Tuesdays are Top 10 Tuesdays where I count down a topic in the TV realm. This week is Top 10 TV Births!
Close Calls
Lilith gives birth to Frederick - Cheers
99 gives birth to twins - Get Smart
Haley gives birth to Poppy and George - Modern Family
The birth of Jim and Pam's first baby was a bit of a bloated episode but the premise was really funny thanks to the premise that Pam was trying to prolong her labor to have more time in the hospital by arriving after midnight. It led to a day of lots of comical moments around the office with Pam's race against time failing as the day went on.
9. Murphy gives birth to Avery - Murphy Brown
The birth of Avery Brown drew a lot of attention after the fact when then-Vice President Dan Quayle trashed the show and its title character single mother the day after this episode aired. The episode itself was pretty memorable too with Hurricane Murphy going into labor on the set of "FYI."
9. Betty Jo gives birth to Kathy Jo - Petticoat Junction
The birth of Kathy Jo was the final appearance of Bea Benaderet on Petticoat Junction. She was so ill with cancer that a stand-in had to be in the scenes while Benaderet provided the voiceover. It led to a sad poignancy for the episode but there was also the funny scene of Betty Jo in labor driving the Cannonball.
7. Phoebe gives birth to the triplets - Friends
There are so many sweet moments in the 100th episode of Friends, where Phoebe delivers twins as a surrogate to her brother and sister-in-law. I hate the doctor who's obsessed with Fonzie but Lisa Kudrow delivers a dynamite performance when she wants to keep one of the babies and when she talks to all three at the end of the episode.
6. Rachel gives birth to Emma - Friends
The other big birth on Friends was Rachel giving birth to Emma. I put it just ahead of Phoebe thanks to no Fonzie loving doctor. One of the funniest bits is the many other women who come (and go) as Rachel remains in labor. Of course that includes Janice.
I mentioned last week that Ted and Georgette's wedding was during a party at Mary's. Well so was a birth. And those were two of Mary's better parties. There's a terrific sight gag with Lou carrying Ted as he can't handle it when Georgette goes in labor and, not surprisingly, it's Mary and Lou to the rescue. Hence the baby's name.
4. Amy gives birth to Mac - Brooklyn Nine-Nine
The most recent Brooklyn Nine-Nine episode to air (over a year ago!) was a madcap comedy episode as Amy went into labor on the night of a huge blackout and Jake has to try to rush back amidst chaos. It's one of the best "everything goes crazy during a birth" episodes.
3. Lucy gives birth to Little Ricky - I Love Lucy
One of the first big TV events in history, the birth of Little Ricky aired the same day that Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz welcomed their second child (Desi Jr.) and the episode famously scored higher ratings than President Eisenhower's inauguration the next day. The episode itself has some great moments especially when Ricky, Fred and Ethel practice (and then completely abandon) their plan for when Lucy goes into labor.
2. Samantha gives birth to Tabitha - Bewitched
A classic episode of Bewitched, Tabitha is born at the very beginning of the episode and then the chaos ensues so there's not the usual chaos en route to a birth, which is a refreshing change. But this episode is most notable for the sweetest moment between Endora and Darrin in the entire series as they bond over the birth.
This episode is a flashback because Ritchie obviously is not born over the course of the series but already a child when it begins. This episode is filled with slapstick comedy and some truly gifted physical comedy from Dick Van Dyke. The scene when Laura actually goes into labor with Rob at the office is one hilarious moment after another.
Tomorrow: A One Season Wonder look at In Case of Emergency!
Next Tuesday: Top 10 Shows That Exemplify NYC!
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