BSC AG: BSC TV show

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12/1/22

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix TV series: Kristy and the Baby Parade

The plot is a combination of the original book, Kristy's Big News, and the movie. Here are some things I noticed:

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:

In this book, the baby parade is a tradition from World War II, and as prior winners, Kristy and her stepdad "get" to be on a float.

Kristy's biological father emails Kristy's mom to tell her that he and his new girlfriend will be passing through Stoneybrook with their new baby (Liz and Watson have stopped trying for a baby), and wants to meet up with Kristy and her brothers, including David Michael. But he bails on them at the last minute.

What I was happy stayed the same:

The hot mess that is the clashing float goes as well as in the book.

While the situation itself sucks, the variety of reactions of Kristy, her brothers, and her mom are all understandable and relatable.

Again, not happy it's the same--Stacey's parents' divorce is pretty much inevitable at this point.

Other interesting touches:

When Kristy's dad stands up the family, the Brewers and the BSC really step up. They say some truths that are hard to hear, but needed for healing.

Watson's offer to officially adopt the Thomas children is very touching. I do wish the Emily Michelle plot could have also stayed.

A cover of the song from the original TV show plays over this last episode's credits ("Say hello to your friends...").

11/1/22

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix TV show: Claudia and the Sad Goodbye

The plots are largely the same as the original books, so I won't rehash that except for the episodes that veer way off. But here are some things I noticed:

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:

Mimi dies quietly in her sleep, without a drawn-out hospital stay. The suddenness of it helps the audience feel as shocked as Claudia.

Ashley Wyeth is still around--because she's Janine's girlfriend.

What I was happy stayed the same:

Another not happy about it same thing--Stacey's parents are fighting, badly.

Other interesting touches:

Claudia has a few shirts with portraits of artists on them, like Salvador Dali and Frida Kahlo.

A personal thing--Claudia narrates that she has the next 80 years to feel sad about her grandparent's passing, so why start now? She's 13, so she expects to die at 93. My grandfather just passed away, at 93.

10/1/22

The Baby-Sitters Club Netflix TV show: Dawn and the Wicked Stepsister

Again, Richard and Sharon are not married like in the original book: the Spiers are staying with the Schafers for a week while the formers' house is fumigated for termites. But a week is still plenty of time for tension to develop between the would-be step-sister. And here are some other things I noticed:

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:

The secret passage was built for alcohol smuggling during the Prohibition, not as part of the Underground Railroad.

It's to drive home the point about the underlying tension, but it's very strange to see Mary Anne being sloppy and scatter-brained.

What I was happy stayed the same:

Like in her very first appearances, Dawn is organized and neat.

The secret passage! Yay!

Mary Anne's aluminum can burglar alarm! Double yay!

There's shades of Poor Mallory! in the subplot.

Okay, maybe not happy that it's the same, but some of the worse Dawn tendencies from the books show up, especially in her steam-rolling and her becoming insensitive to the point of hypocrisy to other people's needs when under stress.

Other interesting touches:

One of the sources of tension between the Schafers and Spiers is food, due to difference in their cultural upbringings (e.g.; what level of "spicy" is enough).

The club is still doing charity donations as established a few episode back.

9/1/22

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix TV show: Mary Anne and the Great Romance

The titular great romance in this book is actually Mary Anne and Logan, and while Richard confirms that he and Sharon are committed to each other, there's no wedding like in the original book. And here are some things I noticed:

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:

Mary Anne and Logan don't officially become boyfriend and girlfriend until this episode. When they do, they're awkward and unsure of how to act around each other.

What I was happy stayed the same:

There's an allusion to the ghost of Ben Brewer.

Other interesting touches:

I probably only notice this because I drive school buses, but the school bus here is specifically labeled "Stoneybrook Middle School" rather than being for the whole district, because a bus driver will usually drive students for a high school, a middle school/junior high, and an elementary school in the same day. Usually school buses are labeled by district (if the district has its own buses) or company (if the district contracts with an outside company).

Richard Spier has a speech prepared--with notes--for handling the inevitability of Mary Anne dating.

Logan is accidentally served a glass of wine (it makes sense in context) and Sharon quickly volunteers to take care of it for him.

Richard to Mary Anne: "Your friends love you in an almost an almost concerningly aggressive fashion."

8/1/22

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix TV Series: Jessi and the Superbrat

The plots are largely the same as the original books, so I won't rehash that except for the episodes that veer way off. But here are some things I noticed:

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:

Derek Masters is a TikTok star in this version. The nickname Superbrat is from an early viral video of his. Jessi's baby-sitting job mostly consists of helping Derek film.

Jessi's passion for ballet is more nuanced: she's unsure if she's good at ballet because she loves it, or if she just loves the feeling of being good at ballet, especially now that she's in a more competitive dance studio.

In fact, Jessi herself is more nuanced. In many BSC books, she has very few flaws and borders on a model minority. She's still at her core a very nice person, but she feels more relatable, especially after being a background character the previous few episodes.

What I was happy stayed the same:

Jessi's family is very close and supportive.

Kristy also comes across as wonderfully supportive and protective of her friends, mirroring her best moments in books like Keep Out, Claudia! when she unapologetically stands by her friends.

Other interesting touches:

In the first episode of this season, Kristy is annoyed that Amanda Delaney's mom wants to be called Mrs. Delaney rather than by her first name like many other parents. Jessi points out that Mrs. Delaney's desire isn't intrinsically bad (really, it's only when paired with her attitude that it's grating). In this episode, Mallory and Mary Anne refer to Jessi's parents as Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey, a good continuity nod.

7/1/22

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix TV Series: Stacey's Emergency

The plots are largely the same as the original books, so I won't rehash that except for the episodes that veer way off. But here are some things I noticed:

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:

It's nice to see the friendship between the girls' parents, like Dawn's mom and Kristy's mom.

Stacey's parents are still together at this point--they might not divorce at all in the Netflix series, come to think of it.

What I was happy stayed the same:

I love seeing Jessi's barre.

Mary Anne struggles with sewing. It's subtle, but she pokes herself in the finger with a needle while hand-stitching.

Other interesting touches:

Dawn's mom's absent-mindedness shows up in her casually telling Dawn that Kristy's mom and stepdad are considering having a baby together, without regard to whether there should be any discretion involved.

6/1/22

The Baby-sitters Club TV Netflix Series: Claudia and the New Girl

Unlike the original book, this episode focuses on Mallory trying to fit into the club and Claudia at first failing to help her (bringing to mind Hello, Mallory!), before some advice from Ashley Wyeth helps her be a better friend. Ashley's insight also helps Claudia understand Janine a little more.

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:

Ashley Wyeth is Janine's friend here, and a well-known artist thanks to her social media following.

Dues change from a flat rate per week to a small flat rate with an added set percentage of each sitter's earnings for that week, and the club will donate half their dues to charity. The members will take turns picking a charity. Stacey goes first, picking the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

What I was happy stayed the same:

Claudia's self-confidence struggles are well-portrayed, fueled by Kristy naming Dawn (the alternate officer) as acting president rather than Claudia (the vice president).

Other interesting touches:

Janine's interested in cryptocurrency.

5/1/22

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix TV Series: Kristy and the Snobs

Netflix has a new original series: The Baby-sitters Club! The second season and final covers eight books: Kristy and the Snobs, Claudia and the New Girl, Stacey's Emergency, Jessi and the Superbrat, Mary Anne and the Great Romance, Dawn and the Wicked Stepsister (notice the title change?), Claudia and the Sad Goodbye, and Kristy and the Baby Parade. Due to being cast in Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, Dawn's original actress Xochitl Gomez didn't return for the second season. She's replaced by Kyndra Sanchez, who returns from California feeling "like a new person" (subtle!).

Unlike the original book, the only snobs are Amanda Delaney and her mom. The Kilbourne family isn't in it, and Louie dies offscreen. That was such a HUGE part of the plot in the book that I'm shocked it's glossed over--I count this as a bad change. Here are some other things I noticed:

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:

Kristy meets the Delany family when Amanda delivers an invitation for tea, which a thinly-veiled excuse for Amanda and her mother to scope out the new neighbors, and to judge them. Mrs. Delaney flat-out states with palpable disdain, "I'm not sure how you met Watson."

The Delany family is limited to Amanda and her mom, who are both very socially awkward and shallow, and connect far better with animals than people. They host pet adoption events every few months, and in the series, this is how David Michael gets Shannon the dog--named her after Mrs. Shannon Delany. Shannon Kilbourne isn't in here.

What I was happy stayed the same:

Mallory is appropriately awkward.

Other interesting touches:

Mary Anne keeps the club schedule on an electronic tablet.

Dawn does a tarot reading for Mary Anne in an attempt to discern whether her relationship with Logan will be moving forward. Mary Anne's dad hilariously deadpans that they should finish their homework before they summon the devil.

Logan's mom, offscreen, as Logan obliviously answers the questions Dawn asks when calling from a blocked number and posing as a US Census Bureau worker: "Logan! Are you giving out personal information again?!"

Season 2 Cast

Kristy Thomas: Sophie Grace
Claudia Kishi: Momona Tamada
Stacey McGill: Shay Rudolph
Mary Anne Spier: Malia Baker
Dawn Schafer: Kyndra Sanchez
Mallory Pike: Vivian Watson
Jessi Ramsey: Anais Lee
Logan Bruno: Rian McCririck

Elizabeth Thomas-Brewer: Alicia Silverstone
Charlie Thomas: Ethan Farrell
Sam Thomas: Dylan Kingwell
David Michael Thomas: Benjamin Goas
Watson Brewer: Mark Feuerstein
Karen Brewer: Sophia Reid-Gantzert
Andrew Bremer: Troy Ames (new actor)

Mimi Yamamoto: Takayo Fischer
Kimiko Kishi: Diana Bang
John Kishi: Kevan Ohtshi
Janine Kishi: Aya Furukawa

Edward McGill: Peter Benson
Maureen McGill: Shauna Johanssen

Richard Spier: Marc Evan Jackson

Sharon Porter: Jessica Elaina Eason

Byron Pike: Brock Brown
Vanessa Pike: Daphne Hoskins
Claire Pike: Sara Halliburton

Janice Ramsey: Brandee Steger
John Ramsey: Doron Bell
Becca Ramsey: Isabel Birch

Kim Newton: Christina Sicoli
Mrs. Papadakis: Flora Karas
Linny Papadakis: Bear Blu Silverstone
Hannie Papadakis: Alethia Berry
Jacob: Romy Sanchez (played "Camper #2" in first season)
Derek Masters: Luke Roessler
Chaz Masters: Noah Bean
Mrs. Delaney: Jaycie Dotin
Amanda Delaney: Lia Frankland
Oliver: Kaiel Barreiro
Miranda Rose: Helen Mihlar
Small child #1: Naomi Rose MacFadden
Small child #2: Reyhan Jobanputra

Ashley Wyeth: Kelcey Mawema

Mme. Noelle: Desiree Zurowski

Hailee: Charlotte Clayton
Clementine: Inca Scott
Dancer: Ava Burgham
Dancer: Ariel Price
Fellow Dancer: Ema Mlinar
Ms. Katimiski: Kimmi Gatewood

Dr. Arevalo: Laara Sadiq
Hostess: Faith Wright
Restaurant waiter: Michael Sousa
Loud Kid: Eric Halliburton
JDRF President: Natalie Skye
Dreamy Boy: Alexander Dutkiewicz

9/1/21

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix TV Series: Hello, Camp Moosehead (part two)

The girls' fight for equity continues with a lie-in protest and a strike, as do other issues. Kristy's still feeling rudderless. In reworking the play to accommodate Stacey and Laine being out for poison ivy, Mary Anne takes Stacey's lead role--opposite Logan. Things come to a head when Karen goes missing, and it takes Kristy, Mallory, and Jessi to find her (i.e.; not any adults); and at the same time, Dawn and Claudia rally the campers for an equity demonstration, which screws up the play Mary Anne is trying to put on. She and Dawn find a way to try to hold both the play and the protest, but the camp director breaks up the latter which disrupts the former. Finally, the BSC is able to talk with the director and be heard--the director has to consider finances but needs more staff, and the BSC is willing to step up to be counselors-in-training to help. The compromise works for all parties.

Here are some things that I noticed:

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:

Mary Anne has gained confidence faster in the TV series than in the books, and in a way that feels natural for her character.

What I was happy stayed the same:

Stacey gets a bad poison ivy rash, but this time it's due to her fight with Laine.

The girls pose for a picture at the end, in the same pose as the cover of the original book.

Mary Anne and Logan end up officially dating, and it's done in a fun way.

Jessi and Mallory end up unofficial junior CITs, but this time at the suggestion of Kristy, Claudia, Stacey, Mary Anne, and Dawn--and they're officially asked to join the BSC.

Other interesting touches:

As if to highlight the camp's financial woes, Stacey and Laine recover while watching TV on a old tube set--not a flat screen.

8/1/21

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix TV Series: Hello, Camp Moosehead (part one)

Netflix has a new original series: The Baby-sitters Club! The first season covers the first eight books plus a sort of adaptation of of the second super special, Baby-sitters Summer Vacation. AND...it's set in the present day (2019/2020), updated accordingly, and much more diverse. The plot for this episode and the next are loosely based on the Babysitters' Summer Vacation super special, but the main storyline here is that the camp is operating a shoestring budget so some of the activities cost extra. The BSC thinks it's unfair, that those costs should have been included in the initial fee. Kristy tries to get kids more engaged, Claudia and Dawn set up activities for kids who can't afford the extras, and Mary Anne co-directs a play that Stacey's in--also in the play: Logan! And the co-director? Laine Cummings.

Here are some things that I noticed:

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:

The camp itself and the group names are based on animals rather than Native tribes.

Mary Anne ends up bunkmates with Laine. They bond over musical theater before realizing they both know Stacey. Stacey and Laine try to remain professional, but they do end up fighting, and eventually reconciling.

The sitters are all campers here, because counselors-in-training must be at least 16.

Mary Anne and Logan get to know each other better here.

Mallory, who we met in in "Boy Crazy Stacey," isn't in the club yet, but quickly shows how dependable she is. She's also already best friends with Jessi Ramsey, who debuts in this episode.

What I was happy stayed the same:

Claudia has two suitcases while everyone else has just one.

Dawn's activism, present already in the series, gets the spotlight here. And it's done way better than she got in some of the books (looking at you, Dawn Saves the Planet). She's passionate rather than obnoxious.

Other interesting touches:

I like that Claudia connects her art lessons to real-life artists. It shows that she's getting into art more deeply than just creating; she's embracing more and more of the art world.

When Mallory reassures the cast with the saying, "Bad dress rehearsal great opening night" Jessi counters that it's not true. She's been in productions; she would know!

7/1/21

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix TV Series: Kristy's Big Day

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:

Rather than the Junk Bucket, Charlie has been saving up for a used car, but Watson supplements the money with enough to buy a BMW SUV (without first discussing it with Elizabeth...). Watson also buys Kristy a new bridesmaid dress, blue instead of yellow, when he sees that she's dissatisfied with the original choice. These spark some bad feelings between Kristy and her mom over money and the marriage in general, but they work things out.

Kristy gets her first period during the wedding reception. The other girls have already experienced menarche and help her through it.

Andrew joins David Michael in being a ring bearer. And I just noticed that Karen doesn't wear glasses, but Andrew does.

Aunt Esme performs the ceremony. (So...how did Karen not know "Morbidda Destiny" was going to be at the wedding? Was there no rehearsal, no meetings with the next-door neighbor, nothing?)

What I was happy stayed the same:

Kristy and Mary Anne have one last flashlight conversation through their facing windows before Kristy moves.

I like the subtle touch of Kristy and Karen having flower circlets for their hair.

Other interesting touches:

Karen's middle name is Amaryllis. She also comments on David Michael Thomas having three first names.

Claudia appears to be learning about Japanese culture. She knows about sushi customs and wears a kimono-inspired dress to the wedding.

Sharon mentions having gone to a quinceanera for one of Dawn's cousins.

Mary Anne's dad is so nervous that he tells Mary Anne, "I need a drink. Do you want one? ...of course not..."

Richard takes charge when Sharon eats something she's allergic to (I think Sharon is too scatter-brained here--being late to a wedding is one thing, but loudly announcing your arrival as the bride is about to walk down the aisle?). Dawn was about to rush Sharon to the car for her epi-pen, but Richard steps in and lets Dawn be a kid.

Mary Anne, ever responsible, has emergency period supplies with her.

6/1/21

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix TV Series: Boy-Crazy Stacey

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:

The Sea City trip takes place over spring break instead of summer vacation, so there's not so much swimming.

Adam, Byron, and Jordan aren't identical. Byron is noticeably shorter than the other two, so they might not even be triplets at all.

Alex is gay in this version. Part of me misses Mary Anne's first crush from the books, but on the other hand, she's already developing feelings for Logan at this point in the TV show. Stacey and Toby have a brief flirtation, culminating a good-bye kiss at the end of the vacation.

What I was happy stayed the same:

Dawn and Mary Anne want their parents to get back together, since they broke up a couple episodes ago during the initial room makeover. Dawn uses her knowledge of their high school dating to facilitate.. The yearbook that the two found in the book version of Mary Anne Saves the Day is moved here, which is how Dawn learns more about their prior relationship. This sparks Richard making an overture via the gift of a pet turtle--Sharon used to call him "Turtle."

The incident with Karen and Andrew washing the car with steel wool happens here--this time, it's a classic car, and Kristy knows right away they're using steel wool, but can't stop them because she accidentally got locked in a storage shed. She tries to arrange for the car to be repainted before Watson finds out, but ultimately comes clean to him, which helps them trust each other.

Other interesting touches:

Dawn calls her mom "Sharon" instead of "Mom."

Stacey informs the club (and me) that she can go without her insulin pump for up to an hour, so she swim.

Elizabeth and Watson's wedding plans are happening in the background, and the subsequent moving plans.

The Pike kids bury Mary Anne in the sand. She's rescued by Alex and Toby, but not before they ask her if she wants to be buried "for the 'Gram."

5/1/21

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix TV Series: Claudia and Mean Janine

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:

Claudia and Trevor spend more time together--not really dating at this point, but getting to know each other better.

The BSC redecorates Mary Anne's room together, with Claudia leading the charge. First, Claudia and Stacey talk with Richard about a misunderstanding from earlier, and all make amends. Mary Anne doesn't feel that the room is quite right at first, but when she and her dad put up some mementos of her mom's, she loves it.

Sam hangs out more with the BSC, which helps develop his relationship with Stacey.

Mary Anne meets Logan here, who's not a transfer student. His sister (Kerry, I assume) is showing pottery at the same art show Claudia shows her paintings at.

With the plots being set a couple decades later than in the books, Mimi's age is adjusted accordingly. Thus, she was a child during World War II...living in the US...and spent three years in an internment camp. Mimi's awful memories about her time there resurface after her stroke.

What I was happy stayed the same:

Claudia has her junk food art show!

The show depicts stroke recovery and Claudia's worry and confusion well.

Other interesting touches:

Claudia's earrings look hand-made.

There's speculation that Janine is on the autism spectrum. Same for Mary Anne's dad.

I liked seeing the BSC families coming together to support the Kishis.

I'm glad the internment camps were brought up. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I learned about them at a young age, but a lot of people in other parts of the US have said they were never mentioned in school.

The Humpty Dumpty picture from Mary Anne's infancy is revealed to have been her mother's when Alma was a baby.

4/1/21

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix TV Series: Dawn and the Impossible Three

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:

Dawn goes on her first sitting job (for the Barretts) without much fuss aside from resentment from Kristy, because the Baby-sitters Agency didn't send fake recruits earlier.

Mary Anne's room redecoration includes the whole club, and even Dawn's mom. But they overstep by not talking with Richard first, and appearing to disrespect his late wife's memory by not knowing what touches were hers.

Buddy goes with his dad for swimming lessons, like has always been the plan, and he brings Buddy back after, making his actions less antagonistic.

Kristy comes over to help Dawn when Buddy's missing. Seeing a father still involved in his child's life, shortly after seeing Dawn having a relationship with hers, pushes Kristy over the edge and she finally lets out her anger at her father.

What I was happy stayed the same:

The Barrett house is appropriately insane, and the kids are out of control but good-natured.

The tension when Dawn realizes Buddy is missing is intense.

Though Dawn and Kristy bond differently here than in the book, their bonding is satisfying to watch.

Other interesting touches:

A lot of people in Stoneybrook recognize Dawn's mom, which makes perfect sense as she grew up there.

Richard Spier is a great balance between awkward and eager.

Dawn's mom and Kristy's mom chat about Richard.

Dawn's mom talks to Natalie Barrett directly.

Dawn's dad calls over Facetime daily.

3/1/21

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix TV Series: Mary Anne Saves the Day

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:

The impetuous that starts the fight is Mrs. Delvecchio (whose family replaces the Prezziosos) asking for Mary Anne specifically, because she knows Mary Anne's dad through work, and she trusts Mary Anne with her transgender daughter, Bailey. When Mary Anne vents to her dad, he calls the other parents, which makes everything worse.

Dawn's parents divorced when her father came out as gay. (She's handling it way better than two friends of mine whose parents split up for the same reason, but it sounds like in the Schafer's case, the reveal wasn't much of a surprise to anyone. With both of my friends, there were affairs involved.) Dawn's experiences with this help Mary Anne understand how Bailey feels. Mary Anne wasn't acting inappropriately, but she was privately confused and unsure if she was handling everything okay, and Dawn reassures her. This later helps Mary Anne tell the medical staff that Bailey's gender isn't what's on the medical chart.

Dawn is an only child.

Morbidda Destiny/Esme Porter is Dawn's mother's aunt, which is why Dawn's mom wanted to come back to Stoneybrook. She's into New Age stuff, which is why Karen thinks she's a pointy-hat green-faced variety of witch.

What I was happy stayed the same:

Dawn's introduction is fun to watch.

Richard Spier and Sharon Schafer meeting each other is pretty great, too. They realize who the other is when Dawn and Sharon (and Aunt Esme) come for Thanksgiving dinner.

Other interesting touches:

Mary Anne's mom was a lawyer.

The actresses playing Mary Anne and Mimi are actually knitting, not just holding the needles and yarn.

Dawn sees a therapist, presumably to help her with the divorce and move, which seems like a great idea to me.

2/1/21

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix TV Series: The Truth About Stacey

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:

Stacey keeps her diabetes secret until this episode, She uses an insulin pump instead of having daily injections. Her mom seems more invested in hiding Stacey's diabetes than her dad does.

Some of the adults are called by their first names--which is how I prefer everyone to address me.

Charlotte Johanssen is adopted rather than either of her mothers doing IVF with one of their ova. At least, I think she's not the same ethnicity as her moms, but I'm not great with faces.

The Baby-sitters Agency sends the BSC on fake jobs, including one for an elderly man.

The Agency finds a cell phone video of Stacey having a seizure brought on by diabetic shock and post it online to discredit the BSC. There's a brief mention of cyber-bullying, but it's pretty disappointing to see the parents of the BSC charges so ready to think that it's better to trust the group that sent the video as retaliation for being called out on leaving a four-year-old unsupervised outside over a group that includes someone who had trouble getting an accurate medical diagnosis. Stacey has to basically hold a press conference to explain and nearly apologize, and offers to resign from the BSC. Dr. Johanssen comes to her defense, explaining how maturely Stacey handles her diabetes. Even then, it takes Kristy reminding the other parents about the cyber-bullying for them to trust the BSC.

What I was happy stayed the same:

Kid-kits make their debut.

The scene with Jamie Newton alone in the street and talking to his mom is done well.

Other interesting touches:

Watson gives Elizabeth a family heirloom ring for an engagement ring.

I'm impressed that the cars have Connecticut license plates.

Kristy says the club has to do the most responsible thing possible. Mary Anne confidently replies, "Vacuum."

1/1/21

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix Series: Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls

Netflix has a new original series: The Baby-sitters Club! The first season covers the first eight books plus a sort of adaptation of of the second super special, Baby-sitters Summer Vacation. AND...it's set in the present day (2019/2020), updated accordingly, and much more diverse. The plots are broadly the same as the original books, although here the focus is more on the school dance and Claudia's relationship with her parents in regards to her grades, and the only phantom calls we see on-screen aren't a shy boy trying to ask someone out. Here are some other things that I noticed:

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:

Trevor is an artist like Claudia instead of a poet, which is how he and Claudia notice each other in the first place. Because he knows her better in this version, he actually asks her out to the Halloween Hop in the first place instead of calling, getting nervous, and hanging up.

Stacey offers Claudia her own math test to pass off as Claudia's, since Claudia failed hers and her parents won't allow her to go to the dance with a failing grade. Claudia takes her up on the offer, too. Claudia does come clean on her own to her parents, rather than being found out. Her parents aren't thrilled about her lying, but they do acknowledge that she's putting in an effort and has improved a bit. They don't let her attend the dance, but they are more obviously supportive of her than some of their book appearances seem.

Janine is more overtly antagonistic toward Claudia in the series, which makes Claudia's reactions to her more understandable. Janine's the one to suggest that the Kishi parents not allow Claudia to attend the Halloween Hop if she fails her test.

Karen has more of a creepy child vibe than an overbearing one.

The titular phone call turns out to be Mary Anne, calling from an old phone to talk to Kristy.

What I was happy stayed the same:

I love the scene with Claudia and Mimi cooking together.

Mary Anne and Kristy communicate by flashlight.

Other interesting touches:

Mary Anne has to use a flip phone as part of her punishment for not calling her dad to let him know she's running late.

Claudia dresses in a style evocative of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, hoping it will inspire her to understand math better.

12/1/20

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix Series: Kristy's Great Idea

Naturally, a lot is updated, like Kristy's mom joining an expy of care.com to look for a sitter for David Michael. Claudia's working on a sculpture about menstruation and takes a life drawing class. The girls have cell phones and email, and use social media. The calendar is kept on a laptop. And the girls reference current pop culture AND look like seventh-graders.

There's a big effort for inclusion, too. A lot of background characters aren't white, and same goes for more of the main and supporting cast than in the books. Mary Anne is biracial: her mother was black and her father is white, which is a clever way of explaining her perpetual braids, as it's the only hairstyle her dad knows how to do with her more textured hair (he doesn't require braids unlike the books, but Mary Anne assumed she was only allowed braids because it's how he did her hair when she was young). Dawn is Hispanic. Charlotte Johanssen's parents are both women. One of the kids the club sits for (Bailey Delvecchio) is transgender. Ethnic and sexual orientation diversity are far more common here than in the books, which makes sense--when the first books came out, it was unusual to even have divorced parents in children's and young adult books, but society marches on! Overall, I think it's a fun update, but the original holds a special place for me because of the nostalgia. I'm also not the target audience. I'm glad I watched it, and I'm happy it's been renewed for a second season.

The plots are largely the same as the original books, so I won't rehash that except for the episodes that veer way off. But here are some things I noticed:

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:

Mr. Redmont is a misogynistic jerk in this version. Kristy doesn't get in trouble for jumping out of her seat at the end of class, but for yelling out why Thomas Jefferson didn't say all people are created equal instead of all men.

Watson isn't heavyset or balding. He also helps the club get a lot of clients by word of mouth.

Kristy sees Stacey in Stoneybrook when she's supposed to be in New York City, but doesn't tell Claudia or Mary Anne. Stacey knows Kristy saw her and is grateful to Kristy for keeping her secret. Stacey doesn't mention her diabetes yet.

What I was happy stayed the same:

Claudia still has a landline.

Louie is still a rough collie.

The girls' friendship is great.

PSA Time: Don't give the Heimlich maneuver when someone's coughing!

Other interesting touches:

Mary Anne uses a backpack that she pulls behind her rather than the typical kind, perhaps a nod to her over-protective father.

Season 1 Cast

Kristy Thomas: Sophie Grace
Claudia Kishi: Momona Tamada
Stacey McGill: Shay Rudolph
Mary Anne Spier: Malia Baker
Dawn Schafer: Xochitl Gomez
Mallory Pike: Vivian Watson
Jessi Ramsey: Anais Lee
Logan Bruno: Rian McCririck

Elizabeth Thomas-Brewer: Alicia Silverstone
Charlie Thomas: Ethan Farrell
Sam Thomas: Dylan Kingwell
David Michael Thomas: Benjamin Goas
Watson Brewer: Mark Feuerstein
Andrew Brewer: Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguz
Karen Brewer: Sophia Reid-Gantzert

Mimi Yamamoto: Takayo Fischer
Kimiko Kishi: Diana Bang
John Kishi: Kevan Ohtshi
Janine Kishi: Aya Furukawa

Edward McGill: Peter Benson
Maureen McGill: Shauna Johanssen

Richard Spier: Marc Evan Jackson

Marc Schafer: Andy Canete
Sharon Porter: Jessica Elaina Eason
Esme Porter/Morbidda Destiny: Karin Konoval

Deidre Pike: Caitlin Howard
Forrest Pike: Stephen Weigand
Jordan Pike: Remi-Gael Panon
Adam Pike: Valen Peyton
Byron Pike: Brock Brown
Vanessa Pike: Daphne Hoskins
Nicky Pike: Connor O'Mahoney
Margo Pike: Evelyn Burke
Claire Pike: Sara Halliburton

Dr. Johanssen: Kalyn Miles
Mrs. Johanssen: Luvia Petersen
Charlotte Johanssen: Naomi Tan
Kim Newton: Christina Sicoli
Jamie Newton: Sawyer Frasier
Baby Lucy: Stella and Sophia Rahou
Natalie Barrett: Rebekka Johnson
Hamilton Barrett: Matt Hamilton (funny coincidence)
Buddy Barrett: Benjamin Jacobson
Suzi Barrett: Nadia Batista
Marnie Barrett: Julianna and Emilia Lucente
Todd Delvecchio: Todd Matthews
Francine Delvecchio: Julie Lynn Mortensen
Bailey Delvecchio: Kai Shappley
Nate Marshall: Seth Ranaweera
Mrs. Papadakis: Malaika Jackson
Mrs. Rodowsky: Krista Magnusson
Other Parent #1: Kareem Malcolm

Mr. Redmont: Milo Shandel

Mr. Thompson: Faustino Di Bauda

Claudia's teacher: Jasmine Lukuku
Trevor Sandbourne: Bodhi Sabongui
Shillaber Twin #1: Angelina Belsey
Shillaber Twin #2: Kiara Belsey
Lacy Lewis: Madison Guppy
Michelle Patterson: Kenya Jordan
Janet Gates: Katarina Mueller
Luke Howard: Connor Wong
Caleb: Ben Cockell

Laine Cummings: Beatrice Kitsos

Scott: Kyle Clark

Alex: David Raynolds
Toby: Mason McKenzie

Philomena Means: Tami Sagher
Barb: Heather Feeney
Nurse: Helenna Santos

Doctor: Eric Ruggieri
Sarah: Jacqueline Breakwell
Nurse Diane: Kendra Westwood
Cop #1: Celia Aloma
NYC Camper: Alozie LaRose
Camper #1: Emily Delhunty
Camper #2: Romy Sanchez
Paola: Valeria McNicol
Mean Girl: Zoriah Wong
Saleswoman: Angela Galanopoulos
Nora: Mila Morgan
Doctor: Donna Soares
Teenage Counselor #1: Kenneth Tynan
Glam Squad Member: Garth Hodgson
Old Man Carl: Alex Kliner
Gus: James Reed
Nurse: Charles Singh
Bruce: Cedric Ducharme
Teen Girl: Asia Lizardo
Teen Heckler in Car: Lyric Kennedy
Saluting Camper: Amelie Timer

10/26/13

The Baby-sitters Remember (TV#13)

Last episode! One more BSC post, then next I'll start the book about the historical characters from American Girl. November will be Kirsten, December Samantha, January Molly, February Felicity, March Addy, and so on in order of the characters' releases.

What happens:

It's the end of the school year. The BSC has a sleepover at Claudia's, and reminisces. Some memories are just a sentence, and some get actual flashbacks. Here are the stories:

First Kristy talks about the day she got the idea for the BSC. It plays out very much like the beginning of Kristy's Great Idea, even down to her class using folded construction paper fans to cool themselves down. But she gets the idea after dinner...maybe because they didn't want to find actors for her brothers?

The next story is about the first BSC meeting. It's brief, but also a lot like the book.

Then Kristy talks about her first job, watching Buffy and Pinky. Again, it sticks to the book pretty well.

Stacey remembers how she solved the problem of the Delaney kids and helped them stop being ingrates. It's fun to watch her mess up the room, and the kids even demand "CUT. IT. OUT." like in Kristy and the Snobs.

The girls head downstairs for something to drink, and a teacup reminds Claudia of Mimi. They share a variety of memories, focusing on the time Mimi had a traditional Japanese tea with the girls, all of them dressed in kiminos. The scene is scored with "Oriental-sounding" music. It's like someone's playing Mahjong on a mid-90s computer for the sound track. The girls are sort of rude when exposed to unfamiliar foods, but Mimi doesn't seem to mind, because Mimi is the sweetest person ever. According to how the steam rises from the girls' cups, Mallory has good luck. Is that why she didn't get a TV show episode focused on her?

Mary Anne talks about the practice wedding from Kristy's Big Day. The "minister" joins them in holy moly, and does the vows pretty much like the book. I don't see anyone with a cast on her leg, but there's not a good clear shot of the audience.

Dawn brings up the "egg babies" from Mary Anne + 2 Many Babies. This version of the class has an equal number of boys and girls.And I guess there's more than one session of the class, because Dawn's the only member of the BSC in that shot but we see other students and BSC members with their egg babies. The featured "couples" match with the book. Dawn briefly loses "Skip" but the egg is found safe. That's as far as that memory goes, although Mallory and Jessi get to rib the older girls about how ridiculous they were about the egg babies.

After mentioning a few other brief memories (with no flashbacks), the girls make a pact to have frequent reunions when they're older, and go to sleep. The end!

Things I noticed:

Because Kristy's actor still has braces, she has them in the flashbacks, too.

Mary Anne's hair is in braids when appropriate. There are also some flashbacks when she could have fixed her hair another way, but in Mary Anne Saves the Day Mary Anne tells Richard that sometimes she'll still wear the braids.

Dawn says that Buddy Barrett disappeared because Mrs. Barrett forgot to tell Dawn it was his weekend with his dad. True...but his dad also took him without telling anyone, which seems like a pretty important detail.

Mimi calls the girls "my baby-sitters."

The Delaneys have a quilt made of fabric with bright, multi-colored handprints that look like prints made with hands dipped in paint. My mom sewed my older brother and me matching overalls of that same print.

Mallory mentions Mrs. Kilbourne, but Shannon's not in this episode, or any other.

Special guest stars: Hisaoy Asai as Mimi, Richard Blake as Arron, Kimberly Brown as Amanda Delaney, Ashley Chase as Karen Brewer, Kevin N. Dabis as Mr. Redmont, Ann Dowd as Kristy's mom, Michael Galeota as David Michael Thomas, Russel Harper as Alan Gray, Alec Kimmel as Luke, Anna Bess Lank as Mrs. Hargreaves, C. C. Lovehart as Mrs. Boyden, Tyler Noyes as Max

10/24/13

Stacey Takes a Stand (TV#12)

What happens:

The BSC is planning a Father-Daughter Banquet. Jessi comes up with the idea of putting together a dance for the entertainment, because Jessi dances. Stacey's a little down because she won't be able to come, as she's spending that weekend with her dad in New York. Dawn also mentions that she misses her dad, but she and Mary Anne agree that Richard is a good stepfather for her. Stacey's grateful in light of Dawn's issue that her dad lives so close, but the fact that her parents are close and that their divorce is (slightly) more recent means that she feels torn between them. It doesn't help that her parents badmouth each other in front of Stacey. She starts to feel even more pressured when her dad brings up the idea of her going to high school in NYC. Not a terrible idea necessarily, but he doesn't bring it up well.

The prospect of having to pick which parent to live with--again--brings up a lot of confusion and hurt in Stacey. She hates that she can't tell her mom what she does with her dad and vice versa, for fear of making one parent or the other jealous, and that she feels out of place a lot, and that she's sometimes in the wrong place at the wrong time. Mary Anne prompts her to talk to her parents, and they realize the awkward position they've put her in. Her mom even calls her dad to tell him about the banquet, and he shows up to it. (Yeah, she ends up back in Stoneybrook in time for the banquet)

There's also a little aside about Buddy Barrett feeling like he needs to step up to fill his dad's role after his parents' divorce, and Dawn helping him realize that while he is a big help to his mom, he's still a kid. I'm glad Dawn was the one to help him, since she has a special relationship with the Barretts.

Things I noticed:

The captioning spells Prezzioso as Francioso.

It's implied that Stacey's dad has a car, but in the book series he doesn't aside from a brief midlife crisis.

Dawn wipes up spilled milk with a dishcloth rather than a paper towel, which is consistent with her character.

This is the second time in the TV that there have been two sitters for only three kids (the Barretts this time; last time it was a new client requesting one sitter for her infant and one for the older kids). So, can I brag that earlier this month the kids I nanny had friends over, and my two kids were with me too, so I was watching nine kids?

"Barrett" is pronounced "Bar-RET" while I've always read it as "Buh-RET." And Stacey's dad pronounces her full name "Ah-nuh-STA-zee-ah" rather than "Ann-uh-STA-zhu" like I do in my head. I wish we'd get more names to learn to pronounce.

Whoa. Hi, Twin Towers. Establishing shots of New York City before 2001 still catch me off guard.

Uh...Here's a direct quote from Stacey's dad (emphasis mine): "What time are you and Jason taking your sister to the Statue of Liberty?" The line was mean to be about Jason's sister. But if Stacey's dad forgot about his and Maureen's fertility problems to the extent that he imagined another child, then I can see why they divorced!

Sacrilege! We see a glimpse of Stacey's handwriting and there's an "i" WITH NO HEART DOTTING IT. (Other than that it's close-ish)

Interesting; the girls refer to their friends' dads by their first names. Obviously Dawn would call Richard by his first name, and the BSC seems to always be on a first-name basis with Watson, but in the books the parents are usually Mr./Mrs. LastName.

Charlie drives the BSC (minus Stacey) to New York! The Junk Bunket is a littler nicer-looking than I'd imagined.

We get to see the dads (except Dawn's, who sends flowers to her since he can't fly over for the banquet). None of them look like they do in my head! Compared to how I picture them, Watson's taller, thinner, and less bald; Jessi's dad is less muscular; Stacey's dad looks less professional/high-powered attorney; Mary Anne's dad is far more nerdy; Mallory's dad is more meek-looking; Claudia's dad is shorter and has a stockier build.

Special guest stars: Tom Garlick as Jason, Michael Tomlinson as Stacey's dad, Geoffrey Wigdor as Buddy, Nancy Youngblut as Stacey's mom (the other dads aren't credited)

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