The Chris Isaak Show

Last updated
The Chris Isaak Show
Created by Diane Frolov
Andrew Schneider
William Lucas Walker
Starring Chris Isaak
Kristin Dattilo
Jed Rees
Hershel Yatovitz
Rowland Salley
Kenney Dale Johnson
Jennifer Calvert (2001)
ComposerTerry Frewer
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes47
Production
Executive producersDiane Frolov
Andrew Schneider
Chris Isaak
Arnold Messer
Mike Medavoy
Production locations Vancouver, British Columbia
Running time45 min. per episode
Production companiesOnce and Future Films (seasons 1-2)
Phoenix Pictures
Viacom Productions
Original release
Network Showtime
ReleaseMarch 12, 2001 (2001-03-12) 
March 25, 2004 (2004-03-25)

The Chris Isaak Show is an American sitcom that follows a fictionalized version of the life of American rock musician Chris Isaak. The show portrays Isaak and his band members as everyday people with everyday problems. [1] The series was produced for the Showtime channel from 2001 to 2004, and was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, which stands in for the show's home setting of San Francisco. [1] [2]

Contents

The series featured Isaak and several members of his band, Silvertone, portraying themselves. Other roles were portrayed by actors, including Jed Rees as Isaak's keyboardist. Rees (who had studied piano, though much of his character's keyboard work is performed by a session player) [2] was hired in place of Isaak's actual keyboardist Brett Tuggle (a part-time band member) [2] to add some comedy to the show. Other characters featured on the show include Yola Gaylen, Isaak's manager and her colleague, Cody Kurtzman. The final regular character, Mona, appears lying nude on her stomach on a revolving circular bed in the basement of Bimbo's, a club Isaak frequents. [1] Through an optical illusion created with mirrors she's made to look as if swimming in an aquarium, and being called a mermaid (despite having human legs). [3] Only once does she sit up, revealing her toplessness. [4] She typically talks only with Isaak, acting as his conscience or a sounding board for him.

Currently, the entire series remains unreleased to DVD due to music licensing costs.

Cast

Episodes

Season 1 (2001)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date
11"Freud's Dilemma" Rob Thompson Diane Frolov & Andrew Schneider March 12, 2001 (2001-03-12)
22"Fantasia"Max TashMaryanne MelloanMarch 19, 2001 (2001-03-19)
33"Crimes and Punishment"Max TashDiane Frolov & Andrew SchneiderMarch 26, 2001 (2001-03-26)
44"It's the Music, Stupid" Milan Cheylov Diane Frolov & Andrew SchneiderApril 2, 2001 (2001-04-02)
55"The Real Me"Rob ThompsonJoe BossoApril 9, 2001 (2001-04-09)
66"Hurricane" Scott Smith Maryanne MelloanApril 16, 2001 (2001-04-16)
77"T&A"Victoria HochbergStory by: David Rothenberg
Teleplay by: Maryanne Melloan
April 23, 2001 (2001-04-23)
88"Mr. Isaak's Opus"Richard MartinWilliam Lucas WalkerApril 30, 2001 (2001-04-30)
99"Tomorrowland" Richard J. Lewis Story by: Diane Frolov & Andrew Schneider & William Lucas Walker
Teleplay by: Diane Frolov & Andrew Schneider
May 7, 2001 (2001-05-07)
1010"Dancin'" Charles Winkler Diane Frolov & Andrew SchneiderMay 14, 2001 (2001-05-14)
1111"The Professionals" Ron Oliver Joe BossoMay 21, 2001 (2001-05-21)
1212"Smackdown"Ron OliverWilliam Lucas WalkerMay 28, 2001 (2001-05-28)
1313"Wages of Fear"Ron OliverMaryanne MelloanJune 4, 2001 (2001-06-04)
1414"Lost and Found"Charles WinklerJoe BossoJune 11, 2001 (2001-06-11)
1515"Storytime"Milan CheylovDiane Frolov & Andrew SchneiderJune 18, 2001 (2001-06-18)
1616"Our Place"Scott SmithStory by: William Lucas Walker
Teleplay by: Maryanne Melloan & Diane Frolov & Andrew Schneider
June 25, 2001 (2001-06-25)
1717"Behind the Isaak"Jorge MontesiMaryanne MelloanJuly 2, 2001 (2001-07-02)

Season 2 (2002)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date
181"In the Name of Love" Milan Cheylov Diane Frolov & Andrew Schneider January 6, 2002 (2002-01-06)
192"The Devil Made Me Do It"Max TashDiane Frolov & Andrew SchneiderJanuary 13, 2002 (2002-01-13)
203"Chris Isaak Day"Max TashScott KauferJanuary 20, 2002 (2002-01-20)
214"Wrong Number"Kevin InchMaryanne MelloanJanuary 27, 2002 (2002-01-27)
225"Duty Calls"Milan CheylovMaryanne MelloanFebruary 3, 2002 (2002-02-03)
236"Family Ties"David Warry-SmithScott KauferFebruary 10, 2002 (2002-02-10)
247"Driven" Brenton Spencer Maryanne MelloanMarch 3, 2002 (2002-03-03)
258"Rat in the House"Steve DiMarcoDiane Frolov & Andrew SchneiderMarch 10, 2002 (2002-03-10)
269"Hell is Other People"Milan CheylovDiane Frolov & Andrew SchneiderMarch 17, 2002 (2002-03-17)
2710"Mysterious Hearts"Steve DiMarcoAdam BraffMarch 31, 2002 (2002-03-31)
2811"Gimme Shelter"Milan CheylovDiane Frolov & Andrew SchneiderApril 7, 2002 (2002-04-07)
2912"Farm Boys"Kevin InchTeresa O'NeillJune 4, 2002 (2002-06-04)
3013"Home of the Brave"Jorge MontesiMaryanne MelloanJune 11, 2002 (2002-06-11)
3114"The Hidden Mommy"Jorge MontesiScott KauferJune 18, 2002 (2002-06-18)
3215"Just Us Kids" Jeremy Podeswa Diane Frolov & Andrew SchneiderJune 25, 2002 (2002-06-25)
3316"Isaakland"Brenton SpencerMaryanne MelloanJuly 2, 2002 (2002-07-02)
3417"Charity Begins at Home"Steve DiMarcoDennis KleinJuly 9, 2002 (2002-07-09)

Season 3 (2004)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date
351"The Family of Man"Jorge MontesiMaryanne MelloanJanuary 8, 2004 (2004-01-08)
362"Candidate" Michael Rohl Scott KauferJanuary 15, 2004 (2004-01-15)
373"Let the Games Begin"Steve DiMarcoScott KauferJanuary 22, 2004 (2004-01-22)
384"Home Improvement" Chris Isaak Scott KauferJanuary 29, 2004 (2004-01-29)
395"The Little Mermaid" Milan Cheylov Diane Frolov & Andrew Schneider February 5, 2004 (2004-02-05)
406"A Little Help From My Friends"Milan CheylovDiane Frolov & Andrew SchneiderFebruary 12, 2004 (2004-02-12)
417"Rivals"Steve DiMarcoDiane Frolov & Andrew SchneiderFebruary 19, 2004 (2004-02-19)
428"Criminal Favors"Jorge MontesiDiane Frolov & Andrew SchneiderFebruary 26, 2004 (2004-02-26)
439"Home Fires"Kevin InchMaryanne MelloanMarch 4, 2004 (2004-03-04)
4410"Run, Yola, Run"David Warry-SmithDiane Frolov & Andrew SchneiderMarch 11, 2004 (2004-03-11)
4511"Taking Off"Jorge MontesiMaryanne MelloanMarch 18, 2004 (2004-03-18)
4612"Braveheart"Kevin InchMaryanne MelloanMarch 25, 2004 (2004-03-25)
4713"Suspicion"Jorge MontesiDiane Frolov & Andrew SchneiderMarch 25, 2004 (2004-03-25)

Related Research Articles

<i>The Beverly Hillbillies</i> American sitcom (1962–1971)

The Beverly Hillbillies is an American television sitcom that was broadcast on CBS from 1962 to 1971. It had an ensemble cast featuring Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Donna Douglas, and Max Baer Jr. as the Clampetts, a poor backwoods family from the Ozark Mountains of Missouri who move to posh Beverly Hills, California after striking oil on their land. The show was produced by Filmways and was created by Paul Henning. It was followed by two other Henning-inspired "country cousin" series on CBS: Petticoat Junction and its spin-off Green Acres, which reversed the rags-to-riches, country-to-city model of The Beverly Hillbillies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Isaak</span> American rock musician

Christopher Joseph Isaak is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional actor. Noted for his reverb-laden rockabilly revivalist style and wide vocal range, he is popularly known for his breakthrough hit and signature song "Wicked Game"; as well as international hits such as "Blue Hotel", "Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing", and "Somebody's Crying".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caroline Rhea</span> Canadian actress and comedian (born 1964)

Caroline Gilchrist Rhea is a Canadian actress and stand-up comedian, who is best known for portraying Hilda Spellman in the ABC series Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and voicing Linda Flynn-Fletcher in the Disney Channel animated series Phineas and Ferb.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clarice Starling</span> Fictional character created by Thomas Harris

Clarice M. Starling is a fictional character and protagonist of the novels The Silence of the Lambs (1988) and Hannibal (1999) by Thomas Harris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JoBeth Williams</span> American actress (born 1948)

Margaret JoBeth Williams is an American actress. She rose to prominence appearing in such films as Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), Stir Crazy (1980), Poltergeist (1982), The Big Chill (1983), The Day After (1983), Teachers (1984), and Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986). A three-time Emmy Award nominee, she was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for her work in the TV movie Adam (1983) and the TV miniseries Baby M (1988). Her third nomination was for her guest role in the sitcom Frasier (1994). She also starred in the TV series The Client (1995–96) and had recurring roles in the TV series Dexter (2007) and Private Practice (2009–11).

Cynthia Stevenson is an American actress. She first played a leading role in the syndicated parody comedy series My Talk Show (1990–91), before starring in a number of sitcoms, including Bob, Hope & Gloria, and Oh Baby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robby Stewart</span> Fictional character from Hannah Montana

Robby Ray Stewart is a fictional character from the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana, portrayed by Billy Ray Cyrus. Robby is the widowed single father of Jackson Stewart and Miley Stewart. He appears in all episodes in seasons 1 and 2, is absent for 3 episodes in season 3, and is absent for 1 episode in season 4. The character is based on Jed Clampett, the main character of The Beverly Hillbillies, even to the point of using Jed's famous catchphrase "Well doggies!"; the character’s name of “Robby Ray Stewart” is also a clear play on the portrayer’s real name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dexter Morgan</span> Fictional character from the Dexter book and TV series

Dexter Morgan, also known by the in-universe moniker The Bay Harbor Butcher, is a fictional character introduced as the antihero protagonist of the Dexter book series written by Jeff Lindsay, as well as the television series of the same name. In the television series, Dexter is portrayed by Michael C. Hall.

<i>Tales of the City</i> (1993 miniseries) Television miniseries directed by Alastair Reid

Tales of the City is a 1993 television miniseries based on the first of the Tales of the City series of novels by Armistead Maupin.

Californication is an American comedy-drama television series, created by Tom Kapinos that originally aired for seven seasons and 84 episodes on Showtime from August 13, 2007, to June 29, 2014. The show follows New Yorker Hank Moody, a troubled novelist who moves to California and suffers from writer's block. His drinking, womanizing, and drug abuse complicate his relationships with his longtime lover, Karen, and their daughter, Becca.

<i>Tracey Ullmans State of the Union</i> Television series

Tracey Ullman's State of the Union is an American sketch comedy television series starring Tracey Ullman. The series was written by Ullman along with Hollywood satirist Bruce Wagner. Gail Parent and Craig DiGregorio acted as contributing writers to the series' first season. The show ran for three seasons on Showtime. On May 17, 2010, it was announced that the show would not be returning for a fourth season.

United States of Tara is an American comedy drama television series created by Diablo Cody, which aired on Showtime from 2009 to 2011. The series follows the life of Tara, a suburban artist and mother coping with dissociative identity disorder.

Kristin Dattilo is an American television actress, known for playing manager Yola Gaylen on The Chris Isaak Show from 2001 to 2004 and detective Barbara Gianna in season 3 of Dexter.

AwesomenessTV is an American sketch comedy reality television series based on the YouTube channel of the same name and is created by Brian Robbins. Both seasons contain 20 episodes.

"Ladies Room" is the second episode of the first season of the American television drama series Mad Men. It was written by series creator Matthew Weiner and directed by Alan Taylor. Weiner has stated that the interval between writing the pilot and the second episode lasted seven years. The episode originally aired on the AMC channel in the United States on July 26, 2007.

<i>Billions</i> (TV series) American drama television series

Billions is an American drama television series created by Brian Koppelman, David Levien, and Andrew Ross Sorkin. The series premiered on January 17, 2016, on Showtime, and its seventh and final season premiered on August 13, 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jo Firestone</span> American comedian, writer, and actor

Joanna Firestone is an American actress, comedian, and television writer. She played Sarah Conner on the television series Joe Pera Talks with You.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yola (singer)</span> Musical artist

Yolanda Claire Quartey, known professionally as Yola or Yola Carter, is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and actress. Her debut studio album Walk Through Fire (2019) received critical acclaim and earned her four Grammy Award nominations, including Best New Artist. Her follow-up, Stand for Myself (2021), received similar acclaim and earned her two more Grammy nominations. Yola made her acting debut in 2022, portraying "godmother of rock n roll" Sister Rosetta Tharpe in Baz Luhrman’s biopic Elvis, and later made her Broadway debut in 2024 when she began playing Persephone in Anaïs Mitchell's musical Hadestown.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Williamson, Kevin (2002-04-12). "Cool show". Jam!. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved 2008-06-01.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. 1 2 3 Israel, Robyn (2001-08-31). "Lights, camera, rock!". Palo Alto Weekly. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
  3. Salamon, Julie (March 12, 2001). "Television Review: Relax. It Was Just a Little Striptease". The New York Times. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  4. Season 2, Episode 12 "Farm Boys"
  5. Cortes, Jody (6 December 2016). "Co-star Bobby Jo Moore arrives at Showtime's premiere of 'The Chris Isaak Show'". Getty Images. Retrieved 13 May 2023.