NBC Universal: The Mysteries of Laura
Photo from the episode “Mystery of the Dead Date”
This post is brought to you by nbc universal and BlogHer
Laura Diamond (Debra Messing of Will and Grace) is a dedicated NYPD homicide detective trying to create a work/life balance under incredibly challenging circumstances. She is the classic overwhelmed, multitasking, “Working Mom” trying to be everything to everyone under trying conditions. Balancing work, family, and personal needs can be difficult even in the best conditions, so we can imagine Laura’s burden: She is mom to twin boys who test her patience in many ways. She is in the early throes of a potentially explosive divorce. She has a dangerous and demanding job and must find ways to make it all work. Today, 63% of women define success as finding balance between work and personal life. How do you define success? Can we have it all? Even after divorce?
During the special preview on September 17th, we see Laura with her partner, the hot and sexy Laz Alonso, working the streets to hunt down and arrest criminals; some are even close to the bone. In between dealing with a mysterious murder case, she is also trying to place her twins into a special private school that would provide her with more childcare. Her soon to be ex-hubby comes late for the home-visit/meeting scheduled with a stiff, conservative representative of the intended school, and if you watched the show, (spoiler warning) you’d know it ended with disastrous results because Laura fed the boys something most moms imagine doing when the kids are driving us crazy. Laura’s ex tries to convince the visitor that she is a great mom, but to no avail. Now she must find another school. How do moms juggle the demands of daily life while trying to respect the demands of their workplace? I can only say – with great difficulty!
One thing we observe on the show is that Laura employs a number of strategies: she has a helpful work partner, Laz, and she shares her concerns with him. She uses humor to deflect the ridiculous and sometimes stressful exchanges with her twins and her soon to ex-hubby. She willingly admits that it’s a crazy life and makes adjustments when needed; her operative choice of action is to stay flexible and busy even while admitting that she is a “hot mess.” Laura is delightful because those of us who struggle with similar situations will be able to relate to the huge amounts of work required to keep it all running. She uses humor to deflect awful moments and yet holds her own in explosive situations that could cost her job and even her life. How does humor help you balance the demands of your household?
What I found plausible about the show is the fact that they didn’t try to solve all the problems in neat little packages. Balancing work, home, and life challenges is a work in progress and we don’t always have ready answers for difficulties. One thing we all do is reach out to others who can help relieve our stress and then try our best to be the best mom. I’d recommend this show to every mom; working in and out of the home. What tips/advice would you give to other women juggling work and family life?
Be sure to join me at 7pm ET on Wednesday, September 24th for the #MysteriesofLaura Twitter Party where I’ll be co-hosting alongside @SJBlahBlahBlog. We’ll be talking about the new show, life as a working mom and our own “hot mess” moments! Then, tune-in for the official premier of The Mysteries of Laura on NBC starting at 8/7c! Also, check out what people are saying on Facebook and Twitter.
And for those joining in on the Twitter Party, you’ll have a chance to win a $250 SpaFinder Gift Card to pamper yourself after a long day of juggling life! Read the official rules here to learn how to enter.
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If you have any questions, please leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you. Thank You!
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS:All Photographs: From NBC Studios
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
I like this blog! If I may, I’ve also heard one other criticism of the pilot. Namely, that it shows a working mother as a source of ridiculous comedy in a time where working mothers are everywhere. I have not watched the pilot, I just heard that somewhere, but this reminded me of it. I’m sorry if I sound rude or annoying. Have a great day!
Actually, I’m glad you brought it up. Some of the humor might seem so slapstick, but if we remember that Laura is overwhelmed and not trying to be perfect then some of the behavior will make sense.
I like her, she is a great actress! I have not seen the show yet, but based on your review here i may have to give it a chance.
This should be a great show. I met Debra Messing when she visited Zimbabwe several years ago as a UN Ambassador. She’s a top-flight actress and a great human being.
I love Debra Messing! She’s the greatest.
This sounds like a great show that I will have to make sure to set my DVR for it! Love shows like this.
This sounds like a very good show! I’ll have to try to tune in and watch it. Thank you for the recommendation!
I forgot that this was on last week. It does look really good and I hope it stays on tv.
I’ve always loved Debra Messing, and this show looks so good. Can’t wait to start watching!
I have been seeing commercials for this show all summer. It looks like a cute show.
I LOVED Will and Grace and can’t wait to see this!! Luckily I have DVR so I plan to have a mini marathon one night when my boys are at my parents house 🙂
I think I’m going to give this show a try. Love Debra Messing!
This sounds like a show I would really enjoy. I need to check it out.
I have not seen Deborah Messing in much lately, love her.
Never heard of the show, not something id watch, but thorough post you shared
This sounds like a great show and twitter party. Thank you for sharing, I rarely get the opportunity to tune into too many shows during the week.
This does sound like a good show to watch as a mom. It is difficult to balance it all and we need to lean on others at times.
This looks like a great show! I’m excited to get hooked one some new shows now that my standbys have ended.
This sounds like a really great show. I love Debra Messing!
I think I’m going to like this new show! I’ve like Debra Messing in Will & Grace and her character in this show really appeals to me too.
I love Debra Messing! I was a big Will & Grace fan. I will definitely tune in.
I have not heard of this show before, but love Debra Messing. Will have to check it out!
Sounds like a great show, though I hardly watch shows from the US these days. I’m hooked to my Korean and Japanese dramas and variety shows! 🙂
We don’t get standard TV anymore so I hope there’s a way I’ll get to see this. Looks like a good show.
Love Debra Messing! I just saw previews for this and it is definitely on my list to watch this season.
Huh, I hadn’t heard of this yet. But in all honesty, there’s something about Laura Diamond that makes me nuts. I’ll probably skip it
I’m not a big fan of TV so not sure if I’ll be watching but Messing is a great actress so I’m sure will be pretty good.
Sounds like a Great show for sure. The character too sounds like an incredible & challenging one & I definitely love this. I had never seen this before, but would try to watch this sometime soon.
I think the show look great–I have it set to DVR–Wednesday is the start of Survivor and Big Brother finale so that what I’ll be tuned into =D
This seems like an interesting new show. I like that so many of the newer shows have strong female characters in leading positions.
I love TV shows like this. Guess I will be adding it to the lineup.
I love her acting and I can’t wait to see this show. It seems like a great show funny and special moments tv show which I love. Thanks for sharing.
Not my cup of tea.. But well written!!!
I hear you… What NBC shows do you prefer?
Wow! Sounds like a program I could relate to. Wish they would show it here. I too am a working mom with two toddlers. Yup, I am a hot mess! I gotta watch this!
I think every mom can relate to that story. Working, juggling, balancing, and fighting overwhelm. I used to watch Will and Grace and I think she’s an excellent actress.
Exactly! If you work inside or outside the home, there is a certain amount of juggling going on. It’s never easy. TY for your feedback.
Sounds like a show worth checking out. I am not a huge Debra Messing fan but she’s a good actress.
Yes, it is funny too, and thank you for stopping by Holly! 🙂
I’m not one for primetime tv, but I’ll have to check this out since I love Debra Messing!
I loved her so much on Willl and Grace- I really hope she finds her niche again on TV. Maybe this will be the show? (Crosses fingers)
I loved Deborah Messing on Will and Grace- I really hope she can find her niche. I would love to see her on TV again!
Very interesting read, but i think this will be one i pass on. I dont watch a lot of primetime, network television. Its usually not my taste. But great post.
I haven’t watched the show yet but i have it on my DVR and can’t wait to try it. I love Debra!
Awesome review that tackles one of the problems of the society – Divorce.