The series originally aired as short webisodes on MSN, which worked in partnership with Unliever and its agency MindShare.
The original web show was created as a way of connecting the Unilever brand with female web users who spend time online while at home during the day looking after children and has given rise to the phenomenon of "Mommy blogging".
Unilever asked mums to submit their experiences and the best 10 were made into comedy webisodes. It racked up more than 4,000 submissions and 50,000 votes before going into production.
The online show starred Leah Remini, Chelsea Handler and Jenny McCarthy as three mothers. Only comedian and talk show host Handler is likely to make the jump to the ABC series. She is expected to be joined by former 'Will & Grace' star Megan Mullally who played Karen Walker, and Cheryl Hines from 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'.
ABC joins a number of networks snapping up shows that have debuted online.
In the UK Five bought the broadcast rights to air Bebo teen drama 'Sofia's Diary' on its rebranded digital channel Fiver.
That deal marked the first time an online series had made the transition to a major UK broadcaster.
That move followed news that ITV bought the rights to air another web first show, sci-fi series 'Sanctuary', which is to air on its digital channel ITV4.
The 13-part 'Sanctuary' stars 'Stargate: SG-1' actress Amanda Tapping. When it aired online in May 2007 it attracted more than 500,000 people in the first month.
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