Remember that time when Taye Diggs came over and I posted a picture of him with Mazzy and everyone was like, WHAAAAA???? And then I couldn’t say what the hell was happening?
I’m allowed to say something now!
I HAVE A SHOW.
Well, not like a SHOW show. I believe they call it a WEBISODE. Except it’s not just a webisode, it’s a series of webisodes called “The Mommy Show” running on a new site called Ulive. The webisodes are just under five minutes each.
The premise is this…
I run a talk show out of my home and interview unsuspecting celebrity guests while I take care of my kids.
So, imagine you are having a conversation with a friend and your three-year-old keeps interrupting you except substitute “friend” with “Taye Diggs” and there you have it. That’s the show. Webisode. Whatever.
Okay. Before I say anything else, you should click here to watch it.
WAIT!!!!!!
If you click that link, you’ll see links to the first four episodes of “The Mommy Show”, but I’m only going to talk about the Taye Diggs episode today.
Of course, if you like the show, I’m not going to stop you from watching all of them. Nothing would make me happier! BUT. For the purposes of this blog, I’ll be doing a “behind the scenes” look at each one, week by week. So, I won’t be saying who are in the next three episodes even though it will be very obvious to you once you are there.
FYI- level of “celebrity” varies greatly. I won’t say anything more than that.
The Taye Diggs episode was the pilot that sold the series, so it was shot back in January, about a month after Harlow was born.
I was still wearing maternity clothes.
The audio guy wanted to clip a mic on the waist of my jeans and I’m like… uhhhhh…. these are maternity jeans, the waist is practically at my throat. When they finally figured it out, I was like… ummmm… can we take it off now? Because I have to pump in the bathroom.
Also? I had never interviewed anyone before in my life and I was FREAKING OUT.
But then, as I was freaking out, I realized— that’s okay. This is a show about a mom creating a show in her apartment. Unpolished is GOOD. Take that nervous energy and make… LEMONADE FLAVORED NERVOUS ENERGY!!!
Another thing.
It is very interesting to watch yourself on camera having a conversation for the first time in your life. You realize you do funny things like purse your lips constantly and look slightly deranged in your “I’m just sitting here listening” mode. Except you are not “just sitting here listening”, you are thinking, “HOLY SHIT TAYE DIGGS IS SITTING ON MY COUCH WHAT THE F*CK IS GOING ON????????????”
Taye Diggs was a great sport and was there to promote his children’s book, “Chocolate Me“. Ulive is a new online network dedicated to original lifestyle videos including content from the Food Network, HGTV, and the Travel Channel.
I hope you like it.
Because there will be twelve more.
Come back after you watch it and tell me what you think!
Did you watch it yet?
No?
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???
Oh No..I’m in Canada and I got the nasty message of “We’re sorry, this video is only available to viewers in the United States (and territories)” I’m sure it is great – and your got Rachael Dratch! She is hilarious..congrats on the new venture
That. was. awesome. Taye Diggs, in your apartment? That is so cool.
HOLY CRAP WOMAN!!! i’m at work and don’t have sound 🙁 so I can’t watch now but TAYE DIGGS!! LOOK HOW CLOSE YOU’RE SITTING TO TAYE DIGGS!! i’m just… wow. WOW.
Wow, congrats! You look great, your kids look great and your home is lovely. Having Taye Diggs folding my laundry is my new favorite fantasy. Thanks! This was so funny. I hope it really takes off.
Too bad you can only watch it in the US 🙁
yay, friend.
I got so excited and was equally bummed when I realized it’s a no show in Europe 🙁
Oh no, I can’t watch it from the UK! 🙁 I very rarely click on video links too, I am so sad. Good luck with the new venture, I am sure it is wonderful.
That was fun! I’m looking forward to watching the others.
AWEsome!
Gah! Only available in the US.
Me too, please pull some strings to make this available in Canada too! Good on you for new challenges!
THIS IS HILARIOUS! Omg I’m dying! I LOVE it! Great job!
THAT. WAS. AWESOME. Yay congrats mommyshorts! that is really cool and Taye Diggs looks like such a great person! very down to earth! Anddd he is so hot too! 😀
too bad I can’t watch it… please post it to youtube…
Hope you can figure out how us Canadian can watch your new ‘show’. I really enjoy reading your blog even though my kids are 20, 17 and 14. I wish your kids were the same ages as my kids because I could really use some advice! Teenagers are a different breed for sure. Can you say HORMONES! And not just my hormones!
Yay I am so watching this as soon as I get 5 minutes…so that means never, j/k. LoL @ watching yourself look “weird”. I am sure you look amazing an more put together than I Ever do. So happy for you 😉
What the f%&^!! Taye Diggs was in your living room?! I think I just passed out…
Loved the interview. You’re totally charming and funny.
Love Taye’s Potato with Dreads, folding your laundry and hating Angelina Ballerina. Can’t wait to see more!
Just talked to Ulive- they are working on making it available everywhere- I had no idea! I will let you know if and when anything changes.
Can I just hang out in the Green Room for a few episodes? Especially if you get Taye’s wife Edina Menzel — I’ve been a fan of hers since Rent!
Seriously though: Congrats! It’s perfection!
Ulive is working on an embed option so I can post it directly on my blog. I hope it happens soon!
Awesome job Ilana…that was great! I’ve watched Taye Diggs and Rachel Dratch so far…too funny!
Ok so I wanted to tell you I just watched it and I LOVED it. So funny!You are so beautiful and really talented. You go Mom 😉
That was funny!! If Taye Diggs was in my house with cameras we’d be making a whole different type of show! KIDDING (sorry hubs and Idina) haha. Congrats on the web show. Its great. also,If you need a cohost I’m available… Wink wink.
I cracked up at him trying to open the child-proofed toilet! That is the exact reason we never put a lock on ours…I probably would’ve peed myself before I could open it! Ha
I can’t beat “Having Taye Diggs fold my laundry is my new favorite fantasy.” Just can’t. But congrats anyway and I can’t wait to watch more!!! So much fun!!!
OMGOGOMGP
So the video is only 5minutes but how long was Taye Diggs at your house?!!!
I think my favorite part is when he smelled the sock he was using for the sock spider arts and crafts activity! HAHAHA!
That is great- Taye Diggs is awesome and if he was in my bathroom taking off his jacket I would be scared I would start changing “take it off!”. Because hotness.
And you looked awesome, regardless of your pants being at your throat.
Watching this, I kept thinking, “I want a celebrity to come and fold my laundry while I ask random questions!” He seems like a nice guy. Congratulations on your webshow! Yay! Happiness abounds for you! 🙂
Loved this and love the premise…I thought you were a total natural and sooo brave to do this 1 month post-partrum. Great job! (and you give us newer mom bloggers some hope that maybe we can have Taye Diggs in our living room some day).
Holy **** Taye Diggs was on your couch!! Great job with the sock spiders btw.
LOVE! I watched them all and they’re all great!!!!!
Best 4 minutes 21 seconds of my day!! Loved it….It took him way too long to figure out the toilet thing, though. Just sayin’ lol
Just watched all four! They are amazing!!!!!!!! Loved it!
That was great! The child proofed toilet challenge cracked me up!
Every time I watch this I fan myself. He is just delicious and you are so beautiful. You are meant for this my friend. Great job!
Loved it! So funny too.
I watched all of them and love the series! Can’t wait for more.
I watched all of the episodes and they were equally hilarious. The kid chef seemed like the only one who was like, “What is going on here?” Good stuff. Good luck with it!
You are such a bad a**. How exactly did you maintain your composure? I would be so goofy if Taye Diggs even said hello in passing. And, so, you’re still working full time? Mostly full time? Amazing. Totally inspiring.
That. Was. The. Best.
I’m not sure I could even speak if Taye Diggs were in my apartment. Without even watching it I am very impressed. GREAT JOB!!! Gotta go watch.
OMG. I love him and you were so funny!! Congratulations!!!
Tell me that there are going to be more than 1 per month! I couldn’t stop watching, and now I have to wait 4 months for more? I need more funny!!! LOVED IT!!
I totally just watched this while working and loved every second of it!!! Set a reminder in my phone to watch the other episodes when I get home!!
About two hours. And by that I mean– ABOUT TWO HOURS!!!!!!
I watched all 4 webisodes. They were hilarious, so I couldn’t wait for your upcoming blog posts.
So, is the set up that you always leave an unsuspecting guest with the girls? Because that part is super funny! But the part that amazes me the most is that your girls are fine with being left with a stranger for 5 minutes. Mine would freak out! The girls seem really calm!
Awesome! So much fun!! Love it. 🙂
Gah! I loved it! That was so funny!
OMG so funny!!!
Awesome!
You’re a natural! It was only a matter of time.
Another Canadian here (wow, there are a lot of us), so no go 🙁 Hope to watch it soon!
Wow, you did great! Is one of the perks having a team come over to clean the apartment before the guest comes over? If so, sign me up!
I watched all 4 webisodes. Hilarious!! You did a great job, your a natural!
I LOVE IT!!! I am going to delay gratification and wait for you to blog about your next episodes, but I am so thrilled you have a show now!
I would like to let you know that I just violated our company’s policy about streaming videos…twice. Taye Diggs opening a baby proofed toilet lid = priceless & so was Rachel Dratch’s reaction to your question about how her relationship with the penis has changed since having a boy. I hope this show has a longer running than Friends. Congrats!
Ugh… per the first comment: can only view if you are in the United States!!
That was AWESOME! What a good sport he was!
Love, Love, Love it! I laughed my head off! I felt like you could have been in my apartment! (I have a 4 month old and a 17 month old) I will definitely be tuning in for more!
I’m in Canada too 🙁
So very cool! Congrats! (And I admit I had to Google who Taye Diggs is…). lol
I just love how REAL this is. And I almost peed too, watching Taye Diggs try to unlatch the toilet! ha ha ha!!! That was awesome! Excited to watch them all. 😀
Ok I live in Canada, I LOVE Taye Diggs, and now I get all excited to watch this and I can’t? WTF dude? You’re killing me here!! I don’t even have kids and I follow you on Twitter and Instagram cuz you crack me up woman 🙂
I read but never comment on your blog, BUT I just watched ALL the webisodes, and you have to know that they ROCK!
Hilarious!! I also watched all 4 episodes. They were great. And you have a lovely apartment, in addition to a beautiful family.
Sob, sob, i’m in Europe too!
Darn it!!! I’m in germany and can’t watch! ARGH!!!!
What???!!!! Who ARE you??!! That was AWESOME!!
I really loved seeing you and the children live and in person! Watched the first two shows and they were adorable – can’t wait to watch the rest!
What a great idea and even better execution! I love seeing Mazzy in her element (isn’t it great how even the presence of a stranger doesn’t hinder 3 year olds from asking for their nose to be wiped every minute!) and you answering the door with Harlow in your arms and Mazzy requesting chips. This is just fabulous! I cannot wait to see all the episodes.
Wait, where where these people when you needed a celebrity judge two (or three?) years ago!?!
hahaha
So DISSAPOINTED that you allowed him to leave your apartment! I would have tied him up and done things to him. Not in front of the children, of course. HA! LOVED IT! You are the funniest woman I know.
Oh! And what a treat to hear Mazzy’s sweet voice! She is the cutest thing ever. Well, besides my own children and Harlow of course. 😉
He took his jacket off!! Proof there is a god. Loved seeing you guys in action. Keep it up!
I enjoyed it. I love how you put him to work folding laundry! Bah hahaha. He seems really nice.
Most awesome video ever! I can’t wait to see the other ones. And you’re such a natural!!
Ahhhhhh I loved them all!!!!!!!! Congrats how exciting!!! Such a celeb now!!!
Love them! Enough that I spent my very limited computer time watching them all. Good job!
Me too :(. We miss EVERYTHING! Haha.
I loved this. You are so lucky!
I can’t view the videos as I am from Australia.
How can us Aussie fans of Taye see the video of him?
LOVED IT!!!!
I’m from the Philippines and I hope we can watch it soon too. 🙂
Let me know when I can watch this in Europe !!!
Ilana, this is hilarious! He folded your laundry. Its sad that this was what impressed me the most!
I’ve been in London on vacation so I had to wait to watch. But I’m now sitting in Boston airport, watched all four and laughed out loud at every one.
I love this! Hilarious and fun and Taye is HOOOOOT!!!I love him. How did you not pull the old yawn and put your arm around him?
He seems SO NICE.
The webisodes are awesome. Very funny! Also, I want your apartment!
I’ve been meaning to watch for a few days and I just now checked out your show. Not only did Taye Diggs touch your toilet, he took off his jacket in your bathroom, exposing his fabulous arms. I am beyond jealous. Congratulations on the show, I’m so excited for you. It’s been fun seeing your blog grow; I wish I could remember what first brought me here.
I discovered your blog when a mama friend posted a link to your webisodes. LOVE THEM ALL, thank you for the slice of life laughs 🙂
I hope this goes viral, because is shows reality & not anything fake or set up! Hope to see more of the video series!
I just watched all of your shorts and I think that they are fantastic. The fact that you can get a coherent sentence out while a toddler is snaking her body across your head is equally fantastic!
From a mom of four
[…] If you’d like to read the behind the scenes post about how the sound guy couldn’t clip my mic onto the top of my maternity jeans and stuff like that, click here. […]