Instantly likable prequel to Black-ish. ... Mixed-ish is a delightful example of how history — not nostalgia — can be used to help us see our present day more perceptively through the lens of yesterday.

From the first episode, it looks like mixed-ish, in the same vein of its predecessor black-ish, has all the ingredients to tackle those difficult grey areas in a smart, articulate, and funny way.

The retro feel of ABC comedies is wearing thin; the kids, though, are cute.

Solid opener and Carey's theme song is a winner, too.

Himmel, Childress and Harris as younger versions of Ross, Daveed Diggs and Rashida Jones continue ABC’s streak of casting uncannily good child actors. ... For all the ground it covers, there’s not nearly enough time, but in fairness, just about every pilot has the same problem. The more interesting test for “Mixed-ish” will be how it pushes the conversation about the challenges and privileges of being biracial beyond any single episode that’s been devoted to Bow and her background thus far.

Fans of “black-ish” are likely to enjoy this period comedy that gets a boost from Gary Cole (“Veep”) as Bow’s paternal grandfather.

While the show is mostly well cast, with the expressive Arica Himmel making a great 12-year-old Rainbow Johnson, the humor in the premiere episode vacillates between being too saccharine and too bluntly reliant on well-worn racial stereotypes.