Sarah Scheller and Alison Bell are the creators of a new comedy pilot called “The Letdown” on ABC TV. It’s about a new mum who is struggling with her little bundle and who she is now as a person. I caught up with my friend Sarah to have a chat about it.
Some would say your comedy, “The Letdown” is raw, funny and sad at the same time, can you comment on that?
Yes, I think that’s a fair assessment. I always knew the mother’s group setting was ripe for comedy. Just the idea that a group of strangers (often with very little in common) come together to “bond” at an incredibly vulnerable stage is funny. But I do like my comedy dark…
We definitely felt that the heady combination of hormones and sleep deprivation would give the characters license for some pretty crazy behaviour.
We also wanted to break some ground regarding the stereotypical mother by trying to do something different. We didn’t want to gloss over the darker side of new motherhood, we almost felt we had a responsibility to tell it as it is!
This involved going deeper than just sleepless nights and taking Audrey the main character to darker places, without subjecting her to post natal depression, which unfortunately is an oft-used trope for struggling mums.
I also wanted the characters and storylines to be grounded in reality so it could be genuinely relatable to other parents, but also insightful for those without kids.
When and how did the concept first come to you for the show?
It was, perhaps unsurprisingly, conceived during my first experience with mothers group, way back in 2008. I was a little cynical about it from the start, which probably marred my experience but ultimately I just didn’t fit in. I felt a little judged and ended up leaving after week two! I should say that I have friends who absoltuely had the greatest mothers groups so I’m completely aware of their value and purpose. Also, if we get to make the series, you’ll see how important these women become to our protagonist, Audrey.
I have to say it’s refreshing to see a show that depicts what motherhood is really like in all its complexities, what’s your favourite bit and why?
Well the bus scene has absolutely struck a chord with so many people, so that might be my favourite. Just the raw emotion of it. Audrey mourning her old life, having a cry juxtaposed with the joy of seeing her baby smile for the first time. It was always written as crying turns to laughing turns to crying, and Alison absolutely nailed it. It was very emotional watching it being shot!
Also, the drug dealer scenes with Patrick Brammall make me laugh, a lot.
Do you think this show would have helped you prior to your first child? Or is it more about creating community and connection for mums post kids for you?
It definitely would have shown me a side of motherhood that I maybe wasn’t familiar with. Also I think we succeeded in illustrating how difficult those first few months can be, when you are adjusting to all the changes. All your relationships shift, whether it’s with your partner, own mother or best friend. There’s something more than just having a baby, that’s ultimately what we wanted to show.
I have a friend who isn’t a mother who watched it and she was shocked by how sad it was, can you comment on that? She didn’t seem to see the funny side.
Ha. Yep, I have a few friends who don’t have kids who have said: thank you for validating my decision not to produce a child. Maybe you have to live through it to see the funny side? I don’t know.
I noticed your little cameo at the end, loved that personal touch – tell us about why you wanted to do that?
I didn’t! My producer said, Sarah, you can play ‘lady #3’. I tried desperately to have it cut in the edit, but alas, it was to no avail. No cameos if it goes to series, I promise!
I thought I noticed it was filmed in Sydney, where exactly and why did you decide to choose there?
It was all shot around the inner west / inner city. When I had my first baby – Frances – I lived in Darlinghurst and then we moved to Newtown. It’s a part of Sydney I know well, and love. Newtown in particular is incredibly photogenic.
Where to from here? How to get the pilot to become a show we can all enjoy?
Go to the iview comedy showroom page and leave your feedback! The ABC will then assess the results and decide which pilot/s go to series. Fingers crossed we get the go ahead and can continue Audrey and Jeremy’s story. We also plan to delve a little deeper into the worlds of the other mums.
To watch the pilot, go to ABC’s iview. It’s available until until 14 June, 930pm.
Want to see the pilot turned into a show? Then please leave your feedback here.