“Rock Me Baby” was a short-lived TV sitcom that debuted over the one-time UPN network (1995-2006) in the fall of 2003. It told the story of a radio “shock jock,” Jimmy Cox (played by Dan Cortese), and his wife, Beth (played by Bianca Kajlich), who, having recently had their first child (a boy named Otis), are suddenly (though not surprisingly) seeing their old life of late-night partying and socializing replaced with late-night feedings and diaper changing.
When it debuted, the critics despised this show. Even the usually softball “TV Guide” called it “Dismal, even by UPN standards” and, later in their brief review, threatened to “call Child Services.”
Probably the best that could ever be said about “Rock Me Baby” was that at least it was somewhat better liked than the program that UPN debuted right after it—“The Mullets.”
That show, named after the infamous hairstyle worn by two of its main characters, starred John O’Hurley and Loni Anderson. Anderson played the mom of the two mullet-ed boys (played by Michael Weaver and David Hornsby) who worked as roofers and loved their beer and their WWE. But mom had just married a rather up-tight game show host (O’Hurley) who bristled at the behavior of his two new stepsons. You get the idea. “The Mullets” only ran eight episodes before UPN yanked it from its schedule.
In contrast, “Rock Me Baby” completed a full season of 22 episodes which probably made all involved think that a second season was all but assured. It wasn’t. “Baby” aired its final installment in May of 2004.
So the show wasn’t a hit, but was it worthy of all the disdain? Or was it just an easy target?
At the time, handsome Dan Cortese was a polarizing force. Arguably one of the original “bros,” his ascent into the Hollywood mainstream was achieved via MTV and those Burger King commercials and did not endear him to many. And no one at that time was championing UPN.
Further, the program was attempting a very difficult balancing act. It wanted to hold onto something edgy, hip, and MTV-like but at the same time be a somewhat straightforward domestic sitcom right down to the living room/kitchen to the left-side set where this new family lived.
In terms of the former, its hoped-for hip quotient, “Rock Me Baby” at least was able to welcome to its stage during its one-season run some interesting guest stars, perhaps even some with some real “cred.” These included: the Violent Femmes, Dr. Dre and Ed Lover, Amber Valetta, Jessica Alba, and Casper Van Dien, among others.
But, then, the plotlines of the show were pretty much sitcom standard: Beth finds out Jimmy proposed more than once to his old girlfriend; Jimmy’s snoring is keeping Beth awake; Jimmy and Beth try to get their baby into a prestigious pre-school, etc.
But, then, to try to bring the edge, the writers for the show probably went about it in the wrong way, too often interjecting into episodes a few too many jokes about breastfeeding and potty training and flatulence. (All of this was not helped on the show by the heavy-handed use of a laugh track or by the show’s many pop culture references which now are, of course, very dated.)
But I ask you… can something be both crass and charming?
For all of “Rock Me Baby’s” missed or predictable moments, there remained something good-hearted, affectionate and likable about it.
Even the newspaper and magazine haters at the time had to point out the good chemistry between the program’s two leads. And there was something universal about this couple and their brand-new predicament--Jimmy’s on-air partner says Jimmy’s gone “soft” since becoming a dad and Beth’s friend hints that she’s not as much “fun” as she used to be. Just how much of yourself do you give up when you become a new parent?
Still, for all that, Jimmy and Beth always wanted to do right by Baby Otis and always knew that they were the problem, not him. The warmth of these characters—which stood in distinct contrast to the hostility or, worse, the constant indifference, of so many small screen characters (sorry, lookin’ at you “Seinfeld” bunch), makes even this most disliked of short-lived sitcoms something sweet.
At first, UPN seemed happy with the program and the ratings it was getting every week. In their promos, they call the show a “hit” and, as mentioned, they kept the show on the air for a full season. Maybe though that was just wishful thinking.
Interestingly, for the show’s two leads, each of them has the distinction of both starring in series that, despite their lengthy runs, garnered few accolades, and, it seems, very few fans. For Cortese, before “Rock Me Baby,” he had a 1997-2000 run on the sitcom “Veronica’s Closet.” That Kirstie Alley sitcom survived thanks to its various good timeslots over the years on NBC. For Bianca Kajlich, after “Rock Me,” she co-starred with Oliver Hudson and David Spade on CBS’s “Rules of Engagement.” That show aired from 2007 to 2013 but I’ve never met anyone who claimed to be a fan of it.
Cortese is still working now, as both actor and host. Kajlich is a frequent presence on screen and had reoccurring roles on “The Winchesters” and on “Bosch.” Ironically, Kajlich is now married (in real-life!) to Mike Catherwood, a.k.a. “Psycho Mike.” Catherwood is a long-time radio personality—some might call him a “shock jock”—who appeared on TV’s “Dancing With the Stars” and was a co-host with Dr. Drew on radio’s “Loveline.” Perhaps Kajlich’s time on “Rock Me,” gave her some good practice.
All 22 episodes of “Rock Me Baby” are currently streaming on Youtube.
