Call Your Mother

Call Your Mother is an American television comedy series that premiered on ABC in January 2021, providing lighthearted, heartwarming fun that is ideal for unwinding after a long day, alongside a healthy serving of mom jokes.

The show centres around Jean Raines, an engaging, empty-nester mother, who is poignantly played by Kyra Sedgwick, an accomplished actress renowned for her dynamic performances in series such as The Closer. Jean Raines is a woman of charm, wit and resilience, living in Iowa, but has something missing in her life. That something is her grown-up kids.

Set primarily in Los Angeles, Call Your Mother pulls at the heartstrings of viewers, as it introduces them to her two grown children. The elder son, Freddie, is a successful video game designer living with his best friend Celia; both exhibit an adorable yet amusing odd-couple dynamic. Jackie, Jean's younger daughter, juggles life as a single mother, grappling with the intricacies of dating and child rearing. Together, this unconventional family navigates the perils of adulthood under the watchful eye and stifling love of their mother.

Suddenly, Jean decides to pack her bags and boards a flight across the country when she realizes her kids are trying to dodge her calls. She thrusts herself into their adult lives in a big-hearted way, trying to bridge the geographical and emotional distance that lies between them. This revisit to the nest is, on the surface, all about the maternal instinct; however, it is equally about Jean’s personal journey and how her sense of identity is linked to her role as a mother.

The show exhibits a seamlessly woven fabric of comedy and drama, brought to life by the comedic timing of Sedgwick. Jean's nervous energy, mixed with her earnest craving to be a part of her children’s lives, produces many of the show’s laugh-out-loud moments. The sitcom explores relationship dynamics not only within the central family but also with a host of side characters, ranging from the quirkily interesting to the outright absurd.

Call Your Mother is inherently about rediscovery — Jean trying to rediscover her purpose once her kids have grown up and moved away, and her kids learning to see their mom in a new light. The show thoughtfully illustrates the struggles of being “too close” and “too far away” in a familial relationship. It smartly weaves in themes of motherhood, attachment, the pressures of adulthood, and the delicate act of letting go. At its core, it's an honest portrayal of a mother's love and the lengths to which she'll go to stay connected with her children.

Behind the scenes, the sitcom comes from a team of accomplished TV veterans. The showrunner and executive producer of Call Your Mother is Kari Lizer, renowned for TV hits like The New Adventures of Old Christine. Her signature style of hilarious scriptwriting with a touch of genuine emotion is heavily present in each episode of the series.

The ensemble cast featuring Sherri Shepherd, Joey Bragg and Emma Caymares, among others, perfectly portray their respective characters, adding additional layers of charm to the series. Each actor brings their unique blend of comedic flair and acting chops to the fore, making every character feel authentic, and every episode feel fresh.

With a running time of roughly 20 minutes per episode, Call Your Mother is a quick watch but one that lingers on the mind, thanks to its quirky characters and relatable storyline. Its episodic narrative is coupled with overarching arcs, providing a satisfying blend of standalone and connected stories.

To sum up, Call Your Mother is a nostalgic and loving look at family dynamics, encased in comedy and witty scriptwriting. Its genuine portrayal of love, parenthood, and the delicate threads holding a family together makes it a heartwarming and delightful watch. Though the sitcom primarily centres around motherhood, it tells a universal story of connection, space, and the complexity of relationships that will resonate with viewers of all ages. In Call Your Mother, viewers will find fun, heartfelt moments and characters that feel like extensions of their own families.