Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Any show that opens with The Ying Yang Twins “Wait (The Whisper Song)” is worth a watch. SMILF, a new Showtime series, does just that. From creator and star Frankie Shaw, the half-hour series premieres tonight (the first episode is available to watch now!), and revolves around the life of Boston resident and single mom Bridgette. She shares her toddler son with father Rafi (Miguel Gomez) and while not balancing co-parenting duties, including putting him to bed together every night, she’s bouncing between her mom’s house (played by Rosie O’Donnell!), the rich family she tutors for (including Connie Britton as mom Ally), and tries to find some time for herself. This includes going on acting auditions, eating, playing basketball, and masturbating.
For fans of “dating is hard” shows, SMILF is for you. In the absence of shows such as Girls, Fleabag, and Insecure, SMILF fills the role of relatable as hell female lead — and even kicks it up a notch. That she has a child only makes things more interesting. We’re not necessarily encouraged to pity her or applaud her for the spawn, it’s simply a challenge that is accepted — and usually with love! Bridgette is a flawed character, but she’s perhaps one of the most accurate on-screen portrays of what being a woman today involves, whether you currently have a child or not. Have you ever squeezed maple syrup right out of the bottle and into your mouth when you were in desperate need of a sweet treat? Check. Have you worried about your female body parts? Check. Have you had a totally awkward sexual encounter? Check. Well, hopefully it’s not quite the same as what Bridgette pulls in the first episode, but still.
Shaw is magnetic as Bridgette, expertly mixing “no don’t do it girl!” with just plain “yup, been there” moments throughout the show. You might remember her as Shayla, Elliot’s girlfriend who met her untimely death on Mr. Robot, or for roles in Good Girls Revolt and Blue Mountain State. Here, as writer, director, producer, and star, she’s used her own semi-autobiographical experiences to shape the Showtime series that remains humorous and heartfelt throughout. While the pilot can feel ambitious at times when it comes to setting up the world of SMILF and keeping things light, stick with the show because it is going places. As the episodes continue, Bridgette keeps up with her life juggling act, realizing which balls she can drop (or depend on other people to help with) and which she really wants to keep in the air.
SMILF is not just an honest look at working class single motherhood, it’s a true expression of what it means to be a young woman today. Topics such as eating disorders, sexual harassment, body issues, dating, jobs, and family are all explored with a realness many other shows would gloss right over or put too much effort into making comedic. This show will provide chuckles from time to time, but where it really wins is with its smart, cleverly constructed moments that continually feel fresh and fun.
SMILF self-deprecatingly scoffs at its own title in the first episode (that’s Single Mom I’d Like to F… for those still out of the loop at home) before both embracing a showcase of various female perspectives throughout the series. While Shaw is excellent in her vulnerability and brashness alike, it’s the supporting female characters that help shape a spectrum of what the female experience is currently all about, from the ways we make money to how we’re treated by men to the ways we find to best explore our own self-care. From Britton’s fabulous fancy housewife to Bridgette’s friends to O’Donnell’s intense working class mom with questionable judgment, these women lean into their insecurities and even dare to take ownership and celebrate them. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating SMILF. Just like its central character, the show might be a work in progress but there’s some serious potential, with a mix of determination, edginess, and confidence that make this one you can’t help but fall in love with. It’s a coming of age story with attitude, and once this SMILF gets going, she’s unstoppable.
