He's having a baby (apparently)

I've not quite worked out what to make of this yet. "He's Having a Baby" is a new programme on BBC1, (just) pre-prime time on Saturday evening, which follows the journey of a number of first-time fathers-to-be as they approach their baby's birth.

It is interesting that the programme makers have decided to focus on the Dad's experience. I should think this is a good thing right? But it seems a bit contrived, because there is no getting round the fact that the man's role is important but entirely secondary during pregnancy.

We only caught the last 15 minutes of tonight's show, but it was quite entertaining viewing if only for the fact that Davina McCall so genuinely loves the subject and becomes genuinely excited about the couples on the show. She's perfect to host it and really made us laugh (even if it's not exactly meant to be comedy!).

Whether or not this is really what the rest of the nation wants to see I'm not at all sure. I suspect it's just another reality TV filler that will last one series only, but maybe that's not a bad thing. There are a zillion other parenting and pregnancy shows on various satellite channels.

One thing the arrival of this show does demonstrate (regardless of how contrived it might be) is that the father's role is being treated as less peripheral nowadays. Politically it is something of a hot potato. Hot enough for a show like this to be taken so seriously that it has reached the Saturday evening schedule. We probably have groups such as Fathers For Justice to thank for this, but that's a whole other blog.

"He's Having a Baby" is on BBC1 (6.35pm, Saturday) and BBC Three (8.30pm, Monday to Friday evenings).