Will You Be Visiting "The Motherhood"?

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Just got a sneak peek at the new ABC show that debuts tonight: "In the Motherhood." Have you heard all the buzz about this show? There is an admittedly great lineup--Cheryl Hines (of" Curb Your Enthusiasm" fame); Megan Mullally (Karen is back! Where's my cocktail!); and Jessica St. Clair (don't know her, but I heard she is famous...!) star as three moms with different styles of parenting and different backdrops. The topics are near and dear to all of our hearts--juggling work and family; raising kids properly; laughing and crying at the intensity of it all. But, regardless of the star power and the resonance of the subject-matter, my first thought (before seeing the two episodes ABC released pre-debut) was: Why should I watch this, I live it! It's the same thought I have about many novels that are based upon mom characters ("The Other Mother," "Babyville," "The Ten Year Nap"). Sometimes you want your entertainment to be an escape, not resemble you're everyday.

That being said, the episodes I saw were funny and I am going to give the show a shot. It works better when it sticks to the relationships between the characters and the comedy of everyday motherhood (e.g., when one of the characters decides to raise her children without lying and tells him that there is not Santa, which leads to disasterous results at preschool), and less on sitcom-y schtick (one of the episodes centers arond unionizing local nannies). The greatest strength of the best chick-lit (and make no mistake--this is most definitely chick-lit...for tv...) is the way it makes bells ring in our minds--the way it humorously reveal those thoughts or embarrassing little secrets that so many of us have not admitted to ourselves, let alone others. And this show has those moments. I worry that, as it continues, there will be less of those and more generic, LCD jokes--but I laughed out loud a few times and that's enough for me to check out at least another episode.

If you're interested, ABC wants your stories and it promises that "your stories could end up on TV!" Despite the fact that, um, shouldn't ABC have writers?--there is some appeal at seeing some of the really hilarious things our kids do on network television, no? For more info, check out the ABC site.
14 comments:
Anonymous said...

I saw the web episodes of this and it looked rather interesting, maybe more so for me since I am not a mother.
I hear you on the concept of tv being an escape. For me, it's no longer being able to watch any husband-wife sitcom.

The new layout is nice!!!

Anonymous said...

I love the new look of the site!!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, beautiful new site! Will check out "The Motherhood" for sure!

Anonymous said...

Can you see episodes online already? I just tried to and there are only little clips. I'm excited for the show!

Anonymous said...

i can't wait to see the show, e ven more excited after your review, thanks. the site does look really nice!

Anonymous said...

Deepa, the new blog is gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

i heart heart heart "karen", can't wait!!!

Anonymous said...

i love the new site, did you design it yourself??

Anonymous said...

I think these sorts of show ARE escapist even though they deal with motherhood. Fluffy fun that resembles our lives: What could be better?!?

Anonymous said...

I'm skeptical whenever one thing (here a web show) is turned into something else (a network sitcom). But I'm willing to give it a shot too, what else can I do with kids at home on a Thurday night :):)

Anonymous said...

great makeover!!

Anonymous said...

I am happy to watch a real show instead of reality television. Remember when it was all about Cosby, Different World, Family Ties? Real shows! Now it's just who can be fatter or thinner or get more plastic on MTV.

Anonymous said...

Hadn't heard about this but am now looking forward to it. i actually like shows about motherhood and parents MORE now that i have a baby.

Anonymous said...

I like the re-design :)

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