Veronica's Closet

Veronica's Closet
Inter-title
Created by David Crane
Marta Kauffman
Starring Kirstie Alley
Dan Cortese
Daryl Mitchell
Wallace Langham
Kathy Najimy
Ron Silver
Lorri Bagley
Robert Prosky
Theme music composer Moby, Gabriel Jackson, Bobby Robinson
(season 3)
Opening theme "She's Got Everything" performed by Jeffrey Osborne
(seasons 1 & 2)
"Bodyrock" by Moby
(season 3)
Composer(s) Giorgio Bertuccelli
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 3
No. of episodes 66
Production
Executive producer(s) Kevin S. Bright
Marta Kauffman
David Crane
Camera setup Multi-camera
Running time 30 minutes
Production company(s) Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions
Warner Bros. Television
Distributor Warner Bros. Television Distribution
Release
Original network NBC
Original release September 25, 1997 – December 7, 2000

Veronica’s Closet is an American sitcom which aired on NBC for three seasons, from September 25, 1997, to December 7, 2000.

The show stars Kirstie Alley as Veronica “Ronnie” Chase, the head of her own lingerie company in New York City.

Plot

Season one

As the country’s leading romance expert and owner of Veronica’s Closet, purveyor of lingerie and books designed to keep romance alive, Veronica Chase seems to have it all. Her only problem has been a rocky marriage to a womanizing husband, Bryce (Christopher McDonald), whom she finally gathered the strength to leave. Having written The Guide to a Fairy Tale Marriage and built an empire as the foremost authority on relationships, Ronnie must now confront the charade she’s been living in the public eye as the perfect wife and career woman. Helping Ronnie run the company and her personal life is her top executive, Olive, who is always ready with solid business advice or a shoulder to cry on.

Season two

In the second season, Ron Silver joins the cast as Alec, Ronnie’s new business partner and nemesis who buys controlling interest of the company she built. In later episodes of the season, Alec and Ronnie develop a relationship, but after Ronnie pushes him away he goes on a romantic trip he'd planned without her. Robert Prosky, who played Ronnie’s father in season one, was written out of the show (no explanation is ever given).

Season three

In the third and final season, Alec was killed off the show as it was shown that audiences did not like Ron Silver’s character. His widow, June, took over his role in the company and later admitted to pushing Alec into a volcano. Although the final few episodes of Veronica’s Closet did not air in the U.S. on NBC, they were later aired on the USA Cable Network during its syndicated run. In the final episodes, Veronica ends up dating Perry, Olive sells her Internet company and buys June’s half of Veronica’s Closet, making her a co-owner with Veronica, and Josh finally accepts the fact that he is gay and starts dating his neighbor and friend, Brian.

History

The series premiered on Sept 25, 1997, after Seinfeld, to 35 million viewers. Its title was derived from the “real life” lingerie company, Victoria’s Secret. Hammocked between Seinfeld and ER within the Must See TV lineup, the show was a top 10 hit, although the initial ratings died down later in the first season. The sitcom spent the first two seasons on Thursdays at 9:30 (after Seinfeld in season 1 and after Frasier in season 2).

NBC moved the show out of Must See TV to a new time slot, following Suddenly Susan (another NBC sitcom centered around a professional single woman), on Mondays for the 1999–2000 season. Ratings fell more than 50 percent, and NBC put both shows on hiatus. The show returned on Tuesdays at 9:30 (after Will & Grace) with only a slight boost in ratings. NBC canceled the series in 2000, along with Suddenly Susan, due to low ratings. Reruns were shown on USA Network for a short time in 2000–2001 and on TV Guide Network from 2011–2012.

The show was taped Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, on soundstage 25.

Broadcast and ratings history

Season TV season Timeslot (ET) Season premiere Season finale Rank Viewers
(in millions)
1 1997–98 Thursdays @ 9:30/8:30 central (NBC's Must See TV Thursdays) September 25, 1997 May 9, 1998 #3[1] 24.4[1]
2 1998–99 September 24, 1998 May 6, 1999 #5[2] 19.3[2]
3 1999–2000 Mondays @ 8:30/7:30 central September 20, 1999 December 7, 2000[a] #86[3] 7.97[3]

^[a] End of the series' original broadcast run. Last four episodes were aired on the USA Network five months later.[4]

Cast

Main cast

Recurring cast

Guest stars

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
122September 25, 1997May 9, 1998
222September 24, 1998May 6, 1999
322September 20, 1999December 7, 2000

Episodes

Season 1 (1997–98)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date
11"Pilot"James BurrowsDavid Crane & Marta KauffmanSeptember 25, 1997 (1997-09-25)
Ronnie must decide whether to leave her husband or stay with him "for the sake of the business."
22"Veronica's Woman Friend"Robert BerlingerRob Ulin & Sarah DunnOctober 2, 1997 (1997-10-02)
Ronnie and Olive try to be friends outside the office; Josh is horrified when everyone starts using Perry's made-up word.
33"Veronica's Husband Won't Leave"Robert BerlingerDavid Crane & Marta KauffmanOctober 9, 1997 (1997-10-09)
Ronnie is livid after Bryce pleads for her forgiveness on "Entertainment Tonight."
44"Veronica's Not Happy About the Book"Alan RafkinSarah DunnOctober 21, 1997 (1997-10-21)
Divorce proceedings take an ugly turn when Bryce threatens to write a tell-all book about Ronnie.
55"Veronica's First Date"Robert BerlingerEric WeinbergOctober 30, 1997 (1997-10-30)
Josh is infatuated with a rodeo cowboy (Jeffrey Nordling) who's more interested in roping Ronnie.
66"Veronica's Best Buddy"Alan RafkinAlexa JungeNovember 5, 1997 (1997-11-05)
Ronnie and Bryce battle for custody of their geriatric dog, Buddy; Perry dates a pregnant model (Vanessa Angel).
77"Veronica's a Doll"Alan RafkinJohn Frink & Don PayneNovember 13, 1997 (1997-11-13)
A toy company approaches Ronnie about making a Veronica Chase doll for its line of "female role models."
88"Veronica's First Thanksgiving"Lee Shallat ChemelDoty AbramsNovember 20, 1997 (1997-11-20)
Ronnie's plans for a "traditional" dinner are interrupted when Bryce's grandmother (Eileen Brennan) arrives.
99"Veronica's Brotherly Love"Robert BerlingerJohn Frink & Don PayneDecember 11, 1997 (1997-12-11)
Ronnie persuades Olive to set her up with her gorgeous brother (Eric McCormack), but discovers after one date that he's an egotist.
1010"Veronica's Christmas Song"Lee Shallat ChemelSherry Bilsing & Ellen PlummerDecember 18, 1997 (1997-12-18)
Olive sings a solo at the Lincoln Center Christmas show while Ronnie is given a less glamorous role; Bryce has ulterior motives for asking Josh to dinner.
1111"Veronica's Got a Secret"Robert BerlingerEric WeinbergJanuary 8, 1998 (1998-01-08)
Olive's boyfriend (Marcus Flannagan) makes at pass at Ronnie.
1212"Veronica's Fun and Pirates Are Crazy"Lee Shallat ChemelSteve Joe & Greg SchafferJanuary 15, 1998 (1998-01-15)
Bryce decides he wants to "work" at the office, but his antics only disrupt things for Ronnie, and cause her to wonder if the staff likes him more than her. Zooey Deschanel guests.
1313"Veronica's Night Alone"Kevin S. BrightSherry Bilsing & Ellen PlummerJanuary 29, 1998 (1998-01-29)
Ronnie stirs up controversy, and jeopardizes a date with Kevin Costner, after writing about the joys of "romancing yourself"; Leo learns about Tina's past romances.
1414"Veronica's $600,000 Pop"Robert BerlingerSarah DunnFebruary 5, 1998 (1998-02-05)
A glitch in her divorce proceedings stymies Ronnie's plans to consummate her renewed relationship with an old flame (Ted Danson); Perry deals with his girlfriend's superstitions.
1515"Veronica's a Drag"Robert BerlingerTeleplay by: Sherry Bilsing & Ellen Plummer
Story by: Eric Weinberg
February 26, 1998 (1998-02-26)
Ronnie copes with a kleptomaniac-supermodel and sues a drag queen who's been mocking her on TV.
1616"Veronica's Divorce Papers"Robert BerlingerCharlotte BrownMarch 5, 1998 (1998-03-05)
Olive and the staff don't trust Bryce when he asks Ronnie to be his friend once their divorce is final.
1717"Veronica's Blackout"Robert BerlingerJohn Frink & Don PayneMarch 12, 1998 (1998-03-12)
Ronnie celebrates her divorce with a trip to Atlantic City---only to return with a new husband (Michael Jeter).
1818"Veronica's Bridal Shower"Robert BerlingerTeleplay by: Sarah Dunn
Story by: Sherry Bilsing & Ellen Plummer
April 2, 1998 (1998-04-02)
Olive feels stripped of her pride when asked what her new man (Maxwell Caulfield) does for a living; Perry tries to bond with his new girlfriend's son (Michael Welch).
1919"Veronica's Man in a Suitcase"Robert BerlingerTeleplay by: Brian Boyle & Rich Fox
Story by: Steve Joe & Greg Schaffer
April 9, 1998 (1998-04-09)
Ronnie returns from the airport with a suitcase that she concludes belongs to the perfect man (Mark Derwin); Tina scores more than an autograph when she meets football star Keyshawn Johnson.
2020"Veronica's All Nighter"Robert BerlingerTeleplay by: Brian Boyle & Rich Fox
Story by: Lang-Ni Landrum
April 16, 1998 (1998-04-16)
Leo learns his fiancée kissed another man; the staff scrambles to produce a summer catalogue.
2121"Veronica's Mole"Robert BerlingerTeleplay by: Steve Joe & Greg Schaffer
Story by: Sarah Dunn
April 30, 1998 (1998-04-30)
In an effort to expand the company, Ronnie seeks the help of a silent partner (Holland Taylor).
2222"Veronica's Silent Partner"Robert BerlingerTeleplay by: John Frink & Don Payne
Story by: Steve Joe & Greg Schaffer
May 7, 1998 (1998-05-07)
Ronnie's partner (Holland Taylor) takes a liking to Josh, who responds in shocking fashion. This is Robert Prosky's final episode.

Season 2 (1998–99)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date
231"Veronica Gets Her Closet Back"Kevin S. BrightAmy Sherman-PalladinoSeptember 24, 1998 (1998-09-24)
Hunter's stepfather (Ron Silver) arrives to check up on him -- and he winds up charming the former boss, Ronnie.
242"Veronica's a Partner Now"Robert BerlingerEric WeinbergOctober 1, 1998 (1998-10-01)
Anger and sexual tension rise between Ronnie and Alec as they try to share an office and run the company together.
253"Veronica's Great Model Search"Robert BerlingerJosh Bycel & Jonathan FenerOctober 8, 1998 (1998-10-08)
Ronnie searches for a fresh face to feature as the catalogue's cover girl; Josh ends up on the outs with an altar-bound chum (Scott Thompson).
264"Veronica's Dog Day Afternoon"Robert BerlingerSherry Bilsing & Ellen PlummerOctober 15, 1998 (1998-10-15)
Olive and Perry share an awkward moment; Alec acts like a scared kitten around Ronnie's dog.
275"Veronica's Crushed"Michael LembeckTom Spezialy & Alan CrossOctober 29, 1998 (1998-10-29)
Ronnie finds Alec's chivalry attractive; Leo wants to be Perry's roommate.
286"Veronica's on the Herb"Shelley JensenRichard GoodmanNovember 5, 1998 (1998-11-05)
Olive and Ronnie grow disillusioned with the effects of a health herb, while Alec plots revenge against his ex (Tia Carrere) after Perry starts dating her.
297"Veronica's Breast Efforts"Amanda BearseMichael PoryesNovember 12, 1998 (1998-11-12)
A woman sues the company over a defect caused by a sports bra; Olive gets down to business with the new intern (David Lascher).
308"Veronica's Thanksgiving That Keeps on Giving"Jeff MelmanMark KunerthNovember 19, 1998 (1998-11-19)
Thanksgiving dinner is a family affair for Olive, who sets a place for her young beau and his attractive dad (Mark Harelik).
319"Veronica's Cheating Partners"Alan RafkinTeleplay by: Sherry Bilsing & Ellen Plummer
Story by: Mike Gandolfi
December 10, 1998 (1998-12-10)
Ronnie acts like a woman scorned when Alec entertains offers from another company; Leo and his girlfriend play a name game.
3210"Veronica's Secret Santa"Shelley JensenEric WeinbergDecember 17, 1998 (1998-12-17)
Ronnie gets naughty with a nice department-store Santa, then cries out when she sees who's under the beard.
3311"Veronica's from Venus, Josh's Parents Are from Mars"Alan RafkinBarry Vigon & Tom WallaJanuary 7, 1999 (1999-01-07)
Josh receives a birthday visit from his boisterous parents (Tyne Daly, John Bennett Perry); Leo and Perry find what they think is a dream apartment.
3412"Veronica's Desk Job"Shelley JensenAlan Cross & Tom SpezialyJanuary 21, 1998 (1998-01-21)
After a tiff with Alec, Josh quits his job as executive assistant and goes to work for Perry.
3513"Veronica's Wedding Bell Blues"Alan RafkinMichael PoryesFebruary 4, 1999 (1999-02-04)
Ronnie is horrified when her ex-husband, Bryce, invites her to his wedding. Anna Nicole Smith guests.
3614"Veronica Plays House"Joe RegalbutoJosh Bycel & Jonathan FenerFebruary 11, 1999 (1999-02-11)
Ronnie persuades Alec that it's time to buy a townhouse -- and that she should be his decorator; Josh has a girlfriend.
3715"Veronica's Favorite Year"Shelley JensenAmy Sherman-Palladino & Mike GandolfiFebruary 18, 1999 (1999-02-18)
An eccentric photographer (John Ritter) has trouble focusing on the project Ronnie hires him to shoot, leaving Alec furious.
3816"Veronica's Little Tribute"Dana de Vally PiazzaSherry Bilsing & Ellen PlummerFebruary 25, 1999 (1999-02-25)
Ronnie plans to present a "humorous" tribute during a dinner honoring Alec.
3917"Veronica Falls Hard"Shelley JensenSeth FriedmanMarch 11, 1999 (1999-03-11)
An encounter with Alec takes Ronnie off her feet -- literally; Josh meets Chloe's Irish family on St. Patrick's Day.
4018"Veronica's Big Date"Michael LembeckTeleplay by: Alan Dybner & Helen Pai
Story by: Jason Firestein
March 25, 1999 (1999-03-25)
Josh gains a wealth of knowledge about his girlfriend (Mary Lynn Rajskub), while Ronnie and Alec try to keep their affair under wraps.
4119"Veronica's Big Homecoming"Michael LembeckEric WeinbergApril 1, 1999 (1999-04-01)
The staff heads for Kansas when they learn Ronnie's home town plans to name a street "Veronica Chase Boulevard."
4220"Veronica's Little Ruse"Joe RegalbutoBarry Vigon & Tom WallaApril 22, 1999 (1999-04-22)
Ronnie's charity-ball date sparks jealousy in Alec, who thinks their relationship should go back to business -- and only business.
4321"Veronica's Night at the Theater"Joe RegalbutoAmy Sherman-PalladinoApril 29, 1999 (1999-04-29)
Alec offers Justin (Greg Evigan) half of the company, because Justin has "won" Ronnie; Olive spots an ex in the cast of "Cabaret."
4422"Veronica Says Goodbye"Shelley JensenMike GandolfiMay 6, 1999 (1999-05-06)
Ronnie agrees to a weekend away with Justin, and Alec abruptly announces that he's leaving the company.

Season 3 (1999-00)


#TotalTitleDirectorWriterOriginal airdate
145"Veronica's New Boss"Alan RafkinJeffrey Astrof & Mike SikowitzSeptember 20, 1999 (1999-09-20)
Ronnie reels at the news that Alec has died in a bizarre volcano accident, but she really blows her top when she comes face-to-face with his widow (Lorri Bagley). Meanwhile, Josh has a surprise for the rest of the office.
246"Veronica's June Swoon"Shelley JensenChristopher VaneSeptember 27, 1999 (1999-09-27)
Veronica feuds with June. Also, Josh's tries to be one of the guys on a golf outing with Chloe's father (Paul Gleason).
347"Veronica's Construction Worker"Paul MillerEric WeinbergOctober 4, 1999 (1999-10-04)
Veronica's latest romantic interest (John Schneider) is June's father; Olive volunteers to read to a blind child.
448"Veronica's Office – Bigger, Longer and Cuter"Shelley JensenAlison AdlerOctober 11, 1999 (1999-10-11)
The office renovation is complete, and Ronnie thinks June is trying to trick her into choosing inferior accommodations. Also, a videotape from Leo's past comes back to haunt him.
549"Veronica's New Cat"Shelley JensenTeleplay by: Eric Weinberg
Story by: Jeffrey Astrof & Mike Sikowitz
October 18, 1999 (1999-10-18)
Ronnie turns especially catty when her birthday gift to Olive is not nearly as purr-fect as Josh's. Meanwhile, Perry and Leo go to extremes to see a different side of June.
650"Veronica's Long Walk Home"Alan RafkinMonica PiperOctober 25, 1999 (1999-10-25)
Taking a page from the Rosie Ruiz training manual, Ronnie learns a long, hard lesson about shortcuts at a charity walkathon. Meanwhile, Josh and Chloe perform a dress rehearsal of their upcoming marriage.
751"Veronica's Got All the Right Stuffing"J.D. LobueRichard GoodmanNovember 22, 1999 (1999-11-22)
Ronnie's Thanksgiving bash becomes just that when she and June try to beat the stuffing out of one another; Josh cooks for Chloe's brothers; Perry gets a monkey off his back at the holiday parade.
852"Veronica's Sliding Doors"Shelley JensenJosh Bycel & Jonathan FenerNovember 29, 1999 (1999-11-29)
A trip to Miami for Ronnie and her staff plays out in different scenarios, depending on which flight they board.
953"Veronica's New Year"Shelley JensenTeleplay by: Jason Firestein
Story by: Monica Piper
December 13, 1999 (1999-12-13)
Ronnie nearly loses her head getting ready for a New Year's Eve duet with Isaac Hayes; Leo puts his feelings for Lana (Alexia Robinson) in writing; Perry tries to catch up on some last-minute resolutions.
1054"Veronica's Perfect Man"Shelley JensenMark J. KunerthJanuary 4, 2000 (2000-01-04)
Ronnie “smells” trouble with a sexy new suitor; Olive learns good things don't always come in small packages.
1155"Veronica's Record"Paul MillerTeleplay by: Alan Dybner
Story by: Mark J. Kunerth
January 11, 2000 (2000-01-11)
Veronica vies to set an unusual world record; Josh shrinks from confrontation with a hostile neighbor; Perry's senile grandfather grows alarmingly fond of Leo.
1256"Veronica's Tattooed Man"Alan RafkinTiffany ZehnalJanuary 18, 2000 (2000-01-18)
When Ronnie dates Olive's former beau, she is tormented by a constant reminder of their relationship; Josh defends Perry and Leo from the office bully (Greg Proops).
1357"Veronica's Candy Panties"Dana de Vally PiazzaEric WeinbergJanuary 25, 2000 (2000-01-25)
Stressed out about planning his wedding, Josh goes on an eating binge; Ronnie causes a Valentine's Day marketing massacre. Scott Baio guests.
1458"Veronica's New Bookshelves"Shelley JensenMark J. KunerthFebruary 1, 2000 (2000-02-01)
Josh and Chloe both develop crushes on their wedding planner (Scott Baio); Ronnie enjoys a steamy reunion with June's hunky father.
1559"Veronica's Sleepover"Shelley JensenRichard GoodmanJune 6, 2000 (2000-06-06)
Ronnie nervously anticipates an overnight stay with Tom; Leo aspires to be the best man at Josh's wedding.
1660"Veronica's Girls' Night Out"Joe RegalbutoJosh Bycel & Jonathan FenerJune 13, 2000 (2000-06-13)
At Josh's bachelor party, his longstanding flirtation with best pal Brian (Alan Smith) goes a step further.
1761"Veronica Helps Josh Out"Stuart RossJeffrey Astrof & Mike SikowitzJune 20, 2000 (2000-06-20)
On the eve of his wedding to Chloe, Josh finally confronts the issue of his latent homosexuality; Perry plots to seduce June.
1862"Veronica Sets Josh Up"Joe RegalbutoAlan Dybner & Jason FiresteinJune 27, 2000 (2000-06-27)
As Josh faces his first official day out of the closet, Ronnie and Olive compete to find him a new beau.
1963"Veronica's Clips"Wallace LanghamTiffany ZehnalDecember 4, 2000 (2000-12-04)
Olive's job offer from another company leads the gang to take a stroll down memory lane (shown in clips).
2064"Veronica Loses Her Olive Again"Joe RegalbutoChristopher VaneDecember 5, 2000 (2000-12-05)
Ronnie begs Olive to come back to Veronica's Closet; Leo accidentally telephones a supermodel.
2165"Veronica's Doing the Nasty With Perry"Sheldon EppsAllison AdlerDecember 6, 2000 (2000-12-06)
The latest office romance is a surprise; Leo tries to teach Josh how to play basketball.
2266"Veronica Checks Out"Dana de Vally PiazzaEric WeinbergDecember 7, 2000 (2000-12-07)
Ronnie and Perry encounter trouble in their new romance.

Reception

The series received recognition from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Arts among other associations.[5]

Accolades

ALMA Awards

American Comedy Awards

ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards

Casting Society of America Awards

Golden Globe Awards

Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards

Online Film & Television Association Awards

  • 1998 Best New Comedy Series (Veronica's Closet) - Nominated
  • 1998 Best New Title Sequence in a Series (Veronica's Closet) - Nominated
  • 1998 Best Episode of a Comedy Series ("Veronica's First Thanksgiving") - Nominated
  • 1998 Best New Theme Song in a Series (Giorgio Bertuccelli & Michael Skloff) - Nominated
  • 1998 Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Wallace Langham) - Nominated
  • 1998 Best Supporting Actress in a Series (Kathy Najimy) - WON
  • 1998 Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Kathy Nijimy) - WON

People's Choice Awards

Primetime Emmy Awards

Screen Actors Guild Awards

References

  1. 1 2 "The Final Countdown". Entertainment Weekly Published in issue #434 May 29, 1998. May 29, 1998. Retrieved 02-12-2010. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. 1 2 "TV Winners & Losers: Numbers Racket A Final Tally Of The Season's Show (from Nielsen Media Research)". GeoCities. June 4, 1999. Archived from the original on 2009-10-29. Retrieved 02-12-2010. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. 1 2 "Top TV Shows For 1999-2000 Season". Variety. August 6, 2000. Retrieved 2010-01-09.
  4. "Veronica's Closet (an Episode Guide)". May 15, 2005. Retrieved 2010-01-09.
  5. Veronica's Closet, retrieved 2018-06-28
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