Baby Manual Spawns Reality TV Series

[John]

Baby Manual Spawns Reality TV Series

Wed Mar 26, 1:33 AM ET
By Josef Adalian

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - An upcoming book that takes an irreverent look at infant-rearing is being turned into a reality TV series.

The project will be based on "The Baby Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips and Advice on First-Year Maintenance," written by Louis Borgenicht, M.D., and Joe Borgenicht ("The Action Hero's Handbook").

Gary Grossman, who will executive produce the project with partner Robb Weller, said the goal is to launch a series that would mix elements of traditional informational shows with some of the trappings of more recent reality entries.

"It's sort of Dr. Spock in a reality TV setting," Grossman told Daily Variety, referring to the legendary child care expert. "But we're not going to vote any babies off the show."

Weller/Grossman will begin pitching the concept to potential buyers within the next few weeks. Grossman said he hopes each season of the show will follow a different set of parents and babies, using the families to help bring to life the advice contained in "The Baby Owner's Manual."

"We want to give people the straight poop," Grossman said, pun clearly intended.

Debbie Supnik, director of development for Weller/Grossman, said the show also will deal with "the strife between parents as they raise a baby. It's not just about their interaction with the baby."

"The Baby Owner's Manual" will be published by Quirk Books, which also released "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook." That book was the basis for TBS' weekly series of the same name.

[cali]

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