AYK: Since you are about to become a Jewish Mother, what qualities of the stereotype are you hoping to embrace or reject?
Sheryl Zohn: I’m hoping to avoid the ‘overfeeding’ and ‘overworrying,’ but the infinite love part is something I could get behind.
AYK: You have a, well, obsession with the Muppets. Are you concerned that your child may be more a Blue’s Clues or Dora Explorer kid, and may not get Ernie and Bert?
SZ: The Muppets are great, but a big part of my adult obsession with them came from the fact that I briefly worked for the company that created them. So my kid is welcome to love any branded character she wants, as long as that character is signing my paycheck.
AYK: You and Rob have been writing together for years. What part did you have in “Apocalypse How?”
SZ: I had no part in “Apocalypse How,” aside from watching a few old movies with Rob (and asking him repeatedly if he was done with it yet).
AYK: What was your parent’s reaction to the big news about the baby? Did you video tape it?
SZ: We told our parents the big news over the phone. My mom was the one who was really desperate for a grandchild, but she wasn’t home when I called. Instead, my Dad answered, and when I told him he said, “That’s fantastic. I’ve got to sit down.” His next reaction: “How will we pay for college?” I begged my Dad not to tell my Mom, just to have her call me back.
That night, my Mom called back and clearly didn’t know anything was up (thanks for keeping it secret, Dad). I told her that there was good news: My childhood friend was pregnant. I was hoping to bait her into saying, “And what about you? When are you getting pregnant?” I’m not sure if it was years of having her dream denied, or maybe she was just tired, but she didn’t bite. So I added, “And there’s more good news: I’m pregnant too.” There was complete silence. For a full minute. Finally, in a small but hopeful voice she asked, “You’re not teasing me, are you?” I told her no, but she asked it again, “Really, you’re not making a joke?” Clearly, she needed more proof, so I put Rob on speakerphone and let him confirm the news. She was, of course, overjoyed. And then she wanted me off the line so she could call all her friends.
AYK: Do you guys have a birth plan? (I asked Rob the same question.)
SZ: Our birth plan is the same plan we have for most things in life: “play it by ear.” You never know what will happen, so why try to control it? I’m having a baby, not planning a party.
AYK: Rob says that you have a “Go Bag” and an “Earthquake Kit”. Are you apocalypse nerds?
SZ: I come from a family of worriers. In fact, I’d say “worrying” is my parents’ favorite hobby. So an apocalypse is just one of many things I worry about, along with forgetting to lock the front door or getting run over by a bicycle delivery man.
AYK: What kinds of phobias or neuroses are you hoping to instill in your child?
SZ: I’m hoping she has a ‘messy-room-phobia,’ so I’ll never have to ask her to clean up.
AYK: What are the kinds of parenting traits that really, really annoy you?
SZ: I think it’s a little early for me to start complaining about other parents. Let me get through the birth - let alone a few birthday parties - and then I’m sure I’ll be able to give you a long and detailed list.
AYK: You’ve worked on every sci-fi channel reality show. Are you concerned that your exposure to fake aliens and fake supernatural events may have had an effect on your child?
SZ: Actually, most of the shows I worked on debunked these phenomena, so if anything, she might come out too cynical.
- Articles by this Author:
- That Daddy Feeling
- Antique Roadshow Junky
- Interview with Rob Kutner
View all articles by this author