The Neighborhood‘s Oct. 11 Episode to Tackle ‘Profound’ Tragedy
The Neighborhood will use its platform to normalize open discussion of a common grief, as the Johnsons contend with a devastating loss.
TVLine can exclusively reveal that Beth Behrs’ Gemma will suffer a miscarriage in the Oct. 11 episode. In turn, Gemma and her husband Dave (Max Greenfield) will rely on Calvin (Cedric the Entertainer) and Tina (Tichina Arnold) for emotional support.
The episode was written by executive producer Meg DeLoatch, who took over as showrunner ahead of Season 4. In a statement to TVLine, DeLoatch shares that the story in part reflects her own experience with pregnancy loss, and reveals why she felt it was an important topic to address, particularly on a multi-camera sitcom:
“As a person who’s experienced miscarrying a child, I know firsthand the profound sadness that accompanies such a loss and how it’s compounded by the feeling that it should be a private grief that you don’t talk about. Having such a joyous couple as Dave and Gemma experience such a painful tragedy, illustrates that unfortunately it can happen to anyone, that it’s normal to grieve and with the loving support of Calvin and Tina, it’s important to talk about it. Also, by dealing with it on a multi-cam comedy, it makes it an ordinary human condition, worthy of attention, discussion and normalization.”
In a previous interview with TVLine, DeLoatch expressed her desire to go “deeper” in Season 4. The Sept. 20 premiere, for instance, delved into America’s racist past, while the following episode dealt with veterans and substance abuse.
“It’s an honest show that really reflects, in a lot of ways, our country, and we have an opportunity to address a lot of things that are going on,” she said. “While it is wonderful to do fun episodes and tell a lot of great jokes, it’s also great to be able to tell some meaty stories, as well.”
The miscarriage storyline will unfold in Episode 4, “Welcome to the Porch Pirate,” airing Monday, Oct. 11, at 8/7c on CBS (and streaming on Paramount+).
Miscarriages are far more common than most people believe. It really is imperative to show how to discuss and empathize with those who have suffered such a loss. Years ago it was deemed a topic never to be addressed publicly (outside of the immediate family) and that often added to the emotional hurt.
Never having been blessed with children, my memories of when I had a miscarriage remains my emotional link. So many women opened up and shared with me their similar tragic loss, and I never had a clue. This episode is doing a good thing. You are right, and I also hope they do it with empathy and example.
I watched this show two years ago while in the hospital. I liked all the characters and hoped it would bridge a divide in our hearts and minds. From these few episodes it seemed that only one side was allowed to make bias remarks. Felt like they should do better.
Why would they announce it in advance?? Christ, are we not allowed to be surprised anymore?
It is possible that this topic might be triggering for people who have been through this experience. For sensitive topics like that, prioritizing the emotional welfare of the audience is more important.
They may also put a disclaimer in front of the episode.
I would agree with you. My wife has suffered through 3 miscarriages, so I know that she would have a tough time watching this episode and being surprised by the subject matter.
It is a sitcom, do spoilers really matter in a sitcom? We aren’t talking about some thriller or mystery here.
Not really, I just find it weird.
A lot of what TV LIne and other entertainment news sites do is post spoilers. They might be plotlines, or returns of departed characters, or casting news, but in the end, most of it is a spoiler to one degree or another. I’m not sure why you’re surprised they would do so in this case, especially since it is promoting what they used to call “a very special episode” of this show.
TVLine was designed around Ausiello’s Ask Ausiello. Spoilers is what pays their bills.
My thought exactly ,
You are on the wrong site if you don’t want to know anything in advance haha Plus the article title mentions the future episode. You didn’t have to click on it.
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That is an extremely rude comment. A miscarriage is not a yawn. It is a serious topic that effects many people. I find it rude that you find people’s pain boring. It is not boring!!!!!
It is possible to be uninterested without being disrespectful.
You’re are not wrong in your comment, You can be uninterested and not rude. But it was the way he phrased it. Just to say yawn, next. Is does not respecting the pain that everyone has gone through. This is not a topic where you just roll your eyes at. He put out a direct comment that was hurtful and definitely did not show any empathy towards women. I have been one of those and do not need a male voice telling me how to feel.
Yawn…. I eat fetus for breakfast.
This is not a topic for a so called “comedy”.
It’s very common and not a “tragedy”.
Sad yes, but a natural occurrence, experienced by many.
I detest comedies that try to “go deep”. Stay in your lane.
I too feel the same way. My daughter miscarried three times and I was there for the third miscarriage. It was a very tragic, unreal sadness. She is now expecting baby number four. Her first to carry to what I hope and pray will be full term due October 30th , a few short weeks. We watch this and a lot of tv together. We watch “The Neighborhood “ to laugh. Not to cry, not to relive those hard sad moments.
I will be talking with her about this episode get her opinion before we watch. There is no humor in a miscarriage. I don’t see the connection.
I agree.
Never seen M*A*S*H*, huh?
M*A*S*H is my all time favorite tv show partly becasue of the way they were able to blend comedy with strong issues. For me, though, that is different than “The Neighborhood” because the very setting of M*A*S*H (“Mobile Army Surgical Hospital”) told us that there was going to be heavy subject matter with every single episode. I expect “The Neighborhood” to be lighter in tone.
Do you not remember the very special episodes of any Norman Lear comedies? Covered rape, abortion, miscarriage, child porn child molestation, racism, sexism, ageism, child abuse. I could keep going. The shows that people are the most nostalgic about spoke to the hard topics of life. Maybe see how they handle it before you judge
It’s the third of the season to be very special. It’s not a special occurrence when it’s every new episode
Exactly. This isn’t what this show is about or should be about. It’s always been a fun show making us laugh and enjoy a relaxing night with family. New show runners are turning it into a movement and I’m not interested. Anymore of this and I’m not watching anymore.
This is one time I am okay being “spoiled” ahead of the episode. As someone who has had two miscarriages, it is a profound tragedy to the person experiencing it. Many years later, I think of those two lost babies almost every day. It’s a massive loss that is life changing. I’m appreciative when shows talk about this. It needs to be talked about even more. It’s incredibly common.
I thought it was a mistake to add a baby to the show but I didn’t expect the miscarriage story. Tough topic,, hopefully they handle it respectfully.
Has it ever occurred to today’s TV producers that many of us watch television to get away from the real world? They call it “escapism” for a reason. While in general I applaud the notion of addressing certain things in a better way than we did for so many years, there’s a part of me that will always think that a sitcom may not always be the best place to do so.
I could understand feeling that way. But to my understanding, sitcoms are where you could always find this kind of subject matter on television. Growing Pains, Fresh Prince, Facts of Life, MASH.. they always had special types of episodes where they managed to balance comedy and serious events. I feel like they stopped doing that for many years, especially on single cam comedies. It seems to be resurfacing though, especially since ‘MOM’ premiered. I kind of welcome it.
How could you. I’m so done with this show. It was so good. Best cast ever. How could they even do an episode like that. Shame on everyone involved. So long!
Wtf, why?
Why do produces feel the need to “go deeper” and ruin good shows? I wholeheartedly agree with an episode addressing such topics as miscarriage, but using this platform to “make a statement” regarding racial tensions, etc. is taking away from the reason we watch these shows at all. This is a form of escape from the things that are going on in the world. The viewers don’t necessarily want to “go deeper.” Please don’t ruin another good sitcom by making it a platform for social statements!
Do you actually watch this show, because racial tensions and differences is sorta baked into the shows DNA; hello, it’s about a black family who suddenly have white neighbors, and at first, the black patriarch is not too thrilled.
I totally agree!!
I wonder if the original showrunner was still in power, Gemma would have had had a miscarriage.
Good Point. It would fit the show to have the baby on it. That would have brought lots of laughs, built in.
Shouldn’t of had any pregnancy at all..boring!!.
I wondered the same thing …
So sad for Gemma
IM LOVING THE DIRECTION OF THE SHOW…Can you do a episode about the current state of Black on Black Violence…
Doesn’t fit the narrative only white people bad and those darn cops. 🙃
All in the Family had already done that 40 years with a certain amount of good taste and decorum. Try something new if you want to go to the next level.
I’m tired of comedies using their shows for PSA’s. I watch t.v to get away from the problems of everyday life, not to have it rammed down my throat.
Surprised a comedy show would tackle a serious story line. Personal experience will help balance the emotional aspect of the
show’s purpose.
You folks arguing about this do realize that it’s make believe, right? No miscarriage actually happened.
Let the show be a surprise for a change. Great subject,but keep a secret for a change!
Thanks for spoiling this episode. I literally had no choice based on how it was presented on my articles of possible interest. I didn’t even read the article for it to be ruined. If the episode has either recently come out, or you know in this case, hasn’t come out at all, you shouldn’t let a spoiler be in the teaser. I am a kind individual who looks over a lot of errors because we are human but this was purposely mean. It’s also unfortunate that nothing will be done about this, I will receive no apology, because I am just one person who doesn’t matter.
Thanks for something to laugh about..t.v. Has sooo much violance and bad stuff on..the World is in such bad shape..we need to laugh some..instead of everything beong soooo glooomly…thanks
I for one am glad the baby will go away, to soon in the series for a baby. And they can tackle a serious subject as well.
Thanks for the SPOILER ALERT…jerks.
Family is the First intuition. I understand the importance of the story line ,but as a comedy we all come to love and enjoy would not thought the fun of Dave preparing how long to get his wife to the hospital. Having the talk with Grover on his joys and responsibility of the older brother role, and other fun we could have had with this story line. to have the baby come into this world and the Happy Gift from God it is. Just saying .
I carried my baby girl for 35 weeks before we lost her.I struggled with the whole pergnancy,we found out early on that she had downs syndrome.i finally decided I was up for the challenge,then suddenly we lost her.That morning at my checkup they couldn’t hear a heartbeat.We were devasted.I grieved for so long and still do and that was in 2007.But in 2009,we had a healthy beautiful girl.We already had our son who was 2 at the time that all happened.But it is a pain you will never get over.
I really had a hard time wrapping my head around these comments. I can’t believe how many feel the subject of miscarriage should be censored for what it might bring up for some people. Are we so self involved as a people that we think only our issues and feelings should be considered?
I cannot watch tv or movies, or listen to music without some negative issue being presented in even an hour. How many tv commercials for cancer drugs to “let one live longer?” How many watching have cancer, or just lost someone, etc are reminded. Should we stop all of those, or show a commercial to warn of the next commercial? The Conners had a character show up and die of cancer with no warning. Did you all complain about that?
How many cop show are on, that have subjects of rape and torture, sometimes with victims that are children, that remind someone watching of their life. How many songs come on the radio that have sad reminders of lost loves, etc. etc. and on and on.
However, has anyone else realized that all the subjects in this show that have been deal with have all involved he issue of race, and resentments, and the lack of understanding how the other side experiences life. Case in point, the recent episode in which Tina knew the new teacher was not black because she would have never spoken to a police officer the way she did, if she was.
I do not think this episode was written as a way to surprise and hurt people. I also do not think this show is a light, funny, piece fluff show that should not address these kind of issues. Like MASH it is a show that uses comedy to deal with a very serious matter. Racism.
Here was an issue that transcended racism. Wow. Both couples experienced the same tragedy, one that had nothing to do with their race. Race did not factor into their pain and grief and make it worse or easier. They were four people who were friends, who helped and understood each other for a short time with an issue totally devoid of racial issues. They were just four people who cared and helped each other and got closer with absolutely no hint of racism, or resentment for the lack of it, involved.
I think more moments where people can interact without race being the elephant in the room, and experiencing the feeling of people just being people with the same heart and minds in the human condition even just for a little while, would go a long way in eventually overcoming racism.
Kudos to the show for presenting the friendship in a moment without any racial issues involved. Kudos to them for recognizing it.