It's a Family Affair

I have not always appreciated the Family Channel from ABC.  I have feared mediocre entertainment disguised as wholesome family entertainment.  I have a new perspective because of a couple of things. First I have discovered they run the Gilmore Girls at 11am Monday-Friday. Who doesn't love Rory Gilmore? The Secret Life of The American Teenager has 1980's teen queen Molly Ringwald.  My most favorite find is Switched at Birth.

It is the story of Bay Kennish (Vanessa Marano-April Nardini from Gilmore Girls) and Daphne Vasquez (Katie LeCleric). They were switched at birth in a hospital in Kansas. Bay's father was a famous ball player John Kennish (D.W. Moffett). Her mother was stay at home Kathryn (the wonderful Lea Thompson-Caroline in the City and The Back to The Future series). Her brother Toby (Louis Graebel from High School Musicals) resembles Daphne more than Bay.  Daphne grew up abandoned by her father early after she gets an ear infection and goes deaf. Her mother Regina (Constance Marie-George Lopez Show) is a recovering alcoholic hair dresser  They live in a working class neighborhood in Riverside, Missouri, with Daphne's grandmother played by Ivonne Coll.

After studying blood types in school, Bay wonders why she is different than her family.. Bada-bing bada-bang, and some genetic testing later, Bay is discovered not to be a biological Kennish. It is discovered that the hospital switched her with Daphne Vasquez.  When they meet it makes sense, Daphne, who is athletic with light colored hair blends right in with the Kennishes. There is where the story begins.  The Vasquez's come to live with the Kennishes in the guest house.  This enabled them to get to know each other, and to help Regina out in a financial bind.

Well now, the long lost husband (of Regina) Angelo Sorrento has come back, and learned the truth. It seems he left Regina because he believed she cheated. How could a Puerto Rican woman and an Italian man give birth to a light haired baby? I guess it never occurred to him, that maybe genetically someone married a blond, or that they were switched at birth. Anyway Regina has now had to marry him to keep him from being deported.  One other fact, Bay started dating Emmett Bledsoe (Sean Birdy) who Daphne secretly had a crush on.  They were friends from childhood. His mother is played by the famous Marlee Matlin.  Eventually though Emmett slept with Toby's girlfriend and Bay dumped him. So long faced Emmett is trying to be Bay's friend.  Yeah, like that works all the time.

Anyway, during October, from the 19th on, the ABC Family channel is going to have Halloween films every night.  They are among the likes of Beetlejuice and Hocus Pocus.  I am sure there will be a Tim Burton film in there too. So even though it is mostly G or PG13, the ABC Family Channel will have me watching. Those are some fun films!! I love Switched at Birth and can't wait for next Monday!!