It all began nine years ago when next-door neighbors Caryl Kristensen and Marilyn Kentz put together a stage show directed at women. Advertising it as a show "for women who don't want sex more than once a month", they immediately began selling out in comedy clubs throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Two short years later, the best friends were starring in their own NBC prime time series, The Mommies. They are still in shock.
In February 1995 their successful stage show was featured on a highly rated Showtime special: MY KID BEAT UP YOUR HONOR STUDENT, which garnered each of them a Cable Ace Nomination in both writing and best comedy categories. Today it can be seen on the Lifetime Network.
For the past seven years Caryl and Marilyn have been the spokespersons for Palmolive's dish-washing liquid, replacing the classic "Madge." As a result Palmolive enjoys a 35% share of the liquid dishwashing soap market, a testament to their "every woman" appeal. Their soon-to-be-released line of clothing, BUTTERBABES, is day wear you can sleep in. Just another extension of their ability to relate to their audience and its needs.
Co-hosting a talk show was next for THE MOMMIES. The duo enjoyed a run as Caryl & Marilyn: Real Friends for ABC Daytime. Their slightly irreverent, definitely real talk show was number one in their time slot in most major markets. It was only Barbara Walter's need for more airtime that made The Mommies relinquish their morning time slot.
In 1999 HarperCollins released Caryl and Marilyn's Erma Bombeck style book, THE MOTHERLOAD, in time for Mother's Day. Within three weeks the hardcover went into its third printing. The paperback is currently enjoying the same success.
