Inconceivable

I just read this morning that NBC is running a new show this fall called Inconceivable, set in a (cringe) fertility clinic. Here’s the synopsis from Yahoo TV:

Come inside the world of the doctors of the Family Options Fertility Clinic in this ensemble drama, where one of the most complicated questions is to conceive — or not to conceive. Assuredly, theirs is a noble quest as they help desperate couples give birth; however, clinic co-founders Dr. Malcolm Bower and Rachael Lew and their staff (including psychologist Lydia Crawford, Nurse Patrice, office manager Marrissa and attorney Scott) are not above their own occasional adventures involving sex, deception and secrets. Navigate through the ultrasound and super-egos, the missing frozen embryos and impending malpractice suits, and it’s positively clear that life inside this clinic is anything but sterile.

This makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. This is wrong. I try so hard to keep my sense of humour about my infertility struggles, and not be one of those relentlessly cheerless people who can’t take a joke, I really do. But come on, “navigate through the ultrasounds and super-egos, the missing frozen embryos and impending malpractice suits”? Give me a fucking break.

There are already so many misconceptions (pardon the pun – see, I can be funny about this) about infertility and fertility treatments as it is, I can only imagine this show will do nothing more than perpetuate the myths and muddy the waters even further. And I know it’s TV, for goodness sake, they aren’t out to educate the unwashed masses. In fact, they’re out to tittilate and entertain and make a buck.

No doubt, they will find lots of ways to play up the drama. I don’t think there was anything more suspenseful in my life than the infamous two week wait (between treatment and knowing whether the treatment was successful or not), but that was a very personal drama, and frankly, one I’d rather not relive.

I can’t imagine myself watching this show. I’ve lived it, and continue to live it vicariously with friends still struggling with infertility. Dramatic? Hell yes. Suspenseful? You bet. Full of interesting personalities and life-altering circumstances? Absolutely. Perfect fodder for Desperate Housewives meets St Elsewhere meets Ally McBeal? I don’t think so.

Am I being thin-skinned about this, or does this whole thing seem incredibly tastelss to you, too?

Author: DaniGirl

Canadian. storyteller, photographer, mom to 3. Professional dilettante.

10 thoughts on “Inconceivable”

  1. I’m honestly disgusted by it. Have you seen the trailer for it yet? Ugh. I say we organize now and get a letter writing campaign started against it.

  2. I also read about this and was equally disgusted. Sure, it may be personal, but I am 110% positive there is absolutely no way they can portray the accuracies about inftertility and related issues. Not a chance. Not even close. It will likely be dramatized, to the extent of those ‘unknowns’ wondering if it is really like that.
    For example – my BIL works in forensics with the RCMP. When I ask him if watching CSI a9dn spinoffs) is really like that and he says NOPE. It is in a way, but in real life, you don’t see the same person doing EVERYTHING as you do on TV. So, I am sure the makers of this Inconceivable will also fuck it up the same way.
    Just have to keep it all in perspective I guess, Hollywaood wants to touch everything, maybe cashing in on the IF stuff since some celebs are becoming more open about it?
    I will no doubt watch it out of curiosity and then start writing letters to the producers indentifying all of their inaccuracies and misportrayals. Wanna start a letter writing campaign? Maybe we can stop it before it starts like it happened about that adoption ‘who is my father’ show that never made it – did it?
    Oops – on a soapbox today.

  3. OK just read Cali’s comment AFTER I posted mine. Good for her to write what I wanted to say, only she was much more concise and precise to get the point across instead of my long winded yammering. I’ll TRY to read other comments first in future. OR I may just like to add ‘great minds….’ in re: letter writing campaign idea.

  4. MORE MORE!!! How do you think a show would go over if it was focussed on the suffering of those with terminal illnesses – you nkow – Hollywood and dramatize the likes of cancer or cystic fibrosis…I am sure that wouldn’t fly….
    Does that even make sense?

  5. I already hate reality TV. But do these poor couples need MORE pressure on them? Aside from tasteless, I also thing that there will be a lot of disappointment.

  6. totally tasteless!!! although curiosity will make me watch an episode
    Nancy…too much caffeine this morning 😉

  7. Sigh,
    Not only I am worried about how they will minimize IF, but as other said, misrepresent what a struggle we go through. The public needs more documentary “factual” representation…not a TV drama that is going to glamourfy (sp?) it!
    How are they going to represent how many times I had my feet up in stirrups with drs and probes up my ying-yang! Or all the injections…stomach, leg, butt! Ahhh!!!
    I really don’t think they will be able to grasp the true emotion and struggle that people with IF go through, very sad.

  8. Oh, or my poor hubby who had a testicular biopsy (to retrieve his sperm) that had him painfully in agony for more than a week after the procedure! Do you really think that they are going to portray IF equally as being a male problem as a female problem? Doubtful!

  9. It is tasteless. Agreed. Of course, this is standard hollywood behaviour–they do go after those with terminal illnesses (ER) as well as anything that might be kind of out of the ordinary (nip/tuck, 6 feet under are two good examples). Witches are a popular focus–can I tell you how much I hate Charmed and Sabrina?
    Which isn’t to say you shouldn’t hate it. But it does seem television gets its jollies from exploiting any situation it feels it can fetishize.
    I hope it bombs.

  10. LOL a little dose of reality…I was telling DH about this last night, going on my tangent, trying to get my point across, letter writing campaign, etc…he looks at me and LAUGHS. I gave him a hairy eyeball and he says to me “It’s a fucking TV show, get over it” and to be honest, he made me giggle. I guess just like any show/movie/book you don’t agree with, just don’t watch/go/buy it or support it. I am still up for writing a nasty letter to someone though…anyone?

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