On Location with ABC's American Housewife (Meeting the Cast)

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Disclaimer: Disney and ABC invited me to Los Angeles on an all-expenses paid trip, in exchange for my coverage of these events, which included a set visit on location with the cast of AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE. As always, all opinions are my own.

I live in a Dallas, Texas neighborhood where you’ll find big houses, private schooled children and nannies on every street.

I am an “American housewife”, one who can fully relate to the new ABC hit comedy on Tuesday nights.

Though Katie Otto (played by the talented Katy Mixon) calls Westport, Connecticut home, she and I could be “besties” for so many reasons. In fact, I need her to move next door, PRONTO! Though I have an “only” while she has 3 kiddos, and I own my home while the Otto family rents, it’s the similarities that caught my attention. Haven’t yet seen the show? Well, no worries, as tonight will air only the 3rd episode since it’s Oct 11th premiere. You can catch up quickly!

Recently I had the chance during a trip to LA with Disney and ABC to meet some of the cast and crew while on location – yes they were filming!

But first, let me introduce you…

Katie Otto, a confident, unapologetic wife and mother of three, raises her flawed family in the wealthy town of Westport, Connecticut, filled with “perfect” mommies and their “perfect” offspring. Katie’s perfectly imperfect world is upended when her neighbor’s decision to move notches her up from her ideal social standing and sets her on a path to ensure that doesn’t happen, regardless of the consequences.

From the very first trailer (above), I had a feeling this would be one of my new favorite shows.

Why? I can relate to it all…

Giving up my career to be a stay at home mom, with it’s ups and downs and oh, well you guys know what I’m talking about.

Moving into a certain community for the schools, yet feeling like I don’t fit in.

Ah, and the neighbors…

American Housewife Neighbors

American Housewife Leslie Bibb — (ABC/Tony Rivetti) KATY MIXON, LESLIE BIBB

Shall we talk about the neighbors of Westport, Connecticut?

Meet Viv, played by Leslie Bibb. While in LA last month, I had the opportunity to not only meet Leslie Bibb, but I had the chance to watch the entire episode “Westport Zombies” (Halloween themed), which will air on October 25th. It was during this episode that I laughed and laughed. I couldn’t help myself.

I saw a tinge of recognition in my own life when Viv walked into the Otto home, spying home decor bought from places like Pier One and Target, and mentioning how it reminded her of her dorm years ago. But here’s where I fell in love with Katie Otto – she didn’t just get irritated like I would have. Oh no! She walked Viv through the house and introduced her new neighbor to items bought from even other stores like Walmart and CVS, before ushering her out the door! THIS! LOVE!

American Housewife Mom

American Housewife The Nap Episode — (ABC/Tony Rivetti) KATY MIXON, JULIA BUTTERS

I need someone like Katie in my life! She’s sassy and has her priorities straight (well, most of the time – hey, none of us are perfect, and she doesn’t pretend to be). She’s the proud mom of a child with anxiety and OCD issues – if you are the parent of a child who has any obstacles, you will adore Katie. She’s real. She’s at times raw. But she loves that little girl.

In fact, when chatting with creator and executive producer Sarah Dunn, she made it clear that the whole point of the show is that motherhood is hard, but there are those few moments that make it all worth it. Worth the sleepless nights. Worth the lost career. Worth the extra pounds. This is why I’m a new fan and you should be too. And I promise you, there will be lots of laughs!

Tonight’s episode (Oct 18th) is called “The Nap”! It’s not to be missed as Katie might have a breakdown while reading to her daughter’s class! If you have ever left a career behind, or have misgivings about decisions you have made, you will get this moment!

All Katie wants is a good, long nap after the kids keep her up all night. But when Greg gets the flu, she doesn’t get a minute to herself. Her exhaustion reaches critical mass with a confrontation with the school’s officious crossing guard (guest star Kate Flannery, “The Office”).

Meeting the Cast of American Housewife

I mentioned earlier that we had the chance to go on location with the cast of “American Housewife”. It’s true!

Shhhh! I cannot tell you where we were, other than Southern California! While I’ve got tons more photographs, I’ll have to wait until a certain episode airs to post them. We couldn’t have been more excited as there’s always something special about seeing actors at work.