I began watching this show this morning on 'On-Demand,' and, I thought it was pretty-good. Then, I went to read trivia about it on IMDb and found that it had been canceled before the last six episodes were even aired!?!?I find some of the guest stars tedious and annoying (especially Bruce Evans' overbearing and manipulative parents; and, that personal trainer creep who took advantage of Bruce); but, the main cast seems to be very good, and, quite funny and witty at times...especially Gustaf Wiik. AND...this show has a lot of beautiful, talented, and, smart Swedish actresses in it - especially Josephine Bornebusch...WOW! :)The only reasons that I can think of for this show possibly receiving what Greg Poehler described as "craptastically" low ratings is either culture-clash and/or culture-shock; or, because people just cannot read the subtitles fast enough; don't want to bother reading them; or, cannot read them at all if they have poor eyesight!?!? Judging from the number of grammatical errors in the IMDb negative reviews...maybe the people who dislike this show read as poorly as they spell!?!?A show like this requires an 'intelligent following' due to the foreign culture and language, whether it be Italian, German, Korean, Polish, Japanese, or, Swahili...whatever; and, that intelligent following must be able to 'read subtitles!' No one does this much anymore!?!? I, personally, know people who simply 'will-not' watch a TV show or movie with subtitles...and, they're that-much-more at a loss for this because they miss-out on a lot of great things because of their limited brain-use; laziness; and, inability to read quickly...or, read at all! This attitude creates idle-stupidity and no room for expanding the mind!This isn't a perfect show, but, it may have become so if it was allowed to go on longer. Some shows start out with a small following, and, I believe this deserved a longer run than it was given.This show appeals to those who appreciate foreign cultures...and, those who can READ subtitles! :PThis exact same thing happened to the television show "Planet of the Apes" (1974) during its first season...and, most of us young boys were upset over this and talked about it the next day in school. More importantly, this happened to "Star Trek" (The Original Series) (1966) in its third season...which has been noted as one of television executives' biggest blunders.This show shouldn't have been canceled so soon! :(

Bruce Evans (Greg Poehler) is an accountant with a few celebrity clients. He abandons his life and job in America to follow his girlfriend Emma Wilk (Josephine Bornebusch) back to Sweden. He's unemployed and doesn't understand Swedish. Her mother Viveka (Lena Olin) thinks very little of him. Her father Birger Wilk is a quirky retired sea captain. Her brother Gustav is 30 years old and living off of his parents.The problem is that Bruce is so pathetic. He's more than a loser. He's so pathetic that he's actually kind of annoying. He does get a few laughs in but no more than a few for the whole series. Bornebusch is a stiff actress but she does get her laughs when her stiffness breaks down. I love Lena Olin but she has the problem that most of her dialog is in Swedish. That's a major problem for the show. Essentially the audience has the read the funny jokes and it's not as much fun. The show got canceled after 4 episodes in the second season due to anemic ratings.

I've seen too many people taking the stereotypes in a too negative way. This is comedy, and in the end this show is about love and finding peace among differences -with humor on the side. The humor is very not-Swedish and that might come as a chock for Swedish audience.The acting is often good if not amazing sometimes, but I will say that it isn't always on spot.The directing reminds me of American shows like 'How I met your Mother'. I think all Swedish people should see Swedish media becoming more international as a positive thing.People are way too quick with judging this show. I recommned it to anyone that is interested in foreign cultures or just want to see a show that is very heart warming and in the end; just a comedy show for consumtion.

***Spoiler Alert*** If you don't want to know anything that goes on during some episodes, don't read!"I don't know if my NBC affiliate picked up Welcome to Sweden, I found it on my DirecTv app. Knowing little about it, I had all episodes sent to my Genie. I've gotten through a few episodes, and am finding it to be uncomfortably enjoyable.I've read some of the other reviews here, and it's apparent to me that a few reviewers aren't familiar with Amy Poehler's non-SNL work, or can't imagine her connection to this project other than the sanguinity between the producer and the lead actor. But the opening sequence is a dead giveaway that Welcome to Sweden is related to Parks & Recreation.The people who don't know who Aubrey Plaza is definitely never watched Parks & Recreation, and are obviously unacquainted with creepy, deadpan, spontaneous, lazy & manipulative April. Fans often confuse actors with the characters they portray, but Plaza admits to having some April in her. She steals April wholly to portray herself here. Will Ferrell also plays oddball here - not Ron Burgundy or Chazz Michael Michaels, I've seen this character before but I can't recall where off the top of my head. He is married to a Swedish woman in real life. It's too bad that Will Arnett isn't a part of Amy's life anymore, he would make a great addition to this cast.It seems that some people were expecting a sitcom, but got art nouveau instead.The characters are all odd, actually. Bruce is nothing short of the biggest Doofus this side of Andy in P&R, except Bruce displays greater maturity & work ethic, but has fewer of Andy's endearing qualities. I think many people expect Emma to be less strange than Bruce, and the only reason I can find for this is that most people assume that beautiful women are somehow more polished, more mature - in effect, perfectly normal. But Emma is not. People ask, why is she with Bruce? Why should she not be? Just because she's pretty does not mean she isn't neurotic, strange, or a Doofus in her own right. Just as her parents had all these expectations that they feel Bruce doesn't live up to that we viewers can see are either reasonable or not, so we viewers shouldn't be placing our prejudices on Emma. Pretty women can be hot messes.Emma's family are a hoot. They make perfect sense to me. I've been in the situation of being brought into a family I don't know, as a live-in girlfriend, and to say it's awkward is an understatement. Add a culture clash and more than a little neuroticism, and you have this quirky show that I want to continue watching.As for the people who just can't believe this has been picked up for a second season: Amy's recent endeavor, Parks & Recreation, had a 1st season of 6 episodes. A second season wasn't a given. The third season didn't even start until January of the TV season, because there was talk of cancellation. Similarly, Amy's former SNL castmate, Tina Fey, was getting awards for 30 Rock, with almost no audience share. I can remember when they got, I don't know if it was a SAG award, or a Golden Globe, in season 1 or 2, and Tina thanked their "dozens and dozens" of viewers. Yet these shows went on to carve niches out, P&R not so much as 30 Rock; still, P&R will be an instant cult classic.Welcome to Sweden isn't perfect. It's odd, discomfiting, droll, peculiar, and a bit offensive. Just what I'd expect from the Poehlers.