Was it a little dreary? A little tedious? Mmhmm, that’s why they call it work. Last night on Baby Borrowers, the teen parents had to juggle unfun jobs with playing house, and oh, did it blow—for them, anyway. They cried, rolled their eyes, and pitched hissy fits as far as they could throw ‘em. And it all resulted in, well…nothing.
The theme of tonight’s condom crusade (Can’t you just see the little Trojans marching to repel the mighty sperm army? Protect the egg, soldiers!): Consequences? What consequences?
Let’s start with the repeat offender, Alicea. Last week she copped so much ‘tude, little Carson’s momma had to take her to the woodshed. Trying to avoid another run-in (and any semblance of responsibility for Carson), Alicea went to work while Cory stayed home with the baby. Only Ali showed up for her gig at the lumber yard looking like she rolled in from a club. Then she threw her boss a stinkeye so funky, I’d have taken off my shoe and beat her with it. Does she get fired? Nope. Does she lift a finger to help Cory when she gets home? Hardly. Is there any incentive for her to behave better? Not that I can see. As for the other couples, let’s get to them, after the jump.
For Sean and Kelsey, the motivation seems pretty clear: Oneof them has to work, or they don’t get paid. No money means no food, nohouse. So it certainly seems like self-sabotage when Kelsey pouts inthe bathroom for so long that Sean feels compelled to stay with babyEtta. But really, are we supposed to believe that NBC would let theirunderage “parents”—much less the babies—starve, or somehow default ontheir ersatz “rent?” Whatever. The point becomes moot by day 2, asKelsey packs herself off for a shift at a drive-through diner. So bigdeal, they’ll earn half-pay and buy generic Cheerios.
And what about the skater daters, Morgan and Daton? Actually, whatabout them? There is no less interesting couple than these twosunspots. Their biggest concern is whether they’ll still be together ayear or two from now. (Hint: no.) It’s not surprising that they’relargely checked-out, since they only went on the show to test theirrelationship. Judging by how desperately Daton wanted to ditch Morganto go skate, my question is: What relationship?
Which brings us to the couples who did well: Sasha and Jordan (who weresuch chill parents, they barely popped up last night) and Kelly (pictured) andAustin. Finally, we ran into some consequences! Only they were thetroubling unintended kind, like what happens when a teenage girl is sogood at playing house that she wants to get knocked up immediately?Like what happens when a social experiment induces the subject tomisbehave? Like what happens when a well-meaning boyfriend has to callin the Magnum infantry, because his girl’s got ideas? To think, justlast week she was Pregnancy-Belly Kelly who couldn’t leave fast enough.
What do you think? Is Kelly on a stretch of bad road? Why did onlyhe girls’ moms visit? Is anyone learning anything? Ooh, and be sure tocome back next week—one of the faux-mommies loses her mind.
Still just waiting for Cory to grow a pair and tell Alicea where to go. Gosh, I can’t stand that girl. (I LOL’ed when Carson’s mom said, “There’s no way I’m letting that girl stay home with my baby all day.”)
I watched and was somewhat interested by the premiere last week as I saw the young couples struggle mightily for the most part, but watching it this week I couldn’t exactly pinpoint why the show wasn’t working for me. I think you hit on exactly why this show doesn’t work – the general lack of consequences. I mean, what’s going to happen? They’re going to get fired from their fake crappy jobs?
Also, did anyone else feel a little duped by this show and its title? When I first heard about it, I just assumed they’d be taking care of babies all the time. Then last week we find out they’re only going to be taking care of babies for part of the time (they’ll also be caring for toddlers, teens and elderly people). What a gyp!
I will admit when I first heard about this show I refused to watch it, but I’m now sucked in. I agree with Ceballos, there are no consequences when they decide to not go to work. Also, they’re not experiencing “real life” with a baby because they’re not having to worry about money. They need to face the stress of taking care of a baby, as well as having the money to pay rent/mortagage, buy formula, diapers, etc.
I think the point is for them to get a “taste” of what parenting infants is like. For most it will be unpleasant but for a few it won’t taste so bad. It’s the majority the show is reaching out to.
Why not give these kids more than just one baby to care for? I have 3 children under the age of 4- I’ll show you what stressed is!
The baby is Karson. Not Carson.
My 20 yr old daughter and I watch it and her boyfriend makes comments like “how hard can that be (taking care of an infant)”. This coming from a guy who has NEVER cared for anyone but himself. I hope she realizes what kind of father he will be before she decides to marry this loser and is left to care for their children on her own. The kids on the show are only getting a taste of what parenting is all about. Take notice teenagers of America, it isn’t easy!
It does look like the experiment is backfiring with Kelly. Now she wants a kid.
I don’t think the experiment can “backfire”. I thought the whole purpose was to test the teens to see if they’re ready. If they are ready, great. If not, it’s good that they learned before they had a kid of their own. And also to show the teens at home what all is involved so they can determine if they are ready.
Actually if they dont’ go to work they get no money. If they don’t have money they can’t get food, diapers, etc. They must pay for these things out of the money they make from their job.