _ a s _ a _ e               
_ u r _ i n _     h _ _ e      

4.	Match the phrases and word combinations to their translation:

1.	On a whim	a.	направити в дію	
2.	A red eye	b.	це моя улюблена пісня	
3.	To freak out	c.	секс без зобов’язань	
4.	To channel into action	d.	на примху	
5.	It’s my new jam!	e.	лякати, злякатися	
6.	A booty call	f.	нічний рейс	

5.	Complete the sentences with the words and phrases from Ex.1 and Ex.2:

1.	Don't try ……..    me by saying how smart I am.
2.	Yet still she won't start her baby on …… because she thinks it makes her a bad mother.
3.	If I were you, I wouldn’t believe everything she says. Well, whatever she says, you should probably  ……. .
4.	Long time no see! So nice of you to  …….. .
5.	I shouldn’t have drunk so much wine at the party. My head is splitting. It's the worst ……. I’ve ever had.

6.	Translate the sentences into English:
1.	Як би тяжко він не намагався шпигувати за мною і примусити мене сказати правду, я перехитрила його. Я була на висоті!	
2.	Перестань засмучуватися через те, що змінюєш свою думку. Це природньо, потрібно все зважати, щоб прийняти правильне рішення. 	
3.	Я просто в захваті від того, що йду на концерт сьогодні. Їхня остання пісня тепер моя улюблена. 	
4.	Я розумію  як важко тобі було встановити зв'язок з Джейком. Але я не можу бути постійно на другому місці після нього. Вся ця ситуація справді пригнічує мене. 	
5.	Усі тут! Зачекайте поки я піджену машину. Добре! Рушаймо! 	

7.	Make up 5 sentences with the words, phrases and word combinations from Exercise 1 and 2. 

WHILE WATCHING
1.	Decide if the statements 1-7 are true (T) or false (F).
1.	Rebecca didn’t bond with Kyle at first.
2.	In the episode Kate is shown to be good at photography.
3.	Rebecca was really delighted to see William at Randall’s house.
4.	Kevin wants Kate to go with him to New York.
5.	Rebecca prevented William from seeing his son.
6.	William’s cancer is terminal.
7.	Randall regretted for having found William.

2.	Answer the following questions:
1.	Where did William meet Randall’s mother?
2.	Who is William’s favourite poet?
3.	What was Randall’s name initially?
4.	Why did William leave Randall’s home?
5.	When did Rebecca first see William?
6.	Where did Toby get Kate?
7.	Who did Jack go for advice to?
8.	What was William’s nickname?
9.	Why did Rebecca find William?

3.	Complete the sentences with the following words. Watch the episode to check your answers (00:04:55 – 00:06:27):

Spy on, amazing, perform, fat, blacked out, rocked, oatmeal, to avoid, sugar

-	Oh! 
-	Ugh. How's your face? 
-	Well, it's fine. Luckily, I have all this …….  to soften the blow. 
-	Stop that. How's your breakfast? 
-	You mean this, uh, steel-cut ………. and egg white pancake with no salt, no ………., and no oil that you're making me eat? 
-	Yes. 
-	It's ………….. 
-	Right? 
-	Mm-hmm. It's the best thing I've ever tasted. Quick question. Um, last night, after the party... I kind of …………. We didn't, uh... 
-	Oh, no. A lot of vomiting but not a lot of anything else. 
-	Oh. Sexy. You have an amazing voice, by the way. I did not know that you sang. 
-	Well, I did not know that you ………… people in the bathroom. 
-	Will you sing for me? 
-	No. 
-	Come on, Kate, come on. 
-	No. 
-	Come on, come on. You're good. And I'm not talking about karaoke-good. I'm talking good-good. Have... did... you... did... Did you ever ………….? 
-	When I was really young. Cyndi Lauper was kind of my jam. 
-	Mm-hmm. 
-	"Time after Time" cover was... I ……….. it. I was, you know... I rocked it like it was my job. 
-	Mm-hmm. 
-	But then I grew up. And then I grew... and, um, you know, I try ……… the spotlight. Are you done? 
-	Yes. Are you? One more song. One more song. One more song.

-	But then I grew up. And then I grew... and, um, you know, I try to avoid the spotlight. Are you done? 
-	Yes. Are you? One more song. One more song. One more song.

AFTER WATCHING
1.	Report the excerpt (change direct speech into reported):

-	 Where are we going? 
-	Well, no more background singing for you. Your voice is way too beautiful to only be heard in a bathroom. Today is your day, babe. We are on our way to your first big gig. 
-	What? 
-	Yep, I, uh... I downloaded an instrumental copy of "Time after Time," found an old boom box. It's showtime, baby! 
-	Toby, there is no way in hell that I'm gonna sing in front of people. 
-	Well, then you'll be depriving the world. 
-	Well, the world will live. 
-	Yes, but your audience may not. (grunts) 
-	All right. (grunts) 
-	What the hell? Okay, so, my Aunt Dolly actually lives here. All right, I booked you in their prime slot, 3:00 p.m. It's right after Jell-O but before their nap. Perfect place to break your seal, right? Now, remember, most of 'em will probably be asleep. The rest won't remember this tomorrow. And most of them lived through World War II, so no matter how bad you are, they've seen worse. (chuckles) Come on. I'm sorry, do you need the red carpet? 
-	No. 
-	Okay, come on.

2.	Insert the correct tense form of the verb in brackets or choose the correct word:

-	Well, now, all three of these babies (to look) very good, Jack. Very strong, very healthy. 
-	Okay, good. That's good. 'Cause some-sometimes one (to do) something different than the other two. 
-	You just... you start spinnin' a little... They're all doing very well. 
-	Okay. 
-	How you guys (to do)? 
-	Oh, we're great. We're good. We're, um... tired but, uh, good. 
-	Uh-huh. And Rebecca? I mean, I only ask because it's a little unusual for the father to be here alone. 
-	She just (to need) a little break, you know? She's... she's... she's not totally herself. I mean, she's a... little dazed, I guess? She (not to bond) with the babies. And not with Kyle, mainly. You know? Not with Kyle. I think she might be a little broken. You know, I-I think the babies (may break/might have broken) my wife. You (can/should) fix her, right? Or you can tell me how to fix her? I was... I was hoping you could tell me how to fix her. 
-	Sit down, Jack. She (to lose) a baby, Jack. You can't just dismiss that. 
-	(So did I/ Neither did I). 
-	Yeah. And you took your grief, and you... channeled it into action. You willed yourself forward with positivity, but Rebecca has just... She's gonna have to do this in her own way, and you're just gonna have to give her the space to do it. 
-	Yeah. What if she (not to find) her way? 
-	She will. 
-	How do you know? 
-	For the same reason that I know you're gonna give her the space to find it. 'Cause I believe in good people. Of course, I (to vote) for Nixon, so you got to take everything I say with a grain of salt. Now, look, there's a couch in there in my office. Why you (not to go) lie down, take a nap? I'm-I'm totally free the rest of the day. I can use the time with my namesakes. 
-	No, there's three. You don't... you don't... 
-	I (to bring) them into the world, Jack. I am perfectly qualified to sit here and watch 'em sleep and crap themselves for a couple of hours. Now go. Now.

3.	Write the brief summary of the episode.

4.	Read the following lines in pairs with proper intonation and pronunciation: 

-	I'm not very well, as you can probably tell. The baby didn't come from this. It came from love. His mother? You know, we-we... we met on that bus, actually. My world spun on every axis that day. I read poetry to her the first time we talked. Uh, not any of mine. I was too shy for that. One of my favorite poets, and... She used to love it when I read to her. So what'd you name the baby? 
-	Kyle. I was having triplets, and, um, on a whim, actually, we just decided to name them. Kevin, Kate and Kyle. I... I lost one of the babies during delivery, but your baby showed up at the hospital the very same morning. It felt like destiny. Um... I just... I appreciate this. I-I, um... I wanted to know his story. And that there was good here, so... 
-	I wonder if I could check on him from time to time. 
-	No. No. I-I also need to know... I need to know that you're not gonna come back for him. I need to know that I can move forward. Because he will have your blood and the blanket you wrapped him up in, but that's it. That's the deal. Otherwise, I... 
-	I understand. 
-	Okay. 
-	I'm not... (sighs) I'm not bonding with the baby. (crying): I want to love him like he's my own, but every time I look at his face... (sighs heavily) (cries) 
-	Give him his own name. 
-	What was the name of the, uh, poet you used to read to her? Your favorite poet. 
-	Maybe you'll see fit to give it to him someday. 
-	Thank you.

5.	Translate the excerpt above into Ukrainian:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6.	Answer the following questions:
1.	What are your impressions of the episode? 
2.	What are the most memorable and striking moments in the episode? What is your favourite part?
3.	Are there any scenes or moments you are still unsure how to interpret?
4.	What problems does each of the character face in this episode? 
5.	What issues are raised in the episode? Comment on them.

7.	Watch the following conversations with the sound off and try to dub the characters:
1.	between Kevin, Kate and Toby (00:06:27 – 00:07:19);
2.	between Randall and Rebecca ( 00:07:20 – 00:08:18);
3.	between Kevin and Kate ( 00:33:31 – 00:36:07)

8.	Work in pairs or small groups and discuss the following:
1.	Do you think it was the right decision for Jack and Rebecca to rename baby Kyle? Do you consider it right to name babies after the relatives or after celebrities? Do you have examples from life?
2.	The death of a child is a huge tragedy for every parent. It is devastating. What are the things, in your opinion, that can help parents get over this? Should they grieve inside like Rebecca did? Or is it better to open up to someone?
3.	Do you think there is a special bond between twins? As for Kevin and Kate, is it good that in some way they are living one life not two different ones? Can twins be diametrically opposed?

EPISODE 4
THE POOL

BEFORE WATCHING
1.	Check the meaning of the following words. Write the translation next to the word: 

a scorcher   
zonked       
a mope  
to snag    
busing   
a catchphrase  
to loiter 
arugula     
care bear       
self-sabotage      
hazy    
a pacifier  
thereabout   
Ick!   

2.	Check the meaning of the following phrases and word combinations. Write the translation next to them: 

To give smb. a hard time 

To do a deep dive with smb./smth. 

To crush the audition 

To get smth. off smb’s chest 

Does that work for you? 

To turn the hose 

Duly noted! 

Sounds like a plan! 

For no reason 

To be on board 

To swing by smth. 

You are in over your head! 

Rinse and repeat 

To chase smb. off 

To be at the lowest point 

To corner the market 

A sane person 

3.	Find the antonyms to the following words (see Ex.1):

A happy person – 
To hurry – 
Clearheaded – 
Distinct –
Self-care – 

4.	Say the following in one sentence using phrases and word combinations from Ex.2: 

1.	Chris lost his job 6 months ago. He has no savings at all, nothing to buy the food for and to pay the rent for.
2.	Look! You are a good artist! A very skillful one! But you’re not Leonardo da Vinci at all!
3.	After John left the front door open, a stray dog came in and I had to make it go away.
4.	Trying to get the part in the play, Jack impressed everybody.
5.	Jill is mentally healthy and in a reasonable state of mind.

5.	In each phrase or word combination one word is not as it is in phrases and word combinations from Ex.2. Cross out this word and write the necessary one:
Holy noted!                                
To do a deep drive with smb.    
Read and repeat                         
To chase smb. in                       
To corn the market                    
To be on broad                          

6.	Translate the sentences into English:
1.	- Спочатку ми заскочимо на базар купити руколи, потім в дитячий магазин за новою соскою, а потім можемо десь випити кави. Тобі таке підходить? – Звучить як план! 	
2.	- Поки ти з нами в команді, ти не повинен завдавати проблем нікому з нас. – Зрозуміло! 	
3.	Кожен почувався ніяково, коли Джек без будь якої причини почав зізнаватися в якихось дурницях. 	
4.	Якщо ти здравомисляча людина, то ти розумієш, що спочатку потрібно монополізувати ринок, а вже потім піднімати ціну. 	
5.	Я переживаю зараз найтяжчі часи, а все, що я чую від тебе це – «Ти не стрибнеш вище голови, Майку!» Це вже як твоя крилата фраза! 	

7.	Make up 5 sentences with the words, phrases and word combinations from Exercise 1 and 2.

WHILE WATCHING
1.	Tick the events that happened in the episode.

Kate moved to New York.
The Pearsons decided to spent a day in the pool.
William was arrested for smelling the roses.
Kevin almost drowned in the pool.
Kate was ostracized by her classmates for being overweight.
Toby told Kate that his ex-wife was not an angel as she seemed to be.
Beth told Randall that she wanted to divorce him.
Kevin temporarily moves in with Randall.
Kevin got the part in the movie.
Kate got the job from Toby’s ex-wife.

2.	Choose the correct answer (A, B or C).

1.	In the morning Randall’s family talks with Kevin on the:

A.	

B.	

C.	

2.	The girls at the pool gave Kate:

A.	

B.	

C.	

3.	Randall and William were shopping for:

A.	

B.	

C.	

4.	What was mentioned on Jack’s favourite T-shirt?

A.	

B.	

C.	

5.	Tess played the part of:

A.	

B.	

C.	

6.	Whenever Randall saw a black man, in his notebook he put:

A.	

B.	

C.	

7.	At the pool Rebecca asked a woman for the number of:

A.	

B.	

C.	

3.	Think of the words that are the best match to fill in the gaps. Then watch the episode and check (00:36:33 – 00:39:23):

-	Man, that Tess was some Snow White tonight, huh? 
-	Yeah. 
-	I've offended you somehow. 
-	No. 
-	No, I have. You think I'm judging you. I….Because I'm in ______position to judge you whatsoever. But you need to ______ if I was in a position to judge you, you'd be getting a very ______ score. 
-	That ________ you told about helping to bus little black kids in Pittsburgh. That was '86, '87? 
-	Thereabout. 
-	So you were clean then? Just... functional? Because you know what this little black kid was doing? 
-	I don't... 
-	I was a little boy, ________ in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Which is pretty much the whitest place on Earth. I had this little notebook... and every ________ I met a new black person, I would put a mark in this notebook. And every time I met a black man, I wondered if, somehow, if that man could possibly be my father. But I couldn't say that. You know, I couldn't say it out loud because I loved my father. My white father. And my white mother. I'm a strong, successful, black man. My wife and I give a lot of thought to how we_________ our girls, believe that. 
-	Yes. 
-	The fact that my daughter doesn't find anything unusual about her _____________ Snow White? That's the whole idea. Right? Look, I-I don't know everything, William. I don't. But I wouldn't change a ____________about my parents, or the way that I parent, and I will not apologize for any of it. 
-	You shouldn't. 
-	Because I don't. 
-	I should. Three weeks I've known you, and I still haven't said the words. 
-	You don't have to say any... 
-	I'm sorry. I am so deeply sorry. I did everything wrong by you. And you've done everything_______. You are doing everything right, son. 
-	Well, uh... Now, you wear whatever you want on your walk tomorrow. 
-	Oh, I like my new flat front khakis just fine.

AFTER WATCHING
1.	Report the excerpt (change direct speech into reported):

-	I hate kale. 
-	Me, too. 
-	Ick. Baby arugula is just as bad as grown-up arugula. All right, you know what? Here we go. 
-	Oh, no, no, no. Let me get... 
-	Remember, you are unemployed. And I am not convinced that you would do well begging for money. 
-	Are you kidding? You don't think the drivers will be sympathetic to me holding up a sign that says "hungry?" 
-	That's good. I'm gonna use the restroom, and then we'll go, okay? 
-	Toby: Hi. 
-	Woman: How are you? 
-	Uh, good. How are you? 
-	Good. 
-	Okay, uh... you wanna get out of here? 
-	Who was that? 
-	Who was... uh... You saw that. Uh, that was my ex-wife. 
-	Wait, are you serious? 
-	Uh, yeah. I told you I was married before. 
-	Not to that.

2.	Insert the correct tense form of the verb in brackets or choose the correct word:

-	She's (his/him) ex-wife, Kate. All right? The operative word being "ex." They're not together (no more/anymore). He's with you now. 
-	"Why?" is the question. You should see her. 
-	Maybe that's what Toby (to want). 
-	Maybe he (to fulfill) a fat-girl fetish with (mine/me). 
-	Well, that's actually a thing. Of course, for me it was more of a phase than a thing, but anyway... 
-	I (to do) a deep dive (with/to) this woman. Everything (to reek) fabulous. She has fabulous taste, she has fabulous friends. She (to be) to Argentina, Kevin! 
-	Listen (-/to) me, I did not leave you in Los Angeles so you (should/could) selfsabotage, okay? So get (off/on) the Internet... do that right now... and tell me how hard I'm gonna crush this audition.
3.	Write the brief summary of the episode.

4.	Read the following lines in pairs with proper intonation and pronunciation: 

-	You cold? T-shirt? 
-	I didn't bring one. 
-	Well... I brought a T-shirt. 
-	That's the one Mommy hates. 
-	Oh, Mommy's just jealous. 
-	I don't think so. 
-	Well, it's true. She just pretends like she hates it because I won't let her wear it. You know where I got this shirt? 
-	I heard Mommy say it was from a drugged-out drifter. 
-	Listen, Mommy doesn't know the whole truth, so this is gonna have to stay between us, okay? I got it... in Florida. A magical land called Daytona Beach. 
-	Can we go there? 
-	No. No, you may never go to Daytona Beach. I want you to say it out loud: "Daddy, I will never go to Daytona Beach." 
-	Daddy, I will never go to Daytona Beach. 
-	Good girl. But I was there... and one night, I was walking back to my hotel, and... I came across this man... a traveler. He was wearing ragged clothes and he had a strange way of talking. And these three young jerks were bothering him. They were trying to take away his bag of groceries. And so... I chased the jerks off. 
-	By yourself? 
-	Yeah, by myself. And I had a few... vitamin drinks and... I chased them off. It happened. And the traveler was so grateful, he wanted to repay me. You know, he-he didn't have much, so he reaches into his little satchel and he pulls out this shirt. He says to me that it's a magic T-shirt. He said, that when you wear it, your enemies will see you exactly as you want to be seen, and only that way. Whether it's a... a warrior, or a princess. Whatever you want. 
-	Does it work? 
-	You tell me. I was wearing this shirt the night I met your mom. And she thought I was the handsomest man in the world. 
-	You? 
-	Yeah, I know. Me. Magic. 
-	I'm gonna go with princess. 
-	I want you to know... that your daddy already sees you that way without the shirt, okay? You don't need it. 
-	Thanks, Daddy, but I'm gonna wear it anyway. 
-	Okay. Your Highness. Need to find you a crown.

5.	Translate the excerpt above into Ukrainian:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6.	Answer the following questions:
1.	What are your impressions of the episode? 
2.	What are the most memorable and striking moments in the episode? What is your favourite part?
3.	Are there any scenes or moments you are still unsure how to interpret?
4.	What problems does each of the character face in this episode? 
5.	What issues are raised in the episode? Comment on them.

7.	Role play the following scenes from the episode:
a)	William and Randall are having a conversation in the shop (00:12:27 – 00:14:28);
b)	Rebecca is talking to a black mother at the pool (00:18:27 – 00:19:40);
c)	Kevin and Olivia are in the bar (00:20:52 – 00:23:02).

8.	Think about what the characters in the episode are thinking but not saying. Work in pairs or small groups, come up with their interior monologues and present them to the class:

a)	Kate after reading a note from the girls at the pool;
b)	William after Randall didn’t stand up for him;
c)	Kevin realizing that none of his parents was watching him in the pool.

9.	Discuss the following:
1.	In this episode, Toby confesses that he had thoughts about committing suicide after his divorce. Do you consider such people strong or weak? Do you think people have the right to decide themselves how to end their lives? What can be done to prevent suicide?
2.	Comment on the problem of children’s obesity as one of the reasons of bullying. What should parents do in such situations?
3.	Do you think white/black people problem still exists in the world? Have you heard about Black Lives Matter movement? Do you support it?
4.	After splitting up with your partner is it better to stay in touch with him/her or to put them on the personal black list? Think of some examples from life. 

EPISODE 5
THE GAME PLAN

BEFORE WATCHING
1.	Check the meaning of the following words. Write the translation next to the word: 

ballsy    
a bum       
to tailgate    
to warm up  
gross   
an au pair   
pathetic      
to fast forward     
a weirdo      
creepy     
lame  
sloppy  

2.	Check the meaning of the following phrases and word combinations. Write the translation next to them: 

Are they gonna make it? 

To take offence at/to smth 

No offence!  

To return the favour 

To throw up 

Sole purpose 

Like clockwork 

To grab a drink 

To be cut out for smth. 

To boss smb.

To go sideways 

To occur to smb. 

To get out of the habit 

They are next level smart! 

3.	Do the crossword with the words from Ex.1:

Across:
1. To drive too closely to the vehicle in front of you
5. Boring or not very good
7. Not done carefully or thoroughly
9. Making you feel nervous and slightly frightened
Down:
2. A young person, usually a woman, who stays with a family in a foreign country to learn the language, and looks after their children for a small wage
3. Brave and determined
4. Someone, especially a man, who has no home or job, and who asks people for money
6. A strange, eccentric person
8. Useless, unsuccessful

4.	Match the beginning with the end of the phrase. There are two extra choices you do not need to use:
1.	to take offence 	a.	break	
2.	to go	b.	a drink	
3.	like 	c.	at/to smth	
4.	to grab 	d.	sideways	
5.	to return   	e.	the favour  	
6.		f.	a sec	
7.		g.	clockwork	

5.	Complete the sentences with the correct prepositions: 

1.	I tried giving him some cool, boiled water, but he even threw that _____. 
2.	I wish I could get _______ the habit of wasting so much money. 
3.	I'm not cut ______ an office job. 
4.	I suppose it didn’t occur ______ you to phone the police? 
5.	Lane did not take offence ______his boss's comment, nor did he slow down.

6.	Translate the sentences into English:
1.	Перестань командувати іншими. Тобі не спадало на думку, що деякі люди на голову мудріші за тебе? 	
2.	Не ображайся, але в цій постановці ти виглядаєш жалюгідно. Ти не створений для театру.  	
3.	Я б хотів випити в барі з Пітерсонами перед концертом. Як ти думаєш, вони встигнуть доїхати? 	
4.	Моєю єдиною метою є перестати перейматися тим, що інші думають про мене.  	
5.	- Тобі не слід ображатися на мене, я просто хочу віддячити тобі. – Звучить непереконливо. 	

7.	 Make up 5 sentences with the words, phrases and word combinations from Exercise 1 and 2. 

WHILE WATCHING
1.	Watch the episode and say who:

1.	asked to be taught football
2.	didn’t want to live in a luxurious hotel suite
3.	punched a guy in the bar
4.	prefers to watch football alone
5.	went to the pharmacy to buy a pregnancy test
6.	is a great fan of “The Manny”
7.	paints sometimes

2.	Say whether the following sentences are true ( T ) or false ( F ):

1.	Rebecca didn’t want to have kids.
2.	Toby invited his ex-wife to watch football with Kate.
3.	Randall thought of taking an early retirement in Florida.
4.	Beth’s pregnancy test was positive.
5.	William thinks that Kevin doubts too much.
6.	The Pittsburg Steelers won Super Bowl.
7.	Rebecca and Jack decided not to have kids.
8.	Kevin used the play and his painting to give a life lesson to his nieces.
9.	Kate tells Toby why football games are personal for her.

3.	Complete the sentences with the words you hear (00:18:30 – 00:19:44):

-	Aren't you gonna say anything? 
-	Uh, yeah. Like, how? You take the pill every day like ________, right? 
-	Yeah. 
-	What, did I accidentally drop one in my ________ or something? 
-	No. I... I mean, I changed medications last month and there might have been, like, a brief window. 
-	A brief window? 
-	Sorry. 
-	A brief window, Beth? Did it not occur to you that that might be something you want to run by your _______? 
-	Well, I didn't know it was gonna be a______________. 
-	Well, there goes Charleston. 
-	Okay, I'm sorry, what? 
-	Ten years from now, when the girls are both off at _______, I thought that we would take an early __________ in Charleston. 
-	Oh, forgive me, Randall, but what in the holy hell are you talking about? Since when do you want to move to Charleston? 
-	I saw something about it on CNN. Like, they got a great quality of______, good restaurants. Sometimes at work, I look up places on Zillow. 
-	Oh, okay. Well, I'm so sorry that I'm screwing with your super ________ Charleston dream, honey. No, my issues are nothing compared to yours. 
-	Nobody's saying that. 
-	Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, here's a riddle... who has two hands and was about to go back to work full-time and maybe, maybe... start to remember who she was? Yeah? Mm-hmm. But now will have to _________ her time between a diaper station and a home office? This girl, right here. 
-	It's two ________. 
-	What? 
-	You're doing it wrong. You're supposed to say "what has two thumbs and is Mm-mmm, mm-mmm. Gonna be splitting time betw..." 
-	_______ up. 
-	Okay, that's real nice, Beth. 
-	Hey. Also, some Altoids. Please.

AFTER WATCHING

1.	Report the excerpt (change direct speech into reported):

-	 So. You, uh, told the girls that he's Grandpa, but not that he's sick. Right? That's ballsy. 
-	Hey, so, Kevin, uh, it's been a few days now, you know, since you showed up. 
-	Without calling. 
-	Right. And... and it's great to see you. I was just sort of wondering... (exhales) How do I say this politely? 
-	When are you leaving? 
-	Yeah. Yeah. Oh. Yeah. No, I mean, come on. I can, I... I can, um... I can get out of here whenever. I just... I... I saw this as an opportunity to hang with you two, you know, and the girls, but, uh... Plus I... honestly, this play, guys, it's kicking my ass a little, You know? Mm. And it's so lonely at that hotel. I mean, I got this big suite all to myself but I guess the bigger the hotel room, the emptier it can feel. You know? I'm sitting there. I got that 800 thread count sheets. I got the endless minibar snacks. You got the fancy oatmeal soaps, plush robes and all I can do is sit there and think about how... quiet it is. 
-	We'll take it. 
-	What's that? 
-	Uh, the hotel. Beth and I, we'll take it, tonight. 
-	No, Randall. Where are we gonna get a sitter? No, 
-	We got two family members Oh, no, no, no, no, no. living in our house for free. One of them played a nanny on TV. 
-	No. No, actually, an au pair. Technically, I played an au pair on TV. There's a difference. A lot of people don't know that. I was... an au pair. They were gonna call the show, What Au Pair, but The... Manny tested better. I-I can watch the girls. 
-	I'm-a go pack. 
-	Okay. 
-	I'm-a go pack right now. Wait.

2.	Insert the correct tense form of the verb in brackets or choose the correct word:

-	This isn't the night I had planned. 
-	I know. 
-	(Shall/Can) we look? 
-	Wait. Just, um, let's... let's... let's give it like, 30 more seconds. 
-	Okay. You'll still be able to work more. I can work (few/less). We'll get a nanny. 
-	Or a manny. 
-	God, no. 
-	You know, if you still (to want) that vacation house you can... 
-	I don't. It's too (many/much) trouble. Worrying about hurricanes and whether or not it gets broken into by some kids using it for their who knows what? 
-	Damn South Carolina punk-ass kids. 
-	You know, a son wouldn't totally suck. 
-	We do make good kids. 
-	That we do, that we do. 
-	The girls (to love) it. 
-	Oh, they'll go nuts. Hey. Hmm? What has two thumbs and loves his wife so (much/many) it (to hurt)? 
-	Oh, it does work (good/better) with two thumbs. 
-	Nah. I like the way you do it. Mm. 
-	Well... I like your face. 
-	Shall we do this?

3.	Write the brief summary of the episode.

4.	Read the following lines in pairs with proper intonation and pronunciation: 

-	Well, that conversation went sideways, didn't it? Randall's gonna punch me for that conversation. I got to go talk to the girls. Go talk to the girls... what am I gonna say? You know, I am clearly not the man that needs to be talking to them about the intricacies of life and death. It's... Ah.
-	You do that a lot. 
-	I do what a lot? 
-	Doubt yourself. You were very good, Kevin. On that show. 
-	You watched The Manny? 
-	Before I came here, I had one old television, got three channels. I really liked that program. And I remember thinking, he's very talented. I liked the one where you lose the baby. (laughing): 
-	Oh, geez. "Manny on Fire." Yeah, yeah. Yeah, no. That was a... That was a strong episode. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I never should have left that show. I've... I never should have come here, that's for sure. Being an uncle, right, doing theater... I... I... (scoffs) I'm not cut out for theater. 
-	And there you go again. 
-	Well, yeah, I mean, that's easy for you to say, right? You're the wise owl in a Pixar film. I'm the dopey Labrador. 
-	I'm a dying recovering addict. 
-	Yeah, whatever. 
-	Yeah, well, people love Labradors. 
-	Said the wise owl. You want to know what it is? It's this play, right? I mean, these people that I'm working with, wow, they're like next level smart. I mean, uh, they're brilliant. And then they look at me like I'm a joke, right? Which makes me start to think that I am a joke, and then I start spinning. I don't even know what the play's about anymore. 
-	Kevin, what did you think it was about when you first read it? 
-	You know, it doesn't ma... it doesn't matter, it's... You're just gonna think it's stupid. 
-	Said the dopey Labrador.

5.	Translate the excerpt above into Ukrainian:

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6.	Answer the following questions:
1.	What are your impressions of the episode? 
2.	What are the most memorable and striking moments in the episode? What is your favourite part?
3.	Are there any scenes or moments you are still unsure how to interpret?
4.	What issues are raised in the episode? Comment on them.
5.	Dwell on the main characters of the episode. Who appeals to you most of all? Whom do you like the least?

7.	Watch the following conversations with the sound off and try to dub the characters:
a)	between Jack and Rebecca (00:30:42 – 00:33:41);
b)	between Toby and Kate ( 00:34:00 – 00:36:04).

8.	Work in pairs or small groups and discuss the following: 
1.	Comment on Kevin’s words: “I mean, it's kind of beautiful, right, if you think about it, the fact that just because someone dies, just because you can't see them or talk to them anymore, it doesn't mean they're not still in the painting. I think maybe that's the point of the whole thing. There's no dying. There's no you or me or them. It's just us.”
2.	What are the challenges of having 3 and more kids in your country? What are the challenges of being childfree? Which one do you prefer?
3.	Are you a sports fan? What sport do you prefer? Make a psychological portrait of a typical sports fan.

EPISODE 6
CAREER DAYS

BEFORE WATCHING
1.	Check the meaning of the following words. Write the translation next to the word: 

A desk job  
to cave       
forlorn    
to summon up  
commodity  
exceptional 
pinnacle     
to empower       
a memorial service      
to stand out  
to uproot      
midlife crisis   

2.	Check the meaning of the following phrases and word combinations. Write the translation next to them: 

Keep it quiet! 

To get things up and running 

To be all knuckles 

It’s gonna be lit! 

End of discussion!  

There is no way in hell! 

You were saying? 

To consider options 

All due respect 

A math geek 

To bring up smth.

Rings a bell! 

To press charges 

To get through to smb. 

Day in and day out 

To cry oneself to sleep 

To go through smth. 

To get the hang of smth. 

She still gets hit on 

3.	Find the synonyms to the following words (see Ex.1):

To be distinct 
Deserted, lonely 
Extraordinary 
Culmination, peak 
To entitle, to permit 
To displace 

4.	Match the phrases with its definition:
1.	To press charges	a.	to think carefully about alternatives	
2.	To bring up smth.	b.	to learn the skills that are needed to do something	
3.	To consider options	c.	to take legal action against someone	
4.	To get the hang of smth.	d.	A person who likes technical and scientific work and is typically introspective and sometimes antisocial.	
5.	A math geek	e.	to mention a subject or start to talk about it	
6.	To go through smth.	f.	to experience (a difficult time or process)	

5.	Complete the sentences with the following phrases and word combinations:
all due respect,  ring a bell,  you were saying… ,   there’s no way in hell,  end of discussion,   all knuckles,  keep it quiet

1.	……………… I'm ever going back.
2.	With ……………, Sir, I cannot agree with your last statement.
3.	You're going to that dinner, young lady, ………….. .
4.	They told me to ……………… . It's dangerous.
5.	Me? I can’t play the piano at all. I was always …………….. .
6.	"Sorry about that, I had to take that call. So, …………….… .
7.	The name does not …………….. and I am sure that I have never heard of the man.

6.	Complete the sentences with the correct prepositions: 

1.	I have to do the same boring jobs day…… and day ……. .
2.	The engineer soon got the air-conditioning ……… and running again.
3.	I've talked to him many times, but I just can't seem to get ………. to him.
4.	I was so upset after the funeral that I cried myself ………… sleep.
5.	I’ll teach you how to use the design program – you’ll get the hang …….. it after a while.
6.	I hate to bring …….. business at lunch.
7.	She’s been going …………. a difficult time since her brother’s illness.

7. Translate the sentences into English:
1.	День у день я намагаюся достукатися до тебе, але марно. Не думала, що криза середнього віку це так важко.  	
2.	Тримай все у таємниці! Інакше вони можуть висунути обвинувачення.   	
3.	Ваша дитина унікальна. Він рідко проявляє емоції, майже не має друзів і весь в комп’ютері. Діти називають його заучкою. 	
4.	Енн переживає зараз важку часи. Вона почувається самотньою та плаче кожної ночі поки не засне.  	
5.	Ну за що в світі я не робитиму щось, що може зашкодити моїй сім’ї. Кінець розмови! 	

8.	Make up 5 sentences with the words, phrases and word combinations from Exercise 1 and 2. 

WHILE WATCHING
1.	Put the things in order they happen in the episode.

●	The Pearsons are offered to transfer Randall to an elite private school.
●	Randall has doubts about his career choice.
●	Kate reveals she barely talks to her Mom.
●	Olivia takes Kevin to a memorial service.
●	Jack decides to go out on his own in his career.
●	William is playing the piano.
●	Randall decides to take piano lessons but not from William.
●	Kevin is experiencing some problems with summing up his emotions at the rehearsal.
●	Kate starts a new job as a personal assistant. 
●	Jack says he wants Randall to stand out.

2.	Identify the speaker:

1.	You don't even own a tie.      
2.	I know it's risky, but once I get things up and running, I can spend more time with my kids.      
3.	I-I have grant writing experience, and I'm used to dealing with Hollywood types, which I know are large contributors to your foundation.      
4.	You know, maybe I've had an artistic side in me all along and nobody knew to empower it.     
5.	Geez, this place is whiter than Randall's already pretty white other school.      
6.	In my better days, I have met and played with some of the greatest musicians in the world. And when they talked about music, their face looked like your face when you told me about whatever the hell it is you do.    
7.	That was a midlife crisis, baby. But just a little one, so go on, eat your waffle.      
8.	What happened between you and me... is never gonna happen again. 
9.	I spent all my time comparing myself to her, and then I took it out on her.   

3.	Watch the episode with Randall and Beth (00:10:48 – 00:13:14) and choose the word you hear:

-	Weather derivatives are tradable commodities that protect business owners from future changes in the weather. It's like kicking/licking a piece of pizza so that nobody will eat it later. 
-	Now I'm thinking about pizza. 
-	Okay. 
-	No, wait, I'm sorry... no, no, no, wait, I was gonna get it this time. 
-	Look, how am I supposed to inspire/aspire an auditorium full of strangers, and my own wife and kids don't even understand what I do? 
-	That's not true/you. 
-	Really? What do I do? 
-	You trade weather. You trade commodities based on weather matters/patterns. 
-	And what does that mean? 
-	Oh, damn, Randall, I don't know. You pop/swap lightning bolts for thunder clouds? Look, I know what your day is like. I know that you like one of your partners and you hate the other one. I know that you're gonna redesign/realign your office furniture and that you might fire your assistant because she says "like/bike" too much. 
-	It's nonstop. 
-	Can I talk to you in depth about weather patterns? No, I cannot. But I don't think you'd want me to if I could, so... Hey, what's-what's this really about? 
-	Maybe I was meant to be a musician/politician. 
-	I'm sorry, what now? 
-	Or an artist or a writer. Just think about it, Beth. There's this whole poetic/genetic side of me that nobody even knew existed. I mean, William was a poet, an artist, a musician. You know, maybe I've had an artistic side in me all along and nobody knew to empower it. You know, maybe I wasn't meant to be a straight/great and narrow math geek destined to wear a shirt and tie every day like my parents thought. Maybe I was meant to live a musician's life. On the road and playing clubs/pubs, you know? 
-	All right, well, in this musical fantasy eversion/version of yourself, what instrument would you... 
-	Sax. 
-	Mm. 
-	Like Wesley in Mo' Better Blues. Definitely sax. 
-	Oh, yeah. That's sexy, yeah. 
-	You're making fun of me. 
-	No. 
-	No, you're making fun of me. 
-	No, I am not. I'm-I'm not. Your biological father just came back into your life, and it's bringing up all kinds of stuff. It's-it's normal. Look, why don't you try out this-this crazy/amazing artist side of yourself and, you know, get this presentation popping. Let's see how it flies with some eight-year-olds, right? Before you, like, shift careers and start playing open mic saxophone nights. 
-	You know, maybe I will. 
-	Okay, yeah. 
-	I see you are making fun of me, but I will. 
-	No, yeah. 
-	Why don't you stop smiling/whiling? 
-	I can't. 
-	Stop smiling. 
-	I'm sorry. This early midlife crisis is so you, I can't stand it.

AFTER WATCHING

1.	Report the excerpt (change direct speech into reported):

-	 Hope you don't mind. Pianos get forlorn if you don't play 'em. 
-	No, of course I don't mind. Where'd you learn how to play like that? 
-	My dad taught me. And his dad taught him. 
-	Dad, can you teach us to play? 
-	Uh, I wish I could. Grandma and Aunt Kate got all the music talent in the family. Me? I was always all knuckles. 
-	Yeah, well, your dad's got other skills. Me, I managed to squeak out a couple of dollars on one of these back in the day. Mostly trumpet, mm. Any gigs I could get. 
-	Tess: Will you speak at my career day? Can Grandpa speak at my career day? 
-	I don't think so, baby. You're only allowed one speaker, and I'm already signed up. 
-	I pick Grandpa. He had a cool job. 
-	What are you saying, that Daddy doesn't have a cool job? But you guys love visiting me at the office, right? 
-	I like spinning in your chair. 
-	You kind of have a boring job, Dad. 
-	Trading commodity futures based on long-term weather patterns is not boring, okay? 
-	Sorry, sort of fell asleep soon as I heard the word "commodity." 
-	Ooh, Uncle Kevin, can you speak at my career day? 
-	Daddy's doing career day! End of discussion. And it's gonna be lit. 
-	That's not how you use "lit," right? 
-	No. 
-	No. 

2.	Insert the correct tense form of the verb in brackets or choose the correct word:

-	What we (to do) here? 
-	We are here because your wife... do you remember her? 
-	I think so, yeah. 
-	The one that you love (the most/more) than life itself? 
-	Definitely rings a bell. Got it. 
-	She wants to take a look (at/on) this place. 
-	Okay, I'm looking. Geez, this place is (white/whiter) than Randall's already pretty white other school. I mean, look at these kids. They look (as/like) little Nazi robots. That one's got a briefcase. I... no kid (could/should) be carrying a briefcase. 
-	I think it's cute. 
-	Yeah, it's cute now; next thing you know, he's gonna (to trap) in a cubicle for the rest of his life. I tell you, it starts with a briefcase, then you put on a tie, you sit at a desk. Next thing you know, you (to condition) to the florescent lights that when you step outside, the sun actually (to burn) your eyes. 
-	Wow. 
-	Yeah. 
-	Wow. Really? 
-	This isn't about me. 
-	Well, it certainly isn't about Randall. 
-	Hey. Look, I... I wasn't gonna say anything until I'd had (a few/few) details worked out, but... I think I'm gonna go out (off/on) my own. Start my own company. Big Three Homes. I just... Doesn't feel like a very good time right now. 
-	I think it's great. I think you (should/have to) do it. 
-	It's not that easy, Bec. I mean... what  this place even (to cost)? 
-	We'll figure it (out/on). We'll figure it (out/on)... we'll send Randall to another school, we'll get him a tutor, we'll do whatever we have to do. 
-	All right. 
-	I just don't want you to be unhappy. I mean it. 
-	Okay. 
-	All right. We'll come back. 
-	This is nice. 
-	It's very nice.

3.	Write the brief summary of the episode.

4.	Read the following lines in pairs with proper intonation and pronunciation: 

-	I love American cheese. Mm. English cheese is so blue, it's angry. Yeah. American cheese is like a... a bed you can just fall into. 
-	So, whose good-bye party is this anyway? 
-	Frank Pendergrass... tree branch fell on him three days ago when he was jogging through Central Park. Bang. Dead. 
-	Well, that sucks. 
-	Mm-hmm. You knew him how? 
-	Oh, I didn't. No, the obituary gave the address of the service so, I thought... 
-	Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on a second. What are you trying to say? 
-	Hello. I'm Frank's wife, Grace. 
-	Hi. 
-	Hi. Uh, I'm Jessica. This is my husband, David. 
-	Oh. Were you students of my husband? 
-	We actually met in his class. 
-	Oh. Right? Students. Mm. 
-	Yeah, we were sitting in the front row, and we kept looking at each other, and then finally Frank stopped the class and said, "You two are distracting me. Go outside, have sex, and come back when you're ready to learn something." 
-	Well, that sounds like Frank. 
-	Yeah. Frank. 
-	Thank you both so much for coming. 
-	I'm so sorry for your loss. 
-	Thank you. 
-	Well done. 
-	No, no, no, hold on. No, no, no. You brought... You brought me to a stranger's funeral? 
-	Memorial service. 
-	Whatever. Why, huh? What, because I'm struggling with the grief scene? You said I would get there. 
-	Yeah, well, I didn't say you'd get there on your own. 
-	This is insane. But thank you very much for the lesson. I appreciate it. Now I'm gonna go have a drink. Enjoy your cheese.

5.	Translate the excerpt above into Ukrainian:

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6.	Answer the following questions:

1.	What are your impressions of the episode? 
2.	What are the most memorable and striking moments in the episode? What is your favourite part?
3.	Are there any scenes or moments you are still unsure how to interpret?
4.	What problems does each of the character face in this episode? 
5.	What issues are raised in the episode? Comment on them.

7.	Role play the following scenes from the episode:
a)	Kate is having her job interview with Mrs. Rosenthal (00:08:50 – 00:10:28);
b)	Kevin is talking to Grace Pendergrass (00:20:22 – 00:23:25);
c)	Jack and little Randall at Jack’s work (00:31:00 – 00:34:22).

8.	Think about what the characters in the episode are thinking but not saying. Work in pairs or small groups, come up with their interior monologues and present them to the class:

a)	Jack realizing that he cannot afford himself to go out on his own in his career;
b)	Randall thinking of shifting careers;
c)	Kevin thinking about the loss of his Dad.

9.	Discuss the following:
1.	What can be a good reason for a career change? Make a list of at least 5 common reasons why it’s time to make a career change.
2.	What is grief? Have you ever experienced the loss of a close person? What would have made it safe to share your feelings of grief with others? 
3.	Do you know what person you are meant to be? How can one understand this?

STUDENT’S SELF-STUDY

Task 1
Here is the list of This Is Us main characters.  Study the characters’ bio and draw the Pearsons’ family tree. Say who is your favourite character and why. 
Jack Pearson
Jack Pearson (August 31, 1944 – January 26, 1998), portrayed by Milo Ventimiglia, is Rebecca's first husband (until he dies), and the father of Kevin, Kate, and Randall. Jack had a brother named Nick.
Jack had a rough childhood because of his abusive, alcoholic father Stanley Pearson, causing them to have a strained relationship. Stanley does not know that Jack has married, so when Jack finds out that he and Rebecca are expecting triplets, he goes to his father asking for money, citing gambling debts, rather than telling him that he intends to buy a house for his family.When Stanley is in the nursing home dying, he meets Rebecca and his granddaughter Kate for the first time. Jack is camping with Kevin and Randall when Rebecca contacts him about his father dying, but Jack refuses to see him.
Jack meets Rebecca two days before Christmas in 1972, and takes her on a date to a carnival; a date that goes awry. Despite that, Rebecca kisses him. The next week they take a trip to Los Angeles and start sleeping together.
Jack enlists in the Army after his younger brother Nick is drafted. Jack and Nick experience a falling out during the war, and Nick is discharged for psychiatric reasons following a tragic accident. From then on, Jack no longer spoke to his brother, and for the rest of his life and for years after his death, Rebecca and the Pearson children believed Jack's lie that Nicky had died in the war.  (After Jack takes Randall to Washington, D.C. on a college tour to Howard University, he takes Randall to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and tells him how the war affected him; this may be the first time that Jack has shared about his Vietnam experiences to a member of the Pearson family—including Rebecca.)
After serving in the war, and working as a manual laborer, Jack becomes a construction foreman. When he wants to buy the house for his family, he approaches his boss and gets a raise to $17,000 a year (equivalent to more than $49,000 in 2016), making him the highest paid foreman at the company. He dreams of opening his own firm, "Big Three Homes", but puts his dreams on hold in order to provide a steady income for his children by getting a desk job.However, he later decides to start the business, though the Big Three are about to start college.
Two of the triplets (the third triplet, Kyle, was stillborn) and Randall (who had been left at a fire station) are all born on Jack's 36th birthday. Jack always wanted to find out who Randall's biological father was, and never knew that Rebecca had found him.

Jack struggles with alcoholism while the children are young, but he stops drinking to focus more on his family.(Sometimes he vents his anger on a punching bag to avoid drinking after a tough day.) However, he relapses into alcoholism when he has a drink after a disagreement and argument with his wife, who wants to go on tour with a band with a member she'd once dated. His drinking continues for some time until he decides to deal with the problem by attending AA meetings. His sobriety and AA work continue for at least 6 months.
Jack dies when his children are 17,and Kate keeps his ashes with her. On the night of the Super Bowl, Jack, Rebecca, Kate, and Randall go to bed for the night (Kevin is at a party with his girlfriend Sophie). Previously, a smoke alarm was shown to be missing batteries, and thus was inoperable. An old slow cooker given years previous by a neighbor is shown to have a faulty switch, which sparks and flames, setting a towel and the house ablaze.
Jack saves Kate and Randall from the fire by guiding them to his and Rebecca's bedroom. He then hoists them down from the first story roof. Kate is worried about her dog, so Jack goes back inside and gets the dog and family pictures. Jack is hospitalized for smoke inhalation, which causes stress on his heart and eventually causes sudden, fatal cardiac arrest.
    Jack's childhood and teen years are seen in flashbacks beginning in the first season, with Darren Barnet portraying Jack in his teens, Joaquin Obradors portraying Jack at age 8, and Milo Cragnotti as Jack at age 4.

Rebecca Pearson
Rebecca Pearson née Malone (born February 12, 1950), portrayed by Mandy Moore, is Jack's widow, later Miguel Rivas' second wife, and the mother of Kevin, Kate, and Randall.
She strives to be a better mother to her children, and has issues with Jack's alcoholism. She has always known that William is Randall's father, but keeps them apart as she was afraid that he would try to take Randall back.
Rebecca always wanted to be a singer, but gives up on her dreams in order to focus on her family. In the mid-1990s, she has a chance to become a singer again by joining a band with her ex-boyfriend. Jack is upset after finding out about their history, which causes a rift between Rebecca and Jack.
When the house catches fire and Jack suffers smoke inhalation, at the hospital, since Jack appears to be fine, Rebecca is making reservations for hotel rooms—unaware that Jack is coding and staff are rushing to him. After making reservations, Rebecca gets a candy bar for her and Jack. Rebecca turns around and the doctor explains the cause of Jack's cardiac arrest. In shock, Rebecca takes a bite of the candy bar, refusing to believe Jack is dead. She goes to his room to tell him what the doctor said, only to see him lifeless. She immediately shuts down upon seeing him dead. She then drives to Miguel's and tells him the news, then goes in to talk to Kate and Randall. 
Since she was out of Jack's room when he died, Rebecca gets the Pearsons to the funeral early, because she wants to be present when the urn with Jack's ashes are brought out. After Jack's funeral, Dr. K lets Rebecca know that she has always been strong. This encouragement gives her the strength to let Kevin and Randall know that neither of them need to be "the man of the house", since they are teenagers and should be dating, and tells Kate not to blame herself for Jack's death because Jack made his own decisions. She also gets the courage to drive across a bridge she has feared, while taking the "Big Three" to a Bruce Springsteen concert that Jack had previously obtained tickets for the night of the funeral.
At least 10 years after Jack's death, Rebecca posts pictures of Tess, her first grandchild, on Facebook, then gets a message from Jack's best friend, Miguel Rivas. Rebecca later marries Miguel.
    Rebecca's childhood years are seen in flashbacks beginning in the first season, with Ava Castro portraying Rebecca in mid-childhood, and Kya Kruse portraying Rebecca in early childhood.

Kevin Pearson
Kevin Pearson (born August 31, 1980), portrayed by Justin Hartley (current day), Logan Shroyer (age 15–17), and Parker Bates (ages 8–10), is Jack and Rebecca's son, and Kate and Randall's brother.[4] He is "Number One" of the "Big Three", being the first of the surviving triplets to be born.
Shortly before his tenth birthday, Kevin becomes attracted to Kate's best friend, Sophie, whom he marries when they are older. Kevin and Sophie decide that she will stay in New York and he will move to California to pursue acting, believing that their marriage can handle the distance. Kevin and Sophie later divorce, 12 years prior to season 1, due to the distance and Kevin cheating on her.
Kevin has always struggled with worrying about what people think of him, which causes him to have a strained relationship with Randall as they grow up. Kevin is visibly envious of Randall, who has always excelled in everything and receives more attention from their parents, but he does not realize that Randall has longed for the same attention from him. In high school he plays football, as a quarterback, wearing number twelve one year and number one the next. (His number one jersey is on display with Kevin's trophies when he visits the high school at age 37, for an alumni celebration.) His goal of a football career ends when his knee is injured from a tackle during a game.
When the series starts, Kevin is an actor in Los Angeles, starring as the lead on a long-running sitcom called The Manny, a sitcom in the tradition of Who's the Boss and The Nanny. He abruptly quits that show on his 36th birthday, criticizing the script quality, the producer's reluctance to add nuance to the show, and the audience. After quitting his job, Kevin decides to move to New York to pursue a career as a serious stage actor on Broadway. Upon arriving in New York, he gets hired as the lead role, David, in Back of an Egg, opposite a cynical actress named Olivia Maine (who thinks Kevin does not have the ability, but that he was hired because his being "The Manny" will sell tickets).
When Kevin has trouble connecting with the emotions needed for his role, he begins spending time with Olivia, who tries to get him to connect with his feelings. Kevin and Olivia briefly date, but break up after she brings her ex-boyfriend to the Pearson family cabin. After his breakup with Olivia, Kevin begins dating the writer of the play, Sloane Sandburg, attending Hanukkah with her family and inviting her to the Christmas Eve party at Randall's house.
Sloane takes over as the lead of the play when Olivia disappears and the play is at risk. Kevin decides to self-fund the performance, in order to save it. After Kevin and Sloane break up, he reconnects with Sophie and begins a relationship with her again.
Director Ron Howard sees Kevin's play and casts him in a war movie. Kevin has trouble with his lines when he cannot focus after Kate (visiting the set) talks with costar Sylvester Stallone about her dad, and then Stallone talks to Kevin about his dad. Kevin also re-injures his knee (an old football injury) during an explosion scene on the movie set.
As a result of the injury, Kevin becomes addicted to pain medication and alcohol, and allows his relationship with Sophie to deteriorate by telling her that he saw a future with her as a nightmare, although he fails to specify that this was due to his alcoholism and drug addiction. One day after a brief visit with Randall, Kevin is speeding down a road, unaware that Tess is hiding in the back seat; Kevin is pulled over and charged with DUI, and Randall and Beth are furious with Kevin for endangering Tess. The judge orders Kevin to go to rehab.
As part of Kevin's ongoing efforts to rehabilitate, he is determined to make amends with everyone. He settles things with his mom (who was hurt during the rehab family session, tearfully revealing that Kevin was the first to leave after Jack's death). Kevin finds out from Miguel that the thought of his being in love with Rebecca never crossed his mind while Jack was alive, and Miguel reassures him that he loves Rebecca now and is not going anywhere. When Kevin attempts to make things right with Sophie, she tells him to not say anything and to just leave her with the memories of how he was at 10, or 17, or when their marriage was good. Kevin reconciles with Randall by helping him fix up the apartment building William lived in, and the two share with each other how odd it feels that they could outlive their dad. On Super Bowl Sunday, about 20 years after Jack's death, Kevin visits the memorial tree with some of his dad's ashes, to talk with him, vowing to make him proud. (Kevin was at a party with Sophie when the house caught fire.)
Following his war movie, Kevin becomes obsessed with learning about Jack's time in the Vietnam War, and with the aid of Zoe Baker, Beth's cousin, with whom he falls in love, he travels to Vietnam in an attempt to learn about Jack's history, and ends up discovering his long-believed-dead uncle Nicky. After finding Nicky in his old run down trailer, he offers to help him get back on track, but he refuses. This triggers him to relapse after a year sober. At the end of season three, Kevin and Zoe break up after Zoe tells Kevin that she will never want kids. As season four begins, Kevin bails Nicky out of jail after a relapse, then buys his own trailer next to Nicky's in order to bond with him, eventually meeting and starting to get close to Marine veteran and fellow AA member Cassidy Sharp: they have a one-night stand but eventually part ways, Kevin even helping her mend fences with her estranged husband. Kevin eventually has a one-night stand with Kate's best friend, Madison, which results in the conception of twins: Kevin commits to being there for Madison and the two babies, and they eventually become a couple after quarantining together during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Madison breaks up with Kevin on their wedding day.
    Parker Sands portrays Kevin at age 4 during the third season episode "The Graduates".

Kate Pearson
Kate Emily Pearson, nicknamed "Bug" by her mother (born August 31, 1980), portrayed by Chrissy Metz (current day), Hannah Zeile (age 15–17), and Mackenzie Hancsicsak (ages 8–10), is Jack and Rebecca's daughter, and Kevin and Randall's sister. She is "Number Two" of the "Big Three", being the second and last of the surviving triplets to be born.
Kate is obese and has struggled with issues of self-esteem her entire life, which she greatly attributes to her strained relationship with her mother and the death of her father. Her relationship with her mother leads to depression, for which she later takes Prozac. She discontinues taking this drug due to the side effect of weight gain.

Kate lives in Los Angeles and is initially her brother Kevin's personal assistant. When Kevin decides to move to New York, he fires her in order to allow her to build her own life, apart from him. She is an ardent Pittsburgh Steelers fan and has a routine where she watches the games with her dad's ashes. At nine years old, she has her appendix removed on Christmas Eve.
Kate decides to join a weight-loss support group, where she meets Toby. Despite saying that she is not going to get involved with a fat person, she falls for Toby.When Toby decides to not continue with his diet, Kate breaks up with him and decides to go to Randall's for Thanksgiving. During a turbulent plane ride to New Jersey, Kate has an epiphany and decides to have gastric bypass surgery. After consulting with a doctor, she instead decides to enter a fat camp to attempt to lose the weight without surgery.When Toby surprises Kate by showing up at Randall's house for Christmas, he tells her that he can live without pizza and junk food, but that he cannot live without her. Toby collapses from cardiac arrythmia, and is taken to the hospital.
After Toby's heart surgery, Kate and Toby decide to get engaged. Kate later finds out she is pregnant. Kate and Toby announce their pregnancy to Kevin, and plan to get married at city hall, but then consider a big wedding. But Kate loses the baby in a miscarriage. Despite some struggle in their relationship after the miscarriage, Toby eventually comes through for Kate. Kate struggles with eating junk food after the miscarriage, which Toby notices when a trash bag broke.
Kate had said that her father's death was her fault, and has a fear of caring for dogs. (Jack went back inside their burning house to save her dog, causing smoke inhalation which led to his death in the hospital. Afterwards, Kate wanted to give away the dog.) She blames herself even though Rebecca told Kate after Jack's funeral not to blame herself, because Jack made his own decisions. Every year on Super Bowl Sunday, Kate watches the videotape Jack made of her singing for a Berklee College of Music audition.
Kate and Toby marry at the end of season 2, although flashforwards throughout seasons 3 and 4 imply that Toby and Kate are no longer together by the time the Pearson children have grown up. After a period of singing Adele-o-grams, she makes the decision to return to college. Kate's pregnancy during the third season results in the premature birth (at 28 weeks) of their son. They name him Jack in honor of Kate's father. At the age of three months, baby Jack loses his sight. At the end of season 4, Kate and Toby decide to adopt a baby: in season 5 they are given a baby girl they name Hailey. When Toby is laid off later in the season, Kate gets a teaching job at the music school for the blind where she takes baby Jack.

    Isabella Rose Landau portrays Kate at age 3–4, beginning with the third season episode "The Pool: Part Two".

Randall Pearson
Randall Kenneth Pearson (born August 31, 1980), portrayed by Sterling K. Brown (current day), Niles Fitch (ages 15–17), and Lonnie Chavis (ages 8–10), is Jack and Rebecca's (adopted) son, and Kate and Kevin's brother. He is "Number Three" of the "Big Three", being adopted after Kevin and Kate were born. On his 36th birthday, he finds his biological father, William, and invites him to his northern New Jersey home.
Randall is an upper middle class politician and former businessman. He initially works at selling commodity futures based on weather patterns. However, after a nervous breakdown and some time off, he feels that his firm does not appreciate or respect him, and quits. Though both he and Beth are currently unemployed, he decides to run for political office in Philadelphia (despite living hours away in Alpine, New Jersey).
On the day that Randall is born, he is dropped off in front of a firehouse by his biological father, William, and then taken to the hospital, where he is adopted by Jack and Rebecca. Jack and Rebecca originally name him Kyle (the name they had intended for their third child, who was stillborn). Taking William's advice, Rebecca decides to give him his own name, naming him after William's favorite poet, Dudley Randall, although she refuses to let William see Randall. This allows them to honor both their stillborn son's memory and Randall, rather than essentially replacing one son with the other.
At age nine, Randall's teacher tells Jack and Rebecca that Randall is a gifted child who is not being challenged enough at his current school. They decide to remove him from public school and send him to Hanes Academy. In high school, Randall plays football and wears the number 36.
After Jack's death, Randall stepped up and took a "man of the house" role in his family. He learns he got accepted to Howard University, but after seeing Rebecca, Kevin, and Kate wallow in grief and despair over Jack's death, Randall chooses to reject his admission to Howard to stay close to his family and look after them. Randall ultimately goes to Carnegie Mellon University where he meets Beth, his future wife.
Randall and Kevin have an estranged relationship and do not reconnect until they are 36 years old. At some points in the past, Kevin is shown to openly despise Randall. At a high school football game, where they play on opposing teams, they get in a fight. However, there are also some moments when they act like brothers. When they are teenagers, Kevin is there with Kate to comfort Randall when a woman claims to be his birth mother as a scam to get money. When they are 36, they get in a fight on the street in New York, but Kevin tells onlookers they are brothers. When Randall has his nervous breakdown, Kevin leaves the theater on the opening night of his theatrical debut to comfort Randall.
As an adult, Kevin is hurt that Randall does not seem to care about his acting career. They begin to reconnect when Kevin needs Randall's advice, but Randall coldly tells him he should not care what he thinks. Eventually, Kevin moves to Randall's house in New Jersey, but they still have some work to do on building their relationship. He loves Thanksgiving and, alternately with Kevin, helps his family recreate a specific childhood Thanksgiving every year, including a 3.4 mile hike, watching Police Academy 3: Back in Training, and imitating a hotel owner known as "Pilgrim Rick".
In season 2, Randall wants to adopt a baby (to honor his father's legacy), but decides (with Beth's input) to foster an older child who may otherwise be overlooked by people who would prefer a baby. They foster a 12-year old girl named Deja, whose mother Shauna is incarcerated. She shows signs of physical abuse, but Randall and Beth start to win her trust and get her to open up. When the charges against Shauna are dropped, Deja goes back home with her (over Randall's initial objections). Randall and Beth plan to try fostering again after some time, although eventually Deja returns to their life and they end up formally adopting her.
Randall later buys the building William lived in, after reading a poem William composed looking at a Billie Holiday poster, becoming a landlord, and attempts to have the building repaired: in season 3, after trying to bond with some of the tenants who William was close to, Randall decides to run for city council, and wins, starting his tenure as a councilman in season 4. In season 5, Randall finds out his mother Laurel might be still alive. He goes to New Orleans where he finds out that Laurel died in 2015 from cancer and never searched for him because she was in prison after overdosing: William never knew Laurel was alive after he went to leave Randall at the fire station, and Laurel never knew about either William or Randall after she was released.
    Lathan Moore portrays Randall at age 4 during the third season episode "The Graduates".

Beth Pearson
Bethany Pearson, née Clarke, portrayed by Susan Kelechi Watson, is Randall's wife, whom he met in college at Carnegie Mellon University and married 7 years later in 2005. The couple have three daughters, Tess, Annie, and Deja. Their marriage is based on honesty where they make an effort not to have secrets from one another. William reveals to Beth that he has met and communicated with Rebecca. This causes Beth to give Rebecca an ultimatum: to either tell Randall or she will. Growing up, Beth lived in a three-bedroom house with 14 other people. The household included her mother Carol, who taught at a local school, and father Abe, an immigrant from Jamaica who worked as a police officer, as well as siblings and Beth's cousin, Zoe Baker.
After Randall quits his job, Beth takes a job so Randall can be a stay-at-home dad. But after a while, Beth thinks Randall is in "outer space", and Beth thinks working again would be good for Randall. Beth is eventually laid off: Randall, by this time running for a Philadelphia city council seat, asks her to join his campaign.
Growing up, Beth was an aspiring dancer who Abe repeatedly recounted could "dance before she walked". After Abe died of lung cancer, Beth learns she did not get a solo she wanted, which prompted her mother to pull her from dance school and send her to college, where she met Randall. Bethany decides to start going by Beth in college. Beth eventually becomes an instructor at a prestigious dance academy, and eventually sets up her own dance studio.
    Beth's childhood and teen years are included in flashbacks in the third season episode "Our Little Island Girl", with Rachel Naomi Hilson portraying Beth as a teenager, and Akira Akbar portraying Beth in childhood.
Beth is somewhat defined by her elegance, grace and poise qualities that she has had since she was a ballet dancer as a young child and that she developed as she aged and rose up from her working class beginnings to her current upper middle class lifestyle.

Toby Damon
Toby Damon, portrayed by Chris Sullivan, is Kate's husband. Toby was born in Palm Springs, California. Toby begins dating Kate after they meet at a weight-loss support group. Toby is confident with his own body although obese, and encourages Kate to have better self-esteem. He was previously married to a woman whom Kate views as beautiful and successful, but who treated him badly. Toby gained 90 pounds in the first year after his divorce.
Refusing to take Kate's hesitance about the relationship lightly, Toby continually comes up with sweet gestures to win her over. In the beginning, he feels that he has to compete with Kevin for Kate's attention. Despite breaking his weight-loss goals, Toby decides dieting is not for him and goes off his diet, resulting in Kate breaking up with him. He surprises Kate by showing up at Randall's house for Christmas Eve, stating that he can live without pizza and junk food, but that he can not live without her. On Christmas Eve, Toby collapses and ends up in the hospital with an arrhythmia.
After Toby's heart surgery, he and Kate decide to get engaged. Kate becomes pregnant with Toby's child, but she miscarries; afterwards, despite an initial struggle in their relationship, Toby comes through for her. Kate, around the 20th anniversary of Jack's death, tells Toby he strengthens her and Jack would have loved him.
In Season 3, shortly after Toby and Kate marry, it is revealed that Toby suffers from severe and crippling depression, which he takes medication to control: he briefly stops while he and Kate are trying to conceive again and suffers immobilizing relapses as a result. Eventually, Kate gets pregnant and gives birth to their son prematurely (at 28 weeks), whom they agree to name Jack in honor of her father. In season 5, he and Kate decided to adopt another baby. Shortly after they adopt their daughter, Toby is laid off, and spends the rest of the season in a depressive mood until he is given a job offer with an internet startup in San Francisco: flashforwards throughout seasons 3 through 5 imply that Kate and Toby are no longer together by the time all the Pearson children have grown up.
    Toby's childhood and teen years are included in flashbacks in the third season episode "Toby", with Luke Clark portraying Toby as a teenager, and Dylan Gage portraying Toby in childhood.

William Hill
William H. "Shakespeare" Hill (died 2017), portrayed by Ron Cephas Jones (recent days) and Jermel Nakia (as a young adult), is Randall's biological father.
William is a recovering drug addict who is suffering from terminal stage-four stomach cancer in the present. He grew up in Memphis, and after his mother moved to Pittsburgh he stayed in Memphis to play in his cousin Ricky's band, where he played piano, wrote, and sang. William left the band, with the intention of returning, to care for his dying mother. However, after meeting Randall's mother and becoming a drug addict, he never returned. He got clean after he thought he saw a monkey on the streets, realizing that nothing good comes from a person being on the street at 3:30 am. (He also stayed clean for years after being told by a judge, who offered to help him after his first conviction, to picture the judge's face when he was tempted to do the wrong thing.) William returns to Philadelphia to attend a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, hoping to find and reconnect with his former lover—a man named Jessie.

William, who is bisexual, and Jesse never officially break up. Jesse assumes William had died when he vanishes one night—the night William moves in with Randall's family.
After leaving Randall at the firehouse, he waits outside the hospital to see him being taken home by Jack and Rebecca. Rebecca realizes that William is Randall's father, after seeing him getting onto the bus as she leaves the hospital. She eventually tracks him down, a secret she keeps from everyone, including Randall and Jack.
William always wanted to have a relationship with his child, but promises Rebecca he will stay away for Randall's benefit. He accidentally reveals this secret to Beth one night when they get high together, and Randall accidentally finds out himself, when he finds a letter and photo in William's apartment, from Rebecca, while looking for cassette tapes. (William also tells Randall about the second time William saw Rebecca; he took a cab to follow her home, hoping he could be in Randall's life, but when he was outside the house, he thought better of it.)
William eventually succumbs to his cancer during a road trip back to Memphis with Randall. Prior to his death he leaves a letter to Randall's girls, asking them to plan a fun memorial for him. He also sends Beth a postcard from Memphis, saying goodbye and calling her the daughter he never had.

Miguel Rivas
Miguel Rivas, portrayed by Jon Huertas, was Jack's best friend and is Rebecca's second husband. Miguel was originally married to Shelly, before they divorced: in the years since then, Miguel's relationship with his own children has critically deteriorated. While it originally seems that his marriage to Rebecca happened shortly after Jack's death, in season 2 it is clarified that the two did not get together until at least ten years after Jack's passing. Miguel is initially disliked by Kevin, until Miguel tells Kevin how much he is like his father.
Miguel tells Beth and Toby one day, when Kevin is in rehab meeting with "immediate family", that he feels like a real outsider compared to them and the Pearson family. When Kevin gets out of rehab and stays with Rebecca, Miguel is protective of her after she is hurt by Kevin's arrest, and by Kevin criticizing her in his rehab session with the family. Kevin asks Miguel if he was in love with Rebecca when Jack was alive; Miguel says that while he does care for Rebecca in the present day, the idea never occurred to him at the time because everyone saw Jack and Rebecca as one entity rather than two separate individuals. Miguel eventually bonds with Beth and Toby as "The Other Big Three", remaining the only one of the three to have actually known Jack and so effectively acting as arbiter between the family and spousal circles.

Task 2
Read the most interesting facts about This Is Us. What surprised you most of all? 
1.	Mandy Moore is the youngest actor in the present-day Pearson family.
Despite playing a grandmother in the show, Mandy Moore is actually the youngest of the adult actors playing her family. Moore was born in 1984. The oldest in the Pearson family is Sterling K. Brown, born 1976

2.	"This Is Us" was almost a show about sextuplets.
Originally titled "36", Dan Fogelman told Deadline that he pitched a feature about sextuplets that didn't know they were related. Eventually, the script turned into the series we know it today, sans three siblings.
3.	"This Is Us" is a show of firsts.
Sterling K. Brown won a Golden Globe and a SAG for "Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series," making him the first African American actor to achieve this milestone. The show itself was the first network drama series since 2006 to win a SAG for "Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series."  
4.	The cause of Jack's death required code words to prevent spoilers.
While on the set of "This Is Us," The Hollywood Reporter reported that the cast and crew were under tight contracts to avoid spoilers. Shots were filmed out of order and everyone on set had to sign a nondisclosure agreement. In an interview, Mandy Moore told "Today" that the cast knew about Jack's death for a year and a half but had to keep it a secret. There was even a code word for it — "The Marble."
5.	The character Kate was inspired by a real-life person.
Showrunner Fogelman told Glamour that he loosely based Chrissy Metz character Kate on his sister. The reason Kate's difficulties seem so painfully real is probably thanks to Fogelman's sister, who is a consultant on the show.

6.	The Big Three's birthday is especially important to the show.
The first and second season premieres of "This Is Us" coincided with the birthday of the three Pearson siblings and Jack? That's right. So far, each season premiere of the show has shown The Big Three ringing in a new year.
7.	Mandy Moore is in hair and makeup for nearly three hours to transform into an older Rebecca.
Because Moore's character is meant to be both a young mother and older grandmother in the show, Moore must undergo nearly three hours of prosthetic and makeup transformations to age. She's not alone. According to Variety, it took Sterling K. Brown four hours to transform into an older Randall for the show.

8.	Ventimiglia’s a hard worker.
He did 223 pushups for the scene when young Randall gets on his back at karate practice.
9.	Metz only had $0.81 in her bank account when she got the role of Kate.

10.	Dr. Katowski’s Name has special significance.

Fogelman took the name of the Pearson’s ob-gyn from his own wife’s father’s family.

Task 3
Read the article below “How to write a TV show review”. Write a This Is Us review.
Writing a professional TV show review isn’t as easy as you think. Throwing several facts in the message and writing your thoughts on them isn’t enough. Such a structure is great when you’re leaving a comment on Amazon after buying a DVD or a digital copy. But if you aim at a professional review, consider things like the director’s previous work, the script, etc.
You can always use a writing service in case of an emergency. Such online writing websites, like SmartWritingService, have hundreds of professional academic writers, ready to assist 24/7. A lot of them are trained in writing reviews and even learning to rewrite an essay, they do this on a daily basis. Nevertheless, it’s still very important to know how to write a TV show review yourself.
We’ve prepared several methods pro reviewers use to make their messages stand out.
There are two important questions to answer:
    What do you want to convey with your review?
    What do your potential readers want to see in it?
By combining the two things and writing them in a proper way, you can make the best TV show review possible.
The answer to the first question might be that you loved the show and want to promote it and recommend it to other people. It might also be that you liked some of the parts but there are things that, in your opinion, could have been portrayed better. And it also may be that you didn’t like the show at all, the script is boring and plain, and that you don’t recommend this show to anyone.
As to the second question, it’s much easier to answer. Usually, people read reviews to find out whether the show is worth their time and money (in case they want to buy a copy).
Some additional elements of a good review are:

    Entertaining bits like jokes, sarcastic comments, etc. Make sure you don’t overdo it, though;
    Interesting facts about the show, actors, director, etc.;
    Your personality as a reviewer. This is especially important if you want people to follow your future work.

What to Include in a Review

There are specific things that look good in TV show reviews, given you’re writing about them properly and do sufficient research beforehand. While your personal opinion is very important, there must be some clear information for the readers to try and make their own conclusions.
Let’s see what a review can contain:
    Plot summary.
    There are two types of such summaries: a full one and a partial one. The first can be used if you’re writing on a platform where people go to read the full plot of the show. This means they aren’t afraid of spoilers. The second one is to give the reader a taste of the show.
    Write your opinion on the script.
    Think about how well the show was written. Does the script awake any emotions? Are the characters natural? What about the dialogues? Do you have to stop the show to understand what’s going on? Paying attention to the script will make you a better reviewer since you’ll understand what is worth watching and what common mistakes are.
    Evaluate the actors.
    How well have the actors portrayed a character? Is the age proper? The attitude? What about their acting credentials? If the show has a lot of actors, it’s a good idea to evaluate the main ones in detail and all the other ones in general. A talented cast can make a plain script seem much better.
    Mention the directors’ other works.
    If relevant, write more about the other works of the director. Maybe there are some honorable mentions? You can compare the level of “that one” movie or show with the one you’re reviewing. This will put a lot of things in perspective and can become the main point of the whole review.

Proper Writing Is Another Key
No review is good without proper vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Here’s a checklist of all the things to pay attention to when writing:
    Keep the structure easy to understand and read;
    Make the paragraphs connected, don’t leave cliffhangers in the middle of a review unless you’re doing it on purpose;
    Proofread the text several times;
    Use online tools to check grammar and punctuation;
    Make sure you use proper vocabulary. Make the reviews sound smart but not too much;
    Be fair, don’t base the whole text only on your opinion. Some people might like the show that you think is trash just because the main actress isn’t blonde, even though you imagined her blonde in this role.
To Summarize
Reviews are one of the most powerful ways to promote or destroy a show. Before buying, watching, listening to anything, people go online to find reviews. Customer time is precious, and they never want to waste it on a movie or a show they won’t like. There are thousands of reviews online, you can find them on YouTube, Amazon, and specialized platforms. But if you want to stand out as a professional reviewer, put some effort into your message.
Include your persona there, joke, provide interesting information, make it catchy and easy to read. And practice a lot to make sure you improve with every new TV show review you write. There are enough shows to watch and write about, so go ahead!

Task 4
Make a presentation on one of the topics:
1.	Childhood obesity: prevention and treatment.
2.	Biological parents and adoption.
3.	15 Memorable things about “This Is Us”.
4.	Families with many children vs families with one child.
5.	Sibling rivalry.
6.	Can work be fun? What makes work fun? Can it always be fun?
7.	Do relationships with exes ever work?
8.	My favourite character from “This is Us”.

REFERENCES

https://www.ldoceonline.com/
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Is_Us
https://www.english.com/blog/5-benefits-of-using-video-in-class/
https://geekvibesnation.com/how-to-write-a-tv-show-review-a-detailed-overview/
https://tiphero.com/27-facts-about-this-is-us

НАВЧАЛЬНЕ ВИДАННЯ

Артиш О.О.

The Guide to 
A TELEVISION DRAMA SERIES
“THIS IS US”
PART 1
(SEASON 1, EPISODES 1-6)
Student’s Book