High Society (1995 TV series)

High Society
Genre Sitcom
Created by Robert Horn
Daniel Margosis
Written by Lisa Albert
Pat Dougherty
Marc Flanagan
Robert Horn
Daniel Margosis
Directed by Stan Daniels
Iris Dugow
Ellen Gittelsohn
Michael Lembeck
Starring Jean Smart
Mary McDonnell
Theme music composer Howard McCrary
Mark Stevens
Opening theme "The Lady Is a Tramp" performed by Chaka Khan
Composer(s) Frank Fitzpatrick
David Tobocman
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 13
Production
Executive producer(s) Gary Dontzig
Marc Flanagan
Robert Horn
Daniel Margosis
Steven Peterman
Producer(s) Lisa Albert
Barbara Dorio
Running time 22–24 minutes
Production company(s) JVTV
Look Ma Productions
Warner Bros Television
Release
Original network CBS
Original release October 30, 1995 (1995-10-30) – February 26, 1996 (1996-02-26)

High Society is an American sitcom that aired Monday nights on CBS from October 30, 1995 to February 26, 1996; it was entered into the CBS schedule as a replacement for If Not for You, a sitcom starring Elizabeth McGovern, which was quickly canceled by the network.[1] The theme song was "The Lady Is a Tramp" sung by Chaka Khan.

Its premise was similar to the campy British comedy series Absolutely Fabulous.

Storyline

The series revolves around two New York City women who acted in an outrageous, campy, and decadent manner. Ellie Walker (Jean Smart) was a successful author of trashy romantic novels, and her best friend and publisher was Dorothy 'Dott' Emerson (Mary McDonnell). Emerson was a divorced mother with a preppie college-aged son, Brendan Emerson (Dan O'Donahue), a College Republican, who rejected the relentless sexual advances of Ellie, but who otherwise appeared to be heterosexual. In the pilot episode, the women's small-town former college friend, Val Brumberg (Faith Prince), arrived and moved in with Dott. At the publishing house, the women worked with a flamboyant gay male secretary named Stephano (Luigi Amodeo) and a sleazy publisher partner named Peter Thomas (David Rasche).

Aside from the situational comedy that arose from Ellie and Dott's campy antics, the storylines often centered on the notion of family. Val started to become something of a mother figure to Brendan. Stephano was often seeking a boyfriend and was seen more as a family member than a mere secretary, and in the final episode Ellie decided that she wanted to have a baby and she scouted out possible fathers.

Cancellation

Despite garnering decent ratings, the series was canceled after 13 episodes and replaced with "Good Company."

Cast

Main

  • Jean Smart as Ellie Walker
  • Mary McDonnell as Dorothy "Dott" Emerson
  • Dan O'Donahue as Brendan Emerson
  • David Rasche as Peter Thomas
  • Faith Prince as Valerie "Val" Brumberg (episodes 1–6)
  • Luigi Amodeo as Stephano

Recurring

Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"Family Val's"Michael LembeckRobert Horn & Daniel MargosisOctober 30, 1995 (1995-10-30)
Dott invites Val to stay with her, much to Ellie's chagrin.
2"Whose Son Is It Anyway?"Iris DugowRobert Horn & Daniel MargosisNovember 6, 1995 (1995-11-06)
Dott fears Val has developed a maternal bond with Brendan. Meanwhile, Ellie and Stephano each throw themselves at Ellie's buff new bodyguard.
3"Sleeping with the Enemy"Stan DanielsRobert Horn & Daniel MargosisNovember 13, 1995 (1995-11-13)
In an attempt to get rid of Val, Ellie tries to reunite her with estranged husband Mitchell, but soon comes to realize that Val might be better off without him.
4"Dolce & G'bye Now"Iris DugowRobert Horn & Daniel MargosisNovember 20, 1995 (1995-11-20)
After being humiliated by Ellie, Stephano quits and Dott reluctantly hires Val as his replacement, which sends Ellie into a frenzied fit.
5"Tomb with a View"Iris DugowLisa AlbertNovember 27, 1995 (1995-11-27)
When Alice's neighbor dies, Ellie tries to impress the snooty building committee in order to secure a lush apartment.
6"The Naked and the Deadline"Iris DugowMarc FlanaganDecember 4, 1995 (1995-12-04)
When Ellie develops writer's block, Dott goes to great lengths to get her unstuck.
7"Finnigan's Rainbow"Iris DugowRobert Horn & Daniel MargosisDecember 11, 1995 (1995-12-11)
Dott falls in love with a motivational speaker (Barry Bostwick).
8"We Ought to be in Pictures"Iris DugowRobert Horn & Daniel MargosisDecember 18, 1995 (1995-12-18)
When production begins on a film based on one of her novels, Ellie is horrified to discover she's forfeited all creative control.
9"Nip and Tuck"Iris DugowLisa Albert & Marc FlanaganJanuary 15, 1996 (1996-01-15)
Alice convinces Dott and Ellie to see a plastic surgeon (Bronson Pinchot) before an upcoming photo shoot.
10"Alice Doesn't Pump Here Anymore"Iris DugowRobert Horn & Daniel MargosisJanuary 22, 1996 (1996-01-22)
After sustaining a heart attack, Alice finds herself being smothered by Dott.
11"Touching Up Your Roots"TBATBAFebruary 5, 1996 (1996-02-05)
Ellie's parents (Doris Roberts, Paul Dooley) visit with a shocking confession.
12"I Found My Thrill on Nancy Garvey Hill"TBATBAFebruary 12, 1996 (1996-02-12)
Ellie discovers a rival romance novelist is actually the guy she's been sleeping with (Tom Arnold).
13"The Family Jewels"Iris DugowRobert Horn & Daniel MargosisFebruary 26, 1996 (1996-02-26)
Ellie decides she wants to have a baby.

Award nominations

Year Award Category Recipient Result
1996Emmy AwardOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesJayne MeadowsNominated
1996Casting Society of AmericaBest Casting for TV, Comedy PilotLeslie LittNominated

References

  1. ↑ James, Caryn (1995-11-06). "Television Review; It's Monday, So It Must Be Women". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
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