The Geena Davis Show

The Geena Davis Show
GenreSitcom
Created byTerri Minsky
Starring
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Japan
Original languagesEnglish
Japanese
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes22
Production
Executive producers
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time30 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseOctober 10, 2000 (2000-10-10) –
July 10, 2001 (2001-07-10)

The Geena Davis Show is an American sitcom television series created by Terri Minsky starring Geena Davis. The show aired for one season on ABC from October 10, 2000, to July 10, 2001, during the 2000–01 U.S. television season.[1]

Plot

Sexy, sophisticated, and dim-witted Manhattan party-planner Teddie Cochran starts dating writer Max Ryan. The two hit it off, and Teddie soon moves into Max's suburban home along with his two children, six-year-old Eliza and 13-year-old Carter. Motherless for some time (Max is a widower), the two are not exactly welcoming of Teddie. Along with her two best friends Hilary and Judy, Teddie must use her unique blend of wits, sarcasm, and enthusiasm to get through her new lifestyle.

Cast

Main

Supporting

  • Katey Sagal – Ashley
  • Peggy Jo Jacobs as Patrice
  • Lise Simms as Natalie
  • Steve Valentine as Walter
  • Susan Wood as Sydney
  • Sarah Zinsser as Mrs. Toll
  • Adeline Allen as Morgan
  • Dylan Capannelli as Justin
  • Graham Norton as Bryan Fernando

Production and development

Terri Minsky first pitched the idea of a Sex and the City-like character becoming a suburban housewife to ABC in early 2000. After some debating, ABC decided to make the show less like Sex and the City and more tailored to its star, Geena Davis. The show was filmed in Los Angeles and premiered on ABC on Tuesday, October 10, 2000, at 9.30pm. The show lasted less than a season before being replaced by the Joan Cusack sitcom What About Joan?.[2][3][4]

Davis appeared on the cover of TV Guide's 2000 Fall Preview issue, along with three other actors starring in new sitcoms: Bette Midler, Michael Richards and John Goodman. Despite the magazine declaring them a "fab foursome", all four series bombed, with Davis' show actually airing the most episodes (20), compared to Bette (16), The Michael Richards Show (eight) and Goodman's Normal, Ohio (seven).

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [5]Prod.
code
U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Pilot"Andy CadiffTerri MinskyOctober 10, 2000 (2000-10-10)529N17.30[6]
Following a whirlwind romance, Teddie and Max get engaged, but she has difficulties ingratiating herself to his kids.
2"What I Like About You"Andy CadiffDavid FlebotteOctober 17, 2000 (2000-10-17)L51613.06[7]
Teddie has to choose between taking a meeting with Hillary Clinton or attending Carter's school art fair.
3"Piece of Cake"Andy CadiffTracy GambleOctober 24, 2000 (2000-10-24)L5127.85[8]
Teddie attempts to juggle her career, friendships, and her newfound motherly duties, but she winds up with an annoyed client, a disgruntled bestie, and an unintentionally erotic cake.
4"Jealousy"Andy CadiffDawn DeKeyserOctober 31, 2000 (2000-10-31)L51310.34[9]
While enjoying a night out with Max and her girlfriends, Teddie runs into her ex (Maurice Godin). She's appalled that Max isn't jealous, and she herself becomes overwrought with jealousy when she learns that he had a fling with a woman who sometimes babysits the kids.
5"Motherly Advice"Andy CadiffBill DalyNovember 14, 2000 (2000-11-14)L51710.69[10]
Teddie gives Carter some advice about girls which horrendously backfires and finds him accused of sexual harassment.
6"There's Something About Max"Andy CadiffDawn DeKeyserNovember 21, 2000 (2000-11-21)L51910.68[11]
Teddie and Max spontaneously decide to take a dance class, which leads to a quarrel due to Max's lack of dance skills.
7"Cooties"Andy CadiffTerri MinskyNovember 28, 2000 (2000-11-28)L51811.23[12]
When Teddie throws an extravagant birthday party for Eliza, she's targeted for scrutiny by a pack of mean moms.
8"The Long Kiss Goodbye"Andy CadiffJill Condon & Amy ToominDecember 5, 2000 (2000-12-05)L51410.69[13]
Teddie freaks out after Max's college roommate gives her an uncomfortable goodbye kiss. Meanwhile, Hillary and Judy feel uneasy about Teddie's decision to make Doris one of her bridesmaids.
9"By Teddie Cochran"Andy CadiffTracy GambleDecember 12, 2000 (2000-12-12)L52010.76[14]
Max hopes to land a job at a prestigious magazine, but Teddie's the one who's asked to author an article.
10"How the Mom Stole Christmas"Andy CadiffJonathan GoldsteinDecember 19, 2000 (2000-12-19)L52112.91[15]
In a parody of Dr. Seuss How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Teddie's Christmas plans are shattered when she discovers Max has invited her mother (Cynthia Harris) for the holidays.
11"Momma Bear"Andy CadiffBill DalyJanuary 9, 2001 (2001-01-09)L52310.36[16]
Teddie becomes protective of Carter when he brings home a disobeying older girl.
12"Car Wash"Andy CadiffTerri Minsky & Jim VallelyJanuary 16, 2001 (2001-01-16)L5229.54[17]
When Eliza loses the role that she wants in the school play, Teddie promises her a role in a TV commercial.
13"Max Hates Hillary"Andy CadiffJim Vallely & Judy TollJanuary 23, 2001 (2001-01-23)L5159.73[18]
Teddie tries to trick Max and Hillary into liking one another.
14"There's a New Bride in Town"Andy CadiffJill Condon & Amy ToominJanuary 30, 2001 (2001-01-30)L5258.81[19]
Teddie feels threatened when Judy has her own whirlwind romance.
15"Photo Finish"Andy CadiffTerri Minsky & Jim VallelyFebruary 6, 2001 (2001-02-06)L5269.64[20]
Teddie's racy photos for Esquire Magazine are the talk of the town when Max's repressed parents (Anne Haney & Paul Dooley) arrive for a surprise visit.
16"Sex, Lies, and Videotape"Andy CadiffJonathan GoldsteinFebruary 13, 2001 (2001-02-13)L52410.00[21]

After Carter is punished for getting drunk and breaking curfew, he discovers college home movies of his father stoned.

Note: Teddie Cochran talks in a manner similar to Hugo the Abominable Snowman from Warner Bros. Looney Tunes after talking about naming every pet "George" and a fond of bunny rabbits.
17"Hot Potato"Andy CadiffMark DriscollFebruary 20, 2001 (2001-02-20)L5289.61[22]
Carter gets a job at Korndog King (a parody of Burger King) and gives away food to the popular kids; Teddie adopts a psychotic cat.
18"The Prime Directive"Andy CadiffMarc Abrams & Michael BensonMarch 6, 2001 (2001-03-06)L5298.69[23]
Teddie takes Carter to a party where her famous friends inflate his ego.
19"Spontaneous Combustion"Andy CadiffJohn LevensteinMarch 13, 2001 (2001-03-13)L5119.19[24]
Teddie decides to sublet her apartment, but she has second thoughts after realizing she and Max can use the pad to have uninhibited sex.
20"The Wedding"Mark CendrowskiTerri Minsky & Jim VallelyJune 12, 2001 (2001-06-12)[25]L5317.04[26]
To appease Eliza, Teddie decides to forget her dream wedding and run down to city hall to marry Max, but a variety of complications ensue.
21"Girls' Night Out"Andy CadiffTracy GambleJuly 3, 2001 (2001-07-03)L5275.99[27]
Teddie's bachelorette party takes an unexpected turn when she's reunited with her former best friend (Katey Sagal).
22"White Moms Can't Jump"Andy CadiffBill DalyJuly 10, 2001 (2001-07-10)L5306.48[28]
Teddie embarrasses Carter during a basketball game.

International broadcast

In Italy, The Geena Davis Show (known as Geena Davis Show aired on RaiDue Car Hire in 2005.

The Geena Davis Show was screened in the United Kingdom on the now defunct channel ABC1,[29] from the channel's beginning in 2004 until its closure in 2007. The entire series was broadcast on the channel.

References

  1. ^ Weinraub, Bernard (March 7, 2001). "A Star Vehicle Sputters: CBS Cancels 'Bette'". The New York Times. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  2. ^ Vries, Hilary De (February 25, 2001). "TELEVISION/RADIO; In Comedies, Signs of a New Women's Movement". The New York Times. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  3. ^ James, Caryn (November 2, 2000). "CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK: TV Vehicles Running on Retreads; In New Sitcoms, Stars Often Play Themselves or Throwback Characters". The New York Times. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  4. ^ "The Geena Davis Show". Popmatters. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  5. ^ From the United States Copyright Office catalog: "Public Catalog - Copyright Catalog (1978 to present) - Basic Search [search: "Geena Davis Show "]". United States Copyright Office. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
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  20. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 5-11, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. February 14, 2001. Retrieved July 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  21. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 12-18, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. February 22, 2001. Retrieved July 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  22. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 19-25, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. February 28, 2001. Retrieved July 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  23. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (March 5–11, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. March 14, 2001. Retrieved July 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
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  25. ^ "TV Listings for - June 12, 2001". TV Tango. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
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  27. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (July 2–8, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. July 11, 2001. Retrieved July 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  28. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (July 9–15, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. July 18, 2001. Retrieved July 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  29. ^ "ABC spells out plans for Freeview channel". theguardian.com. August 5, 2004. Retrieved December 18, 2016.