TGE REVIEWS… Tali’s Baby Diary
Local comedians kick it up a notch as fan favourite Tali Babes launches Season 2
Julia Anastasopoulos (of SuzelleDIY fame) plays title character Tali Shapiro
Everyone’s favourite Cape Town-dwelling Joburger Tali Babes is back on our streams, and not a moment too soon. Were it not for some dogged creatives hitting the writers’ room during one of the hardest years of our collective lives, South Africa may just have lost its funny bone. And we just can’t with that, now can we? We can’t.
The team from Sketchbook Studios – creators of YouTube sensation SuzelleDIY – spent their 2020 lockdown period breathing life back into mockumentary star Tali ‘Tali Babes’ Shapiro. This time, Tali (played by character master Julia Anastasopoulos) is having a baby.
Tali’s transition from influencer to momfluencer is documented with pinpoint hilarity. Many a momstagrammer will recognise herself in the pampas grass, homemade kombucha, autumnal presents and rust-coloured headbands that feature as “mommy must-haves” on the show – and that’s just the first episode.
Any parent watching will recognise Tali’s baby journey all too well – the stress of #TTC (Trying To Conceive), the initial gynae visit, the agony behind the perfect Insta announcement. And let’s not forget about that all-important #genderreveal (in a society that views gender as a social construct). In true mockumentary fashion, it’s the perfect mix of comic relief coupled with the utmost relatability.
“We felt like Instagram needed to play an important role in Tali’s journey,” Julia tells The Great Equalizer, adding that the social commentary behind Tali’s momfluencer journey and the importance she places on her online role was intentional.
“We need to laugh at ourselves and at the fact that this is the world we’re living in. We are parents online and there is so much comedy in it. It’s great to poke a little fun at that, and at ourselves.”
All your favourite characters from Tali’s Wedding Diary are BACK in Season 2
From left: Stephanie Anastasopoulos, Julia Anastasopoulos, Kate Normington
Gang’s All Here!
Tali first hit local screens with Tali’s Wedding Diary in 2017 and – never fear – fans of Season 1 will not be left disappointed. All your fave characters are back: Tali’s fiance-cum-husband Darren (Anton Taylor) and his property partner Rael (Glen Biderman-Pam), sister-best-friend Mikaela (Stephanie Anastasopoulos) and ‘cool mom’ Mich (Kate Normington).
Tali’s best frenemy Gabi (Lara Toselli) returns to one-up the lead at every opportunity, and her dutiful assistant Ashley (Lucienne Bestall) is still there to f*ck up at every opportunity.
Season 2 is also loaded with cameos from South Africa’s finest comedians. Actor and social do-gooder Siv Ngesi joins the Seleibowitz brothers (Oliver Booth) in tormenting Darren and Rael, with our fave lockdown commentator Schalk Bezuidenhout joining the cast as new-age hipster Jonothon. Big names Nik Rabinowitz, Coconut Kelz (Lesego Tlhabi), Danny K and Jeannie D also join the crew, working their local magic to make Tali’s Baby Diary a memorable second season.
“Everyone was just so keen to come on board and have fun with Tali’s world. The response was amazing and it injects so much fun into the show,” says Julia.
She adds that the grit and determination of South African talent creating content during the 2020 lockdown was nothing short of inspiring.
This season features a host of incredible cameos, including local comedian Schalk Bezuidenhout
“To watch the likes of Schalk Bezuidenhout every day… People needed it. They needed the escape. At the time, [Instagram] was such a brilliant platform for people to share and grow and I’m so inspired by people that took this very weird circumstance and made something out of it.”
Julia notes that, in many ways, overnight Internet sensation SuzelleDIY was borne out of the same artistic urge to create.
“We had a creative impulse and we made something with the resources we had. Using social media and what was available to us, we found success,” she says, referring to her partnership with co-creator, director and husband Ari Kruger.
And we’re so glad they did. In the wake of Covid19 and the shadowy pall that the past year left hanging over 2021, the fact that South African comedians continued to create in spite of (or because of?) the status quo saved our sense of humour.
The likes of Julia, the team at Sketchbook Studios and their creative cohorts have reminded South Africans that, in the midst of an unprecedentic pandemic, lockdown and loadshedding, there’s always room to laugh – at each other and at ourselves.
The first four episodes of Tali’s Baby Diary are out now on Showmax, with the remainder of the season set to stream on 12 March. Tune in and let us know what you think!
And, of course, keep an eye out for Julia’s interview on The Great Equalizer Podcast where we talk career, motherhood, momfluencing and more. Coming to your fave podcast platform on 29 March.