Whether it’s allowing its characters to break the fourth wall to give the audience a glimpse into their thoughts or getting rid of the infamous laugh tracks, some sitcoms do a lot more in their condensed, 30-minute time slot, as they also aim to completely change the entire sitcom landscape. For those who don’t know, the word sitcom is truncated for “situation comedy,” shows that deal with issues in a comedic fashion, and can, oftentimes, wrap up situations within their 30-minute time slot. However, sitcoms have come a long, long way from the days of the famous living room couch and the canned laughter that this genre was once known for.

Starting with the iconic I Love Lucy, sitcoms began to bend and change the structure of the genre, which, in turn, redefined how modern shows tell their stories. The following innovative shows didn’t just follow the same-old blueprint; they set that blueprint on fire, then went on to draw up another blueprint that has helped evolve a genre that could have easily become stale and predictable. These shows challenged the narrative structure, pushed the boundaries of dark comedy, changed the way sitcoms dealt with serious social issues, and rewrote the rules for how television showcased diverse families. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the game-changing sitcoms that completely rewrote the rules of the genre.

6

‘I Love Lucy’ (1951–1957)

Image via CBS 

When I Love Lucy premiered on CBS in October 1951, it didn’t just become a huge hit overnight, but it rewrote the DNA for how a show is produced and filmed. Starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, I Love Lucy follows the daily life of Lucy Ricardo (Ball), an ambitious homemaker who often lands in trouble by trying to make it big in show business. Before I Love Lucy hit the airwaves, TV shows were treated as “radio with pictures,” as at the time, television was still a new medium on television. But this sitcom upped the game in production value, inventing the multi-camera setup that allowed the show to be filmed continuously and capture multiple angles, a setup that became the vanguard of sitcom shows in years to come.

Not only did I Love Lucy change how sitcoms were produced, but the show also did something different when it came to filming. In the early ’50s, TV shows were often filmed in New York City, with series airing on the West Coast via “Kinescope.” This resulted in terrible quality, which is something I Love Lucy corrected as the show was filmed on 35mm film. By using film, this allowed the sitcom to be shown at a higher quality, and, as a bonus, the show could be re-aired without losing its quality. This birthed the “rerun,” and it changed the television landscape forever, along with filming each episode in front of a live studio audience, which allowed the actors to react in real-time to the laughter of the audience.

5

‘Kevin Can F**k Himself’ (2021–2022)

Image via AMC

Most people look at AMC’s Kevin Can F**k Himself as a brilliant parody of the sitcom genre, and that is a fair assessment for this series. However, this underrated sitcom not just parodied the genre, but it basically did an autopsy on the traditional sitcom. Kevin Can F**k Himself follows the life of Allison McRoberts (Annie Murphy), a woman who is struggling to redefine her life within an unhappy marriage. To frame the contrasting perspectives of the storyline, the series uses two distinct ways to describe Allison’s plight. When she’s with her narcissistic husband (Eric Petersen), the show is shot in a typical sitcom format, complete with a multi-camera setup and audience.

But when Kevin (Allison’s husband) isn’t on the screen, the show shifts into a single-camera setup that is mostly used in dramas. This is basically a “weaponization” of how television genres are filmed, with the muiti-camera format used to show how Kevin’s man-child “hijinks” serve as a punchline when they’re actually ruining his wife’s life, and the single-camera format is used to show the reality of Allison’s life when Kevin isn’t in the room, where his narcissism and man-child antics towards his wife borders on domestic abuse. By using this unique camera setup, Kevin Can F**k Himself forces the viewer to look at the “beloved sitcom wives” of previous sitcoms through a different lens, in which the wives are often seen as “killjoys” for trying to get their man-child husbands to deal with real-world consequences.

4

‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ (2005–Present)

Image via Patrick McElhenney / ©FXX /Courtesy: Everett Collectionf

In the early 2000s, the sitcom landscape was changing, but they still opted to play it safe, with multi-camera shows still dominating the genre and being careful not to offend anyone. That all changed in 2005, when a pilot shot for only $200 managed to get picked by FX and go on to become the longest-running live-action sitcom in television history. That show is It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, created by Rob Mac and follows a group of self-centered, narcissistic misfits who run an Irish dive bar in South Philadelphia. When Always Sunny premiered, the sitcom genre was entering the “prestige” era, which was defined by mockumentary shows such as NBC’s The Office. But while the genre was just beginning to slightly nudge the limits of how far a sitcom can go, Always Sunny shoved it against the line.

The series took the “no learning, no growing” trope, which was popularized by Seinfeld, to the extreme. There isn’t a moment of human connection within the series, and by the end of each episode, a time when most sitcom characters would be better off or have learned their lesson, the gang in Sunny were always worse off morally or physically than they were when the episode started. This severe lack of self-awareness is the beauty of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia‘s relentless dark comedy. There is no moral center within “The Gang,” no saccharine moments where the characters learn their lesson or produce “teachable moments” for the audience. This is a high-octane sitcom in which every character is delightfully terrible, and the show has proven that fans would stay loyal to horrible characters if the chemistry and comedic timing are always on point, which they often are.

3

‘The Simpsons’ (1989–Present)

Image via FOX

At the end of the 1980s, the sitcom landscape was dominated by cozy, live-action sitcoms featuring families that were lovable and always taught the audience a lesson at the end of their 30-minute runtimes. Then, in 1989, The Simpsons premiered on the then-upstart Fox network, and the animated series not only invaded the cozy suburbs where family sitcoms lived, but it bulldozed them and built a metropolis built on satire. Before The Simpsons premiered, the typical TV sitcom was based on the “Moral of the Story” format. You’ll have conflict, then a mistake will be made, and then a heartfelt conversation over a saccharine piano track that wrapped everything up in a neat, tidy bow in just 30 minutes. The Simpsons looked at this format and said, “hell no,” and went in a much different direction, and the rest of the sitcom landscape followed.

The Simpsons ditched the “Moral of the Story” format for a “Status Quo” plotline, in that the main character didn’t learn their lesson after each episode. This made the sitcom more cynical, and, ironically, more tied to reality than the homey family sitcoms of the ‘80s. This was all possible thanks to The Simpsons‘ high-speed comedy, with each episode being “layered,” one on top being slapstick for the kids, the middle introducing a touch of sophistication for adults, and the last layer, a background pun for “obsessive” fans. With its quick joke delivery and dense storylines, The Simpsons set the standard for other adult animated sitcoms that would come after it, and it was a breakthrough for the animated sitcom, as it proved that you didn’t need a live studio audience, nor portray actual living humans, to have a hit, primetime sitcom.

2

‘All in the Family’ (1971–1979)

Image via CBS

In the first two decades of the sitcom’s golden age, shows within the genre carefully constructed the tropes that would become the pillars of the genre. Situations were often solved within an episode, and the show was so safe that kids could easily watch and enjoy these sitcoms with their parents. But by the 1970s, society was changing rapidly, stripping away the “plastic sheen” of American life. The rapid change in American society and the struggle of the older generation to adapt to it were perfectly captured in the iconic CBS sitcom All in the Family. Created by Norman Lear, this socially-conscious sitcom followed the Bunker family of Queens, led by the family patriarch, Archie Bunker (Carroll O’Connor), the so-called “lovable bigot” who bemoaned America’s societal change.

All in the Family represented the death of escapism in the sitcom genre. Before the show premiered in 1971, sitcoms normally avoided the “Three Ts”: Taboos, Topicality, and Tension. This is how sitcoms kept their shows free from controversy and safe for the family. Then, All in the Family came in and broke all of those norms, using its characters to highlight social issues such as racism, feminism, and antisemitism. The success of the show rewrote the rules to show that sitcoms could tackle serious issues while still being funny. Granted, the sitcom was not your typical “family-friendly” show, but we wouldn’t have serious topics discussed in sitcoms if it weren’t for the success of All in the Family.

1

‘The Cosby Show’ (1984–1992)

Image via NBC
 

In the 1970s, Black families on television were always depicted as struggling with poverty and dealing with social injustice. But in the 1980s, Bill Cosby set out to showcase that not all Black families were underprivileged, but were just as upwardly mobile as white families were. So, in 1984, NBC debuted The Cosby Show, which not only shone a different light on the African American family but also single-handedly revived the sitcom genre. While sitcoms were still on television, they were being drastically overshadowed by single-camera dramas like Dallas and Dynasty, to the point where the genre was basically on life support. The Cosby Show gave the sitcom a huge jolt and formally kick-started the family sitcom boom that the decade would be known for.

The Cosby Show was not only an overnight ratings success and savior of the sitcom genre, but it also completely rewrote the rules of how minority families were portrayed on television. The parents, Cliff (Cosby) and Clair (Phylicia Rashad), were professionals, with Cliff as an obstetrician and Clair a law firm partner, and the sitcom took a universal approach to themes such as parenting and education, showing that just because the family was Black, it didn’t mean that it had the same issues as white families. The Cosby Show re-wrote the rules for the family sitcom, showing that the “bumbling dad” could still be authoritative, and that the mother was just the “dotting wife” and was an equal to her husband. The sitcom paved the way for telling more diverse stories on television, and while the show was tarnished by Cosby’s fractured legacy, it should still be considered a sitcom that changed the game in television.

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Release Date

1984 – 1992

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Directors

Jay Sandrich, Chuck Vinson, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Oz Scott, Alan Smithee

Writers

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Bill Cosby, John Markus, Gary Kott, Janet Leahy, Mark St. Germain, Ehrich Van Lowe, Adriana Trigiani, Ed. Weinberger, Lisa Albert, Michael J. Leeson, Oliver Hailey, Thad Mumford

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Nicole Kidman is receiving praise from fans on social media after revealing she plans to go to church before attending the Oscars.

The actress is set to appear at this year’s ceremony as one of the evening’s presenters, but she made it clear that her faith will still come first.

Kidman was widely assumed to have been involved with the Church of Scientology during her marriage to Tom Cruise in the 1990s, though she has rarely spoken publicly about her level of participation.

For most of her life, however, the Australian-American star has identified with Catholicism.

Despite previously admitting that some of her Hollywood peers tease her about her religious beliefs, Kidman has found strong support from fans after speaking openly about her faith.

Nicole Kidman Keeps Her Sunday Routine Even On Oscars Day

Kidman revealed her pre-Oscars plans during a red-carpet interview with Variety.

 “Well, this is crazy, but I will go to church in the morning,” she said, as seen in a clip of the conversation shared on the publication’s X account.

When asked why it was important for her to maintain the routine even on a day as significant as the Academy Awards, Kidman explained, “It just centers me. It’s what I do on a Sunday.”

The Oscar-winning actress’ commitment is even more notable given that the ceremony is set to start about an hour earlier than usual this year.

“It’s very early tomorrow,” Kidman continued. “It’s crazy… We’ll be out of there and then it’s like the night is just beginning.”

Actress Wins Over Fans With The Revelation

Kidman appeared slightly wary of backlash when she mentioned her plans to go to church, but many fans have actually responded positively.

On X, several users applauded her for staying grounded even on one of Hollywood’s biggest nights and choosing to keep a personal tradition amid the Oscars buzz.

“Classic Nicole, just sticking to her routine,” one fan wrote. “Always feels grounded no matter the event.”

Others joked that the actress might even have a professional reason for attending church ahead of Oscars night.

“Word is, she’s got a special prayer for dodging those awkward red-carpet questions,” one commenter quipped.

Nicole Kidman Doesn’t Take Her Daughters To The Oscars After-Parties

Kidman will be among the stars presenting at this year’s Academy Awards. Her participation was announced earlier this month alongside other names, including Channing Tatum, Pedro Pascal, and Sigourney Weaver.

Like many attendees, Kidman is expected to appear in several of the major after-parties that traditionally follow the main ceremony.

However, during her red-carpet interview with Variety, the actress revealed that her two teenage daughters, aged 17 and 15, would not be joining her for any of the late-night celebrations.

“No, it’s Sunday night,” Kidman said. “They’re on spring break, but they will just go home, have a bath, and go to bed.”

Kidman Has Been Open About Her Faith For Years

Despite the sensitivity that often surrounds conversations about faith and religion, Kidman has never shied away from sharing aspects of her personal journey.

In a 2019 interview with Vanity Fair, she opened up about attending church with her husband, Keith Urban, and their two daughters.

“That’s how we are raising our children,” Kidman said. “Keith has his own beliefs, but he comes, too. I had a very Catholic grandmother, and I was raised praying, so that had a massive impact.”

In her Hollywood circles, the “Big Little Lies” star said her lifestyle was something of a running joke.

“A lot of my friends tease me,” Kidman added.

Nicole Kidman Once Revealed She Nearly Became A Nun

Kidman’s commitment to her Christian faith runs deep, so much so that she once actually considered joining a convent.

Speaking to the December 2018 / January 2019 edition of Allure magazine, the actress revealed that her belief in God almost led her down a very different path from the one she ultimately chose.

“I’m spiritual in the sense that I absolutely believe in God,” Kidman explained. “I loved the idea of being a nun. Obviously, I did not choose to go that path, but I was very drawn to it.”

In her Vanity Fair interview, “The Hours” star also insisted that her faith still allows room for reflection and doubt.

“I wouldn’t say it’s absolutism, there’s constant questioning,” she said.

Although Apple TV had been producing interesting shows from its launch in late 2019, the streaming service announced itself as the “go-to” place for science fiction fans with the success of Severance. A mind-blowing, philosophically arresting series packed with twists and turns, Severance offered a compelling central mystery that was backed up by strong satire about the unhealthy work-life balance of modern employees. The first season was a masterpiece that stands as one of the best of the decade, but Severance reached its emotional apex in Season 2 with the episode “Chikhai Bardo.” It’s a series that is often defined by its biggest revelations, but “Chikhai Bardo” helped flesh out a second-tier character in the most visceral, heartbreaking way possible.

One of the biggest revelations in the first season of Severance is that the enigmatic wellness counselor Ms. Casey (Dichen Lachman) is actually Gemma, the wife of Mark (Adam Scott), whom he previously believed had been killed in a car accident. The twist has significant revelations regarding the way that Mark has conducted himself as a Lumon employee, but “Chikhai Bardo” is the first Severance episode to explore events from Gemma’s perspective, providing an opportunity for Lachman to shine. The title itself is a reference to the “moment of death” in Tibetan religious culture, and that theme of loss is presented in complex ways through the growth and collapse of Gemma’s relationship with Mark.

“Chikhai Bardo” Is One of the Best Episodes of ‘Severance’

It may not have been the first episode of Severance to be told in a non-linear way, but “Chikhai Bardo” has a significantly different style compared to the rest of the show because of its director. Ben Stiller is often thought of as the primary creative force behind Severance, and while he directed many of the best episodes, “Chikhai Bardo” was helmed by cinematographer Jessica Lee Gagné in her Severance directorial debut. Gagné had previously worked with Stiller on the underrated crime series Escape at Dannemora, and certainly knows how to heighten suspense within a confined environment. However, “Chikhai Bardo” is the rare flashback episode that doesn’t feel like a hazy memory, because reality is always visceral when it’s occurring. By diving back into the events that shaped both Mark and Gemma into the people that they became, Severance analyzes how significantly they have changed during their time at Lumon.

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“Chikhai Bardo” explores the early romance between Mark and Gemma, and how quickly their relationship fell apart as a result of her miscarriage. The episode was a reminder of how tactile the world of Severance is, and that its reality is one that doesn’t feel that far removed from the present; the fact that Lumon’s technological advances have in no way led to better medical treatment, specifically for women, is certainly something that is discussed. Although the “chikhai bardo” phrase is referenced directly in the episode, it could refer to multiple things; the death in question may have been the couple’s unborn child, but it also refers to the collapse of Gemma and Mark’s relationship, as they both grow more insular once she finds it impossible to conceive. Their frustrated, easily manipulated state makes it easier for Lumon to divide them and take advantage of the growing rift. While Mark is lied to and forced to accept the story that his wife was killed, Gemma is slowly adjusting to her new reality on the Lumon testing floor, realizing that she will never be able to revert to her life before.

Gemma Scott Is the Most Tragic Character in ‘Severance’

The thematic “moment of death” in “Chikhai Bardo” isn’t just the erasure of Mark’s memory of Gemma, but the loss of the prior versions of both characters. After spending time under Dr. Mauer (Robby Benson), one of the show’s best villains, Gemma truly becomes “Ms. Casey,” leaving everything in her life outside of Lumon behind. This is also the moment in which Mark’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, and his “outie” becomes hounded by grief and depression; the only escape from the tragedy of Gemma’s supposed death is within Lumon, which gives more power to his “innie.” Even if Gemma is alive, Mark grows so adjusted to his role as an employee that the person he was before begins to fade away. It’s because of the events in “Chikhai Brado” that Mark’s final choice during the now-iconic ending of Season 2 hits even harder.

Severance is often thought of as purely an intellectual series, but “Chikhai Bardo” shows how tragic the series is when its sci-fi ideas are explored in depth for the consequences that they may have. That viewers already knew when the episode began where Gemma and Mark would end up only makes it more painful; the kaleidoscopic approach to the timeline reflects the confusion that both characters faced after their minds were corrupted by Lumon technology. Although it is very much a standalone installment, “Chikhai Bardo” also functions as an important part of the show’s serialization because it sets up Mark’s reawakening. Shocking episodes like “Cold Harbour” and “The We We Are” might be among Severance’s most iconic moments, but its installments like “Chikhai Bardo” raise the bar to a new standard of what sci-fi television can achieve.

“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Kyle Richards is opening up about Robert Cosby Jr.’s “incredibly moving” memorial service. During a new interview, the veteran reality star revealed why she chose to attend the 23-year-old’s homegoing in Salt Lake City following his unfortunate death.

Kyle Richards Opens Up About Robert Cosby Jr.’s ‘Incredibly Moving’ Memorial Service

Speaking with PEOPLE, Richards shared that she chose to attend the memorial service in Utah to support Mary Cosby. “I don’t know her well, but she’s somebody who’s always been kind when I have met her, and as a mother and a fellow Housewife, I just felt I needed to be there and show up and support her,” she said.

Richards went on to say that the service was “so incredibly moving,” adding that she’d never “experienced something like that” before.

According to Richards, attending the religious event left her with a profound sense of gratitude. “I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to be there and support her and experience something like that. Like I said, I will never forget that day ever in my life,” she said.

Kyle Richards Says She And Mary Cosby Are ‘Texting’ Back And Forth Following Her Son’s Homegoing

While Richards and Mary aren’t incredibly close, the two Bravo stars have been in communication since Robert’s memorial service. Richards shared that the pair had been “texting back and forth” and later explained how appreciative she was that the “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star even invited her.

“I appreciated her having me there because I just, like I said, I was so touched by it,” Richards said. “I just can’t imagine what she’s going through.”

According to a previous report from The Blast, Robert passed away in February 2026 after Utah police responded to a call of a potential overdose.

Mary confirmed Robert’s death in a social media post of her own, writing, “Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord.”

She added, “Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God’s promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow.”

Kyle Richards Wasn’t The Only ‘Real Housewives’ Star In Attendance

“Real Housewives” figurehead Andy Cohen revealed on his radio show, “Andy Cohen Live,” that while he wasn’t able to attend Robert’s memorial service, several of the franchise’s marquee players did.

In addition to Richards, Cohen shouted out “Real Housewives of Atlanta” stars Cynthia Bailey and Shereé Whitfield, as well as Mary’s “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” peers, Heather Gay, Lisa Barlow, Meredith Marks, Bronwyn Newport, Whitney Rose, Angie Katsanevas, and Britani Bateman.

“I love it that they went,” Cohen shared. “I think that is so kind. [Whitfield, Bailey, and Richards] are real ones, those three.”

Cohen also dished on the service, revealing that he heard it was “so uplifting and so moving and absolutely, kind of, rapturous.” He continued, “And Mary was on one, I mean, in a spiritual way. She was spiritually on one, let me say that.”

Mary’s Son Remembered For His Faith Following His Death

Robert’s death came as a surprise to many, considering he spoke with his mother during “RHOSLC” season 6 about his addiction struggles and shared that he believed he was making progress.

In an online obituary, Robert was remembered as a “bright, loving, and gifted young man whose compassion and gentle spirit touched everyone he met,” according to The Blast.

“Robert loved his parents with a fierce and unwavering devotion, and his mother was his closest confidante,” the obituary continued. “His first and greatest love, however, was for God. Baptized in Jesus’ Name and filled with the Holy Ghost, he was cherished as the First Son of the Faith Temple Pentecostal Churches.”

Bailey Recalled Being ‘Paralyzed’ By The News Of Robert’s Passing

During an episode of her “Humble Brag” podcast, Bailey recalled being “paralyzed” by the news of Robert’s passing. Elsewhere in the episode, the “RHOA” alum shared how she believed Mary was processing her tragic loss.

“I think there’s levels, there’s shock, there’s just processing the reality of the situation,” Bailey shared. “I know I’m doing a horrible job of trying to explain this to you guys, but I just don’t know any other way to do it. I just wanted to recognize that we are all supporting Mary Cosby and her family. This was a huge hit for the Bravo universe. She’s such a big part of it.”

Social media users are dropping strong reactions after Michael B. Jordan won “Best Actor” over Timothée Chalamet at the 2026 Oscars, also known as the 98th Academy Awards.

RELATED: Awww! Michael B. Jordan Stepped Out Alongside His Mom For Critics’ Choice Awards & Folks Are Calling Them Twins! (PHOTOS)

Michael B. Jordan Wins “Best Actor” Over Timothée Chalamet At The 2026 Oscars

According to Firstpost, the Oscars 2026 culminated in a showdown between Michael B. Jordan and Timothée Chalamet for the title and award of “Best Actor.” Per the outlet, Chalamet served as an “early frontrunner” for the award. This, by way of his December 2025 role in ‘Marty Supreme.’ A film that follows the life of 23-year-old Marty Mauser, who pursued a relentless career in table tennis. Meanwhile, Michael B. Jordan seemed to trail Chalamet’s lead with his dual role in the April 2025-released film, ‘Sinners.’ This film was set in 1932 and followed twin brothers as they returned to their hometown and encountered supernatural spirits.

Per the outlet, Chalamet secured the “Best Actor” award at the recent Golden Globes. Additionally, he also won “Best Actor” at the recent Critics’ Choice Awards. However, Michael B. Jordan recently took home the “Best Actor” award at the 32nd Annual Actor Awards.

Ultimately, at tonight’s Oscars awards, fans decided that Michael B. Jordan deserved the win!

Social Media Reacts

Social media users reacted to Michael B. Jordan’s win in TSR’s comment section.

Before He ______ “Best Actor” Over Timotheé Chalamet At The 2026 Oscars, Michael B. Jordan Was Making Headlines By Way Of His Brother

Before Michael B. Jordan _____ the “Best Actor” award at the 2026 Oscars, he was making headlines by way of his brother, Khalid Jordan. As The Shade Room previously reported, earlier this month, Khalid took to his Instagram to share a hilarious clip, which included him doing a voiceover. In the clip, the audio was spoken by someone who was bragging about their famous and well-endowed older sibling.

Ultimately, the clip of Khalid doing the voiceover and seemingly speaking about his brother left social media users in stitches.

RELATED: Oh, He Got Jokes! Clip Posted By Michael B. Jordan’s Brother Khalid Has Social Media Crackin’ UP

Rosamund Pike is recalling her decision to get pregnant immediately after her Gone Girl success.

“I’m not very strategic in terms of career, making sure I am in the right place, meeting the right people,” the actress, 47, admitted during an interview with The Sunday Times published on Saturday, March 14. “I made Gone Girl, I got pregnant, I wasn’t there to do all the schmoozing and ride the whole shebang. I could have been so much more strategic.”

She continued, “I was at a point where I could have got a lot of jobs but took myself out of the running for 18 months, which was sort of insane.”

Pike starred in the 2014 psychological thriller, directed by David Fincher, alongside Ben Affleck, Neil Patrick Harris, Carrie Coon and Emily Ratajkowski. The film made over $369 million worldwide against a $61 million budget, making it one of Fincher’s most successful and lucrative films of his career.

The actress also welcomed her two sons, Solo and Atom, in 2012 and 2014, respectfully. She shares her boys with longtime boyfriend Robie Uniacke, a businessman the actress has been linked to since 2009. (Uniacke, 65, has four children from previous relationships.)

“I’ve got my kids homeschooling me,” Pike said during a 2021 interview on The Graham Norton Show, revealing that her partner learned Mandarin so their sons could grow up bilingual.

“[Uniacke’s] basically talking to them in a language I don’t understand,” she continued, “so I thought maybe [the Covid-19] lockdown was a good opportunity for me to catch up.”

During a 2015 appearance on the now-defunct The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Pike opened up about life as a mom of two, admitting that she was taking her youngest to business meetings while trying to balance her work and parenting responsibilities.

“I am just taking him around with me,” she said of her son Atom. “It has a very interesting effect on people because they don’t expect it. I’m turning up to meetings because what do you do — you’re a mom and you got a baby who needs to eat.”

When speaking to The Sunday Times, Pike said the fact that her career took a hit as a result of her pregnancy is “absolutely” a testament to how unequal the entertainment industry treats men and women.

“This is the part of the interview where I get uncomfortable,” she quickly added. “Yes, it’s a churning feeling. I start to feel a bit ashamed.”