It's like watching the Avengers. There's no reality to the story and lots of the action; but there's this (at least for me) entertaining collision of normal people, absurd people, real places, and absurd things that happen alongside daily life... and I'm just gonna let myself sit back and be entertained by that.
I'm a homesick Texan; I like the setting and lots of other details people have mentioned: As a son of a Permian football player and grandson of west Texas oil man, I like it. Plus BBT casting (Friday Night Lights) and Larter (Varsity Blues) makes this a slice of nostalgia pie. Oh and not to forget the credits music that is very similar to Explosions in the Sky from FNL movie.
Based on the end of the last episode, not sure what to make of the PigPen's status. Wouldn't be surprised either way. But you could see it coming a mile away when Ariana told him to never miss a family meal - you never know which one will be your last.