Binge-worthy NotMom Series for the End of Summer
Summer is winding down, so you may start to think about your plans for the fall. And for some of us, myself included, that means settling in on a chilly autumn night and binge watching some favorite shows. And, if you’re anything like me, adding an unexpected kid to a show can really turn you off from the rest of the series. In fact, it is on the list of things that can cause a show to jump the shark.
On top of all that, you probably also get frustrated when you get most of the way through a series by binge watching it, only to realize you have to wait a year for the next installment.
So, here is my short list of binge-worthy NotMom series that are completely wrapped up and available for your binging pleasure.
Orphan Black
The original BBC America series, Orphan Black, just ended its five-season run. And fans who have been watching all along are now dying for their friends to join the "Clone Club".
OOPS! I’ve given away a huge piece of the story, but don’t worry. Viewers learn about cloning and the clones in the first few minutes of the show anyway. It’s the rest of the twisty, turny plot that we can’t even begin to explain, so it’s well worth a watch.
Why am I recommending this show specifically for NotMoms? The show does deal with fertility issues and there are pregnancies, babies, and children. But it’s about so much more than that.
It’s about female agency, ownership over one’s body, and even infertility. Plus, you’ll be rooting for my favorite NotMom clone, Cosima Niehaus, in no time. Tatiana Maslany, Best Actress Emmy and Vulture.com winner, is an incredible performer who convincingly brings dozens of characters to live. She's worth watching.
Don’t Trust the B- in Apartment 23
For something a little more lighthearted, Krysten Ritter (Jessica Jones) starred in this half-hour comedy that only lasted two seasons. When it aired, it was probably most notable for its title (Don’t Trust the B- in Apartment 23) and Krysten's co-star James Vander Beek, who played Dawson in Dawson’s Creek. In this show, he plays himself, or rather, an egotistical version of himself. And it’s magical.
But the reason this show is great for a NotMom binge watching session is Ritter’s character Chloe. She is, as the title suggests, a total bitch. As the series continues, her Grinch-y heart starts to grow a few sizes.
But, she never really manages to work well around children or babies, and a couple of episodes reflect that, which makes it even funnier for the childfree fans.
Battlestar Galactica
We recently mentioned the Syfy Channel’s reboot of the 70s TV classic Battlestar Galactica in our post about the announcement of the new Doctor Who, we referenced the Katee Sackoff version of Starbuck, a cigar drinking bad-ass of a NotMom. The show is also a fantastically acted series that builds off the original Battlestar mythology while creating something entirely new to keep you on the edge of your seat.
This show didn’t feature just one NotMom. From the very start of the series, you also get to know President Laura Roslin, played by movie veteran Mary McDonnell. Unlike the other characters introduced at the beginning of the series, President Roslin doesn’t have a direct counterpart from the original 1978 show. Her position and character are entirely new and a welcome addition to the story.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Want to go retro? Check out The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Moore stars as Mary Richards, a young woman who moves to Minneapolis to make it in her career. She becomes the assistant producer at a local news station and, over time, is promoted. The show aired from 1970 to 1977, and it's fun to visit the culture of the time and watch Mary and her friends navigate what was a brave new world for women.
Early on, viewers learn that Mary is perfectly happy single, but occasionally she does mention a desire to be a mother, which never happens. One has to wonder if that was lip-service for a 70s audience not comfortable watching a career girl.
Her best friend, Rhoda, is also a modern woman who doesn’t marry young and have babies. In later seasons, we meet Sue Ann Nivens, played by the amazing real-life NotMom Betty White. Her character is a fun contrast between the Happy Homemaker show she hosts and the personality White herself described as “rotten.”
If you’re looking for a complete series to binge watch, here are four to get you started. Can you recommend other completed TV series featuring NotMom characters?
