Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Netflix’s horror comedy The Babysitter is a ton of fun. Directed by McG, the film is a clever homage to the horror genre that’s filled with suspense, gore, and more meta humor than you can shake a stick at. Samara Weaving’s intoxicating portrayal of charismatic cult leader Bee deserves some breakout star buzz, but it was the small, scene-stealing performances by two veteran actors, Leslie Bibb and Ken Marino, that elevated the movie from good to great.
You undoubtedly recognize Bibb and Marino, which sounds like a mediocre law firm or a fantastic ’90s folk duo, from a medley of projects. Bibb first earned acclaim in the late ’90s on The WB dramedy Popular before going on to appear in films like The Skulls, Talladega Nights, and the Iron Man franchise. Marino is a member of the beloved comedy group The State and has enjoyed a prolific career appearing in, let me just check my notes, every single TV show ever created.
Just kidding. Ken Marino did not appear on the hit NBC sitcom Just Shoot Me.
In The Babysitter, Bibb and Marino play the parents of the 12-year-old protagonist. The bulk of their screen time happens in the first 15 minutes as, in typical horror movie fashion, the mayhem commences after the adults exit, but the duo make the most out of their limited roles as the cool parents. Bantering about jorts and exchanging lovingly passive-aggressive quips about usual marriage trifles, the two radiate an electric comedic chemistry as they portray a couple who sincerely love one another but are stuck in a bit of a rut.
They’re genuine, hilarious, and… wait a minute… how have these two not played the cool parents on an ABC family sitcom?!
A Ken Marino/Leslie Bibb sitcom almost makes too much sense. We already know the two have buckets of comedic charisma; they both have a wealth of sitcom experience (Marry Me and Salem Rogers were immensely under-appreciated); and the duo just exudes an inviting charm. This isn’t difficult, people! Give them a few precocious kids, some meddlesome family members, and a quirky neighbor and you’re like 75% done. Maybe Bibb is forced to take a job working for her ex-boyfriend… who just so happens to be Marino’s brother? Perhaps an old acquaintance blackmails Marino into becoming a private eye and his family helps him solve various crimes as, yep, you guessed it, hilarity ensues?
I don’t know. I can’t do everything for you, ABC. All I know is that these two are naturals at portraying parents. Don’t believe me? Here’s a small sampling of Bibb and Marino parenting it up.
“You’re wearing basketball shorts to Whole Foods?”
“Why can’t I remember what happened during the series finale of Bones?”
You’ve never heard of Rod Stewart?!
If you don’t single sort the recyclables, the city will fine us and you can kiss that trip to Six Flags goodbye.
If the ABC Creative Development Team is reading this — and trust me, they are — just do it. It’s like I just FedEx’ed you a dozen barrels filled with cash and all ya gotta do is sign! Sure, Marino is attached to Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider’s new Comedy Central series (which sounds incredible), but he can do both. Chris and Sarah seem like cool, rational people. I’m sure they’ll be fine with it.
America wants, nay needs, a Leslie Bibb/Ken Marino cool parents family sitcom. Let’s make it happen.
