The Baby Lenders

Many shows have reunions. "Gone Country" just had a gathering of the participants in their first season. We got a chance to see scenes that weren't included in the original episodes and had an opportunity to see what the cast members are doing now. This is a great way to promote both "Gone Country 2"and "Outsiders Inn" which both start Friday. The latter, an new 8-week reality show, stars season one participants, Maureen McCormick, Bobby Brown and Carnie Wilson. It's funny how one reality show spins off new ones.

However, what I really wanted to do was talk about the reunion show for "The Baby Borrowers". With a town hall format, the show, subtitled Lessons Learned, was hosted by Hoda Kotb of the "Today" show. I felt they tried to stuff too much into an hour. We received brief updates on the teens, but much of the hour concentrated on the parents who let their babies be used in the show.

TV's Dr. Drew was one of the guests who weighed in on the subject. There was a heated discussion of the mistake it was to allow babies to appear in the show. One expert insisted that the separation was damaging to the infants while Dr. Drew supported the show. The parents were defensive. The producer insisted that everything had been done to protect the babies. It could have been a show all on its own.

Where were the toddlers, pre-teens, teens and elders who had also been cared for by the teen 'parents' on the show? I think they could have had a whole series of follow-ups to the show. It would be nice to know not only where the teens are now, but how being on tv changed their lives as they became celebrities of sorts. Also, one of the issues I was troubled by during the show was the teens sharing a bed. This was dealt with, but rather quickly.

I enjoyed the show and felt it accomplished what it set out to do. With all the negative response, though, I wonder if they will attempt a second season?