Susan Borowitz
Susan Stevenson Borowitz is an American writer and producer. She is best known for her work on Family Ties, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Aliens in the Family, and Pleasantville. During their marriage (1982–2005), she and writer and comedian Andy Borowitz co-created The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. This series ran from 1990 to 1996 and led to Will Smith's stardom. It won NAACP's Image Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1993.[1] In addition, Susan and Andy co-created and produced many other television situation comedies. Susan is the author of the comedic novel, When We’re in Public, Pretend You Don’t Know Me: Surviving Your Daughter's Adolescence So You Don't Look Like an Idiot and She Still Talks to You, published in 2003.[2]
Early life[edit]
Growing up, she would often work on art projects, which later turned into illustrations in the form of books that she ultimately used to tell a story. The written word became her story-telling medium of choice. During her time in Hollywood, she still focused on visual arts to relieve her stress. However, this time she shifted her focus on sewing and creating formal wear for her new Hollywood lifestyle.[3]
At Harvard, Susan further explored her interest in writing and believed she potentially wanted a career out of it. She hoped to exercise her writing in humor, which she favored, and did so by becoming an editor of the Harvard Lampoon.[3] One of her articles has made it into the book, The Best of the Harvard Lampoon: 140 Years of American Humor [4] which includes passages from many Hollywood comedy writers before their careers took off. Eventually, writing for the Harvard Lampoon inspired her to branch out. She began freelance writing for a few years, then made her way to Hollywood.[5]
Family[edit]
Susan and Andy Borowitz had two children together, a daughter and a son. The family moved to New York City to raise the family, where Borowitz found it difficult to balance family while also maintain her job that was based 3,000 miles away. She decided to spend her time raising her children.[3] In 2003, she wrote the book, When We’re in Public, Pretend You Don’t Know Me: Surviving Your Daughter's Adolescence So You Don't Look Like an Idiot and She Still Talks to You, in order to capture her daughter's adolescence and as an outlet for other suburban mothers dealing with similar struggles.
When We're in Public, Pretend You Don't Know Me[edit]
When We’re in Public, Pretend You Don’t Know Me: Surviving Your Daughter's Adolescence So You Don't Look Like an Idiot and She Still Talks to You was Borowitz's first and only book thus far. In it, she encourages fellow mothers to be the UnCool mom in a comedic way. Much of the book consists of advice and inspiration to other moms in similar positions. She prompts them to be the adult in the relationship, and not necessarily the best friend that many teenagers prefer their mothers to be.[7] It contains advice from child psychologist, Dr. Ava Siegler, as well as some of Borowitz's personal experiences in addition to experiences of other mothers.[2]