Pilot Review: Workin’ Moms

Workin’ Moms (Netflix)
Premiered February 22

I feel like there have been a lot of shows about new moms on television throughout the years, most of which have quickly disappeared because they’ve been too gimmicky. This one made an immediate impression with its three leads comparing the state of their breasts while topless during a maternity class attended by far more people than the camera initially indicated. This show, while new to Netflix, actually premiered a full two years ago on Canadian network CBC, where it airs its season three finale this coming week. I actually found this initial episode to be very entertaining, though I’m not sure I latched on to any of the characters enough to either remember their names or to need to get to know them better. I did find Catherine Reitman’s Kate reminiscent of Zoe Lister-Jones’ Jen from “Life in Pieces” and was curious if the two actresses were related, and Dani Kind’s Anne was quite formidable when she found out she was pregnant again and was ready to scorch earth if anyone tried to tell her what to do. The notion of focusing on multiple female protagonists is definitely a worthwhile one, and other shows have done well even if they’re not explicitly dealing with parenthood, with “Desperate Housewives” as a perfect example. This isn’t nearly as soapy or sensational, and instead feels perfectly right for this time and place in history, where a woman can indeed go pump in the bathroom before showing up to a meeting late and knowing exactly what to say to win over a client in a way her male coworker never got. It may happen much more on TV, but it certainly feels current.

How will it work as a series? These initial antics were just the beginning, and now we can start to get to know these characters and their families for who they are and not just the circumstances that have come to presently define them. They seem like worthwhile protagonists, and the half-hour format for this type of material should prove rewarding.
How long will it last? Well, it took Netflix two years to bring it to American audiences while it has been enjoying a successful run over in Canada since 2017. While the reviews in Canada haven’t always been fantastic (and American ones are hard to find), this show evidently was a hit enough to run for three seasons and maybe more, and there’s little reason to suspect that those who can watch at home at any time won’t be interested in experiencing all of this show.

Pilot grade: B+