Baby Blues (American TV series)

Baby Blues is an adult animated sitcom from Warner Bros. Television, adapted from the comic strip by Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott. The show aired its first eight episodes on The WB from July 28 to August 24, 2000, but was canceled after that run. The remaining five episodes from that initial season later found a home on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block in 2002. A second season, consisting of 13 episodes, was produced but never aired. The animated version shifts the timeline compared to the comic strip: in the show, Zoe is still a baby, whereas in the strip she was already the older sister of Hammie. The series also expands the cast with original supporting characters. These include the Bittermans, a dysfunctional family next door with three children; Bizzy, Zoe's babysitter; and Kenny, Darryl's laid-back friend and coworker. The main characters are Darryl MacPherson (voiced by Mike O'Malley), the uptight, responsible father who often second-guesses his wife's heartfelt ideas but eventually goes along if it benefits him. He is fiercely protective of Zoe but occasionally acts selfishly, like pretending to mourn a family outing just to watch an attractive dancer. He confides in Kenny at work, often cycling through problems, easy solutions, and their failures. Darryl is also prone to jealousy, especially toward his neighbor Carl. Wanda MacPherson (Julia Sweeney) is Darryl's wife and a stay-at-home mom. She is caring, impulsive, and passionate, with a "crazy spark" that sometimes leads her to drastic measures—like sneaking out at night with Bizzy and her friends, only to get caught by police. She loves Zoe deeply but occasionally feels melancholy about motherhood, as the title *Baby Blues* suggests. Her unpredictable behavior stresses Darryl, but they always reconcile. Zoe MacPherson (E. G. Daily) is the infant daughter. During the day she is calm and cheerful, but at night she cries nonstop, forcing her parents to take turns rocking her until dawn. Her expressions and reactions suggest she understands much of what happens around her. She has a special bond with Rodney, the troubled boy next door, who is the only one who can soothe her crying. Melinda Bitterman (Arabella Field) is Wanda's friend and neighbor, part of the dysfunctional Bitterman family.