Big Shots (TV series)

Last updated
Big Shots
Big Shots title.png
Genre
Created by Jon Harmon Feldman
Starring
ComposerJosh Kramon
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes11
Production
Executive producer Jon Harmon Feldman
Running time60 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network ABC
ReleaseSeptember 27, 2007 (2007-09-27) –
January 24, 2008 (2008-01-24)

Big Shots is an American comedy-drama television series created and executive produced by Jon Harmon Feldman and aired on ABC from September 27, 2007, to January 24, 2008. The pilot was directed by Charles McDougall. [1]

Contents

History

Produced by Warner Bros. Television, the series was officially approved for broadcast and thirteen episodes were commissioned on May 11, 2007. [2] The show was added to the schedule on Thursday nights at 10:02 p.m. EST (9:02PM CT). It premiered on September 27, 2007, on ABC, following Grey's Anatomy . [3] It also premiered on CTV in Canada on the same date, [4] but was shifted to CTV's secondary A-Channel effective October 25, 2007. [5]

ABC pulled Big Shots from the schedule in December 2007, and filled its slot with repeats of Private Practice . [6] [7] [8] On December 15, 2007, ABC announced its mid-season schedule, and Big Shots was back on the schedule. Despite the original commission of thirteen episodes, as a result of the Writers Guild of America strike in Hollywood, only eleven were made. The final one aired on January 24, 2008. On May 13, 2008, ABC officially cancelled the series. [9]

Plot

The show was officially pitched as "the story of four friends at the top of their game... until the women in their lives enter the room. Lines between boardroom and bedroom blur when these competitive but dysfunctional CEOs take refuge in their friendship, discussing business, confiding secrets, seeking advice and supporting each other through life's surprising twists and turns." [3]

During the show's short run, each character had one or two major plot arcs that generally did not overlap. The principal characters were tied by their wealthy lifestyles, friendship and regular visits to their men's club, where they commiserated while engaging in leisure activities in the sauna, pool room, golf course and the like. James was promoted to the position of his late boss, but discovered that his wife had had an affair with the man. The fallout of the divorce, and his romantic relationship with his VP, Katie, were his main plot lines. Duncan tried to win back his first wife (the mother of his twenty-something daughter). His efforts were thwarted by personal scandal (sex with a trans woman) and the machinations of his professional and personal rival. Additionally, a mentally-troubled young man insinuates himself in Duncan's life, claiming to be his son. Karl takes up a mistress, but quickly ends the relationship. Ironically, his wife (who knows nothing of the affair) becomes the woman's best friend and she moves in with the couple. His story lines center on this ironic situation, along with the couple's infertility. Brody is characterized as hen-pecked at home, and the somewhat put-upon friend of the four. His connections often help them (especially Duncan) in their times of trouble. His chief actions surround his efforts to procure a higher clientele.

Characters

James Walker (Michael Vartan)
Joining Amerimart Industries directly out of Harvard Business School, James has followed in the footsteps of his mentor, and Amerimart's former CEO, Walter Storrs. James previously held various positions within Amerimart, including Director of Business Development, where he led teams in several innovative acquisitions, both domestic and in the E.U.
A native of Lake Forest, Illinois, James received his B.A. in History, magna cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1991. James earned his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1993, while simultaneously externing in Amerimart's Boston office.
James and his wife Stacey have two children.
Related characters: Stacey Walker (ex-wife)
Duncan Collinsworth (Dylan McDermott)
Duncan Collinsworth, CEO, brings over twenty years of business experience to Reveal Cosmetics. Duncan got his start in the business world when he was still in high school, selling records to his classmates. Over the years, he moved up the ladder at various companies, running the gamut from the real estate to office supplies, until Duncan found his true calling in the cosmetics industry.
During his tenure, Duncan has transformed Reveal from a local mom and pop company specializing in day creams to a multi-billion dollar enterprise which produces some of the world's most popular cosmetics. After a scandal erupted involving Duncan and a transsexual hooker, he was fired from his job as CEO, but later regained the position.
Related characters: Lisbeth Collinsworth (ex-wife), Cameron (daughter), Zack (imposter son)
Karl Mixworthy (Joshua Malina)
Mixworthy was appointed President of Flexor Williams in 2004, after having served as Director of Product Development. Prior to joining the company, Karl brings tremendous knowledge of drug discovery to Flexor Williams. He received his Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School while simultaneously completing his M.A. in Molecular Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Karl received his B.S. in Microbiology from Johns Hopkins University. He graduated from Scarsdale High School, where he was admittedly an unpopular student who was regularly bullied.
Mixworthy played a noteworthy role in the development of Flexor Williams' popular drug, Phocustin, which both improves an individual's ability to focus on various matters simultaneously, while alleviating symptoms of stress associated with such 'multi tasking,' as well as treating erectile dysfunction.
Related characters: Wendy (wife); Marla (former mistress)
Brody Johns (Christopher Titus)
Brody Johns has long been regarded as one of the country's leading experts in crisis management and effective crisis communications. In 1999, Brody founded Alpha Crisis Management, focusing on the effective handling of crises, in the government, corporate and entertainment arenas.
Brody has successfully counseled several of the country's most respected companies in crisis management, public relations and crisis communications, as well as advising such entities on threats associated with the growing problem of corporate espionage. In addition, Brody is quickly becoming known for his successful track record in effectively dealing with various personal scandals associated with high profile celebrities. Brody's unparalleled ability to remain calm and clear headed in such tabloid ready matters has won him the loyalty of clients around the world.
Johns received his B.A. from Harvard University in 1989. In one episode he also mentioned that he went to a year of law school.
Related characters: Janelle (wife)

Main crew

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Pilot" Charles McDougall Jon Harmon Feldman September 27, 2007 (2007-09-27)
In the premiere episode, we're introduced to the four: James Walker, the group's moral center, not only sees his professional life almost crumble in an instant thanks to a corporate shakeup at AmeriMart Industries, but he learns something even worse about his wife; Brody Johns, Senior Vice President of Alpha Crisis Management, finds out his professional success won't matter if he can't magnificently create a birthday party for his wife; Karl Mixworthy, the sweet yet always nervous CEO of a large pharmaceutical company, has a loving wife and a cunning mistress who is beginning to monopolize whatever free time he can muster; and Duncan Collinsworth, the sexy, divorced CEO of Reveal Cosmetics, has built his company into the industry leader, but suddenly finds his personal life threatened by rumor of an indiscretion that could turn his world upside down.
2"Tall Dark and Hairless" Chris Long Jon Harmon FeldmanOctober 4, 2007 (2007-10-04)
James decides to fight for his marriage just as suspicions surface regarding the death of his former boss; Duncan attempts to seduce a beautiful reporter in hopes of killing a career-ending expos on him; Karl's wife, Wendy, demands Marla join them in couples therapy; and Brody takes drastic action to spice up sex with his wife.
3"The Good, The Bad, and the Really Ugly" Michael Spiller Brian Burns October 11, 2007 (2007-10-11)
James has difficulty jumping back into the dating scene; Duncan receives news that his name appears in Dontrelle's "little black book" and seeks Brody's help; Karl and Marla find out that a private investigator has given Wendy incriminating photographs; and Terrence, Duncan's rival, offers Cameron a job at his company.
4"Three's a Crowd" Jeff Melman Emily Whitesell October 18, 2007 (2007-10-18)
James falls for and begins sleeping with a sexy consultant with plans to shake things up at Amerimart, much to Katie's chagrin; Duncan struggles with his newfound monogamy to Lisbeth as Fashion Week approaches and old flings pay him a visit; Karl arranges a date for Marla with one of his company's chemists at Wendy's request; and Brody tries to track down Dontrelle's black book before Terrence finds it and publishes Duncan's indiscretion.
5"Greatest Amerimart Hero" David Solomon Rob Thomas & Daniel Truly October 25, 2007 (2007-10-25)
James finds out that his ex-wife's new boyfriend has been spending time with his children; Duncan's relationship with Lisbeth is put in jeopardy when their weekend plans are thwarted by blackmail; and Karl and Wendy are ordered to have sex by their therapist.
6"Car Trouble" Michael Katleman S : Steve Baldikoski & Bryan Behar
T : Rob Thomas		November 1, 2007 (2007-11-01)
Duncan tries to win Lisbeth back with a grand gesture when he discovers she and Terrence are dating exclusively; James struggles with his romantic relationship to an anchor of a TV business show after she publicly lambastes his job performance; Wendy's desire to have a baby worries Karl because of her depression after past failed attempts; and Cameron gets to know her new coworker.
7"Who's Your Daddy" Wendey Stanzler Diane Ruggiero November 8, 2007 (2007-11-08)
Duncan's reputation could block a huge deal for Reveal, so he enlists Cameron to help him appear like a perfect father; James tries to patch up hard feelings between his girlfriend and Katie as he wrestles with telling Katie the truth about her boyfriend; Brody's father-in-law pays the guys a visit and rubs them all the wrong way; Karl struggles with Wendy's wanting him to sleep with Marla, his ex-mistress, so they can have a baby; and Cameron tries to deal with Zack's shocking news.
8"The Way We Weren't" Elodie Keene Emily WhitesellNovember 29, 2007 (2007-11-29)
Duncan tests his sense of adventure as he goes to great lengths to reclaim his title at Reveal; James puts his current relationships aside to focus on a custody battle when Stacey tells him she's moving to California; Karl confronts his past when his high school bully makes a bid for membership at Firmwood; and Brody taps into his creative side when he discovers hidden love-poems written to Janelle by old lovers.
9"The Better Man" Ron Lagomarsino Rob Thomas & Daniel TrulyJanuary 10, 2008 (2008-01-10)
As the eve of Lisbeth's wedding to Terrence approaches, Duncan turns his attention to business and stealing a rising supermodel from a rival cosmetics company; James decides that the wedding is the perfect opportunity for him and Katie to go on a real date; unable to deal with Janelle's badgering, Brody finds the charms of a sexy stranger increasingly irresistible; and Cameron learns the truth about Zack.
10"Sex Be Not Proud"Michael KatlemanBrian Burns & Jennifer Schuur January 17, 2008 (2008-01-17)
After James and Katie have sex, James wants to go public about his relationship with Katie, but she wants to keep it a secret; Duncan butts heads with the Reveal board's new chairman Terrence on a potential PR disaster; Brody jumps at the chance to work closely with a baseball star, then finds himself caught between his client's crises and Janelle's whim; and someone will die.
11"Who's The Boss" Michael Grossman Diane Ruggiero & Robert Hull January 24, 2008 (2008-01-24)
Lisbeth becomes the chairperson of Reveal following Terrence's death, but Terrence's sister (and Duncan's ex) enters the picture, starting trouble. Meanwhile James and Katie try to figure out their relationship at work and away from work, Karl and Marla tell Wendy about their affair and Marla's pregnancy, and Brody tries to hide his new bachelor pad from Janelle.

Reception

Though not universal, early critical response was generally negative. Referring to Desperate Housewives , Newsweek said "it's not into the toilet, which is where Big Shots spends its time both literally and figuratively." The Los Angeles Times said the show features "a quartet of rich guys so insufferable, self-centered and whiny that they make the men of feminist masterwork 'The Golden Notebook,' or even 'The Nanny Diaries,' look positively heroic." [10] People magazine called the show one of several " Sex and the City clones" and the characters " Entourage -wannabes". [11] Since the show was pitched as a behind-the-scenes look at male bonding pitched to a female target audience, [12] much of the critique focused on the show's failure in that regard. USA Today said simply "The problem with Big Shots is that the men don't sound like anyone at all, male or female." [13] Critics from The A.V. Club compared the show to AMC's Mad Men , saying that it was "contemporary and no where near as good". [14] In one notably positive review, The New York Times called the show "one of television’s rare examples of successful farce." [15]

U.S. Nielsen ratings

In the following chart, "rating" is the percentage of all households with televisions that tuned to the show, and "share" is the percentage of all televisions in use at that time that are tuned in. "18–49" is the percentage of all adults aged 18–49 tuned into the show. "Viewers" are the number of viewers, in millions, watching at the time.

Unless otherwise cited, the overnight rating and share information come from http://www.zap2it.com/tv/ratings/ Archived 2014-03-28 at the Wayback Machine

Weekly ratings

#EpisodeAir DateTime slot (EST)RatingShare18-49 (Rating/Share)Viewers (m)Rank (Overall)
1"Pilot"September 27, 2007Thursday, 10:00 P.M7.8134.7/1311.10#29
2"Tall, Dark and Hairless"October 4, 2007Thursday, 10:00 P.M.6.1103.7/1010.14#50
3"The Good, the Bad and the Really Ugly"October 11, 2007Thursday, 10:00 P.M.6.3113.9/119.28#53
4"Three's a Crowd"October 18, 2007Thursday, 10:00 P.M.6.0103.3/98.34#53
5"Greatest Amerimart Hero"October 25, 2007Thursday, 10:00 P.M.5.793.3/78.08#61
6"Car Trouble"November 1, 2007Thursday, 10:00 P.M.6.2103.7/107.53#54
7"Who's Your Daddy"November 8, 2007Thursday, 10:00 P.M.5.9103.6/98.62#59
8"The Way We Weren't"November 29, 2007Thursday, 10:00 P.M.4.172.4/75.98#79
9"The Better Man"January 10, 2008Thursday, 10:00 P.M.4.782.6/86.76#52
10"Sex Be Not Proud"January 17, 2008Thursday, 10:00 P.M.3.561.8/54.78#69
11"Who's the Boss"January 24, 2008Thursday, 10:00 P.M.3.661.8/54.97N/A

Seasonal ranking

Based on average total viewers per episode of Big Shots on ABC:

SeasonTimeslot (EDT)Season PremiereSeason FinaleTV SeasonRankViewers
(in millions)
1Thursday 10:00 P.M. (2007-2008)September 27, 2007January 24, 20082007-2008#887.7 [16]

Related Research Articles

<i>The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin</i> American childrens television series (1954–1959)

The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin is an American children's Western television series that aired 164 episodes from October 1954 to May 1959 on the ABC television network.

<i>Degrassi: The Next Generation</i> Canadian teen drama television series (2001–2015)

Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series created by Yan Moore and Linda Schuyler. It is the fourth series in the Degrassi franchise and a revival of Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High. It premiered on CTV on October 14, 2001 and concluded on August 2, 2015 on MTV Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joshua Malina</span> American actor (born 1966)

Joshua Charles Malina is an American film and stage actor known for playing Will Bailey on the NBC drama The West Wing, Jeremy Goodwin on Sports Night, US Attorney General David Rosen on Scandal, and Caltech President Siebert on The Big Bang Theory.

<i>One on One</i> (American TV series) American sitcom

One on One is an American sitcom that aired on UPN from September 3, 2001, to May 15, 2006. The series stars Flex Alexander as a single sportscaster, who becomes a full-time father when his ex-wife decides to accept a job out of the country and his teenage daughter Breanna moves in with him. The series was set in Baltimore for the first four seasons, before changing settings to Los Angeles for the final season. The series was a joint production of the Greenblatt/Janollari Studio and Daddy's Girl Productions in association with Paramount Network Television.

Jean Paige Turco is an American actress, who portrayed April O'Neil in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III. Other roles include Dinah Marler on daytime’s Guiding Light on CBS, Melanie Cortlandt on the ABC soap opera All My Children, Terri Lowell in the CBS series The Agency, Gail Emory in the CBS series American Gothic and appearances in NYPD Blue, Party of Five and Person of Interest. From 2014 to 2019 she starred as Abigail Griffin in the post-apocalyptic drama series, The 100.

The 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League (NFL). Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006.

Aliens in the Family is an American science fantasy sitcom that aired on ABC from March 15 to August 31, 1996, conceived as part of its TGIF lineup.

<i>Brothers & Sisters</i> (2006 TV series) American family drama television series

Brothers & Sisters is an American family drama television series that centers on the Walker family and their lives in Los Angeles and Pasadena, California. The series aired for five seasons on ABC from September 24, 2006, to May 8, 2011. For the entirety of its run, it was broadcast on Sunday nights following Desperate Housewives.

"Premiere" is the series premiere of the American teen drama television series The O.C., which premiered on Fox on August 5, 2003. Written by series creator Josh Schwartz and directed by executive producer Doug Liman, the episode depicts the introduction of troubled teenager Ryan Atwood into the wealthy lifestyle of the Cohen family in Newport Beach, Orange County, California.

"A Tale of Two Cities" is the third season premiere, and 50th episode overall, of the American Broadcasting Company (ABC)'s serial drama television series Lost. The episode was written by co-creators/executive producers J. J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof, based on a story by Lindelof and directed by executive producer Jack Bender. The episode begins with the introduction of Juliet Burke and The Barracks. The character of Jack Shephard is featured in the episode's flashbacks. This is the only episode of the series other than the pilot to have been co-written by J. J. Abrams.

<i>Dirty Sexy Money</i> American television series

Dirty Sexy Money is an American prime time drama television series created by Craig Wright. It ran for two seasons on ABC from September 26, 2007, to August 8, 2009. The series was produced by Berlanti Television and ABC Studios. Wright served as an executive producer alongside Greg Berlanti, Bryan Singer, Matthew Gross, Peter Horton, and Josh Reims, with Melissa Berman producing.

<i>Moonlight</i> (American TV series) American paranormal romance television drama created by Ron Koslow and Trevor Munson

Moonlight is an American paranormal romance television drama created by Ron Koslow and Trevor Munson, who was also executive producer for all episodes with Joel Silver, Gerard Bocaccio, Gabrielle Stanton and Harry Werksman. The series follows private investigator Mick St. John, who was turned into a vampire by his bride Coraline on the couple's wedding night fifty-five years earlier. In the present day, he struggles with his attraction to a mortal woman, Beth Turner, his friendship with his mentor and fellow vampire Josef Kostan, and his dealings with other vampires in Los Angeles.

The Beginning of the End (<i>Lost</i>) 1st episode of the 4th season of Lost

"The Beginning of the End" is the fourth season premiere, and 73rd episode overall, of the American Broadcasting Company's television drama series Lost. It was aired on ABC in the United States and CTV in Canada on January 31, 2008. Co-creator/executive producer Damon Lindelof and executive producer Carlton Cuse wrote the premiere in late July 2007, with most of the episode directed on location in Oahu, Hawaii, in August and September by executive producer Jack Bender. With this premiere, Jeff Pinkner no longer serves as an executive producer and staff writer. The episode was watched by 18 million Americans, bringing in the best ratings for Lost in 17 episodes. According to Metacritic, "The Beginning of the End" garnered "universal acclaim".

<i>Flashpoint</i> (TV series) 2008 Canadian police procedural television series

Flashpoint is a Canadian police procedural television series created by Mark Ellis and Stephanie Morgenstern for CTV, CBS and Ion Television. The series starred Hugh Dillon, Amy Jo Johnson, David Paetkau, Sergio Di Zio, and Enrico Colantoni. The series premiered on CTV in Canada on July 11, 2008. In the United States, the first three seasons and part of the fourth were aired on CBS from July 11, 2008, up until August 19, 2011. The show then aired on Ion Television starting on October 18, 2011, with the eighth episode of the fourth season. Internationally, the series was distributed by Alchemy Television and Tele München Group.

"Confirmed Dead" is the second episode of the fourth season of ABC's serial television drama Lost and the 74th episode overall. It was first aired on February 7, 2008, on ABC in the United States and on CTV in Canada.

"Meet Kevin Johnson" is the eighth episode of the fourth season of the American science fiction drama television series Lost. It was written in October and November 2007 by supervising producer Elizabeth Sarnoff and co-producer Brian K. Vaughan, and filmed that November. The episode was directed by co-executive producer Stephen Williams. "Meet Kevin Johnson" first aired March 20, 2008, on American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States and on CTV in Canada with a running time of 42 minutes.

<i>The O.C.</i> season 3 Season of television series

The third season of The O.C. commenced airing in the United States on September 8, 2005, concluded on May 18, 2006, and consisted of 25 episodes. The first ten episodes of season three aired Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. ET in the United States on Fox; however, from January 12, 2006, onwards, The O.C. was shifted to a later time of Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. ET.

<i>The Secret Millionaire</i> 2006 British TV series or programme

The Secret Millionaire is a reality television show which originated in the UK, in which millionaires go incognito into impoverished communities and agree to give away tens of thousands of pounds. Members of the community are told the cameras are present to film a documentary. The UK version is produced by production company RDF Media. It first aired in 2006 on Channel 4, with further series in subsequent years.

<i>Defying Gravity</i> (TV series) 2009 multi-national TV series

Defying Gravity is a multi-nationally produced science fiction television series which first aired on August 2, 2009 on ABC and CTV and was canceled in October 2009. Set in the year 2052, the series follows eight astronauts from four countries on a six-year space mission through the Solar System, during which they are monitored from Earth via a real-time communication system. The series was pitched to networks as "Grey's Anatomy in space". Thirteen episodes of the series were produced before it was cancelled, only eight of which were shown on ABC, though the full run was shown in other countries or online.

<i>Teachers Only</i> American TV series (1982–1983)

Teachers Only is an American sitcom on NBC that centered on the faculty of a Los Angeles high school who spent a lot of time in the teacher's lounge, where the students were not allowed. Following a short first season, the show was completely overhauled, with only stars Lynn Redgrave and Norman Fell returning.

References

  1. ↑ The Futon Critic
  2. ↑ Sullivan, Brian Ford (2007-05-11). "ABC ADDS 10 NEWCOMERS, RENEWS 'NOTES,' 'ROAD'" . Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  3. 1 2 TV Guide Archived 2007-05-17 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ "CTV's announces slate of U.S. shows that will dominate its fall schedule". The Canadian Press. 2007-06-04. Retrieved 2006-06-11.[ dead link ]
  5. ↑ CHANNEL CANADA :: Big Shots and Dirty Sexy Money Move from CTV to A-Channel Archived July 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ "Big Shots" Downsized at ABC, Yahoo!, December 11, 2007
  7. ↑ "Big Shots": ABC Pulls Struggling Drama Yet Again, TV Series Finale, December 11, 2007
  8. ↑ ABC Shoots Down "Big Shots", Zap2It.com, December 11, 2007
  9. ↑ ABC Announces Their 2008-09 Schedule. Who's Been Cancelled? Archived July 4, 2008, at archive.today
  10. ↑ McNamara, Mary (September 27, 2007). "No 'big' deal" Los Angeles Times Retrieved 2007-11-30
  11. ↑ Lynch, Jason (2007-10-15), "Big Shots". People. 68 (16):42
  12. ↑ Frutkin, A. J.; Berman, Marc (2007-05-28), "Wild Nights". Brandweek. 48 (22):SR8-SR16
  13. ↑ Bianco, Robert (2007-09-26). "'Big Shots' is too silly to drink in" USA TODAY Retrieved 2007-11-30
  14. ↑ Bowman, Donna; Gillette, Amelie; Hyden, Steven; Koski, Genevieve; Murray, Noel; 'O Neill, Sean; Rabin, Nathan & Tobias, Scott (2007-08-29). "Why is this on the air?: The A.V. Club's fall TV preview". The A.V. Club . Archived from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  15. ↑ Bellafante, Ginia (September 27, 2007). "Four Rich Guys Behaving Unbelievably" The New York Times. 157 (54080):E5. Retrieved 2007-11-30
  16. ↑ Televisionista: TV Ratings: 2007-2008 Season Top-200
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.