GCB | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Also known as |
|
Genre | Comedy drama |
Based on | Good Christian Bitches by Kim Gatlin |
Developed by | Robert Harling |
Starring | |
Composer | Jeff Beal |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 10 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Producers |
|
Camera setup | Multiple |
Running time | 43 minutes |
Production companies |
|
Original release | |
Network | ABC |
Release | March 4 – May 6, 2012 |
GCB [1] (also known as Good Christian Bitches and Good Christian Belles) is an American comedy-drama television series developed by Robert Harling, produced by Darren Star, and starring Kristin Chenoweth, Leslie Bibb, Jennifer Aspen, Miriam Shor, Marisol Nichols, and Annie Potts. Based on the semi-autobiographical 2008 novel Good Christian Bitches by Kim Gatlin, the series centers on a recently widowed woman who moves her family back to the upscale Dallas-area town where she grew up.
The series debuted on ABC as a mid-season replacement for Pan Am in the 2011–12 television season, [2] on March 4, 2012. [3] On May 11, 2012, both series were canceled by ABC. In its series finale, GCB drew 5.6 million viewers. [4] [5]
A reboot of the series, also titled Good Christian Bitches, was greenlit by The CW in November 2018. [6] [7]
The series follows Amanda Vaughn (Leslie Bibb), former high-school "Queen Bitch" and recently widowed mother of two, who returns to her hometown of Highland Park, Texas, an enclave of Dallas. Formerly rich, Amanda lost everything when her husband was exposed as stealing billions of dollars from investors and died in a car crash with his mistress. She meets the former schoolmates she used to mock: Carlene Cockburn (Kristin Chenoweth), the new "Queen Bitch"; Sharon Peacham (Jennifer Aspen), who was beautiful in high school and is now heavy and insecure and does the bulk of Carlene's bidding; glamorous business mogul Cricket Caruth-Reilly (Miriam Shor), whose husband, Blake (Mark Deklin), is gay; and Heather Cruz (Marisol Nichols), a powerful Dallas real-estate agent. [8] Amanda and her teenage children move in with her wealthy 60-something mother Gigi Stopper (Annie Potts), who tries to influence Amanda's parenting and style choices, and gives her advice about strategic maneuvering among these women. While Amanda has grown considerably since high school and wants to move on with her life, Carlene and the others still resent Amanda. They don't believe she's changed and are out to drive her away.
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | U.S. viewers (millions) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Pilot" | Alan Poul | Robert Harling | March 4, 2012 | 7.56 [13] | |
After her marriage ends in scandal, single mother of two Amanda Vaughn (Leslie Bibb) returns to live with her socialite mother Gigi Stopper (Annie Potts) and start over in her upscale hometown in Texas. But Amanda soon realizes her past as the "Queen Bitch" is catching up to her. Ex-ugly duckling Carlene Cockburn (Kristin Chenoweth) is now living a picture-perfect life with a good-looking husband. Cricket Caruth-Reilly (Miriam Shor), whose boyfriend Amanda stole and later married, is now a powerful business woman with her husband. Problem is, her husband Blake (Mark Deklin) is gay. Ex-beauty queen Sharon Peacham (Jennifer Aspen) continues to resent Amanda after the "Queen Bitch" sabotaged her chances of winning the Miss Teen Dallas competition, while outsider Heather Cruz (Marisol Nichols) is now the Lone Star State's most successful realtor and the "Gossip Queen" of the social clique. Amanda is about to discover that payback can be a real pain. | ||||||
2 | "Hell Hath No Fury" | Victor Nelli, Jr. | Robert Harling | March 11, 2012 | 7.12 [14] | |
Gigi decides to throw a luncheon to reintroduce her daughter into society while Amanda becomes concerned that her teenage daughter Laura will be branded a "Javelina" - a name that Amanda coined herself in high school. A devastated Carlene, embarrassed by Amanda at church, plans to get even. Blake argues with Cricket over his priorities and Sharon worries about Zach's fidelity. | ||||||
3 | "Love is Patient" | Larry Shaw and Victor Nelli, Jr. | Gretchen J. Berg & Aaron Harberts | March 18, 2012 | 6.07 [15] | |
While Amanda is forced to confront her past during a church relationship seminar, Heather sets her eyes on her new client - former high school nerd Andrew. Meanwhile, Carlene meddles in both Sharon’s and Cricket’s marriages to deflect from her own marital dissatisfaction. | ||||||
4 | "A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing" | Bethany Rooney | Henry Alonso Myers | March 25, 2012 | 6.33 [16] | |
When Amanda learns that her Uncle Burl and his wife Bitsy have returned to Dallas, Gigi decides to organize a homecoming party where guests are required to come dressed as their favorite Texan. Heather attempts to take Burl's 500 acres of land for Andrew. When Amanda comes up with a new jean design, Cricket seems to support it even as religious-right protestors cause her company to lose sponsors. However, Amanda discovers Cricket is secretly behind the protests; willing to hurt her own company for the sole reason to ruin Amanda as part of Cricket's own twisted way to get back at her for stealing Bill away from her many years ago, but Amanda keeps it to herself in respect to her own destructive and scandalous knowledge of Cricket and Blake's sham marriage. Meanwhile, Sharon and Zack go through a rough patch, resulting in Sharon going to work at the church and Zach taking over the household responsibilities for Sharon at home. | ||||||
5 | "Forbidden Fruit" | Randy Zisk | Laurie McCarthy | April 1, 2012 | 5.63 [17] | |
Heather brings Sheryl Crow to perform at the annual church fundraiser with a little help from her client and new love interest, Andrew, much to the chagrin of Carlene and Cricket who are both fighting for the stage. Gigi steals the show with Burl, while Carlene and Amanda find another reason to disagree with each other. | ||||||
6 | "Turn the Other Cheek" | James Hayman | Veronica Becker & Sarah Kucserka | April 8, 2012 | 5.25 [18] | |
Carlene and Ripp plan a "Gone With the Wind"-themed ceremony to renew their wedding vows, but things don't go as planned when Carlene takes matron-of-honor duties away from Sharon and gives them to Amanda in a bizarre attempt to keep Luke happy. Meanwhile, Heather seeks forgiveness from the ladies; and Blake surprises Cricket with a special request: he wants her to have another child. | ||||||
7 | "Sex is Divine" | John Scott | Jordon Nardino | April 8, 2012 | 5.22 [18] | |
In an unorthodox move, Pastor Tudor asks that his whole congregation have sex once a day for the whole week to test their commitment issues. Amanda is nervous about her first night with Luke. Carlene rejects Pastor Tudor's message and wants to teach the teens about purity, but disastrous results. Cricket and Blake try conceiving the old-fashioned way. Burl proposes to Gigi. And Sharon tries to spice her marriage and lose weight, giving Zach a new business idea. | ||||||
8 | "Pride Comes Before a Fall" | Matt Shakman | Robert Sudduth | April 15, 2012 | 4.43 [19] | |
To help Pastor Tudor get the upper hand over his rival, Amanda decides to produce a musical interpretation of the New Testament Heather wrote in high school. When Carlene and Cricket begin to fight over the lead role, Amanda takes a drastic move to put an end in the girl's fight. Meanwhile, Sharon seeks Gigi's help with promoting her business idea. | ||||||
9 | "Adam & Eve's Rib" | Victor Nelli, Jr. | Henry Alonso Myers | April 29, 2012 | 5.52 [20] | |
Ripp organizes the local church team for Dallas Interfaith BBQ Invitational, but he insists that only men take part. Not wanting Laura to be disappointed, Amanda forms an all-female team, the "Spicy Racks". Gigi convinces Burl to let them use his smoker grill, while Heather finds herself attracted to Carlene's butcher while trying to acquire quality meat. Sharon surprises everyone by offering a special sauce, and Cricket lets Amanda take some special wood for their smoke. Carlene opposes the group at every turn, but eventually she realizes that God and girl-power sometimes go hand-in-hand. | ||||||
10 | "Revelation" | Paul Holahan | Robert Harling | May 6, 2012 | 5.56 [21] | |
When Carlene takes the GCBs down to unincorporated Juarez for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Condos for Christian Living, the GCBs find themselves in danger, in the middle of the desert. Meanwhile Amanda's suspicions regarding Luke lead to a surprising discovery about Ripp, Cricket begins to wonder if a man she cares for can come between her and Blake, and Sharon's success goes to her head. Reeling from the events, Pastor Tudor kisses Amanda. |
Jennifer Aspen became the first actress cast in the pilot in February 2011. Aspen plays the role of Sharon Peacham. [22] On March 1, 2011, it was announced that Leslie Bibb had landed the role of Amanda Vaughn in the pilot. [23] [24] [25] Annie Potts also joined the show as Amanda's overbearing mother. Potts fielded 3 pilot offers before settling on GCB. [26] Creator Robert Harling went to high school with Potts and based the character of Gigi on Potts' own mother. [27]
On March 4, 2011, Deadline announced that Miriam Shor had joined the cast. [28] On March 10, 2011, it was announced that Marisol Nichols had also joined the ensemble cast. [29] On March 14, 2011, it was announced that Kristin Chenoweth had landed the lead role of Carlene Cockburn, the GCBs' queen bee. [30] [31] [32] On March 16, 2011, David James Elliott was cast in the role of Ripp Cockburn, Carlene's husband. [33]
On May 13, 2011, ABC picked up the pilot for the 2011–2012 television season. [34] Ten episodes were produced for the first season. Season 1 premiered on March 4, 2012. [35]
On December 1, 2011, it was announced that Sheryl Crow and Sandra Bernhard would be guest stars in the series. [36]
ABC was contacted by a number of Christians and Christian organizations who objected to the original title of the series, Good Christian Bitches, as they believed the name was demeaning toward Christianity, while some advocates for women found it problematic to use the word "bitches" to refer to women. [37] Word of the name change came along with ABC's announcement that it had ordered the series. [38] The series was renamed Good Christian Belles which appeared in several promos before the final renaming to the initialism GCB. [39] Several ABC affiliates in Texas and other states in the Bible Belt had threatened to not air the show if the name wasn't changed. [39] It was known as GCB in Australia.
The American Family Association filed a petition against the show, arguing that "With a title like Good Christian B-tches, you can imagine what kind of show it will be. Even if they change the title, the content will still mock people of faith." [40] Its sister group One Million Moms also called for a boycott of GCB as "blasphemy at its worst!" [41] New York City councilor Peter Vallone, Jr. called for a boycott of GCB claiming the series is "yet another outrageous attack on the Christian faith." Series star Chenoweth, a self-proclaimed evangelical Christian, said "I certainly wouldn't do anything that would make fun of my own faith. This is just chocolate cake, and it's actually a love letter to Dallas." [42] Despite being retitled in the U.S., the series aired under its original title Good Christian Bitches in Denmark on Kanal 4, [43] in Sweden on Kanal 5, [44] in Norway on TV Norge [45] and in the Netherlands on NET5. In Brazil and Latin America, it will air under its second working title Good Christian Belles on Canal Sony. [46]
In November 2018, it was announced that a reboot of the series was in the works at The CW from original producer ABC Studios as well as CBS Television Studios with writer Leila Cohan-Miccio set to executive produce alongside original executive producers Darren Star of Darren Star Productions and Aaron Kaplan of Kapital Entertainment, in addition to Kapital's Dana Honor. [47] In February 2019, it was reported that the project would roll over to the next development cycle, with the producers expected to "start from scratch" on the adaptation. [48]
Most of the music heard on the show is available for purchase at the iTunes Store and went on sale every week consecutively, on the same day episodes aired. [49] Music releases include "This Little Light of Mine" performed by Miriam Shor and Kristin Chenoweth and "Prayer of St. Francis" also by Chenoweth, originally recorded for her Some Lessons Learned album. There are also many unreleased songs, like "Jesus Is Just Alright with Me" by Shor, Chenoweth, Mark Deklin and Cast, Deklin's "It's a Miracle", both from the episode Pride Comes Before a Fall, Sheryl Crow's "The Gospel According to Me" and Shor's rendition of "Amazing Grace", both from episode Forbidden Fruit. [49]
GCB: Music from Season One | |
---|---|
Soundtrack album by Various artists | |
Released | May 8, 2012 (cancelled; never released) |
Recorded | 2004–12 |
Genre | Country, christian |
Label | Warner Bros. |
An official album release featuring songs from the soundtrack titled GCB: Music from Season One [50] was planned for a May 8, 2012, [51] release, although after news of cancellation the release was apparently postponed or cancelled as well. Series star Kristin Chenoweth contributed two tracks to the album; Other contributing artists include country duo The JaneDear Girls and singer-actress Emily West. It consists mainly of original country, Christian songs, and only a few songs (Jason McCoy, Rick Trevino and Elizabeth Cook's) that have been previously released. The entire soundtrack is available as individual singles on iTunes and Amazon, except "Can't Behave" by Brett Eldredge; [49] none of Jeff Beal's original score from the show is included. [52]
No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Good Girls Gone Bad" | The JaneDear Girls | 2:40 |
2. | "Cross My Heart" | Emily West | 2:14 |
3. | "Can't Behave" | Brett Eldredge | |
4. | "Jesus Take the Wheel" | Kristin Chenoweth | 3:48 |
5. | "If You Don't Love Jesus Go to Hell" | Billy Joe Shaver | 2:38 |
6. | "If I'm Gonna Be Bad" | Joanna Cotten | 3:11 |
7. | "Sometimes It Takes Balls to Be a Woman" | Elizabeth Cook | 3:17 |
8. | "Between Church and Elvis" | Jaime Hanna | 3:27 |
9. | "Blessed Be the Ties That Bind" | Kristin Chenoweth | 1:17 |
10. | "Dangerous" | Dean Alexander | 3:54 |
11. | "Better in Texas" | Rick Trevino | 3:55 |
12. | "I Feel a Sin Comin' On" | Jason McCoy | 2:37 |
The show received mixed reviews from critics. Metacritic gave it an aggregate score of 56 out of 100 or "mixed or average reviews" based on reviews from 21 critics. [53]
The A.V. Club awarded the pilot episode with a disappointing grade of C−, remarking that the show failed to make an impression. Both critics, however, noted Chenoweth's performance as a highlight. [54]
The show won the "TV You Betta Watch" category at Logo's 2012 NewNowNext Awards.
Eric Winter, who played Luke Lourd, said, "This is an extremely creative and smart show that just needs more of a chance to take off and run." [55]
Anne Hampton Potts is an American actress. She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Corvette Summer (1978) and won a Genie Award for Heartaches (1981), before appearing in Ghostbusters (1984), Pretty in Pink (1986), Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986), Who's Harry Crumb? (1989), Ghostbusters II (1989), Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024). She voiced Bo Peep in the Toy Story franchise and in various Disney video games.
Kristin Dawn Chenoweth is an American actress and singer, with credits in musical theatre, film, and television. In 1999, she won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as Sally Brown in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown on Broadway. In 2003, Chenoweth was nominated for a second Tony Award for originating the role of Glinda in the musical Wicked. Her television roles include Annabeth Schott in NBC's The West Wing and Olive Snook on the comedy drama Pushing Daisies, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2009.
Leslie Louise Bibb is an American actress and model. Bibb first appeared on television in 1996 with minor roles in a few series, and on film in 1997 with a small role in Private Parts. Her first recurring TV role was in The Big Easy (1997). For her role as Brooke McQueen on the WB Network dramedy series Popular, she received a Teen Choice Award for Television Choice Actress. She has appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Christine Everhart in Iron Man (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), What If...? (2021), and several viral marketing campaigns in which the character hosts WHIH Newsfront. She appeared as Grace Sampson / Lady Liberty in the Netflix series Jupiter's Legacy (2021). Bibb starred in the 2012 television series GCB and in the 2024 television series Palm Royale.
Jennifer Aspen is an American actress, best known for her roles as Daphne Jablonsky in Fox teen drama series Party of Five (1998–2000), as Trina Hamilton in ABC family sitcom Rodney (2004–2006), as Kendra Giardi in the first season of the Fox musical comedy series Glee and as Sharon Peacham on ABC comedy-drama GCB (2012).
Raising Hope is an American television sitcom created by Greg Garcia that aired on Fox from September 21, 2010, to April 4, 2014. Following its first season, the show received two nominations at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards. Martha Plimpton was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, and Cloris Leachman was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. Plimpton also won the 2011 Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.
Last Man Standing is an American sitcom created by Jack Burditt. It aired from October 11, 2011, to March 31, 2017, on ABC, and then again from September 28, 2018, to May 20, 2021, on Fox. The show starred Tim Allen as an executive at a sporting goods store chain headquartered in Denver, Colorado, who is a married father of three daughters and a grandfather to his eldest daughter's son. Last Man Standing was a joint production by 21 Laps-Adelstein Productions, NestEgg Productions, and 20th Television.
Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 is an American television sitcom created by Nahnatchka Khan. It was broadcast on ABC between April 11, 2012, and September 6, 2014, comprising two seasons and 26 episodes. Originally a mid-season replacement, the network renewed the series for a second season in May 2012; six episodes from the first season were aired as part of the second, without regard for continuity.
Suburgatory is an American television sitcom created by Emily Kapnek that aired on ABC from September 28, 2011, to May 14, 2014. The series originally aired on Wednesday nights at 8:30/7:30 Central following The Middle. The title is a portmanteau, devised by former CNN Senior Producer Linda Keenan, of the words "suburban" and "purgatory". On May 9, 2014, Suburgatory was canceled by ABC after three seasons.
The River is a 2012 American found-footage supernatural action horror television series that ran from February 7, 2012 to March 20, 2012, on ABC. Broadcast as a mid-season replacement, the first season has eight episodes. Despite generally favorable reviews, The River had sub-par ratings.
Best Friends Forever is an American sitcom television series that ran on NBC from April 4, to June 1, 2012. The series aired during the 2011–12 NBC primetime season as a mid-season replacement and was created by real-life best friends Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair. The pilot episode was made available early through Hulu and NBC.com on March 21, 2012. NBC officially canceled the series on May 11, 2012, after only 4 episodes were broadcast.
666 Park Avenue is an American supernatural drama television series that aired on ABC from September 30, 2012, to July 13, 2013. The series was developed and produced by David Wilcox, and was loosely based upon the novel of the same name by author Gabriella Pierce. The show stars Rachael Taylor, Dave Annable, Vanessa Williams, and Terry O'Quinn and follows a couple who learns that the Manhattan apartment building that they just moved into, including its upscale tenants, might be possessed by a mysterious demonic force.
How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life) is an American single-camera sitcom created by Accidentally on Purpose creator Claudia Lonow that aired on ABC from April 3 to June 26, 2013. The series was produced by 20th Century Fox Television and stars Sarah Chalke as Polly who – along with her daughter – ends up moving into her parents' house because of the financial crisis and her divorce. On May 10, 2013, How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life) was canceled by ABC after one season.
Ben and Kate is an American single-camera sitcom television series that ran on Fox from September 25, 2012, to January 22, 2013, as part of the 2012–13 television season. The show was produced by 20th Century Fox Television and Chernin Entertainment. The show was created by Dana Fox who served as an executive producer alongside Peter Chernin, Katherine Pope, and Jake Kasdan.
The first season of Hart of Dixie an American television series, originally aired in the United States on The CW from September 26, 2011, through May 14, 2012. The season was produced by CBS Television Studios. The pilot, which was announced in February 2011, it was ordered to series in May 2011. On October 12, 2011, The CW picked up Hart of Dixie for a full season which will consist of 22 episodes. On May 11, 2012, The CW renewed the show for a second season.
Super Fun Night is an American television sitcom that aired on ABC from October 2, 2013, to February 19, 2014. The series was broadcast during the 2013–14 television season on ABC in the Wednesday night 9:30 pm (ET/PT) slot after Modern Family. The series stars and was created by Rebel Wilson; it was green-lit by ABC for a series order pick-up on May 10, 2013. On May 9, 2014, ABC canceled the series after one season.
Cristela is an American multi-camera sitcom television series that aired from October 10, 2014, until April 17, 2015, on ABC. The series was created by stand-up comedian Cristela Alonzo, who also starred in and wrote for the series and served as an executive producer with co-creator Kevin Hench, Becky Clements, Marty Adelstein, and Shawn Levy for 20th Century Fox Television. This made her the first Latina to create, produce, write, and star in her own primetime comedy. The series was canceled by ABC on May 7, 2015.
Blood & Oil is an American prime time television soap opera created by Josh Pate and Rodes Fishburne, that premiered on ABC on September 27, 2015. The series follows a young couple that moves to fictitious Rock Springs, North Dakota, after the biggest oil discovery in American history.
Trial & Error is an American sitcom television series created by Jeff Astrof and Matt Miller for NBC and produced by Warner Bros. Television. It stars Nicholas D'Agosto, Jayma Mays, Steven Boyer, and Sherri Shepherd. The series, which spoofs documentaries and reality legal shows, follows New York City lawyer Josh Segal (D'Agosto) and his eccentric local associates as they represent accused local citizens in the fictional small town of East Peck, South Carolina. Recurring guests were Krysta Rodriguez and John Lithgow in season 1, and Kristin Chenoweth and Amanda Payton in season 2.
American Housewife is an American television sitcom created and written by Sarah Dunn and co-executive produced with Aaron Kaplan, Kenny Schwartz, Rick Wiener, and for the pilot only Ruben Fleischer. The show, which premiered on ABC on October 11, 2016, is a Kapital Entertainment–ABC Signature co-production.
Grand Hotel is an American mystery drama television series developed by Brian Tanen, based on the Spanish TV series Gran Hotel created by Ramón Campos and Gema R. Neira. The series premiered on June 17, 2019, on ABC, and stars Demián Bichir, Roselyn Sanchez, Denyse Tontz, Bryan Craig, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Lincoln Younes, Anne Winters, Feliz Ramirez, and Justina Adorno. Grand Hotel is executive produced by Ramón Campos, Teresa Fernández-Valdés, Bob Daily, Bill D'Elia, Eva Longoria Bastón, Ben Spector, and Tanen. Longoria Bastón also appears on the series in a recurring role. Grand Hotel was canceled in October 2019 after one season.
When it comes to being Texan, Mackinlee Waddell is the real deal.