Notes from the Underbelly

Notes from the Underbelly

2007 • Comedy
Notes from the Underbelly is an American sitcom that debuted on ABC as a midseason replacement. The series is based upon the novel of the same name by Risa Green, and is produced by Eric and Kim Tannenbaum for Warner Bros. Television. The title is a parody of Dostoevsky's novel Notes from Underground. Originally, it was supposed to debut on October 5, 2006, along with Big Day, but ABC made a last-minute change in its schedule by moving Ugly Betty to Thursday, thus replacing both sitcoms. After numerous scheduling changes prior to the shows premiere, the show premiered Thursday, April 12, 2007 at 10:00PM Eastern/9:00PM Central, and moved to its regular Wednesday timeslot at 8:30PM Eastern/7:30PM Central on April 18. Notes from the Underbelly began its second season on November 26, 2007 in the new timeslot of 9:30PM Eastern/8:30PM Central on Mondays, leading out of fall's second highest rated freshman sitcom, Samantha Who?. On May 13, 2008, ABC opted not to renew the series for a third season. In Russia, all 23 episodes of the series were shown on NTV.

Why you should read the novel

Risa Green's Notes from the Underbelly offers an uncensored, charming dive into the real emotional rollercoaster of expecting a baby. The novel reflects the raw, honest—and often hilarious—thoughts of a mom-to-be, unfiltered and deeply personal. Readers will find themselves laughing, commiserating, and feeling genuinely connected to the nuanced journey of pregnancy and pending parenthood from an inside perspective. Unlike the breezy, episodic treatment in the TV series, the book provides richer introspection, sharper wit, and a far more intimate look at the complexities of relationships during life-changing events. The inner monologue and confessional style of the novel allow for a deeper understanding of the protagonist’s vulnerabilities, fears, and triumphs, making the story deeply relatable to anyone who has ever faced big life changes. Choosing to read the source material means experiencing the author’s authentic voice and unique brand of humor—elements that can sometimes get diluted in an adaptation. If you seek an unvarnished, heartwarming, and laugh-out-loud take on the chaos and joy of pregnancy, Risa Green’s novel is the perfect companion, providing a level of candor and insight the show can only hint at.

Adaptation differences

One of the major differences between Notes from the Underbelly and its television adaptation lies in perspective and narrative voice. The novel is told entirely from the protagonist’s point of view, allowing unprecedented access into her most private thoughts and anxieties. The TV series, on the other hand, shifts to a more ensemble approach, focusing not just on the main character but also on her husband and their friends. This significantly changes how personal and introspective the story feels. Characterization also diverges between the mediums. In the novel, characters like Lauren and her husband are painted with deeper emotional complexities, exploring not just humorous situations, but genuine worries, doubts, and marital tensions. The TV show, striving for broader comedy and appeal, often flattens these dimensions, making characters more archetypal and situationally driven for comedic purposes rather than nuanced growth. The plot of the television series expands far beyond the scope of the original novel. Many supporting characters, subplots, and comedic situations that appear in the series were invented for TV and do not exist in the book. This can give the impression of a more chaotic, busy world in the adaptation, but at the cost of the focused, singular journey presented in the book. Stylistically, the TV adaptation opts for visual gags, quick dialogue, and an overall lighter tone, whereas the book relies on sharp internal monologue and confessional humor to drive its narrative. Readers looking for the heartfelt honesty, raw anxieties, and the messy beauty of becoming a parent will find the novel’s introspective approach a far richer experience than the rapid-fire pacing and comedic setup of the series.

Notes from the Underbelly inspired from

Notes from the Underbelly: Adventures in Baby Madness
by Risa Green