Mary and Jan,
I completely agree with your views about Mad About You. As someone who,
back in my niave unsure days, bought into the Ferber ideals, I can say
that I could completely relate to the entire episode. That was me three
years ago. Except, of course, my son did not fall asleep (I went in after
the first 10 mintues....I'm a Ferber Failure). Weather or not she fell
asleep is not the point. The point is that they let her cry, taught her
(in their words) that they were not always going to be there for her, and
felt remorse and pain for what they did "to" her, in the end. The wished
they could turn back the clock as does most of the people I know who have
tried to sleep-train.

For a tv sitcom on such a controversial subject, I could not be any
happier with the outcome. I knew before even watching it that they would
give in right before she fell asleep. This was pretty predictable sitcome
stuff. But, I was pretty thrown by the "sad" note the show left on...I
had totally expected it to end with a joke or with happiness that they
"won". I was most impressed.

And,as for the "real" ending, after the credits rolled, I did not
perceive that as "pride"...it was just a shot at what they had
accomplished...shooting the entire 20 minutes with one take...it was a
joke, but it was not aimed at the subject of the show.

I did leave wondering not if this was going to work next week, but if it
was going to work later that night! After all, most children wake during
the night. I wonder if they were going to do that again and again all
night long?!

Again, as sitcoms go, I was most impressed.
Nicki Clark, Michigan