‘Video Baby’ Much Easier Than The Real-Life Version

Couples who goo-goo one minute, then ga-ga five minutes later, can give a baby a trial spin for $9.99. And, if they don’t like the experience, all they have to do is to hit the eject button. On the VCR, that is.

Yes, in this technologically advanced age, you can become proud parents of a VHS bundle of joy Beta users must remain childless - by purchasing “Video Baby,” a 25-minute tape of someone else’s baby sleeping, playing, eating and, of course, sleeping again.

The proud papa of this novelty item is Joshua Tager, owner of Ivy Video, a North Carolina-based video distribution company.

But, as in real life, the one who had the most labor-intensive job was a woman - in this case a Los Angeles filmmaker named Sunday. So this is really Sunday’s child.

She conceived the idea and had two friends fork over their babies - one a girl and the other a boy - for the baby shoot.

Tighe has tiny visions of “Video Baby” becoming the Pet Rock of the ‘90s, on a smaller scale, of course.

“I think it has a longer life than the Pet Rock,” he said. “Whenever you need a shot of a baby, you can watch the tape.”

He also sees it as a good gift for grandparent wannabes as well as an electronic baby sitter, even if not for the full 25 minutes.

He speaks from experience.

“I have a 10-month-old baby and, in an unscientific study, I found that ‘Video Baby’ lasted five minutes longer than the Muppets (in keeping his baby entertained).”

In addition to the video tape, video parents receive a birth certificate with fill-in-the blanks (hey, it’s low-maintenance, but you do have to do some work) for a name and announcements.

Of course, this is hardly reality for parents. Tighe admits that “Video Baby” showcases a baby on its best behavior. Sordid details like stinky diapers, tantrums and 2 a.m. feedings are purposely excluded.

“We really just wanted to show the fun side of babydom,” he said.

So, here’s looking at you, kid.

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