Cupid (2009 TV series)

Last updated
Cupid
Cupid title card.png
Created by Rob Thomas
Starring Bobby Cannavale
Sarah Paulson
Rick Gomez
Camille Guaty
ComposerJosh Kramon
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes7
Production
Executive producersRob Thomas
Jennifer Gwartz
Danielle Stokdyk
Dan Etheridge
Diane Ruggerio
Running time60 minutes
Production companiesRob Thomas Productions
ABC Studios
Sony Pictures Television
Original release
Network ABC
ReleaseMarch 31 (2009-03-31) 
June 16, 2009 (2009-06-16)

Cupid is an American comedy-drama television series that aired on ABC from March 31 to June 16, 2009, and was broadcast Tuesdays at 10:02 PM Eastern/9:02 PM Central. [1] The series is a remake of the network's 1998 series of the same name, and, like the earlier series, was created by Rob Thomas, with both versions centering on a man, who may or may not be the Roman god Cupid, who believes he must bring 100 couples together in order to return to Mount Olympus. The series stars Bobby Cannavale and is set in New York City, whereas the earlier series stars Jeremy Piven and is set in Chicago. Like the original series, the 2009 Cupid lasted only one season, and was canceled on May 19, 2009. [2]

Contents

Premise

Like the 1998 series from which it draws inspiration, this series is about a larger-than-life character who may or may not be the Roman god of love—Cupid—sent to earth to bring one hundred couples together before he is allowed to return to Mount Olympus. Whether by fate or other circumstances, Trevor Pierce (Bobby Cannavale) is under the care of psychiatrist and self-help author Dr. Claire McCrae (Sarah Paulson) whose own work is often based in romantic relationships. Claire's philosophy on true love is that it's the result of building friendship and compatibility. Trevor, by contrast, views it as heat and passion conquering all.

Cast and characters

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Pilot" Bharat Nalluri Rob Thomas March 31, 2009 (2009-03-31)
After being arrested for helping an Irishman vandalize the New Year's celebration in New York to catch the eye of a girl he had met for twenty minutes years ago in Dublin, a man claiming to be Cupid is sent to a mental institution for three months before being released after he is determined no danger to the public. Publicly calling himself Trevor Pierce, "Cupid" is put under the surveillance of mental health professional and relationship guidance counselor Claire McCrae.
2"Live and Let Spy" Michael Fields Diane RuggerioApril 7, 2009 (2009-04-07)
An heiress in disguise falls in love with the private investigator who helped ruin her previous relationship. Meanwhile, Félix begins dating Lita's boyfriend's mom.
3"The Great Right Hope" Michael Grossman David WalpertApril 14, 2009 (2009-04-14)
Trevor assists a teen who is trying to match his single mom up with his boxing instructor.
4"The Tommy Brown Affair" Matthew Diamond David WalpertApril 28, 2009 (2009-04-28)
Trevor helps a locksmith who is in love with his parole officer.
5"Shipping Out"Michael Fields Cindy Chupack May 5, 2009 (2009-05-05)
Trevor tries to reunite high-school sweethearts.
6"Left of the Dial"Michael GrossmanMichael Oates PalmerMay 12, 2009 (2009-05-12)
Trevor sets his sights on a radio DJ and one of his listeners.
7"My Fair Masseuse"John T. KretchmerRob ThomasJune 16, 2009 (2009-06-16)
A dialect expert is enlisted by Claire to seek clues to Trevor's origins, and by Trevor to act as Henry Higgins.

Production

Daily Variety had reported as early as October 2007 that ABC had approved a new version of the series, [3] to be set in Los Angeles, as part of a one-year development deal between ABC Studios and series creator Rob Thomas. A follow-up report published in The Hollywood Reporter in March 2008 [4] noted that the network had received initial scripts for the series and approved production for episodes to be broadcast as a mid-season replacement for 2008 or 2009.

As production developed, the series' primary setting was shifted to New York City. Filming for the new series took place in locations including Albemarle Rd in Kensington, Brooklyn, 232 E. 3rd St. in Brooklyn, and 47th Avenue between 41st and 43rd Street in Sunnyside, Queens.[ citation needed ]

U.S. Nielsen ratings

Episode NumberEpisodeRatingShare Rating/Share
(18-49)
Viewers
(millions)
Rank
(Timeslot)
Rank
(Overall)
1"Pilot"4.882.3/67.56TBA#35 [5]
2"Live and Let Spy"3.861.6/56.22347
3"The Great Right Hope"4.171.8/56.59345
4"The Tommy Brown Affair"3.861.8/56.16345
5"Shipping Out"3.561.7/55.14TBA59
6"Left of the Dial"3.661.4/45.50454
7"My Fair Masseuse"1.530.6/22.31423

Related Research Articles

<i>Till We Have Faces</i> 1956 novel by C. S. Lewis

Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold is a 1956 novel by C. S. Lewis. It is a retelling of Cupid and Psyche, based on its telling in a chapter of The Golden Ass of Apuleius. This story had haunted Lewis all his life, because he realized that some of the main characters' actions were illogical. As a consequence, his retelling of the story is characterized by a highly developed character, the narrator, with the reader being drawn into her reasoning and her emotions. This was his last novel, and he considered it his most mature, written in conjunction with his wife, Joy Davidman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psyche (mythology)</span> Ancient Greek goddess of the soul

Psyche is the Greek goddess of the soul and often represented as a beautiful woman with butterfly wings. The name Psyche means "soul" in Greek and was commonly referred to as such in Roman mythology as well, though the direct translation is Anima. She was born a mortal woman and eventually granted immortality, with beauty that rivaled even Aphrodite, goddess of love. Psyche is known from the novel The Golden Ass, also known as Metamorphoses, written by the Roman philosopher and orator Apuleius in the 2nd century. In the myth, she was given multiple trials to be with her beloved, Eros, also known as Cupid, god of physical love and desire and son of Aphrodite. The cultural influences of Psyche's story can be depicted in art dating back to the 4th century BCE.

<i>LAmour et Psyché, enfants</i> 1890 painting by William Adolphe Bouguereau

L'Amour et Psyché, enfants is an oil painting by William Adolphe Bouguereau in 1890. It is currently in a private collection. It was displayed in the Salon of Paris in 1890, the year Bouguereau was President of the Société des Artistes Français. The painting features Greek mythological figures Eros and Psyché, sharing an embrace and kiss. Bouguereau was a classical-style painter in the Neoclassical era of art. The painting is characterized by the frothy background the figures delicately stand on. It depicts the beginning of the forbidden romance of Cupid and Psyche, a popular subject at the time of execution.

<i>The Golden Ass</i> Ancient Roman novel by Apuleius

The Metamorphoses of Apuleius, which Augustine of Hippo referred to as The Golden Ass, is the only ancient Roman novel in Latin to survive in its entirety.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cupid and Psyche</span> Classical story of Cupid and Psyche

Cupid and Psyche is a story originally from Metamorphoses, written in the 2nd century AD by Lucius Apuleius Madaurensis. The tale concerns the overcoming of obstacles to the love between Psyche and Cupid or Amor, and their ultimate union in a sacred marriage. Although the only extended narrative from antiquity is that of Apuleius from 2nd century AD, Eros and Psyche appear in Greek art as early as the 4th century BC. The story's Neoplatonic elements and allusions to mystery religions accommodate multiple interpretations, and it has been analyzed as an allegory and in light of folktale, Märchen or fairy tale, and myth.

Cupid is an American comedy-drama television series created by Rob Thomas that aired on ABC from September 26, 1998 to February 11, 1999 and which featured Paula Marshall as Dr. Claire Allen, a Chicago psychologist who is given charge of a man named Trevor Hale. Hale believes he is Cupid, sent down from Mount Olympus by Zeus to connect 100 couples without using his powers, as a punishment for his arrogance.

Cupid is the god of love in Roman mythology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Cannavale</span> American actor (born 1970)

Bobby Cannavale is an American actor. His breakthrough came with the leading role as FDNY Paramedic Roberto "Bobby" Caffey in the NBC series Third Watch, which he played from 1999 to 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarah Paulson</span> American actress (born 1974)

Sarah Catharine Paulson is an American actress. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. In 2017, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olympians (Marvel Comics)</span> Fictional comic book species

The Olympians are a fictional species appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. These characters are based on the Twelve Olympians/Dii Consentes and other deities of Classical mythology. During the beginning of the 1960s, the exploits of the Asgardians Thor and his evil brother Loki demonstrated that an updating of ancient myths could again win readers. In 1965, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby introduced the Olympians in Journey into Mystery Annual #1.

<i>Class of the Titans</i> Canadian TV series or program

Class of the Titans is a Canadian animated television series produced by Studio B Productions and Nelvana Limited. It premiered on December 31, 2005, at 5 pm ET/PT on Teletoon with a special 90-minute presentation of the first three episodes. The series aired in the United States on Qubo from September 19, 2009, to October 24, 2009. On April 1, 2012, the series returned to Qubo as part of its Qubo Night Owl block replacing "Spliced" where it remained until July 25, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Children of Ares</span> Fictional characters appearing in DC Comics publications and related media

The Children of Ares are several fictional characters appearing in DC Comics publications and related media, commonly as recurring adversaries of the superhero Wonder Woman. Primarily based on eponymous Greek mythological figures, they are malevolent progeny of Wonder Woman's nemesis, the war god Ares. Three in particular – Deimos, Phobos and Eris – have emerged as especially enduring characters, appearing in every era of Wonder Woman's comic book adventures since debuting in 1969's Wonder Woman #183. Beginning in the Silver Age of Comic Books, these three characters have often been presented as Ares’ principal legates in his campaigns for universal conquest, and have also confronted Wonder Woman on their own, individually as well as with one another, as antagonists independent of their father.

<i>Psyché</i> (play) Ballet written in part by Molière in 1671

Psyché is a five-act tragédie-ballet, originally written as a prose text by Molière and versified in collaboration with Pierre Corneille and Philippe Quinault, with music composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully in 1671 and by Marc-Antoine Charpentier in 1684. The plot is based on the story of Cupid and Psyche in The Golden Ass, written in the 2nd century by Apuleius. It was first performed on 17 January 1671 before the royal court of Louis XIV at the Théâtre des Tuileries, with ballets by Pierre Beauchamps, Anthoine des Brosses, and Nicolas Delorge, and spectacular scenery and special effects designed by Carlo Vigarani.

<i>Les fêtes de Paphos</i> Opera by Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville

Les fêtes de Paphos is an opéra-ballet in three acts by the French composer Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville. The work was described as a ballet héroïque on the title page of the printed score. Each act had a different librettist. Les fêtes de Paphos was first performed at the Académie royale de musique in Paris on 9 May 1758 and was a popular success. Mondonville recycled material from two of his previous operas for the first two acts, namely Erigone (1747) and Vénus et Adonis (1752), both originally composed for Madame de Pompadour's Théâtre des Petits Cabinets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eros</span> Greek god of love and sex

In Greek mythology, Eros is the Greek god of love and sex. His Roman counterpart is Cupid ('desire'). In the earliest account, he is a primordial god, while in later accounts he is described as one of the children of Aphrodite and Ares and, with some of his siblings, was one of the Erotes, a group of winged love gods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cupid</span> Ancient Roman god of desire, affection and erotic love

In classical mythology, Cupid is the god of desire, erotic love, attraction and affection. He is often portrayed as the son of the love goddess Venus and the god of war Mars. He is also known as Amor. His Greek counterpart is Eros. Although Eros is generally portrayed as a slender winged youth in Classical Greek art, during the Hellenistic period, he was increasingly portrayed as a chubby boy. During this time, his iconography acquired the bow and arrow that represent his source of power: a person, or even a deity, who is shot by Cupid's arrow is filled with uncontrollable desire. In myths, Cupid is a minor character who serves mostly to set the plot in motion. He is a main character only in the tale of Cupid and Psyche, when wounded by his own weapons, he experiences the ordeal of love. Although other extended stories are not told about him, his tradition is rich in poetic themes and visual scenarios, such as "Love conquers all" and the retaliatory punishment or torture of Cupid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erotes</span> Greek love deities

In Ancient Greek religion and mythology, the Erotes are a collective of winged gods associated with love and sexual intercourse. They are part of Aphrodite's retinue. Erotes is the plural of Eros, who as a singular deity has a more complex mythology.

Eros and Psyche is a narrative poem with strong romantic and tragic themes: first published in 1885 by Robert Bridges. Bridges was licensed as a physician in England until 1882 when he was forced to retire due to a lung disease. He would then devote the rest of his life to literary research and writing and would be appointed as Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom in 1913.

<i>Lore Olympus</i> Romance webcomic by Rachel Smythe

Lore Olympus is a romance webcomic created by New Zealand artist Rachel Smythe. The comic is a modern retelling of the relationship between the Greek goddess and god Persephone and Hades. It began publishing weekly on the platform Webtoon in March 2018. Lore Olympus is currently the most popular comic on Webtoon; as of March 2024, it has 1.4 billion views and 6.5 million subscribers. The comic has won two Eisner Awards, two Harvey Awards, and two Ringo Awards. It was announced in 2019 that a television adaptation was under development.

<i>Cupid Crowned by Psyche</i> Painting by Jean-Baptiste Greuze

Cupid Crowned by Psyche or Psyche Crowning Cupid is an oil-on-canvas painting executed ca. 1785–1790 by Jean-Baptiste Greuze, now in the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille. It shows a scene from the myth of Cupid and Psyche, with a figure of Modesty standing behind Psyche and two cupids in the background placing rose crowns on a bed and throwing incense on a tripod.

References

  1. "ABC Medianet programming calendar for Tuesday, March 31". Abcmedianet.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2013-05-29.
  2. "ABC turns to familiar comic faces for new season". Abcnews.go.com. Retrieved 2013-05-29.
  3. Josef Adalian (October 2, 2007). "ABC to give 'Cupid' another shot". Variety . Retrieved 2017-09-11.
  4. Nellie Andreeva (March 14, 2008). "ABC greenlights Thomas' 'Cupid'". The Hollywood Reporter . Associated Press . Retrieved 2017-09-11.
  5. "THIS WEEK IN TV & TV RATINGS 3/30 TO 4/5".