Veronica's Closet

Veronica's Closet is an American sitcom television series created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, that 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.

Veronica's Closet
Inter-title
GenreSitcom
Created by
Starring
Theme music composerMoby, 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 originUnited States
Original language(s)English
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes66
Production
Executive producer(s)
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time30 minutes
Production company(s)
DistributorWarner Bros. Television Distribution
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseSeptember 25, 1997 (1997-09-25) 
December 7, 2000 (2000-12-07)

Overview

Veronica 'Ronnie' Chase, played by Alley, has made a living being known as the "Queen of Romance". She is the owner of Veronica's Closet, a company that sells lingerie and other bedroom accessories. Her husband Bryce, played by Christopher McDonald, regularly cheats on her, though she always takes him back because of the image she has created. However, after another tryst, Veronica decides to leave him and begins her life as a single woman.

She is championed by her best friend and Chief Financial Officer Olive Massery, played by Kathy Najimy, and her father Pat Chase, played by Robert Prosky, who is also her chauffeur. She also works with Perry Rollins, played by Dan Cortese, a former thong model who is her publicist; her assistant Josh Blair, played by Wallace Langham, and Leo Michaels, played by Darryl 'Chill' Mitchell. Later in the first season, she gets a silent partner in Millicent, played by Holland Taylor. However, when Millicent dies, the company is taken over by Millicent's incompetent son.

During the second season. Millicent's ex-husband, Alec Bilson, played by Ron Silver, takes the company from his former step-son and helps the company regain some financial ground. However, he and Ronnie get closer, romantically, as the season progresses. He dies between seasons two and three and is revealed to have married someone else. His widow, June Bilson, played by Lorri Bagley, is a stereotypical dumb blonde who has some secret intelligence. She remodels the entire office and refuses to give up her share of the company until Olive buys her out in the series finale.

Cast

Main

  • Kirstie Alley as Veronica "Ronnie" Chase
  • Dan Cortese as Laird "Perry" Rollins, former underwear model and publicist
  • Wallace Langham as Josh Nicolé Blair, Veronica's assistant, a man whose sexual identity is unclear
  • Daryl Mitchell as Leo Michaels, Veronica's harried marketing manager
  • Kathy Najimy as Olive Massery
  • Robert Prosky as Pat Chase (season 1)
  • Ron Silver as Alec Bilson, Veronica's business partner and rival (season 2)
  • Lorri Bagley as June Bilson Anderson, Alec's wife and Veronica's partner (season 3)

Recurring

Guest stars

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.

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
122September 25, 1997 (1997-09-25)May 7, 1998 (1998-05-07)
222September 24, 1998 (1998-09-24)May 6, 1999 (1999-05-06)
322September 20, 1999 (1999-09-20)December 7, 2000 (2000-12-07)

Season 1 (1997–1998)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal 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 (1998–1999)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal 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 (1999–2000)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
451"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.
462"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).
473"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.
484"Veronica's Office: Bigger, Longer and Cuter"Shelley JensenAllison 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.
495"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.
506"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.
517"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.
528"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.
539"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.
5410"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.
5511"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.
5612"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).
5713"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.
5814"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.
5915"Veronica's Sleepover"Shelley JensenRichard GoodmanJune 6, 2000 (2000-06-06)[1]
Ronnie nervously anticipates an overnight stay with Tom; Leo aspires to be the best man at Josh's wedding.
6016"Veronica's Girls' Night Out"Joe RegalbutoJosh Bycel & Jonathan FenerJune 13, 2000 (2000-06-13)[2]
At Josh's bachelor party, his longstanding flirtation with best pal Brian (Alan Smith) goes a step further.
6117"Veronica Helps Josh Out"Stuart RossJeffrey Astrof & Mike SikowitzJune 20, 2000 (2000-06-20)[3]
On the eve of his wedding to Chloe, Josh finally confronts the issue of his latent homosexuality; Perry plots to seduce June.
6218"Veronica Sets Josh Up"Joe RegalbutoAlan Dybner & Jason FiresteinJune 27, 2000 (2000-06-27)[4]
As Josh faces his first official day out of the closet, Ronnie and Olive compete to find him a new beau.
6319"Veronica's Clips"Wallace LanghamTiffany ZehnalDecember 4, 2000 (2000-12-04)[5]
Olive's job offer from another company leads the gang to take a stroll down memory lane (shown in clips).
6420"Veronica Loses Her Olive Again"Joe RegalbutoChristopher VaneDecember 5, 2000 (2000-12-05)[6]
Ronnie begs Olive to come back to Veronica's Closet; Leo accidentally telephones a supermodel.
6521"Veronica's Doing the Nasty With Perry"Sheldon EppsAllison AdlerDecember 6, 2000 (2000-12-06)[7]
The latest office romance is a surprise; Leo tries to teach Josh how to play basketball.
6622"Veronica Checks Out"Dana de Vally PiazzaEric WeinbergDecember 7, 2000 (2000-12-07)[8]
Ronnie and Perry encounter trouble in their new romance.

Broadcast and ratings history

Season TV season Timeslot (ET) Season premiere Season finale Rank Viewers
(in millions)
1 1997–1998 Thursdays @ 9:30/8:30 central (NBC's Must See TV Thursdays) September 25, 1997 May 9, 1998 #3[9] 24.4[9]
2 1998–1999 Thursdays @ 9:30/8:30 central (NBC's Must See TV Thursdays) September 24, 1998 May 6, 1999 #5[10] 19.3[10]
3 1999–2000 Mondays @ 8:30/7:30 central September 20, 1999 December 7, 2000 #86[11] 7.97[11]

Accolades

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.

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

Notes

    References

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