Mother Up

Mother Up is a sensational animated sitcom proudly offered as part of Hulu Originals lineup, with the celebrated actress Eva Longoria serving as the exciting central protagonist. Showcasing her versatility beyond the world of live-action, Eva uses her vibrant voice acting skills to bring to life Rudi Wilson, the show's central character, a successful and, at times, scandalous music executive who undergoes an enormous life shift. The series, which had its run during 2013-2014, offers a sharp, humorous, and often hysterically exaggerated depiction of the urban-to-suburban transition wrapped in a delightful blend of adult humor and family-oriented charm.

Rudi Wilson, a wealthy, foul-mouthed, and sassy music executive, seems to have it all - money, power, and fame. Life throws her a curveball when a series of scandalous events lead her to quit her high-power job, forcing her to renounce her elite New York City lifestyle. However, the show truly begins when Rudi, along with her two children, chooses to settle down in the suburban neighborhood and start over.

Seemingly a classic fish-out-the-water tale, Mother Up adds sauce to the story, introducing viewers to Rudi's struggles as she navigates the new world of yoga classes, PTA meetings, and coffee gatherings. Rudi's difficulty adjusting to these suburban mom clichés becomes a running theme in the series, creating a playful parody of modern motherhood. As the series progresses, Rudi attempts and often hilariously fails to fit in while striving to maintain her edge, no-nonsense persona intact.

Eva Longoria's Rudi is far from the sugar-coated TV moms that audiences are used to seeing. Showrunners make it a point to portray her as anything but perfect. Rudi's parenting techniques, or the deficiency of them, brings forth the show’s many comedic moments. Despite being ill-equipped for the sudden lifestyle change, her stubborn determination to maintain her city-girl swagger adds a distinctive charm to her character. Her interactions with her two children add another layer to the narrative. While they love their mother dearly, they often become exasperated by her unconventional methods.

Mother Up manages to infuse reality into Rudi's character, as she is not just a cookie-cutter caricature of a mom. Despite her failings and rough exterior, she has a soft heart that cares for her kids and clings hard to her single life status. She is a flawed character, frequently messing things up. Still, she always shines through her brilliance and grit, making viewers cheer her on despite her many foolishly humorous stumbles. Eva Longoria's excellent voice work adds considerable depth to the character, making Rudi more relatable, empathetic, and often wildly amusing.

In addition to Eva's voice acting, the series features a cast of wonderfully voiced, quirky, and colorful characters— from her benevolent but misfortunate neighbor to her daycare-running frenemy, each contributing to the comedic and heart-warming aspects of the show in their unique ways. The sharp, playful banter between these characters, their exaggerated reactions, and the deftly written dialogue truly amp up the comedy factor.

Visually, Mother Up is stimulating with its bright and cartoon-ish animation style with an appealing color palette that suits the lighthearted tone of the series. The animators have succeeded in making every frame fun and attention-grabbing, supporting the snappy dialogue and overtly dramatized occurrences.

On the surface, Mother Up might appear as a simple, absurd comedy. However, beneath the humor, it displays a genuine portrayal of a mother's daily conundrum. Despite being an animated series, Mother Up reflects the complexity of the suburban life of ordinary women, offering viewers a sympatric and humorous perspective on their tribulations, choices, compromises, and their ultimate triumph. Eva Longoria fans would adore her take on this fiery, free-spirited, and featherbrained character in Mother Up as much as viewers seeking a quirky, fun-filled, yet honest portrayal of modern motherhood.