Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Author Ann M. Martin’s popular pre-teen book series The Baby-Sitters Club is now a live-action TV show on Netflix. The beloved novels, which were originally published around 30 years ago, were adapted into both a TV show and movie in the ’90s, but now the show is tasked with remaining authentic to the source material while also taking place in 2020. With a little help from the minds behind shows such as GLOW and Broad City, both viewers that originally read the stories when they were teenagers, and those who are currently teenagers, will find themselves satisfied by this series.
THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?
Opening Shot: The series opens on the exterior of Stoneybrook Middle School, set in the fictional Stoneybook, Connecticut where the story takes place. Via a voiceover from Kristy Thomas (Sophie Grace), we learn that she’s accompanied by her best friend Mary Anne Spier (Malia Baker) as they walk home from school, with Kristy doing the large majority of the chatting. She’s got her signature sporty yet casual fashion choices, in this case, a denim on denim selection, and Mary Anne’s clothes are perfectly preppy for the smart, quiet character. Kristy vents about how she landed herself an extra assignment for speaking up in class, before the two plan for the upcoming sleepover and we get a brief shot at their neighbors and fellow founding members of what will be The Baby-Sitters Club, Claudia Kishi (Momona Tamada) and Stacey McGill (Shay Rudolph). Both for those uninitiated and for diehards alike, a satisfying amount of information is presented within the show’s first moments.
The Gist: Kristy, the leader of the group, gets the genius idea to start the babysitting club after her mom (played by Alicia Silverstone!) has a rough time trying to lock down a sitter for Kristy’s younger brother. She loops in her pal Maryanne, and since she believes this club is the coolest idea she’s ever had, she also brings it to the coolest girl she’s ever known, Claudia, who also recruits new girl (just moved from the city!) Stacy.
Ultimately, the series is about the group of precocious entrepreneurial pre-teens as they navigate all that comes with managing a business/club as well as surviving middle school. The series, much like the novels, is not about the ins and outs of coloring with children. It’s about friendships, school, boys, family dynamics, and working through that time in your life when you’re starting to understand what it means to have responsibility and independence. Oh, and now with social media thrown on top too!
Our Take: It’s clear that the creative team behind this The Baby-Sitters Club series holds the source material as near and dear to their heart as millions of people who have already read the books do, and the same way current and future generations will. Rachel Shukert (GLOW), who serves as the showrunner and EP, and Lucia Aniello (Broad City) as the director and EP got so many things right with this show. First of all, the casting is incredibly on-point. They found such a talented bunch of young actresses who seem to effortlessly slip right into what are super well-defined characters to begin with. Also, Alicia Silverstone as Kristy’s very understanding mom is a genius move, and that she’s paired with Mark Feuerstein as her energetic boyfriend Watson is simply the cherry on top.
The wardrobe, wow. Perhaps it’s a lucky accident that ’90s fashion is totally back right now but from the turtlenecks to the accessories to the hairstyles, the look of this show is truly perfect and will surely inspire the women (of all ages, ahem) watching.
The technology, which could’ve presented a huge challenge considering the mind-blowing advancements of the last three decades (ever heard of the internet?) is handled so thoughtfully here, mixing the old school with the new school in a way that never, ever feels forced. The girls stick to what was used in the books: passing out fliers to spread the word of their new club, having all calls for babysitting requests come through a landline (complete with funky phone, yes), but they’re also incredibly tech-savvy. They draw up a plan to use social media, Instagram influencers, and Google docs to raise awareness and stay organized about their business. The show is firmly 2020, as they reference things such as Postmates and Gossip Girl while honoring the signature items and moments that made the books as loveable as they’ve remained.
And finally, the tone of the show. These young women are inventive as hell. They’re unique and strong-minded and they’re super feminist and progressive in 2020, a time where it’s a compliment to be those things, though that might not be true of 30 years ago. Ultimately, The Baby-Sitters Club is very sweet and delightful, but it also stays true to a central theme of the books, and that is the ups and downs of friendships, and my god, especially during those middle school years as these girls figure themselves out. The first episode doesn’t shy away from the characters having disagreements or being stubborn or even lying to each other. The books also address these themes which was important not only for viewers to read about apologizing and making up and changing your mind and repairing friendships, but like, if they got along all the damn time, there wouldn’t be a reason to write dozens of books, now would there? These storylines are relatable and important for young women to read about, just at the same time as they’re likely experiencing them in their own lives. It’s so smart of this series to not veer into super saccharine territory, not just because that wouldn’t really hold up with the vibe of 2020, but because it wouldn’t be authentic to who these strong-willed, opinionated young women are.
Sex and Skin: No, no, these gals are young still! It is the middle school years though so there are crushes and moments of glancing at and subsequently acting awkwardly around cute boys, so anything moving towards the romance category remains largely innocent.
Parting Shot: The first episode ends with Kristy bringing the group a peace offering (pizza!) and admitting she was wrong — and even agreeing that she is actually not always going to be right 100% of the time. Wow, one episode in and already some real growth from the club’s founder and president! It’s precisely this growth, and so much more, that will keep you watching this show.
Sleeper Star: While this show does every character justice, they really nailed the Claudia character. Tamada is so adorable, sassy when necessary, and undeniably cool, just as the Claudia we know and love from the books was. The way she contains multitudes here, by always supplying candies and also never trusting the government, all in the first episode, is a sign that we are sure to love this breakout character just as much as she loves fashion.
Most Pilot-y Line: When Kristy explains that her idea is “Not just a business, a club!” we know what we’re in for: some money-making and some fun-having, all at the same time. “Kids deserve fun sitters who care about them and actually want to be there,” she insists, and she’s correct!
Our Call: STREAM IT! Whether you read the book 30 years or 30 minutes ago, there’s so much to love about this show. 2020 is a crazy time, but luckily it’s one that is finally starting to recognize that women (and the female characters portrayed on screen) are dynamic beings. The Baby-Sitters Club also celebrates that truth for young women, the kind that can run a business and blush in the presence of a cute boy at the same time, qualities that only prove how important they are — and will be — at any age.
