The Carmichael Show Episode 1.01 Pilot

Jerrod Carmichael and his girlfriend Maxine have decided to move in together, but Jerrod is reluctant to tell his opinionated parents. Maxine is adamant that Jerrod's family realizes how serious they are, but Jerrod fears his mom will start quoting the Bible about how cohabitating before marriage is a sin, and knows his dad will go off on some insane tirade.

Just then, Jerrod's hustler brother Bobby burst in, complaining about the "sex musk" in his house. He and his ex-wife Nekeisha are divorced, but are still living together, and she has started sleeping with another guy. Bobby and Nekeisha have been divorced for a while but have been keeping it a secret from Joe and Cynthia Carmichael, and they recommend Jerrod and Maxine do the same.

That night, Maxine and Jerrod go over to the Carmichaels' house for dinner, and it soon becomes obvious Maxine doesn't quite fit in. Determined to ignore all warning signs, Maxine decides to tell Jerrod's family their big news, until Jerrod derails her plan, distracting his parents by announcing to his family he's decided not to vote, or maybe he'll vote Republican. The family quickly erupts into a heated debate about Barack Obama, waterboarding and prayer in school.

Later that night, Maxine blows up at Jerrod for sparking a family fight in order to avoid telling his parents. If he's not mature enough to be honest with his parents, maybe they shouldn't live together. Jerrod admits he's afraid his mom will get in her head and his dad will give her useless advice. Eventually he caves, and the pair head back to the Carmichael house to make their announcement.

Cynthia and Joe take the news relatively well, with only a few Bible references and some awkward advice. Cynthia wants to know if they've talked about marriage, especially since Maxine isn't getting any younger. Slightly offended, Maxine explains she doesn't think being a wife and mother are a woman's sole purpose and she wants to focus on her psychiatry career before thinking about kids. The Carmichaels quickly jump on this and freak out Maxine about her biological clock and her eggs going bad.

Seeing the situation going downhill fast, Jerrod jumps in with another announcement: Bobby and Nekeisha are divorced! Cynthia and Joe are LIVID - Carmichaels don't get divorces, they suffer through it!