Overdue

Sit Me Baby One More Time Ep 08 - Welcome to the BSC, Abby! (The Baby-Sitters Club #90)

February 28, 2026

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The episode covers *Welcome to the BSC, Abby!* (BSC #90), which introduces new member Abby Stevenson and was written by ghostwriter Nola Thacker, who penned 15 main series books. 
  • The hosts note that Abby's defining characteristics (being a twin and Jewish) are mentioned but are not central to the plot, unlike the book's focus on her asthma attack and the town's effort to fund school arts via a large carnival. 
  • The discussion highlights the structural conventions of later-era BSC books, such as the highly voicey narration of the new character and the continuation of the series' perpetual eighth-grade time loop despite character departures like Dawn's. 
  • The new character, Abby, is noted for having a distinctive and enjoyable "voicey" narrative style, setting her apart from previous Baby-Sitters Club books discussed. 
  • The hosts confirm that this episode covers book eight in their reading sequence, marking the first appearance of all major club members, Logan, and Shannon. 
  • The next installment of the *Sit Me Baby One More Time* series will feature a discussion of the 1995 *The Baby-Sitters Club* movie, which will allow for a comparison of character handling across different media formats. 

Segments

Sponsor Reads and Podcast Intro
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(00:00:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Cozy Earth, Mint Mobile, and Marley Spoon are featured sponsors for this episode of Overdue.
  • Summary: The episode opens with advertisements for Cozy Earth bamboo pajamas and blankets, Mint Mobile wireless service deals, and Marley Spoon meal delivery boxes. The hosts, Craig and Andrew, formally introduce the podcast, Overdue, and the long-read series on The Baby-Sitters Club.
Book Context and Ghostwriter Introduction
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(00:04:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Book 90, Welcome to the BSC, Abby!, is set in the ‘perpetual eighth grade’ era and was written by Nola Thacker, who contributed 15 main series books.
  • Summary: The hosts establish that this episode covers book 90, which jumps far ahead in the series sequence but keeps the characters trapped in the same grade level. Nola Thacker, the ghostwriter, is credited with writing 15 main series books, and her work is noted for its distinct stylistic elements, particularly in the use of parentheticals and explicit jokes.
Abby Stevenson Character Profile
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(00:06:43)
  • Key Takeaway: Abby Stevenson is introduced as a new member who is a twin and Jewish, though her Jewish identity is barely mentioned, while her asthma becomes a critical plot point.
  • Summary: Abby Stevenson is the focus of Welcome to the BSC, Abby!, marking the first book of ‘Year Eight’ in the perpetual eighth grade timeline. Ann M. Martin’s letter confirms Abby was created to fulfill reader requests for a twin and a Jewish character. Abby’s primary personal conflict revolves around managing her asthma, which leads to a severe episode while babysitting.
BSC Structure and Grief Subplots
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(00:18:49)
  • Key Takeaway: The book follows the standard BSC structure but features Abby’s family processing the recent death of her father, a theme that contrasts with the book’s main event: a town carnival.
  • Summary: The narrative adheres to the typical BSC format, including chapter introductions to the new character and babysitting journal entries, but the main plot centers on a town-wide carnival organized to save school arts funding. Abby’s personal subplot involves her twin sister Anna and their mother dealing with unspoken grief over their father’s death, which surfaces when they unpack his belongings.
Abby’s Distinctive Voice and Humor
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(00:32:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Abby’s narration is notably ‘voicey,’ characterized by frequent, explicit jokes and extensive parenthetical asides explaining cultural references like Yiddish words or sitcom tropes.
  • Summary: Abby’s perspective is marked by a highly self-aware and jokey style, exemplified by her defining her ‘shtick’ and using lengthy parentheticals to explain concepts like Aretha Franklin songs or the history of Yiddish. This distinct narrative style sets her apart from the voices of the other established Baby-Sitters Club members.
The School Arts Carnival Details
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(00:44:50)
  • Key Takeaway: The majority of the book details the extensive, unregulated preparations by the townspeople for a massive carnival intended to raise funds to prevent cuts to the school’s arts programs.
  • Summary: The carnival preparation involves numerous detailed descriptions of booths, including Mary Ann’s family featuring ‘Elvira the baby goat’ for Polaroid selfies and Claudia and Anna creating laminated cardboard pins featuring famous art and music for a $1 donation. The hosts question the logistics, such as the lack of permits and how the large cash proceeds would be handled by the school board.
Climactic Train Incident and Resolution
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(00:51:58)
  • Key Takeaway: The climax involves Abby fearing her mother was on a derailed train, which ultimately leads to a family reconciliation where they agree to discuss their grief while working their cupcake booth.
  • Summary: Abby overhears news of a train derailment and fears for her mother, who was traveling from New York City; the mother eventually arrives safely, explaining she was on a subsequent train stuck in a tunnel due to delays caused by leaf peepers. This near-tragedy prompts Abby, Anna, and their mother to finally address the grief surrounding their father’s death and commit to supporting each other.
Conclusion and Next Episode Preview
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(00:59:57)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts enjoyed Abby’s distinct voice, and the next episode of Sit Me Baby One More Time will cover the 1995 The Baby-Sitters Club movie.
  • Summary: Despite noting a lack of emotional payoff regarding Abby proving herself to Christie, the hosts found the book fun due to Abby’s unique and charming voice. The episode concludes by setting up the next installment, which will be a non-traditional episode focusing on the 1995 film adaptation of The Baby-Sitters Club.
Abby’s Distinctive Voice
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(01:01:40)
  • Key Takeaway: Abby possesses a distinctive and enjoyable narrative voice that immediately sets her book apart from others previously read in the series.
  • Summary: The character’s voice is described as ‘voicey,’ which the speaker clarifies is intended as a compliment rather than a criticism. This distinctiveness makes her feel like a very different person compared to other Baby-Sitters Club members covered. The speaker generally enjoyed this unique characteristic.
Series Progress and Club Employees
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(01:02:04)
  • Key Takeaway: The current book marks the eighth in the reading sequence, having covered the first appearances of all major club members, Logan, and Shannon.
  • Summary: The hosts confirm this is book eight in their reading list for the series. They note that only the W-2 employees of the Babysitters Club are being covered in this specific reading sequence, excluding 1099 personnel. The Sit Me Baby One More Time series is not yet complete, with another month scheduled.
Next Episode Preview: Movie
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(01:02:38)
  • Key Takeaway: The next episode of Sit Me Baby One More Time will revisit the 1995 The Baby-Sitters Club movie, featuring Larissa Elanek.
  • Summary: The upcoming discussion will focus on the 1995 film adaptation of The Baby-Sitters Club. Hosts are interested in how the movie structure juggles screen time among the characters, given the novels typically center on one girl. One host has seen the movie previously during their peak interest in the franchise.
Series Debrief and Continuity
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(01:04:12)
  • Key Takeaway: The upcoming movie discussion may prompt a broader reflection on the entire Baby-Sitters Club series read, particularly concerning the characters’ timeline stuck in eighth grade.
  • Summary: The movie viewing is anticipated to be an occasion to revisit thoughts on the series, including what the hosts liked and what they wish they knew about the characters’ timeline. The movie likely exists in its own continuity, meaning it does not have to contend with the podcast’s running joke about the characters being trapped in eighth grade for 13 years.
Outro and Contact Information
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(01:04:58)
  • Key Takeaway: Listeners can contact the Overdue podcast via email or social media and support the show financially through Patreon for bonus content.
  • Summary: Feedback on unread BSC books can be sent to overdopod at gmail.com, and social media contact is @OverduePod. Theme music composer is Nick Lerangis, and the main show schedule is available at overdopodcast.com. Financial support via patreon.com/slash overdue pod grants access to early episodes and special collections.