High Society (1995 TV series)

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High Society
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Genre Sitcom
Created by Robert Horn
Daniel Margosis
Written by Lisa Albert
Pat Dougherty
Marc Flanagan
Robert Horn
Daniel Margosis
Directed by Stan Daniels
Iris Dugow
Ellen Gittelsohn
Michael Lembeck
Starring Jean Smart
Mary McDonnell
Theme music composer Howard McCrary
Mark Stevens
Opening theme"The Lady Is a Tramp" performed by Chaka Khan
Composers Frank Fitzpatrick
David Tobocman
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13
Production
Executive producers Gary Dontzig
Marc Flanagan
Robert Horn
Daniel Margosis
Steven Peterman
ProducersLisa Albert
Barbara Dorio
Running time2224 minutes
Production companiesJVTV
Look Ma Productions
Warner Bros. Television
Original release
Network CBS
ReleaseOctober 30, 1995 (1995-10-30) 
February 26, 1996 (1996-02-26)

High Society is an American sitcom television series starring Jean Smart and Mary McDonnell that aired Monday nights on CBS from October 30, 1995, to February 26, 1996; it was entered into the CBS schedule as a replacement for If Not for You, a sitcom that was quickly canceled by the network. [1] The theme song was "The Lady Is a Tramp" sung by Chaka Khan.

Contents

Its premise was similar to the campy British comedy series Absolutely Fabulous .

Storyline

The series revolves around two New York City women who acted in an outrageous, campy, and decadent manner. Ellie Walker (Jean Smart) is a successful author of trashy romantic novels, and her best friend and publisher is Dorothy "Dott" Emerson (Mary McDonnell). Emerson is a divorced mother with a preppie college-aged son, Brendan Emerson (Dan O'Donahue), a College Republican, who resists Ellie's relentless sexual advances. At the publishing house, the women worked with a flamboyant gay male secretary named Stephano (Luigi Amodeo) and a sleazy publisher partner named Peter Thomas (David Rasche)

In the pilot episode, the women's small-town former college friend, Val Brumberg (Faith Prince), arrives after she decides to leave her philandering husband, Mitchell, one of Ellie's many exes. Val moves in with Dott, much to the chagrin of Elle, who stops speaking to Dott because of this. Val later reveals the other reason she came to Dott is because she is pregnant and needs someone to help her through her pregnancy. Aside from the situational comedy that arose from Ellie and Dott's campy antics, the storylines often centered on the notion of family. Val started to become something of a mother figure to Brendan. However, she was written out of the series without explanation after the sixth episode. The series then centered more on the campy lifestyle and antics of Ellie and Dott.

Cancellation

Despite garnering decent ratings, the series was canceled after 13 episodes and replaced with Good Company.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Guest stars

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Family Val's" Michael Lembeck Robert Horn & Daniel MargosisOctober 30, 1995 (1995-10-30)
Dott invites Val to stay with her, much to Ellie's chagrin.
2"Whose Son Is It Anyway?"Iris DugowRobert Horn & Daniel MargosisNovember 6, 1995 (1995-11-06)
Dott fears Val has developed a maternal bond with Brendan. Meanwhile, Ellie and Stephano each throw themselves at Ellie's buff new bodyguard.
3"Sleeping with the Enemy" Stan Daniels Robert Horn & Daniel MargosisNovember 13, 1995 (1995-11-13)
In an attempt to get rid of Val, Ellie tries to reunite her with estranged husband Mitchell, but soon comes to realize that Val might be better off without him.
4"Dolce & G'bye Now"Iris DugowRobert Horn & Daniel MargosisNovember 20, 1995 (1995-11-20)
After being humiliated by Ellie, Stephano quits and Dott reluctantly hires Val as his replacement, which sends Ellie into a frenzied fit.
5"Tomb with a View"Iris Dugow Lisa Albert November 27, 1995 (1995-11-27)
When Alice's neighbor dies, Ellie tries to impress the snooty building committee in order to secure a lush apartment.
6"The Naked and the Deadline"Iris Dugow Marc Flanagan December 4, 1995 (1995-12-04)
When Ellie develops writer's block, Dott goes to great lengths to get her unstuck.
7"Finnigan's Rainbow"Iris DugowRobert Horn & Daniel MargosisDecember 11, 1995 (1995-12-11)
Dott falls in love with a motivational speaker (Barry Bostwick).
8"We Ought to be in Pictures"Iris DugowRobert Horn & Daniel MargosisDecember 18, 1995 (1995-12-18)
When production begins on a film based on one of her novels, Ellie is horrified to discover she has forfeited all creative control.
9"Nip and Tuck"Iris DugowLisa Albert & Marc FlanaganJanuary 15, 1996 (1996-01-15)
Alice convinces Dott and Ellie to see a plastic surgeon (Bronson Pinchot) before an upcoming photo shoot.
10"Alice Doesn't Pump Here Anymore"Iris DugowRobert Horn & Daniel MargosisJanuary 22, 1996 (1996-01-22)
After sustaining a heart attack, Alice finds herself being smothered by Dott.
11"Touching Up Your Roots"UnknownUnknownFebruary 5, 1996 (1996-02-05)
Ellie's parents (Doris Roberts, Paul Dooley) visit with a shocking confession.
12"I Found My Thrill on Nancy Garver Hill"UnknownUnknownFebruary 12, 1996 (1996-02-12)
Ellie discovers a rival romance novelist is actually the guy she has been sleeping with (Tom Arnold).
13"The Family Jewels"Iris DugowRobert Horn & Daniel MargosisFebruary 26, 1996 (1996-02-26)
Ellie decides she wants to have a baby.

Award nominations

YearAwardCategoryRecipientResult
1996 Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesJayne MeadowsNominated
1996 Casting Society of America Best Casting for TV, Comedy PilotLeslie LittNominated

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References

  1. James, Caryn (1995-11-06). "Television Review; It's Monday, So It Must Be Women". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-08-23.