The Baby-Sitters Club: Kristy's Great Idea
July 5, 2020 7:14 AM - Season 1, Episode 1 - Subscribe
Kristy has a great idea for a baby-sitting business for herself and her friends.
Vulture recap: Say Hello to Your Friends. (may require subscription for full access)
The Review Geek Episode 1 recap.
How Each Episode of the New Baby-Sitters Club Updates the Books We Know and Love (spoilers)
General reviews and other miscellanea:
'The Baby-Sitters Club Defies and Exceeds Expectations (NYT)
How 'The Baby-Sitters Club' Came to Netflix in 2020, Landline and All
'The Baby-Sitters Club' on Netflix review: A Perfect Show for 2020
Meet the Cast of The Baby-Sitters Club (LA Times)
'The Baby-Sitters Club' Netflix Makes Alicia Silverstone "Envious"
Vulture recap: Say Hello to Your Friends. (may require subscription for full access)
The Review Geek Episode 1 recap.
How Each Episode of the New Baby-Sitters Club Updates the Books We Know and Love (spoilers)
General reviews and other miscellanea:
'The Baby-Sitters Club Defies and Exceeds Expectations (NYT)
How 'The Baby-Sitters Club' Came to Netflix in 2020, Landline and All
'The Baby-Sitters Club' on Netflix review: A Perfect Show for 2020
Meet the Cast of The Baby-Sitters Club (LA Times)
'The Baby-Sitters Club' Netflix Makes Alicia Silverstone "Envious"
In my previous neighborhood, there was a middle school girl who very obviously loved babies and kids and would play with all the kids in our little area. If I had needed it, I would have totally hired her.
posted by toastyk at 8:50 AM on July 5, 2020
posted by toastyk at 8:50 AM on July 5, 2020
I am really surprised at how much I enjoyed the series. I was hoping I would, but kept my expectations low since they've been dashed before.
Oh jeez, the shot of Kristy and Mary Anne taking off their shoes at Claudia's house as if this is something they did every day warmed the cockles of my cold heart. Especially since kid-me was always bothered by the references to shoes in Claudia's room when reading the books.
Speaking of, I swoon over Claudia's outfits. Better than imagined. Actually, all the outfits for the girls were on point for each character.
For a split second I thought they were able to get Paul Rudd as Watson, but alas it turns out my vision may be going.
IDK why but Stacy's family with a Porsche Cayenne fits my picture of the McGill family. And Watson seems like the type to drive a Tesla when he's not riding his bike.
I did enjoy the pointed shot of a future antagonist when she was handed the BSC flier.
Question for current parents - do people still hire middle school babysitters?
In my neighborhood, the babysitters advertising always seemed to be college age and up. But if I knew the family, I'd probably consider it for the toddler, I mean should we ever be in the position to need a babysitter again.
posted by later, paladudes at 12:29 PM on July 5, 2020 [3 favorites]
Oh jeez, the shot of Kristy and Mary Anne taking off their shoes at Claudia's house as if this is something they did every day warmed the cockles of my cold heart. Especially since kid-me was always bothered by the references to shoes in Claudia's room when reading the books.
Speaking of, I swoon over Claudia's outfits. Better than imagined. Actually, all the outfits for the girls were on point for each character.
For a split second I thought they were able to get Paul Rudd as Watson, but alas it turns out my vision may be going.
IDK why but Stacy's family with a Porsche Cayenne fits my picture of the McGill family. And Watson seems like the type to drive a Tesla when he's not riding his bike.
I did enjoy the pointed shot of a future antagonist when she was handed the BSC flier.
Question for current parents - do people still hire middle school babysitters?
In my neighborhood, the babysitters advertising always seemed to be college age and up. But if I knew the family, I'd probably consider it for the toddler, I mean should we ever be in the position to need a babysitter again.
posted by later, paladudes at 12:29 PM on July 5, 2020 [3 favorites]
Commenting on the whole series: I thought it was great. I'm a gen-x-er who was a fan of the books many years ago. They really hit all the right notes, and seamlessly blended together the feel of the 80's with a modern-day context and approach. I really loved the design and colors of the bedrooms, and Caludia's outfits! The humor is pretty spot-on as well. The episodes also have a (non-cheesy) emotional resonance that I don't remember from the books.
posted by bearette at 12:54 PM on July 5, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by bearette at 12:54 PM on July 5, 2020 [1 favorite]
I remember being a babysitter in middle and high school (it paid worse than mowing lawns though; $5 an hour compared to $5-7 per lawn), but I have friends who have middle-school aged children who aren’t even allowed to stay alone by themselves. The middle school kids in my neighborhood also have pretty constant supervision. I am not a parent but realize that I absolutely would have DSS on my butt if I had chosen that path. I haven’t quite figured it out, but even having discussions with my interns and young seasonal staff - the bulk of them aren’t allowed much freedom (or even want it) until they hit college. I think things are quite different now (‘83 baby here).
I loved these books as a kid (the Summer Specials were The Best) and I’m interested to check out the new series - I was this total mashup of like 70% Kristy and 30% Dawn.
posted by sara is disenchanted at 3:14 PM on July 5, 2020 [1 favorite]
I loved these books as a kid (the Summer Specials were The Best) and I’m interested to check out the new series - I was this total mashup of like 70% Kristy and 30% Dawn.
posted by sara is disenchanted at 3:14 PM on July 5, 2020 [1 favorite]
My family and I absolutely ripped through this series. My eldest (8) really loved it. My wife was a huge fan of the books and said the series absolutely nails the characters and themes - she has highlighted that the books were very progressive for the time.
posted by smoke at 8:19 PM on July 5, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by smoke at 8:19 PM on July 5, 2020 [3 favorites]
I wish I slowed down and digested each episode but yeah, I devoured them all over 3 nights.
From what I remember though, I agree with the Review Geek's take. The first episode was satisfying, even if a little rough (especially compared to the confidence it had towards the end of the season).
It was so fun to see the characters come to life. What a wonderful cast, I immediately fell in love with them and want to protect them all.
On a very niche note, I was hoping for a bit more discussion about the BSC logo. I vividly remember the scene in the books where they are brainstorming with Claudia and I think Kristy suggests the usage of alphabet blocks and maybe having their initials on them. But Claudia points out that when you draw a block you can only see three sides so you couldn't show all four initials. Kristy's inner monologue says she didn't really understand what Claudia was talking about but pretended to go along with it while Claudia sketches out the final result. I don't know why, but the description of that process really stuck with me! I get that it would have been a dry scene for tv though.
I love Alicia Silverstone cast as Kristy's mom. Watson is younger and handsomer than I pictured him (I remember him either bald or with thinning hair?) but he's still very much a dork and the younger and handsomer perception may be because I'm 30 years older than when I read the books, ha. I totally forgot about Karen's wild imagination and squealed at being reminded about Morbidda Destiny! And I was so happy for their cat Booboo get a namecheck but didn't the Thomas' have a lab?
Generally speaking, I am also very pleased to have the parents have slightly bigger presence in the show than in the books. They do not overshadow the kids and they are there to support the kids, which is right. But I am personally finding it very interesting and fun to show them having their own motivations and reactions.
posted by like_neon at 2:05 AM on July 6, 2020 [7 favorites]
From what I remember though, I agree with the Review Geek's take. The first episode was satisfying, even if a little rough (especially compared to the confidence it had towards the end of the season).
It was so fun to see the characters come to life. What a wonderful cast, I immediately fell in love with them and want to protect them all.
On a very niche note, I was hoping for a bit more discussion about the BSC logo. I vividly remember the scene in the books where they are brainstorming with Claudia and I think Kristy suggests the usage of alphabet blocks and maybe having their initials on them. But Claudia points out that when you draw a block you can only see three sides so you couldn't show all four initials. Kristy's inner monologue says she didn't really understand what Claudia was talking about but pretended to go along with it while Claudia sketches out the final result. I don't know why, but the description of that process really stuck with me! I get that it would have been a dry scene for tv though.
I love Alicia Silverstone cast as Kristy's mom. Watson is younger and handsomer than I pictured him (I remember him either bald or with thinning hair?) but he's still very much a dork and the younger and handsomer perception may be because I'm 30 years older than when I read the books, ha. I totally forgot about Karen's wild imagination and squealed at being reminded about Morbidda Destiny! And I was so happy for their cat Booboo get a namecheck but didn't the Thomas' have a lab?
Generally speaking, I am also very pleased to have the parents have slightly bigger presence in the show than in the books. They do not overshadow the kids and they are there to support the kids, which is right. But I am personally finding it very interesting and fun to show them having their own motivations and reactions.
posted by like_neon at 2:05 AM on July 6, 2020 [7 favorites]
And I was so happy for their cat Booboo get a namecheck but didn't the Thomas' have a lab?
Nah, per my memory and this fandom wiki, Louie was a collie - the show got that right.
I'm 5 episodes in now. They're doing a great job updating the characters and themes of the book. They should do a Super Special movie.
posted by the primroses were over at 3:59 AM on July 6, 2020 [4 favorites]
Nah, per my memory and this fandom wiki, Louie was a collie - the show got that right.
I'm 5 episodes in now. They're doing a great job updating the characters and themes of the book. They should do a Super Special movie.
posted by the primroses were over at 3:59 AM on July 6, 2020 [4 favorites]
For a split second I thought they were able to get Paul Rudd as Watson, but alas it turns out my vision may be going.
If they had cast Paul Rudd, the internet would have broken. As it is, there was a lot of squeeing over Kristy realizing her mom "may have weird taste in men but she wasn't completely clueless."
I loved these books as a kid (the Summer Specials were The Best)
Please please please adapt the Island Adventure. It was my favorite of the Summer Specials.
On a very niche note, I was hoping for a bit more discussion about the BSC logo. I vividly remember the scene in the books where they are brainstorming with Claudia and I think Kristy suggests the usage of alphabet blocks and maybe having their initials on them. But Claudia points out that when you draw a block you can only see three sides so you couldn't show all four initials. Kristy's inner monologue says she didn't really understand what Claudia was talking about but pretended to go along with it while Claudia sketches out the final result. I don't know why, but the description of that process really stuck with me! I get that it would have been a dry scene for tv though.
I was hoping to get Janine's "Babysitters Club" with an apostrophe or without an apostrophe monologue.
posted by Constance Mirabella at 8:40 AM on July 6, 2020 [12 favorites]
If they had cast Paul Rudd, the internet would have broken. As it is, there was a lot of squeeing over Kristy realizing her mom "may have weird taste in men but she wasn't completely clueless."
I loved these books as a kid (the Summer Specials were The Best)
Please please please adapt the Island Adventure. It was my favorite of the Summer Specials.
On a very niche note, I was hoping for a bit more discussion about the BSC logo. I vividly remember the scene in the books where they are brainstorming with Claudia and I think Kristy suggests the usage of alphabet blocks and maybe having their initials on them. But Claudia points out that when you draw a block you can only see three sides so you couldn't show all four initials. Kristy's inner monologue says she didn't really understand what Claudia was talking about but pretended to go along with it while Claudia sketches out the final result. I don't know why, but the description of that process really stuck with me! I get that it would have been a dry scene for tv though.
I was hoping to get Janine's "Babysitters Club" with an apostrophe or without an apostrophe monologue.
posted by Constance Mirabella at 8:40 AM on July 6, 2020 [12 favorites]
Wow yes! Thank you for reminding me about that! I am tickled to imagine Ann Martin having this conversation with herself and then using Janine as a proxy to share the apostrophe rambling with readers.
posted by like_neon at 1:31 PM on July 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by like_neon at 1:31 PM on July 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
As a kid I literally made a hollow book that I used as a secret candy stash because Claudia did that. It made me so happy to see that little detail.
posted by showbiz_liz at 1:59 PM on July 6, 2020 [7 favorites]
posted by showbiz_liz at 1:59 PM on July 6, 2020 [7 favorites]
I just watched the first episode and omg I love it! I was an absolute devotee of these books when I was younger, and I adore how it's been modernized just enough but not too much. The characters feel incredibly true and wonderful, and I'm glad that Kristy is kind of a pill. Being thirteen was a pill, but she learns and is brave and I love her and all the rest of them, too.
Also I guess I'm an adult now because I kind of love Watson? He's adorable.
posted by kalimac at 7:11 PM on July 6, 2020 [10 favorites]
Also I guess I'm an adult now because I kind of love Watson? He's adorable.
posted by kalimac at 7:11 PM on July 6, 2020 [10 favorites]
Academy Award Winner and Delaware-native Luke Matheny was one of the directors. Yay!
My 10 and 12 year olds and I loved this. It sparked some good conversations about blended families and remarriage.
I was proud that my daughter not only picked up on the Clueless reference, but she leaned over and nudged me to make sure I had noticed it, too, instead of being distracted by the fireworks or my phone.
posted by edithkeeler at 7:14 AM on July 7, 2020 [2 favorites]
My 10 and 12 year olds and I loved this. It sparked some good conversations about blended families and remarriage.
I was proud that my daughter not only picked up on the Clueless reference, but she leaned over and nudged me to make sure I had noticed it, too, instead of being distracted by the fireworks or my phone.
posted by edithkeeler at 7:14 AM on July 7, 2020 [2 favorites]
I was hoping to get Janine's "Babysitters Club" with an apostrophe or without an apostrophe monologue.
I think about this EVERY TIME I am reading or writing something about [some group]s club or something of the sort. Every. Time.
posted by urbanlenny at 10:40 PM on July 9, 2020 [2 favorites]
I think about this EVERY TIME I am reading or writing something about [some group]s club or something of the sort. Every. Time.
posted by urbanlenny at 10:40 PM on July 9, 2020 [2 favorites]
the parents have slightly bigger presence in the show than in the books
One of the things I love most about the show is how the adult characters aren’t minimized. They feel like actual adults living their lives on the edges of the Club’s narrative, not cardboard stand-ins brought in when the plot needs them. Very few shows get that right.
posted by Ian A.T. at 12:15 AM on July 13, 2020 [4 favorites]
One of the things I love most about the show is how the adult characters aren’t minimized. They feel like actual adults living their lives on the edges of the Club’s narrative, not cardboard stand-ins brought in when the plot needs them. Very few shows get that right.
posted by Ian A.T. at 12:15 AM on July 13, 2020 [4 favorites]
Ha, the apostrophe conversation also made a big impression on me as a kid! I suppose it would be a little complicated to shoehorn that into the script though.
I also really like seeing tweens portrayed as competent and emotionally intelligent (but still with a lot to learn) rather than as weird precocious actory kids.
posted by exceptinsects at 10:40 PM on July 16, 2020
I also really like seeing tweens portrayed as competent and emotionally intelligent (but still with a lot to learn) rather than as weird precocious actory kids.
posted by exceptinsects at 10:40 PM on July 16, 2020
This show was exactly what my poor 2020 soul needed. Sweet, wholesome, funny, nostalgic. I am so pleased.
posted by gatorae at 7:40 PM on July 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by gatorae at 7:40 PM on July 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
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The casting is good - all the girls are awesome and I'm loving Alicia Silverstone as Kristy's mom.
Question for current parents - do people still hire middle school babysitters? I genuinely do not know if this is still a thing. I don't care in terms of my enjoyment of the show, mind you - I am here for the nostalgia.
posted by the primroses were over at 7:51 AM on July 5, 2020 [4 favorites]