The Schmooze: April

“Have you ever felt a tingle inside that you were meant for more, that something outside of your proscribed life was calling to you?” TV star Catherine Reitman poses this question in her TedxToronto talk, in which she emboldens viewers to pursue their dreams unapologetically. Just like Reitman did when she co-created the comedy series Workin’ Moms– of which she is the writer, producer, and star.

Drawing from Reitman’s real-life experiences as a working mom, the show chronicles four mom friends juggling their identities as mothers with their sense of selves–outside of motherhood. The daughter of the late director Ivan Reitman (of Ghostbusters fame), Reitman has appeared in a slew of TV shows, including Blackish and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia , and films like Knocked Up and I Love You, Man .

Workin’ Moms kicks off its seventh and final season on Netflix on April 26 ^th .

What’s your all-time favorite movie?  

I’ve always struggled with this question as it totally depends on my mood. A few movies that helped carve my voice through my adolescence were: When Harry Met Sally , Mean Girls , Clueless , and The Other Sister .

What was the last book you read?  

Currently reading BIBI; My Story , Benjamin Netanyahu’s autobiography. I am well aware how posed this seems, being as I am answering questions for Jewish Chicago magazine, however, my husband and I started reading this aloud to each other over the holidays! While I am not usually a consumer of biographies, this one is very moving.

What’s your favorite Jewish food?  

I could eat potato latkes any time of day. You could convince me to eat one with the stomach flu. They are a perfect food.

What are you listening to these days?  

Since my father passed, I have been listening to a lot of 60s and 70s folk/rock music. My kids have definitely been subjected to plenty of The Doobie Brothers and Fleetwood Mac.

Who was the last person you texted?

Lisa, an EP on Workin’ Moms and my buddy.

If you could invite three people, famous or not, to a Shabbat dinner, who would they be?

Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep, and Julia Louis Dreyfus.

If you could have any other occupation, what would it be?    

I always dreamt of being a drummer, who could sing harmony with some blow-hard front woman.

Who are two of your biggest role models?

My father was my greatest role model. While we had our differences, his moral compass, work-ethic, and ability to see the big picture has kept me on track my entire life.

What are you currently binge-watching on TV?  

Thanks to my boys, I have seen every episode of LEGO Masters and Bake Squad !

If you could offer the teen version of yourself one piece of wisdom, what would it be?  

Stop beating yourself up. What makes you different and “extra” is what makes you special. All of your dreams will come true and then some. Now go hug dad.