The A&E Network just announced my new TV series – Monster In-Laws. Seriously. Just one minute ago. I opened the email from A&E, and wham the press release was there – Monster In-Laws – is going to air October 24th at 10pm! Promotional spots start next Wednesday! If it weren’t 9:30am, I’d have a celebratory bourbon!
The season opener of Monster In-Laws is the episode where the son-in-law and father-in-law have a fist fight, the cops get called and my life gets threatened – all because of some duct tape. I can’t wait for you to see it. Monster In-Laws. A&E. October 24th!
I keep thinking about how my life is about to change. I hope it does. I’ve worked very very hard for years to become an “Overnight Success Story.” Monster In-Laws should bring along many new relationships and opportunities. In fact, it already has.
One of the most frequent questions I get is “how did go from being a lawyer, to a top coach, to a media career?”
I started my media career, by sending a fluke email to INC Magazine about five years ago. That one email led to an article, that led to a call from CNBC, that led to a meeting and another and another. I spent the first two years exploring the media, still coaching individuals and companies full time while pursuing radio and television opportunities. That meant driving myself back and forth to NYC, pitching ideas to producers, shooting footage, volunteering to fill in, taping myself and watching it, trying anything I could, falling on my face, making an ass out of myself, sleeping on friends’ couches, showing up for free. I’d do anything for the chance to talk on air, appear on a show – because it was great practice to prepare me for the moment when it’d be my turn.
Barbara Walters told me that she always felt like “life is one big audition”, hence the title of her memoir.
It struck me that even someone as accomplished as Barbara Walters felt that she is always practicing for the “next thing.”
What I’ve learned, is it’s all that time you put in when NO ONE was watching or listening, that enables you to turn it on when the cameras roll for real.
That’s how you do it. You force your way in. You start a radio show on a blog. You start filming yourself with your phone, edit it on the mac and post it on your blog. You show up for casting calls, auditions. You pitch ideas. And you practice.
You spend years working hard, preparing for that moment. It’s the formula for everything in life. How many swings does a baseball player take in a lifetime – before they make it to the majors? In backyards, over fences, walls, neighbors roofs. Every last swing got them to the majors. Even Snooki – imagine how many hours she spent perfecting that poof, and working on that tan to become that ridiculous character she is. She didn’t even realize the producers were making fun of her because she was just doing what she had spent years doing.
It took her years to become an overnight sensation….
I think Malcolm Gladwell is right. If you put in 10,000 hours of practice you can master just about anything. The same is true with your dreams. Put in the work. Do it for free. Keep showing up. Keep falling down. Keep practicing.
If you keep working hard while no one is looking, eventually, an opportunity like Monster In-Laws will come. And, when it does, you’ll be good and ready.
Hello,
My name is Rachel Cottongim and I recently heard about the upcoming show on A&E “monster in laws” by doing a good ole fashion google search on the subject. I am just wondering how one would get on the show, because let me tell you “monster in laws” doesn’t even describe what I am dealing with. If they put us on this show they’d get an hour of pure drama (which sells these days, right?). They aren’t my in laws yet, but to sum up just how bad it is; they are all refusing to come to our wedding! I know what we have is golden, and I think this is going to be the best show, and had I known how to go about it I definitely would have tried for a whole series dedicated to me and this family.
I read somewhere else that this show also brings in therapists to help with the issue, which would help us, because my fiance is devastated that his own family would turn his back on him just because they don’t like me. I think the viewers would get the drama (that they love, as I am guilty of it too), but we’d get the help we need and hopefully my fiance would get his family to support him a little bit better.
If there is any way that you can help me or point me in the right direction I would be forever grateful to you. It’s not everyday that you could possibly help out the one you love with a gift like this one. I appreciate your time in reading this email. And for thinking of this show. I hope to hear back from you with some information on the show, and possibly being on it. Again thank you so much.
-Rachel Cottongim
Hello,
I was wondering the same as Rachel above. My newly mother n law & I already have such suspicious dramas, including causing fights between other family members. Worst of all, it’s already tearing my husband and I apart since he is a momma’s boy. Please help! I would like to get our story out there so we could get guidance…i know we can’t be the only one with this problem.
Thank you,
Alexis R.
Finally it is time for the show I have been waiting for since it was first announced!
I am writing this comment because i stumbled upon this blog as I googled the airing date for the show. I guess i never thought about the people behind the show and I love the fact that you, Mrs. Robbins, are so excited about this project, your baby…understandably… Personally, I enjoy the psychology of shows like these, I’ ve never actually had to deal with monster in laws….so…Mel, I’m not a bourbon person, but I’ve poured myself an Islay single malt and am settling down to watch this show, good luck and bottoms up!!!