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In the Motherhood Canceled, What Went Wrong?

LilSugar — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:29:26 -0700

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

Notes from the Underbelly: Are You Ever Ready?

babysugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:00:24 -0800

Pregnancy usually allows parents nine months to prepare for baby's big debut. But even with nurseries complete, car seats safely secured and diapers stacked to the ceiling, many parents are hardly "ready" when the big moment arrives. And oftentimes birthing plans go to the wayside when unforeseen issues arise.

On last night's episode of Notes from the Underbelly, Lauren unexpectedly went into labor in the middle of the desert. The couple had things to cross off their pre-baby list and a labor plan laid out. But in spite of it all, they welcomed a new life just the same.

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me? Notes from the Underbelly

babysugar — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:02:25 -0800

If you are a devoted lilsugar reader, then you know we love to spill the beans on things nobody told us about pregnancy. On last night's episode of Notes from the Underbelly, Lauren had a fit that her feet were not immune to the growing stages of pregnancy.

Like many expectant women, she called a friend - Julie for comfort and words of wisdom. Sadly, the new mama could only confirm that Lauren's greatest fears were being realized and that not much could be done to help her except to buy brand new shoes.

My feet went back to their original size, thank goodness! Did yours?

Notes from the Underbelly: Guardianship

babysugar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:30:56 -0800

Last night as my hubby and I were watching Notes from the Underbelly, we laughed at the familiarity of the dilemma that the expectant parents faced in choosing a guardian.

Deciding who should be the guardian of your child can be a stressful thing. In the event that you and your partner are unable to care for your child, you want someone who would love them as their own to take over the responsibilities. Many times, the tots will go to the maternal grandparents. Other popular options are the fraternal grandparents, aunts, uncles, and best family friends. Of course, we hope that guardians simply play the role of gift giver and special friend and never actually have to step into the designated role.

Who did you choose for your children's guardians?
Photo copyright 2007 ABC, Inc.

Notes From the Underbelly

babysugar — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:00:33 -0800

When you are expecting, it becomes a challenge to hang with your single friends who still want to party at bars on the weekends.

On last night's episode of Notes From the Underbelly, Lauren goes out with Cooper and her new friend before it becomes quite obvious that she's a fish out of water. The mom-to-be can't relate to the dating scene, the cocktail consumption, or Vegas road trips, which makes her a little jealous.

While pregnant, were you ever a lil envious of your single friends' freedom?

Pregnancy Mag Covers Underbelly Cast

LilSugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:30:57 -0800

Bellies up! The latest cover of Pregnancy magazine has all the actresses and actors from ABC's Notes From the Underbelly with burgeoning bellies. The expectant cast posed for pictures to run an interview with two of the sitcom's executive producers and mothers, Kim Tannenbaum and Stacy Traub.

If you are wondering where this season is headed? The article, which hits newsstands next week, said that "it's dealing with new parenthood and how that affects you and your relationship with your husband and friends."

Source

Notes From the Underbelly: Just Not Into Kids

babysugar — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 11:00:42 -0800

It seems like everyone has at least one friend that just isn't into kids. I do. They always have something nice to say about my babe, "cute outfit" or something else that isn't too endearing.

On last night's Notes From the Underbelly, baby-avoiding Cooper spent the night with new mom, Julie and darling lil Perry. I loved watching Cooper in action with the baby when his mama was too wiped out to deal. Remind you of any of your antibaby friends?

Bringing Sexy Back: Notes From the Underbelly

babysugar — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:00:22 -0800

It looks like Julie read up on her lilsugar Bringing Sexy Back posts. The new mama on Notes From the Underbelly got the green light from her doctor and prepared for an exciting night with her hubby. We're dying to know what's in the bag. What do you think was in it?

Notes From the Underbelly Hit Close to Home

babysugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:00:45 -0800

I was excited to see that Notes From the Underbelly made a return to the ABC line up. I have no idea how many viewers they have, but I've yet to meet a new mom or pregnant woman who doesn't love the show. As silly as it can be, certain parts of it hit so close to home that it leaves you laughing out loud.

Last night's premiere episode had a bit of everything - people offering unsolicited opinions about the sex of Lauren's baby, a baby nurse cracking the whip on baby Perry's new parents, swaddling techniques, and single friends dealing with neurotic new parents.

My favorite phrase of the episode was from Julie. Lauren asked her,

"How hard is a swaddle?" to which she replied, "It's like giving an angry cat a bath when you're drunk."

Touché Julie.

TV Tonight: ABC's New Monday

BuzzSugar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:30:51 -0800

With The Bachelor done for the year and Dancing with the Stars nearing the end of its season, ABC is introducing a revamped Monday lineup tonight. Samantha Who? moves up half an hour to 9 p.m., followed by the season premiere of Notes From The Underbelly at 9:30. October Road will hold down the 10 p.m. slot. (Dance Wars, the Dancing with the Stars spinoff, will take over the 8 p.m. hour in January.)

Being paired with Samantha Who?, the season's one true breakout comedy, should give Notes a lift for its second season. I was utterly ambivalent about the show when it premiered last spring, but I did like the performances of Jennifer Westfeldt and Peter Cambor as the couple preparing for their first child, and I always got a kick out of Rachael Harris as the single-and-fabulous Cooper - though I wished she'd gotten more to do in the episodes I watched. Did any of you stick with it?

Meanwhile, October Road gets another chance tonight to prove it can hold down a time slot after its dismal ratings last Thursday. Maybe people were confused that ABC promoted that episode as a "sneak peek" and tonight's episode as the season premiere; I know I was.

To watch promos for both the Notes premiere and tonight's October Road, just read more