The pilot first appeared on NBC's development slate in November 2010.[4] On January 26, 2011, NBC placed a pilot order. Dottie Zicklin and Julie Ann Larson wrote the pilot with Gail Mancuso set to direct.[5] Chelsea Handler serves as executive producer, along with Tom Werner, Mike Clements and Tom Brunelle.[6]
Casting announcements began in January 2011. First to be cast was Laura Prepon, who plays the lead Chelsea Newman (originally named Chelsea Hanson in the early stages of production).[7] Next to join the series was Angel Laketa Moore, who was cast as Shoniqua, the assistant manager of the sports bar where Chelsea works.[8] Lauren Lapkus and Natalie Morales followed, with Lauren Lapkus playing Dee Dee, the bubbly woman whom Chelsea and Ivory live with, and Morales playing Ivory, Chelsea's long-time Cuban-American friend.[9]Jo Koy later joined the series as Mark, a bartender where Chelsea works.[10]Mark Povinelli then joined the show as Todd, a bar back at the sports bar where Chelsea works.[11]Lenny Clarke was the last actor to be cast in the series, he plays Melvin, Chelsea's father, who is a big man with a big personality.[12]
On July 3, 2011, it was announced that Morales, Moore, and Koy were dropped from the series due to creative reasons.[15] On August 9, 2011, Jake McDorman was revealed to have upgraded to a series regular replacing Jo Koy's character as the Bartender. In the original pilot he played Jonathan, one of Chelsea's love interests. Another change was the show's setting from Los Angeles to New Jersey.
On August 25, 2011, Ali Wong joined the cast as Olivia, Chelsea’s best friend since grade school and a fellow cocktail waitress where Chelsea works.[16]
On November 14, 2011, NBC announced Are You There, Chelsea? would premiere on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 8:30/7:30c, following Whitney.[17]
After receiving a D.U.I., Chelsea Newman decides it's time to change her life starting with moving into an apartment closer to her workplace. Chelsea and her best friend Olivia move into the same apartment building as their co-worker Rick. Meanwhile, Chelsea's sister Sloane is due to give birth and is unsure if Chelsea will be there for her.
Sloane's old high school boyfriend Matt, shows up at the bar and against Sloane's advice, Chelsea agrees to go on a date with him. Rick tracks down his ex-girlfriend Nikki, only to realize she is now engaged.
Sloane hosts an event with her church group at the sports bar and one of the band members catches Chelsea's eye. But after spending time with him, she realizes he is more of a match for Dee Dee and attempts to set them up. Nikki takes a job at the bar, which Rick enjoys, but her personality rubs everyone else the wrong way.
Dee Dee, Olivia, and Chelsea attempt to help Nikki look good for her fiance, who is having cold feet. However, things go awry, and Chelsea realizes Nikki may be sticking around for a bit longer. Chelsea tries to find a good home for a stray dog.
Chelsea brings Dee Dee and Nikki along with her on a deep sea fishing trip she was invited to go on. On the trip, Dee Dee hits it off with one of the captains while Chelsea and Nikki attempt to pair off with two of the doctors until they realize that the two guys are more than just colleagues.
6
"How to Succeed in Business Without Really Crying"
Chelsea starts dating an overly sensitive marketing executive to help get Olivia a chance at a job at his firm, ultimately deciding to dump him, but can't seem to find a way to do it without hurting Olivia's chances.
Chelsea tries to help Dee Dee meet her crush, Mario Lopez, but winds up embarrassing Dee Dee instead. When Dee Dee takes it in stride, Chelsea wonders if Dee Dee will ever show her anger. Chelsea's dad, Melvin, decides it's time for him to start dating again, and he enlists Rick and Todd to be his wingmen.
Chelsea has to deal with her father hating her minor League baseball playing boyfriend (Wilmer Valderrama) when he gets traded to the Yankees. Rick helps out Nikki's grandma (Estelle Harris)
When Rick convinces Jerry (Ryan Stiles) to finally make him manager of the sports bar, Chelsea and her co-workers are happy for him, but things quickly dissolve. Nikki tries to get Dee Dee to join in her cleanse to get rid of bad negativity.
Chelsea's plans to throw a surprise birthday party to Sloane take an interesting turn when Sloane's husband (Mark Valley) phones Chelsea to tell her that he's on his way back home. Rick has some mixed feelings about a dream he had of Chelsea.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the series has an aggregate score of 18% based on 5 positive and 23 negative critic reviews. The website’s consensus reads: "Based on Chelsea Handler's bestselling autobiography, Are you there, Chelsea? tries hard, but never matches the book's caustic wit."[34]
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