September 25, 1997 (1997-09-25) – December 7, 2000 (2000-12-07)
Veronica's Closet is an American television sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman. It aired on NBC for three seasons, from September 25, 1997 to December 7, 2000.
The show was a top 10 success during its first two seasons (ranking No. 3 in its first year and No. 5 in its second), airing between Seinfeld and ER within the 'Must See TV' lineup. Ratings dropped when NBC moved it to a new timeslot, resulting in the show being cancelled after three seasons on the air. During its run, it aired a total of 66 episodes (22 per season).
Overview
Veronica 'Ronnie' Chase, played by Alley, has made a living being known as the "Queen of Romance".[1] She is the owner of Veronica's Closet, a company that sells lingerie and other bedroom accessories. Her husband Bryce, played by Christopher McDonald, regularly cheats on her, though she always takes him back because of the image she has created. However, after another tryst, Veronica decides to leave him and begins her life as a single woman.
She is championed by her best friend and Chief Financial Officer Olive Massery, played by Kathy Najimy, and her father Pat Chase, played by Robert Prosky, who is also her chauffeur. She also works with Perry Rollins, played by Dan Cortese, a former thong model who is her publicist; her assistant Josh Blair, played by Wallace Langham, and Leo Michaels, played by Darryl Mitchell. Later in the first season, she gets a silent partner in Millicent, played by Holland Taylor. However, when Millicent dies, the company is taken over by Millicent's incompetent son.
During the second season Millicent's ex-husband, Alec Bilson, played by Ron Silver, takes the company from his former stepson and helps the company regain some financial ground. However, he and Ronnie get closer, romantically, as the season progresses. He dies between seasons two and three and is revealed to have married someone else. His widow, June Bilson, played by Lorri Bagley, is a stereotypical dumb blonde who has some secret intelligence. She remodels the entire office and refuses to give up her share of the company until Olive buys her out in the series finale.
The show was taped at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, on soundstage 25.
The role of Bryce was originally played by Jamey Sheridan in an unaired pilot before the role was recast with Christopher McDonald. The producers had wanted McDonald to play Bryce but he could not accept the role at first because when they were filming the pilot, he was shooting Into Thin Air. The original pilot was then reshot when McDonald became available.[2]
The series premiered on September 25, 1997, after Seinfeld, to 35 million viewers. Variety gave it a mixed review but said it had potential.[3] Its title was derived from the real-life lingerie company, Victoria's Secret. They complained about it.[4]Hammocked between Seinfeld and ER within the 'Must See TV' lineup, the show was a huge success, although the initial ratings died down a bit later in the first season. The New York Times said it "has the highest Nielsen ratings of any new show this season and critics are lining up to proclaim her show 'must-she TV'."[1]
The sitcom spent the first two seasons as a top 10 hit (No. 3 in its first season, No. 5 in its second), airing on Thursdays at 9:30 (after Seinfeld in season 1 and after Frasier in season 2). NBC moved the show out of 'Must See TV' to a new timeslot, following Suddenly Susan (another NBC sitcom centered around a professional single woman), on Mondays for the 1999–2000 season. Ratings fell more than 50 percent, and NBC put both shows on hiatus. The show returned on Tuesdays at 9:30 (after Will & Grace) with only a slight boost in ratings. NBC canceled the series in 2000, along with Suddenly Susan, due to low ratings.
Olive sings a solo at the Lincoln Center Christmas show while Ronnie is given a less glamorous role; Bryce has ulterior motives for asking Josh to dinner.
Bryce decides he wants to "work" at the office, but his antics only disrupt things for Ronnie, and cause her to wonder if the staff likes him more than her. Zooey Deschanel guest stars.
Ronnie stirs up controversy, and jeopardizes a date with Kevin Costner, after writing about the joys of "romancing yourself"; Leo learns about Tina's past romances.
A glitch in her divorce proceedings stymies Ronnie's plans to consummate her renewed relationship with an old flame (Ted Danson); Perry deals with his girlfriend's superstitions.
15
15
"Veronica's a Drag"
Robert Berlinger
Story by : Eric Weinberg Teleplay by : Sherry Bilsing & Ellen Plummer
Olive feels stripped of her pride when asked what her new man (Maxwell Caulfield) does for a living; Perry tries to bond with his new girlfriend's son (Michael Welch).
Ronnie returns from the airport with a suitcase that she concludes belongs to the perfect man (Mark Derwin); Tina scores more than an autograph when she meets football star Keyshawn Johnson.
20
20
"Veronica's All Nighter"
Robert Berlinger
Story by : Lang-Ni Landrum Teleplay by : Brian Boyle & Rich Fox
Olive and Ronnie grow disillusioned with the effects of a health herb, while Alec plots revenge against his ex (Tia Carrere) after Perry starts dating her.
Ronnie reels at the news that Alec has died in a bizarre volcano accident, but she really blows her top when she comes face-to-face with his widow (Lorri Bagley). Meanwhile, Josh has a surprise for the rest of the office.
The office renovation is complete, and Ronnie thinks June is trying to trick her into choosing inferior accommodations. Also, a videotape from Leo's past comes back to haunt him.
49
5
"Veronica's New Cat"
Shelley Jensen
Story by : Jeffrey Astrof & Mike Sikowitz Teleplay by : Eric Weinberg
Ronnie turns especially catty when her birthday gift to Olive is not nearly as purr-fect as Josh's. Meanwhile, Perry and Leo go to extremes to see a different side of June.
Taking a page from the Rosie Ruiz training manual, Ronnie learns a long, hard lesson about shortcuts at a charity walkathon. Meanwhile, Josh and Chloe perform a dress rehearsal of their upcoming marriage.
Ronnie's Thanksgiving bash becomes just that when she and June try to beat the stuffing out of one another; Josh cooks for Chloe's brothers; Perry gets a monkey off his back at the holiday parade.
Ronnie nearly loses her head getting ready for a New Year's Eve duet with Isaac Hayes; Leo puts his feelings for Lana (Alexia Robinson) in writing; Perry tries to catch up on some last-minute resolutions.
Veronica vies to set an unusual world record; Josh shrinks from confrontation with a hostile neighbor; Perry's senile grandfather grows alarmingly fond of Leo.
When Ronnie dates Olive's former beau, she is tormented by a constant reminder of their relationship; Josh defends Perry and Leo from the office bully (Greg Proops).
