Good Advice (TV series)

Good Advice
Promotional advertisement for the series
GenreSitcom
Created by
Starring
ComposerJonathan Wolff
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes19 (+2 unaired pilots)
Production
Executive producerDanny Jacobson
Producers
EditorDann Cahn
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time30 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseApril 2, 1993 (1993-04-02) –
August 10, 1994 (1994-08-10)

Good Advice is an American television sitcom that aired for two seasons on CBS from April 2, 1993, to September 6, 1994. It was co-created and executive produced by Danny Jacobson and Norma Safford Vela; and starred Shelley Long and Treat Williams.

Synopsis

Dr. Susan DeRuzza (Shelley Long) is a successful marriage therapist and the author of a best-selling book on the subject, Giving and Forgiving. Upon returning from a six-week promotional tour she discovers her husband of 11 years, Joey (Christopher McDonald), in bed with another woman. Furthermore, when she returns to her therapy office, she learns she is now sharing it with high-profile divorce attorney Jack Harold (Treat Williams). While Susan and Jack don't agree on the basics of relationships, love or marriage, the one thing they do share is an undeniable sexual chemistry. Susan's confidant, Artie (George Wyner), tries to lend support at the office and her sister Paige (Teri Garr) and son Michael (Ross Malinger) try to help at home.

Cast

Guest stars

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
16April 2, 1993 (1993-04-02)May 7, 1993 (1993-05-07)
213May 23, 1994 (1994-05-23)August 10, 1994 (1994-08-10)

Season 1 (1993)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date Viewers
(millions)
11"Pilot"Barnet KellmanDanny Jacobson & Norma Safford VelaApril 2, 1993 (1993-04-02)15.6[1]
22"Jack of Hearts"Barnet KellmanDanny JacobsonApril 9, 1993 (1993-04-09)12.0[2]
33"Special Session"Barnet KellmanDanny Jacobson & Daniel PalladinoApril 16, 1993 (1993-04-16)12.0[3]
44"The Kiss"Barnet KellmanGina WendkosApril 26, 1993 (1993-04-26)16.6[4]
55"Sunshine on My Shoulder"Barnet KellmanMark Blutman & Howard BusgangApril 30, 1993 (1993-04-30)9.0[4]
66"Turning Thirteen"Barnet KellmanGary H. MillerMay 7, 1993 (1993-05-07)9.2[5]

Season 2 (1994)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date Viewers
(millions)
71"The Big One"Ted BessellMichael Patrick King & Tom PalmerMay 23, 1994 (1994-05-23)11.1[6]
82"Two Times Twenty"Alan RafkinPeter TolanMay 30, 1994 (1994-05-30)13.5[7]
93"Divorce, Egyptian Style"Robby BensonTom PalmerJune 6, 1994 (1994-06-06)16.2[8]
104"Roll Out the Barrel"Michael LembeckMichael Patrick KingJune 15, 1994 (1994-06-15)8.0[9]
115"Brother, Can You Spare a Date?"Art DielhennElaine AronsonJune 29, 1994 (1994-06-29)9.0[10]
126"The Gay Divorcee"Ted BessellJeanette Collins & Mimi FriedmanJuly 6, 1994 (1994-07-06)10.1[11]
137"Making Out is Hard to Do"Michael LembeckJeanette Collins & Mimi FriedmanJuly 13, 1994 (1994-07-13)9.4[12]
148"I'm Not Ready for My Closeup, Dr. DeRuzza"Michael Patrick KingDavid Flebotte & David Caldwell and David Kohan & Max MutchnickJuly 20, 1994 (1994-07-20)9.4[13]
159"Bill's as Is"Michael LembeckElaine AronsonJuly 27, 1994 (1994-07-27)9.7[14]
1610"A Chance of Showers"Ted BessellElaine AronsonAugust 10, 1994 (1994-08-10)[15]9.5[16]
1711"I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore"Ted BessellMichael Patrick King & Tom PalmerUnaired (Unaired)N/A
1812"Lights, Camera, Friction!"Robby BensonPeter TolanUnaired (Unaired)N/A
1913"Desperately Using Susan"Michael LembeckRuss WoodyUnaired (Unaired)N/A

History

Good Advice was intended to debut at the very beginning of the 1992–1993 season, but became a mid-season replacement on CBS in spring 1993 because the network's fall schedule was overcrowded.[17] The initial order garnered solid ratings and generally positive critical reviews. This was Shelley Long's first return to series television after leaving her role as Diane Chambers on Cheers and also the first sitcom for Treat Williams.

CBS renewed the series for a second season, set to premiere Friday, Oct. 22, 1993, but production was halted after Long became sick with the flu.[18] Long's illness prompted the network to put the show on indefinite hiatus; the season premiere aired in the summer of 1994,[19] but the show was cancelled after the season ended.

For the second season, Estelle Harris as Artie's mother and Christopher McDonald as Susan's ex-husband Joey were cut as regulars in lieu of bringing in Teri Garr as Susan's sister. Henriette Mantel also joined the cast in season 2.[20]

Good Advice staff writers included Michael Patrick King and Max Mutchnick.

References

  1. ^ Gable, Donna (April 7, 1993). "An Oscar to ABC for week's best ratings". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  2. ^ Gable, Donna (April 14, 1993). "NCAA aside, the big winner is ABC's '20/20'". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  3. ^ Donlon, Brian (April 21, 1993). "New shows find their niches". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  4. ^ a b Gable, Donna (May 5, 1993). "'Fried Green Tomatoes' gives NBC sizzle". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  5. ^ Donlon, Brian (May 12, 1993). "Sturdy 'Home' helps lift ABC". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  6. ^ DeRosa, Robin (June 1, 1994). "ABC's clean sweeps". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  7. ^ Gable, Donna (June 8, 1994). "CBS newsmag grabs viewers' 'Eyes'". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  8. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. June 15, 1994. p. 3D.
  9. ^ DeRosa, Robin (June 22, 1994). "95 million tune in O.J.'s televised chase". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  10. ^ "Sitcoms soar 2nd time around". Life. USA Today. July 7, 1994. p. 3D.
  11. ^ DeRosa, Robin (July 13, 1994). "Ratings slip for prime-time Simpson specials". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  12. ^ DeRosa, Robin (July 20, 1994). "Baseball gives NBC grand slam". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  13. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. July 27, 1994. p. 3D.
  14. ^ DeRosa, Robin (August 3, 1994). "'Dateline' survival tale prevails". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  15. ^ "TV Listings for August 10, 1994". TV Tango. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  16. ^ DeRosa, Robin (August 17, 1994). "'Ellen' fares well; newcomers falter". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  17. ^ Mink, Eric (September 1, 1992). "Delayed 'Good Advice' Puts Shelley Long On Hold". Chicago Tribune. p. 7. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
  18. ^ "Shelly [sic] Long: Can this career be saved?". EW.com. 1993-10-22. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
  19. ^ Scott, Tony (1994-05-24). "Review: 'Good Advice the Big One'". Variety. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
  20. ^ "Teri Garr's Bumpy Ride". Retrieved 24 January 2017.