SMILF
GenreSitcom
Created byFrankie Shaw
StarringFrankie Shaw
Miguel Gomez
Samara Weaving
Rosie O'Donnell
Raven Goodwin
ComposerDaniel Hart
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes18
Production
Executive producersLee Eisenberg
Gene Stupnitsky
Frankie Shaw
Michael London
Scott King
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time30 minutes
Production companiesSupahsmaht Productions
Quantity Entertainment
Groundswell Productions
ABC Signature
Showtime Networks
Original release
NetworkShowtime
ReleaseNovember 5, 2017 (2017-11-05) –
March 31, 2019 (2019-03-31)

SMILF is an American sitcom starring, created, written, and directed by Frankie Shaw. It was based on her short film of the same title.[1] The series premiered on Showtime on November 5, 2017. The series' name, SMILF, is a play on the term "MILF", with the "S" standing for "single",[2] or "Southie" (a nickname for South Boston), or both.[3] On November 29, 2017, Showtime renewed the series for a second season.[4]

Rosie O'Donnell co-stars as Tutu, the mother of Shaw's character Bridgette.[1] Roseanne Barr was supposed to take on the role of Tutu, but due to a knee injury and subsequent surgery, she could not do so.[5][6] Connie Britton has a recurring role as Ally, Bridgette's boss.[7] Miguel Gomez and Samara Weaving are also in the cast, as well as Raven Goodwin, who first appeared in a recurring role but was promoted to a starring role in the second season.

On December 17, 2018, The Hollywood Reporter published an exclusive report that cast and crew members were alleging misconduct on the set, including "inappropriately handled sex scenes", and that co-star Weaving had left the production over breach of contract in the filming of a sex scene.[8] On March 8, 2019, a few days after the fourth episode of season two was broadcast, the series was canceled by ABC Signature, who also suspended a future production deal with Shaw.[9][10] Showtime played out the full run of season two, with the final episode airing on March 31, 2019.[10]

Cast

Main

Recurring

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
18November 5, 2017 (2017-11-05)December 31, 2017 (2017-12-31)
210January 20, 2019 (2019-01-20)March 31, 2019 (2019-03-31)

Season 1 (2017)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
11"A Box of Dunkies & Two Squirts of Maple Syrup"Frankie ShawFrankie ShawOctober 20, 2017 (2017-10-20) (online)
November 5, 2017 (2017-11-05) (Showtime)		0.768[11]
Single mother Bridgette Bird finds an old hookup for an opinion on her post-birth vagina. They intend to have sex, but he stops and leaves after discovering her son on the bed. Her baby daddy Rafi starts dating someone hot.
22"1,800 Filet-O-Fishes & One Small Diet Coke"Leslye HeadlandFrankie Shaw & Emily GoldwynNovember 12, 2017 (2017-11-12)0.547[12]
Left in charge of Ally's house for the day, Bridgette fantasizes about living the life of a wealthy stay-at-home mother; Larry develops a suspicious rash which prompts Nelson to get Larry vaccinated without anti-vaxxer Rafi's knowledge or consent
33"Half a Sheet Cake & a Blue-Raspberry Slushie"Leslye HeadlandJess Dweck & Frankie ShawNovember 19, 2017 (2017-11-19)0.476[13]
Bridgette searches for additional income, and runs into multiple unusual situations while doing so.
44"Deep-Dish Pizza & a Shot of Holy Water"Leslye HeadlandKarey DornettoNovember 26, 2017 (2017-11-26)0.516[14]
Bridgette, Eliza, and Nelson participate in an extreme mud run; Rafi and Tutu baptize Larry without Bridgette's consent.
55"Run, Bridgette, Run or Forty-Eight Burnt Cupcakes & Graveyard Rum"Amy York RubinZach StraussDecember 3, 2017 (2017-12-03)0.529[15]
Bridgette feels conflicted on Father's Day as she chooses different paths to forgive Rafi for baptizing Larry. This episode refers to Run Lola Run.
66"Chocolate Pudding & a Cooler of Gatorade"Amy York RubinSarah L. Jones & Mel ShimkovitzDecember 10, 2017 (2017-12-10)0.575[16]
Having realized her passion for basketball, Bridgette tries out for the WNBA; Rafi comes to a crossroads after a visit with Father Eddie; Tutu reconnects with someone from her past.
77"Family-Sized Popcorn & a Can of Wine"Frankie ShawScott KingDecember 17, 2017 (2017-12-17)0.567[17]
Bridge, Eliza, and Larry spend a day together searching for Bridge's towed car; Tutu has a manic episode.
88"Mark's Lunch & Two Cups of Coffee"Frankie ShawFrankie ShawDecember 31, 2017 (2017-12-31)0.407[18]
Bridgette matches with a man on Tinder who she believes to be her estranged father; Tutu prepares to go on a cruise; Rafi moves in with Nelson.

Season 2 (2019)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
91"Shit Man, I've Literally Failed"Frankie ShawScott KingJanuary 4, 2019 (2019-01-04) (online)
January 20, 2019 (2019-01-20) (Showtime)		0.242[19]
Bridgette's search for her father in Philadelphia leads her to a dead end. After losing her wallet on the plane, Bridgette is stuck at the airport until they find it. Meanwhile, Tutu leaves Larry in the care of a suicidal Joe while she goes shopping. When Brigitte comes to pick Larry up, she discovers Joe drowned in his soup while overdosing on sleeping pills. During the funeral, Brigitte discovers her father's obituary. Brigitte returns to the funeral and says a few words about Joe.
102"Sorry Mary, I'm Losing Faith"Frankie ShawFrankie Shaw & Rachel LeavittJanuary 27, 2019 (2019-01-27)0.203[20]
While getting her tattoo removed, Bridgette makes plans with a tattoo artist. When Bridgette tries to find someone to watch Larry, she finds an unstable Ally who manipulates Bridgette into having dinner with her. During Ally's birthday dinner, Bridgette and Ally talk about her husband's affair. Ally breaks down and fires Bridgette. Meanwhile, Tutu and Jackie clash with Joe's son while moving Joe's things. After he leaves, the two get high and reminisce about Joe. Which culminates in Tutu smashing his car with a golf club. Bridgette blows off her date to go to church. She talks to a statue of the Virgin Mary and steals it.
113"Surrogate Mothers Inspire Loving Families"Frankie ShawEmily Goldwyn & Jess LamourFebruary 10, 2019 (2019-02-10)0.206[21]
The episode deals with the ripple effects of Ally's birthday dinner date with Bridgette and the impact it has on the people around Ally and Bridgette, told in several short segments. Ally's daughter Chloe has a very close bond with Ida, Ally's housekeeper. Chloe comes home from a date feeling rejected, but Ida consoles her when Ally isn't there. Elsie is excited to go to a concert with her sister Mindy later in the evening after Ally gives her old refrigerator to her. With her newly freed-up money, Elsie is able to get her hair done. Unfortunately, Elsie misses out on going when she gets a call from Ally to babysit Larry while Ally and Bridgette go out for Ally's birthday. She ultimately spends the evening with Larry and Mindy, missing the concert. Ally gets a call from her son and has to pick him up from school because he is not feeling well. While trying to bond with him, Ally wants to go into a store, desperately trying to obtain a rare and expensive Birkin bag. Despite Ally not being very kind to her, a very helpful Mindy decides to help Ally get the bag, as they share the same birthday.
124"So Maybe I Look Feminine"Frankie ShawHeather V. RegnierFebruary 17, 2019 (2019-02-17)0.196[22]
Larry spends the weekend with Rafi and Nelson invites Bridgette to go to a salon with her. Bridgette procrastinates at home but decides to go. While having her hair done, she meets a bride-to-be and they strike up a friendship. The bride invites Bridgette and Nelson to go to a charity polo match with her and her friends. They go along and Bridgette meets Kevin Bacon, who fingers her in a barn and asks her to go out for a meal with him after the event has finished. Bridgette returns to her friends but the bride is struck in the face by a polo ball. Bridgette pictures herself alone in the field and then finds herself in her apartment, the whole thing having been a daydream.
135"Single Mom in Love Forever"Cate ShortlandFrankie ShawFebruary 24, 2019 (2019-02-24)0.142[23]
Set in 2014, Bridgette is pregnant and engaged to Rafi. They go for an ultrasound as Bridgette's contractions have started and argue about Rafi having kissed another woman recently and Bridgette's desire for a home birth. Bridgette tries to have sex with Rafi in the car before they go home but he doesn't want to and they talk about their plans to move to New York after the baby is born. They go to the park and see Tutu and Joe there; Bridgette and Tutu argue about a home birth and Bridgette walks home, attempting to steal a signed Larry Bird jersey on the way. Bridgette's contractions intensify throughout the evening and she tells Rafi that she can't marry him just before she gives birth.
146"Should Mothers Incur Loss Financially?"Cate ShortlandFrankie Shaw & Jessica MooreMarch 3, 2019 (2019-03-03)0.215[24]
Bridgette has a job interview which goes well until they find out she has a child and tell her the job wouldn't suit her. She registers for food stamps but is embarrassed at a supermarket when she can't use them to buy non-food items and shouts at Tutu when she refuses to pay for them for her. Joe's son tells Tutu that he plans to sell Joe's house, which Tutu lives in. Rafi and Nelson get into an argument over their respective jobs but they make up and agree to get married. Bridgette and Tutu make up and agree that in one year, Bridgette will have a good job and Tutu will own a house.
157"Smile More If Lying Fails"Kerry WashingtonFrankie Shaw & Thembi L. Banks & Rochée JeffreyMarch 10, 2019 (2019-03-10)0.250[25]
Bridgette and Larry get matching cornrows. Rafi and Nelson tell Bridgette that they plan to get married and that she will not be invited to the wedding. Bridgette goes to a party with Eliza and ends up going to see a man she was supposed to go on a date with. They have sex and Bridgette accidentally sends him a text saying how bad it is. She leaves and meets up with Eliza, who helps Bridgette take out her cornrows.
168"Sex Makes It Less Formal"Cate ShortlandEmily GoldwynMarch 17, 2019 (2019-03-17)0.185[26]
Rafi and Nelson have sex and he is frustrated that she does not orgasm. He leaves to attend a surprise bachelor party that Bridgette has organised and Nelson is joined by her mother and sister, who have flown in from Australia. Nelson tries on her wedding dress but appears to be getting cold feet, has a panic attack and cuts herself out with scissors. Bridgette and Rafi have fun at the party until she finds a $4,000 engagement ring in his bag and shouts at him for valuing Nelson more than Larry. He storms out but they make up and he invites her to his wedding. Meanwhile, Tutu finds a letter from Joe explaining that he had long planned to kill himself and that he only delayed because he was "selfish" and wanted to spend more time with her. He tells her to live the rest of her life for herself.
179"Single Mom Is Losing Faith"Zach StraussFrankie Shaw & Zach StraussMarch 24, 2019 (2019-03-24)0.175[27]
Bridgette fantasises that she is a cowgirl in the Old West.
1810"Single Mom Is Looking (for) Family"Cate ShortlandZach Strauss & Halley FeifferMarch 31, 2019 (2019-03-31)0.149[28]
Bridgette and Rafi celebrate Larry's birthday and kiss. Nelson tells Bridgette that she is pregnant and that she fears Rafi has relapsed. At Larry's birthday party, Rafi is high on Oxycodone and Bridgette confronts him; he promises to stay clean. Tutu reveals to Bridgette that she has another daughter, who she was forced to give up for adoption by her parents.

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has an approval rating of 82% based on 38 reviews, with an average rating of 6.42/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "A questionable name and superficially familiar tropes mask SMILF's raw, tender core and surprisingly fresh perspective."[29] Metacritic, assigned a weighted average score of 64 out of 100 based on 20 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[30] The show was included in a list on Refinery 29 of 'The 17 Best TV Shows For Women Of 2017', which said, "If there's one new fall 2017 show you're going to watch, let it be Showtime's SMILF [...] Sadly, television rarely allows women to be so layered."[31]

The second season has a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 7 reviews, with an average rating of 7.33/10.[32] On Metacritic, it has a score of 73 out of 100, based on 5 critics.[33]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result
2018 75th Golden Globe Awards[34] Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Frankie Shaw Nominated
Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy SMILF Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b Petski, Denise (August 8, 2017). "'White Famous' & 'SMILF' Get Premiere Dates On Showtime – TCA". deadline.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  2. ^ Barsanti, Sam (May 11, 2017). "The 'S' stands for 'single' in new Showtime comedy SMILF". avclub.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  3. ^ Wilson, Adam (November 12, 2007). "The Southie in 'SMILF,' a Very Boston Comedy". The New Yorker. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  4. ^ Schwartz, Ryan (November 29, 2017). "SMILF Renewed for Season 2". TVLine. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  5. ^ "Rosie O'Donnell was replaced by Roseanne Barr at the last minute on 'SMILF'". EW.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  6. ^ "Rosie almost had a major role in 'SMILF'". Boston.com. June 5, 2018. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  7. ^ Warren, Andrew. "Back in action: Acclaimed comedy 'Broad City' cranks up the laughs". TV Media. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  8. ^ Masters, Kim (December 17, 2018). "'SMILF' Creator Frankie Shaw Investigated Over Misconduct Claims". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 4, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  9. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 8, 2019). "'SMILF' Canceled By Showtime After Two Seasons". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  10. ^ a b Masters, Kim; Sandberg, Bryn Elise (March 8, 2019). "'SMILF' Canceled at Showtime Amid Probe Into Creator Frankie Shaw's Alleged Misconduct". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  11. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (November 7, 2017). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.5.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  12. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (November 14, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.12.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on November 14, 2017. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  13. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (November 21, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.19.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on November 21, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  14. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (November 29, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.26.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on November 29, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  15. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (December 5, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.3.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  16. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (December 12, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.10.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  17. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (December 19, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.17.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on December 19, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  18. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (January 3, 2018). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.31.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on January 3, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  19. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (January 23, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.20.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  20. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (January 29, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.27.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on January 30, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  21. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (February 12, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.10.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on February 13, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  22. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (February 17, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.17.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  23. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (February 26, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.24.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on February 26, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  24. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (March 5, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.3.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 5, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  25. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (March 12, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.10.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 12, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  26. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (March 19, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.17.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  27. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (March 26, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.24.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 26, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  28. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (April 2, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.31.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  29. ^ "SMILF: Season 1 (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on November 26, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  30. ^ "SMILF: Season 1 reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 11, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  31. ^ "These Were The Best TV Shows Of 2017". Archived from the original on April 12, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  32. ^ "SMILF: Season 2 (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on February 11, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  33. ^ "SMILF: Season 2 reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  34. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (December 11, 2017). "Golden Globes: Big Little Lies, FEUD, Fargo, This Is Us and The Handmaid's Tale Lead TV Nominations". TVLine. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2017.

External links

Paramount+ with Showtime original programming
Categories