United States of Al
Updated: 5/20/2026, 7:04:42 PM Wikipedia source
United States of Al is an American television sitcom created by David Goetsch and Maria Ferrari. It stars Adhir Kalyan and Parker Young, with Elizabeth Alderfer, Kelli Goss, Dean Norris, and Farrah Mackenzie in supporting roles. The series follows Al (Kalyan), an interpreter from Afghanistan who moves to Columbus, Ohio, with his friend Riley (Young), a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Executive produced by Chuck Lorre, it is produced and distributed by Warner Bros. Television. A television pilot for the series was announced in October 2019, with production beginning the following year. CBS gave United States of Al a series order in November 2020, and it aired from April 1, 2021, to May 19, 2022. Released to mixed reviews, United States of Al was criticized for its humor, use of antiquated tropes, and casting of an Indo-South African actor to play an Afghan lead with an "inauthentic accent." However, the show was praised by some for its attempts to diversify television, and for the cultural representation of its main character. At the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards, the show's pilot received a nomination for Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Program. In May 2021, the series was renewed for a second and final season which premiered on October 7, 2021. In May 2022, the series was canceled after two seasons.
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Tables
| Season | Episodes | Originally released | ||
| First released | Last released | |||
| 1 | 13 | April 1, 2021 (2021-04-01) | June 24, 2021 (2021-06-24) | |
| 2 | 22 | October 7, 2021 (2021-10-07) | May 19, 2022 (2022-05-19) | |
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Prod. code | U . viewers (millions) |
| 1 | 1 | "Pilot" | Mark Cendrowski | Maria Ferrari & David Goetsch | April 1, 2021 (2021-04-01) | T11 | 5 |
| In Columbus, Ohio, Marine combat veteran Riley, who served in Afghanistan, and his younger sister Lizzie reunite at the airport with Riley's interpreter Awalmir, who goes by "Al", who will spend his first weeks in the United States living in their garage. After learning Riley is going through a divorce with his wife Vanessa, Al meets Riley's father | |||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Repair / Tarmim" | Nikki Lorre | Teleplay by : Andy Gordon & Bobby Telatovich & Habib Zahori Story by : Maria Ferrari & Dave Goetsch & Chuck Lorre | April 8, 2021 (2021-04-08) | T12 | 5 |
| After a water leak occurs, Riley and Al visit Vanessa at her home to avoid paying for a plumber. Talking with each of them separately, Al learns that Riley cheated on Vanessa while they were still married and that Riley suspected Vanessa of having an affair with their friend Freddy while he was deployed. Riley learns Vanessa and Freddy were platoni | |||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Shorts / Neykar" | Mark Cendrowski | Teleplay by : Maria Ferrari & Dave Goetsch & Andy Gordon Story by : Habib Zahori | April 15, 2021 (2021-04-15) | T12 | 5 |
| Al greets Riley's daughter Hazel and introduces himself as her godfather. On a video call with his mother, Al is berated for wearing shorts, as it is against his religion as a Muslim to do so. The following day, Al and Riley go to the DMV, where Al becomes nervous after seeing that his female driving instructor, Paula, is also wearing shorts and, a | |||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Spinach / Sabzi" | Nikki Lorre | Teleplay by : Fahim Anwar & Anthony Del Broccolo & Habib Zahori Story by : Emily Ann Brandstetter & Chuck Lorre & Ursula Taherian | April 22, 2021 (2021-04-22) | T12 | 5 |
| Al becomes worried about Riley's parenting style, as he believes Hazel has become a spoiled child. After Al tells Art that Hazel should show signs of respect by helping around the house without requiring something in return, Art falls off the roof while trying to fix the chimney and is sent to the hospital, and Al spends a day taking care of Hazel. | |||||||
| 5 | 5 | "Homesick / Deghyat" | Nikki Lorre | Teleplay by : Dave Goetsch & Andy Gordon & Habib Zahori Story by : Reza Aslan & Maria Ferrari & Mahyad Tousi | April 29, 2021 (2021-04-29) | T12 | 5 |
| After failing to communicate and connect with his neighbors by offering his homemade rice pudding as a gift, Al starts wishing he was once again with his family in Afghanistan. Wanting to help, Riley makes Al start boxing in their garage to forget about his worries and express his feelings; Riley admits he would want to be back together with Vaness | |||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Fundraiser / Baspana Towlawal" | Nikki Lorre | Teleplay by : Fahim Anwar & Emily Ann Brandstetter & Bobby Telatovich Story by : Joshua Keller Katz & Chuck Lorre & Chase Millsap | May 6, 2021 (2021-05-06) | T12 | 4 |
| Art invites Riley and Al to a fundraiser to make speeches while Lizzie is told to make a slideshow. While dropping off Hazel, Riley and Freddy have an awkward conversation. At home, Al tells Lizzie that Riley has changed since his return to Ohio, and appears to be "lost". At the fundraiser, Riley becomes anxious and leaves after seeing the slidesho | |||||||
| 7 | 7 | "Car / Motar" | Nikki Lorre | Teleplay by : Maria Ferrari & Dave Goetsch & Andy Gordon Story by : Hila Hamidi & Chuck Lorre & Habib Zahori | May 13, 2021 (2021-05-13) | T12 | 5 |
| After receiving his first paycheck, Al states that he wants to help Riley's family and his own in Afghanistan, while also dreaming of buying a car. As a result, Riley takes Al to a car dealership, where the pair negotiate to get a better deal and buy a car for monthly payments. However, Lizzie informs them that they were, in fact, ripped off throug | |||||||
| 8 | 8 | "Roht / Sweet Bread" | Mark Cendrowski | Teleplay by : Miriam Arghandiwal & Maria Ferrari & Habib Zahori Story by : Fahim Anwar & Hila Hamidi & Ursula Taherian | May 20, 2021 (2021-05-20) | T12 | 4 |
| Al is delivered his family's homemade roht (a type of sweet bread) from Afghanistan but becomes disappointed when he finds out that it has gone stale. To surprise him, Riley's family searches for a place selling roht and finds one outside of Cleveland. Along with Al, they go to the restaurant and Al becomes friends with the owner, Kasim, when they | |||||||
| 9 | 9 | "Birthday / Kaleeza" | Mark Cendrowski | Teleplay by : Maria Ferrari & Ursula Taherian & Habib Zahori Story by : Anthony Del Broccolo & Dave Goetsch & Bobby Telatovich | May 27, 2021 (2021-05-27) | T12 | 4 |
| As Hazel's birthday is coming up, she suggests inviting Freddy, who is also a magician. Riley rejects the idea and tells her that he will do magic tricks instead. Al, on the other hand, is excited, as this is the first time he will be attending a birthday party. He also tells Hazel that he does not know when his actual birthday is, to her surprise, | |||||||
| 10 | 10 | "Matchmaker / Roybar" | Nikki Lorre | Teleplay by : Anthony Del Broccolo & Dave Goetsch & Andy Gordon Story by : Emily Ann Brandstetter & Chuck Lorre & Ursula Taherian | June 3, 2021 (2021-06-03) | T12 | 3 |
| Al learns about Art's tradition of mourning the loss of his wife by visiting her grave with ice cream and decides to find him a date. As a result, Riley takes Al to a bingo game where they find several women Art might be interested in. At the end of the day, the pair show Art what they have found and schedule him a date with a woman named Barbara. | |||||||
| 11 | 11 | "Blackout / Parchawi" | Nikki Lorre | Teleplay by : Maria Ferrari & Dave Goetsch & Andy Gordon Story by : Emily Ann Brandstetter & Jeff Silverstein & Habib Zahori | June 10, 2021 (2021-06-10) | T12 | 3 |
| Al becomes worried when he wakes up and realizes he can not communicate with his family in Afghanistan using his phone due to a possible power outage. At work, Riley and Al are constantly criticized by a client named Clint, who quickly annoys Al. At home, Al shares his anger and says Clint will go to hell, quietly shocking Riley's family. Trying to | |||||||
| 12 | 12 | "Dog / Spai" | Mark Cendrowski | Teleplay by : Fahim Anwar & Anthony Del Broccolo & Ursula Taherian Story by : Andy Gordon & Chuck Lorre & Habib Zahori | June 17, 2021 (2021-06-17) | T12 | 4 |
| While Art continues dating Lois and they almost share a kiss, Riley and Hazel find a dog while riding their bicycles. A frightened Al encourages them to leave it in the wild while the pair decide to look for its owner. Later in the day, Riley shares his true intentions to Vanessa that he and Hazel want to keep it. After a discussion, Al decides to | |||||||
| 13 | 13 | "Help / Komak" | Mark Cendrowski | Teleplay by : Emily Ann Brandstetter & Anthony Del Broccolo & Bobby Telatovich Story by : Maria Ferrari & Dave Goetsch & Chuck Lorre | June 24, 2021 (2021-06-24) | T12 | 3 |
| Riley is suffering from tinnitus. As a result, Al asks Riley to apply for disability at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Riley, who does not want to, rejects the idea, screams at Al, and gets drunk at a bar. While Hazel goes camping in her backyard and sets up a tent with her family, Lizzie leaves to pick Riley up but is tricked into drinki | |||||||
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Prod. code | U . viewers (millions) |
| 14 | 1 | "Promises / Wadaha" | Mark Cendrowski | Teleplay by : Emily Ann Brandstetter & Maria Ferrari & Dave Goetsch & Ursula Taherian & Chuck Tatham & Habib Zahori Story by : Miriam Arghandiwal & Reza Aslan & Hila Hamidi & Chase Millsap & Bobby Telatovich & Mahyad Tousi | October 7, 2021 (2021-10-07) | T12 | 4 |
| With Afghanistan falling under Taliban control, Al and Riley do everything they can to ensure that Al's sister Hassina gets to the Kabul Airport to board a plane for Turkey. Note: Because of the seriousness of the subject, this episode was taped without a studio audience. | |||||||
| 15 | 2 | "Repo / Wapas Geri" | Mark Cendrowski | Teleplay by : Fahim Anwar & Bobby Telatovich Story by : Anthony Del Broccolo & Andy Gordon | October 14, 2021 (2021-10-14) | T12 | 4 |
| Needing money to help his sister get to the USA from Turkey, Al joins Riley in the car repossession business. Al soon quits due to the danger, but Riley seems to enjoy the adrenaline rush. Riley's therapist soon tells him that he is using the repo job as a way to avoid his feelings about the fall of Afghanistan. | |||||||
| 16 | 3 | "Mo / Masoud" | Mark Cendrowski | Teleplay by : Emily Ann Brandstetter & Maria Ferrari & Chuck Lorre Story by : Fahim Anwar & Dave Goetsch & Ursula Taherian | October 21, 2021 (2021-10-21) | T12 | 4 |
| Al wants to find a bachelor for his sister to move her to the states. Riley and Freddy have a bowling match. | |||||||
| 17 | 4 | "Panic / Tars" | Mark Cendrowski | Teleplay by : Dave Goetsch & Andy Gordon & Habib Zahori Story by : Miriam Arghandiwal & Anthony Del Broccolo & Chuck Lorre | October 28, 2021 (2021-10-28) | T12 | 5 |
| Al begins having panic attacks resulting in being told to go to therapy. | |||||||
| 18 | 5 | "Date / Didar" | Mark Cendrowski | Teleplay by : Anthony Del Broccolo & Ursula Taherian Story by : Fahim Anwar & Bobby Telatovich | November 4, 2021 (2021-11-04) | T12 | 4 |
| Al and Ariana begin dating. Hazel gets grounded for getting caught cheating at school while trying to get a good grade without doing a lot of work. | |||||||
| 19 | 6 | "Veterans Day / Roz-e Sarbaz" | Mark Cendrowski | Teleplay by : Emily Ann Brandstetter & Bobby Telatovich Story by : Maria Ferrari & Chuck Tatham | November 11, 2021 (2021-11-11) | T12 | 4 |
| Riley, Hazel, and Al spend the day with old friends as they celebrate Veterans Day. | |||||||
| 20 | 7 | "College / Pohantoon" | Mark Cendrowski | Teleplay by : Maria Ferrari & Andy Gordon & Habib Zahori Story by : Dave Goetsch & Chuck Lorre & Jeff Silverstein | November 18, 2021 (2021-11-18) | T12 | 4 |
| Al struggles with his college class resulting in Riley speaking with the professor. Art learns Lois used to be married to a professional star. | |||||||
| 21 | 8 | "Wisdom / Hikmat" | Mark Cendrowski | Teleplay by : Fahim Anwar & Anthony Del Broccolo & Andy Gordon Story by : Dave Goetsch & Chuck Lorre & Habib Zahori | December 2, 2021 (2021-12-02) | T12 | 4 |
| 22 | 9 | "Christmas / Krismis" | Mark Cendrowski | Teleplay by : Emily Ann Brandstetter & Ursula Taherian & Bobby Telatovich Story by : Anthony Del Broccolo & Chuck Tatham & Habib Zahori | December 9, 2021 (2021-12-09) | T12 | 5 |
| 23 | 10 | "Professor / Ustad" | Mark Cendrowski | Teleplay by : Fahim Anwar & Dave Goetsch & Chuck Tatham Story by : Anthony Del Broccolo & Maria Ferrari & Andy Gordon | January 6, 2022 (2022-01-06) | T12 | 5 |
| 24 | 11 | "Punch / Musht" | Mark Cendrowski | Teleplay by : Andy Gordon & Chuck Tatham & Habib Zahori Story by : Chuck Lorre & Ursula Taherian & Bobby Telatovich | January 13, 2022 (2022-01-13) | T12 | 5 |
| When Hazel gets suspended for punching Danny at school for calling Al a terrorist, Riley and Vanessa fight on how to handle the situation. | |||||||
| 25 | 12 | "Poker / Pokar" | Nikki Lorre | Teleplay by : Emily Ann Brandstetter & Anthony Del Broccolo Story by : Andy Gordon & Chuck Lorre & Bobby Telatovich | January 20, 2022 (2022-01-20) | T12 | 5 |
| 26 | 13 | "Hunt / Shikar" | Nikki Lorre | Teleplay by : Fahim Anwar & Dave Goetsch & Ursula Taherian Story by : Joshua Keller Katz & Chuck Tatham & Bobby Telatovich | January 27, 2022 (2022-01-27) | T12 | 5 |
| 27 | 14 | "Kiss / Maach" | Nikki Lorre | Teleplay by : Dave Goetsch & Andy Gordon & Chuck Tatham Story by : Fahim Anwar & Chuck Lorre & Ursula Taherian | February 24, 2022 (2022-02-24) | T12 | 5 |
| 28 | 15 | "Tattoo / Khaal" | Nikki Lorre | Teleplay by : Anthony Del Broccolo & Maria Ferrari & Habib Zahori Story by : Emily Ann Brandstetter & Andy Gordon & Chuck Lorre | March 3, 2022 (2022-03-03) | T12 | 4 |
| 29 | 16 | "Gout / Nikres" | Nikki Lorre | Teleplay by : Maria Ferrari & Chuck Lorre & Habib Zahori Story by : Emily Ann Brandstetter & Anthony Del Broccolo & Andy Gordon | March 10, 2022 (2022-03-10) | T12 | 5 |
| 30 | 17 | "Virgin / Bakr" | Nikki Lorre | Teleplay by : Dave Goetsch & Andy Gordon & Habib Zahori Story by : Reza Aslan & Maria Ferrari & Chuck Lorre | March 31, 2022 (2022-03-31) | T12 | 5 |
| 31 | 18 | "Divorce / Talaq" | Nikki Lorre | Teleplay by : Fahim Anwar & Anthony Del Broccolo & Maria Ferrari Story by : Andy Gordon & Chuck Tatham & Habib Zahori | April 14, 2022 (2022-04-14) | T12 | 4 |
| 32 | 19 | "Guilt / Gunah" | Nikki Lorre | Teleplay by : Dave Goetsch & Chuck Tatham & Bobby Telatovich Story by : Jeff Silverstein & Ursula Taherian & Habib Zahori | April 21, 2022 (2022-04-21) | T12 | 5 |
| 33 | 20 | "Sock / Jeraab" | Nikki Lorre | Teleplay by : Fahim Anwar & Anthony Del Broccolo & Maria Ferrari Story by : Dave Goetsch & Ursula Taherian & Habib Zahori | April 28, 2022 (2022-04-28) | T12 | 4 |
| 34 | 21 | "Desire / Khwast" | Mark Cendrowski | Teleplay by : Dave Goetsch & Andy Gordon & Chuck Lorre Story by : Fahim Anwar & Maria Ferrari & Chuck Tatham | May 12, 2022 (2022-05-12) | T12 | 4 |
| 35 | 22 | "Chaos / Aashob" | Mark Cendrowski | Teleplay by : Maria Ferrari & Andy Gordon & Chuck Tatham Story by : Fahim Anwar & Ursula Taherian & Habib Zahori | May 19, 2022 (2022-05-19) | T12 | 4 |
| Season | Timeslot (ET) | Episodes | First aired | Last aired | TV season | Viewership rank | Avg. viewers (millions) | Avg. 18–49 rating | ||
| Date | Viewers (millions) | Date | Viewers (millions) | |||||||
| 1 | Thursday 8:30 pm | 13 | April 1, 2021 (2021-04-01) | 5 | June 24, 2021 (2021-06-24) | 3 | 2020–21 | 43 | 5 | 0 |
| 2 | 22 | October 7, 2021 (2021-10-07) | 4 | May 19, 2022 (2022-05-19) | 4 | 2021–22 | 41 | 5 | 0 | |
| No. | Title | Air date | Rating (18–49) | Viewers (millions) | DVR (18–49) | DVR viewers (millions) | Total (18–49) | Total viewers (millions) | Ref. |
| 1 | "Pilot" | April 1, 2021 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | |
| 2 | "Repair / Tarmim" | April 8, 2021 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | |
| 3 | "Shorts / Neykar" | April 15, 2021 | 0 | 5 | —N/a | —N/a | —N/a | —N/a | |
| 4 | "Spinach / Sabz" | April 22, 2021 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | |
| 5 | "Homesick / Deghyat" | April 29, 2021 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | |
| 6 | "Fundraiser / Baspana Towlawal" | May 6, 2021 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |
| 7 | "Car / Motar" | May 13, 2021 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | |
| 8 | "Roht / Sweet Bread" | May 20, 2021 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
| 9 | "Birthday / Kaleeza" | May 27, 2021 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
| 10 | "Matchmaker / Roybar" | June 3, 2021 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
| 11 | "Blackout / Parchawi" | June 10, 2021 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
| 12 | "Dog / Spai" | June 17, 2021 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
| 13 | "Help / Komak" | June 24, 2021 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
References
- Mackenzie does not appear in the first two episodes, but she is credited as main cast from the third episode on.
- The fifteenth episode of the second season aired out of its regular timeslot at Thursday 9:30 pm.
- Live +7 ratings were not available, so Live +3 ratings have been used instead.
- Associated Presshttps://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-sitcoms-united-states-f73237a14854444312a7510926db122d
- Academy of Television Arts & Scienceshttps://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/73rd-nominations-list-v1.pdf?q=1&q1=
- The Futon Critichttp://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20220310cbs04/
- Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2021-04-07/whats-on-tv-thursday-united-states-of-al-on-cbs-and-more
- Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2021-04-14/whats-on-tv-thursday-top-chef-on-bravo-rebel-on-abc
- The Futon Critichttp://thefutoncritic.com/listings/20210408cbs06/
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