The Show Must Go On

Hopefully, everyone reading this watched “United We Fall,” the sitcom that ABC aired on Wednesday nights this summer at 8 p.m. If you did, you saw young Space Coast resident Ella Grace Helton (also my kid) starring as Emily Ryan.

I learned so much during the four years of Ella’s entertainment journey. Let’s say I earned the equivalent of a bachelors degree in how to navigate the industry through all that it took to book the role. Then, I earned my masters as we shot the pilot, waited to find out if it got picked up to series, shot the first season and then waited for an air date. 

Now, as I write this, we have a few weeks to go of new episodes. It will be over by the time the magazine publishes, and we may or may not know if it was renewed for a second season.

We could say I’m now figuratively working on my doctorate — a pursuit that has no end. Ella joined the SAG-AFTRA union at age 6, as dictated by the rules for performers working in non-right-to-work-states like California. In addition to daily reading of industry news and trends, I attend up to four training sessions a week put on by SAG-AFTRA and the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.

I network and do more training on social media and follow key experts, leaders and organizations. I read comments and chats to gauge the pulse of the conversation. Even when people get facts wrong, or vehemently disagree with each other, it’s helpful — and important — to hear the dialogue. 

Many industry “rules” and norms had already been disrupted due to the changing landscape of disribution platforms and production models. Then everything just halted. But “United We Fall” was a complete season of entertainment ready to go. So when we learned that the show got a summer air date, it became clear: a comedy based on family dynamics and parenting was the PERFECT pandemic prescription. Who wouldn’t want to sit on the couch and be served laughs!?

Given the amount of entertainment consumed these past months by people confined to their homes and craving escape, enlightenment and a lessening of daily burdens, I’m still in awe that Ella was able to contribute to that in her own way. We are so grateful that the show went on. 

WHAT’S NEXT

Ella next appears opposite Adam Sandler in “Hubie Halloween,” a comedy feature film that takes place on Halloween, coming to Netflix in fall. Follow on social media to learn the film’s release date and if “United We Fall” gets a second season:

Instagram: @adventuresofellagrace

Facebook: /adventuresofellagrace 

Twitter: @EllaGraceHelton 

Season 1 of “United We Fall” is available on demand at ABC.com, the ABC app and Hulu.

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