The realities of parenthood and raising baby are funny in their own right, so why do sitcom producers feel the need take them over the top? ABC's Notes From the Underbelly focused on the "ooh's," "ahhs," and "ails" of pregnancy, but in such an overdone manner that I found myself reaching for the remote. Then, the same network launched another promising show which incorporated the experiences of real women and featured a manny and single mothers. In the Motherhood debuted with a high-caliber cast, only to repeat the same backflips-over-the-sofa-to-pick-up-a-pacifier antics that had my eyes rolling. After airing a handful of ridiculous episodes, including one that outed Santa, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny at 8 p.m., it has been canceled.
Recently, CBS announced that Accidentally on Purpose will be added to its Fall lineup. The series is based on the text of the same name by Mary Pols. I consider the book to be the mama of all pregnancy must reads, and have gifted it to several expectant friends because the author's witty account of her journey into motherhood resonates so deeply with anyone who reads it. It's a page turner that made me laugh, cry, and relate. I think that's the missing link that networks have forgotten about. Dramas like Thirtysomething and Once and Again had staying power because they kept viewers turned in to see what was about to unfold in their own lives and on the small screen.
What's your opinion of all these sitcom parenting shows?
Courtesy of ABC and Source
Bonprix
Radley
Flash Lights
I can't comment on IN THE MOTHERHOOD, but I was put off by it before it aired.
I think the problem with these kinds of sitcoms is that they showcase how unimportant a man is in the raising of children - or how they do not know anything. Meanwhile, shows like ACCORDING TO JIM, THE COSBY SHOW, FAMILY TIES and all those old sitcoms showed the importance of family and didn't seem to focus on petty things.
1i'm glad In The Motherhood got cancelled. i watched one episode and it was painful to sit through the entire thing. talk about STUPID!
2ditto to the above. the santa thing left a bad taste in my mouth and i didn't like the comment about the mom not ung child as to why "getting any" to the yoshe was in a bad mood.
3ugh jenna elfman is gonna be the main character in Accidentally, on purpose.
she is the worst actress ever.
4I am just not interested in fictional shows about motherhood. Reality TV is different for some reason, but I agree that the sitcoms always become over-the-top and stupid.
5
thirtysomething
6I was told that Tig Notaro starred in this but it looks like she wasn't much more than an extra. Wierd!
7I really loved the youtube version of in the motherhood but really disliked the television sitcom versions. Can't you just make the youtube sensation into a weekly sitcom for us?
8Tig Notaro is a liar. She's a hoaxster too but she got much luckier than balloon boy.
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