25 feel-good shows to start 2018 off right
By Sundi Rose
Odd Mom Out
The premise: An Upper West Side family has a decidedly downtown mom, and she is a noticeable and unapologetic fish out of water. Kargman’s character and namesake is all black hair, red lipstick and skull-themed accessories, while the rest of her community is pink cardigans, standing Botox appointments and round the clock nannies. Jill struggles to find common ground with everyone around her, especially her husband’s family, who are are her polar opposites.
Why it’s so good: It’s good because it’s funny, and it’s funny because it’s a little mean. As a person (and mom) firmly planted in the middle class, Jill offers a funny insight (and mockery) into a world I don’t know anything about. I’m also a little envious of the lifestyle, so like Jill, it’s my instinct to be mean and sarcastic about the whole thing. Would I like to have a private chef to make homemade chicken nuggets or a driver to sit in the parent pick up line? Absolutely. But since that will never be my life, naturally I want to be mean and snarky about it. It’s human nature.
It’s also interesting because it’s based on the comedy (and real life) of Jill Kargman, who is incidentally Drew Barrymore’s sister-in-law. While I don’t condone mom-shaming in any form, I do believe the cult of motherhood could use some overhauling, and Jill Kargman is well on her way to upending the status quo.
How to watch: Catch up on all three seasons on Bravo.