Real Life Can Prompt Pregnant Plot Lines

Nov. 20, 2005— -- When "Alias" star Jennifer Garner told her bosses at the show that she was pregnant, their initial response was to go on as if nothing had changed and simply superimpose her head on someone else's body.

But on second thought, producers realized that making Garner's character Sydney Bristow a pregnant secret agent might be even more intriguing.

Here are some of Hollywood's most clever pregnancy plotline adjustments:

The first pregnant TV star was Lucille Ball. Fifty years ago, she really was expecting. And Desi Arnaz, her husband on the show "I Love Lucy," was her husband in real life. But times were different and the word "pregnant" couldn't even be uttered on TV. A record 44 million viewers watched the episode when Lucy gave birth to little Ricky.

When Phylicia Rashad, who played Clair Huxtable, Bill Cosby's TV wife, was pregnant, the show had her play hide and seek behind potted plants and shopping bags. The Huxtables already had five children.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus was pregnant when she starred on "Seinfeld" as Elaine, but being a mom would not fit her character, so the show's producers chose to ignore it.

Sarah Jessica Parker wore big clothes when she was expecting during her "Sex and the City" days. She also spent a lot of time sitting to hide the belly bulge.

When Jane Leeves, who played Daphne on "Frasier" got pregnant, the show's producers sent her to fat camp.

Reese Witherspoon was hidden behind big Victorian clothes in "Vanity Fair." Her costumes did not even have to be altered.

When Jodie Foster became pregnant during the movie "Panic Room," the crew simply took a break from shooting. They finished after the baby arrived.

Catherine Zeta-Jones really was pregnant when playing a pregnant wife in "Traffic."