Mother's Day

After seeing that this show is an adaptation of Israeli program Yom Haem, I tried to find more information on it, but came up with little. I have seen some of the work of Julie Rottenburg, including a number of Sarah Jessica Parker vanity pieces. I can see the connection between these projects, mainly the somewhat forced inclusion of Messing's friends and a chaotic salon visit as well as the introduction of an attractive ex-boyfriend, but I can safely say I would have much rather watched more of Mother's Day than the exhumed corpse of Sex and the City.

I imagine Debra Messing was a big draw for this pilot, but she's also its biggest drawback - Messing is certainly a very dynamic comic actress, but it doesn't take her long to return to the more familiar mugging that was more at home on Will & Grace than in a role of a harried working wife and mother.

In spite of being submerged with his office pal in a gay panic subplot that was probably a wheeze even to viewers even in the old Gig Young That Touch of Mink days, Paul Adelstein brings a surprising amount of depth and commitment to his role as Messing's husband.

Kelly Coffield, in a few scenes as a guidance counselor, is a delightful surprise, reminding you all over again of what an asset she could have been to any number of shows if they'd given her the chance.