September 26, 2002 (2002-09-26) – December 18, 2003 (2003-12-18)
Good Morning, Miami is an American sitcom created by David Kohan and Max Mutchnick. The series ran on NBC from September 26, 2002, to December 18, 2003, and centered around the personal and professional life of Jake (Mark Feuerstein), the executive producer of an incredibly low-rated morning show in Miami, Florida. The series was one of the first on NBC to be fully originated in high definition.[2]
The series was launched as a part of the network's highly-rated "Must See TV" lineup, where it struggled in the ratings when compared to other sitcoms in the lineup, such as Kohan and Mutchnick's own Will & Grace. Midway through the second season, NBC pulled the series after Kohan and Mutchnick sued the network.[3] The series never returned, and the final nine episodes were ultimately left unaired. These episodes were later shown on TG4 in Ireland and Channel 4 in the United Kingdom.
Synopsis
Wunderkind producer Jake Silver decides to accept the job leading the lowest-rated morning show in Miami. He falls in love with the show's beautiful, down-to-earth hairdresser, Dylan. The carnival of clowns at the station includes pompous and insulting on-air host Gavin; Jake's sardonic assistant, Penny; and highly insecure station manager, Frank.
Early in the first season, Gavin's morning co-host was Lucia, and Sister Brenda was the station's nun/weather-girl. Eventually, Jake's foul-mouthed grandmother, Claire, becomes the on-screen co-host. Both Lucia and Sister Brenda were written out early in the series as the producers were still searching for the "center" of their program.
During the second season, Jake and Dylan begin a relationship, even considering relocation to New York together. Victoria Hill, a new station boss, took over the show to get higher ratings, and Gavin struggled to warm up to her. Claire left the show and a new weather girl, Joni, was also introduced—much to Gavin's dismay.
The series ended with Gavin and Penny deciding to start a relationship (as Penny is pregnant with his baby), Frank marrying Gavin's mother as a publicity stunt, and Jake and Dylan agreeing to go their separate ways (Jake leaves the station and goes to produce at NBC in Manhattan, while Dylan returns to her home town of Omaha, Nebraska).
The sitcom was filmed at CBS Studio Center's Stage 16.[4] The theme song, entitled "Once in a Lifetime", is played by John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls. In the second season, exterior footage of NBC affiliate WPTV-TV's studio complex in West Palm Beach, Florida, was used to portray the exteriors of the fictional Good Morning, Miami studios.
In the original, unaired test Pilot the part of Gavin was played by actor Burke Moses.[5][6][7] The part of Penny was played by an uncredited actress and the character was completely different.
Episodes
Series overview
During the original run of the series, the first episodes were broadcast out of intended production order by NBC as the series struggled in the ratings. First, completely discarding the episode titled, "It Didn't Happen One Night," then failing to run the Christmas themed episode until the second week of January, after first running another new episode during the first week of January.
Despite renewing the series, only half of the second season was ever broadcast in the United States by NBC. The entire series was aired on TG4 in Ireland several times in a daily morning time slot. Channel 4 UK also broadcast the entire series.
Dylan and Gavin go on a double date with Dylan's best friend Cindy (Andrea Savage) and Jake, while Frank, Penny and Lucia are asked to create a PSA for the deaf but accidentally sign the wrong message.
After getting stuck spending some time with Gavin, they both realize they have things in common, meanwhile the ladies engage in some "Girl Talk," but Frank misinterprets Penny's sarcasm.
Jake is cramping Grandma Claire's style so she gives him until the end of the week to find his own apartment, Dylan offers her vacant apartment since she is moving in with Gavin but Jake is reluctant.
Dylan accidentally kisses Jake at a costume party after Jake and Gavin are both disguised as The Flash, Sister Brenda pranks Lucia, and Frank's gaydar is permanently down for maintenance. Note: Halloween Themed Episode 1/2
On Jake's birthday tensions are high between Dylan and Penny, Sister Brenda and Frank attend their uncle Leon's funeral then fight over a pocket watch, meanwhile Lucia gets Gavin addicted to gum. Dylan picks up on something.
After meeting Gavin, Dylan's mom (Bess Armstrong) prefers Jake, and before leaving, Lucia convinces Frank to get his dignity back after he has an unfortunate incident with the copy machine.
Jake and Gavin are in a heated competition to see who's the bigger man, Jake even pretends to be an alcoholic just to out do Gavin. Frank is a regular at the ER and he is using Penny as his emergency contact.
The crew exchange secret Santa gifts, Jake scrambles after his personalized inscription to Dylan ends up with Gavin, Frank acts like a little kid after helping with Claire's gift for Jake. Note: Christmas Themed Episode broadcast in January
Gavin starts a rumor to keep Dylan and Jake apart, Claire figures out that Penny likes Jake, Frank is employee of the month so he needs a haircut, Jake kisses Penny just as Dylan finally has a realization.
Jake and Penny try to hide their relationship, Claire is carrying on with her maintenance man Lenny (Tom Poston), Frank won't take no for an answer thanks to Dylan's advice. Gavin needs a friend.
Some of the crew go skydiving after Gavin accidentally eats Frank's special pear, Claire is using Dylan's picture for her online dating profile, Jake thinks he should probably be with Penny.
Gavin loses his dignity on Fear Factor after he signs with a new talent agent Roberta (Fran Drescher), Frank reveals to Penny that he doesn't actually do anything at the station except look busy. Penny still has feelings for Jake, but denies being a relationship with him. But a conversation with Dylan changes everything.
Penny and Claire have a fender bender then Frank takes the blame in front of the police officer (Nick Offerman), Gavin's contact is up and Jake sees it as the perfect opportunity to break up Gavin and Dylan.
Dylan and Gavin break up, Frank is having body image issues, Jake has to hold off before making a move when Dylan wants to move back into her apartment. Roberta (Fran Drescher) brings Gavin to an exclusive AA meeting to network with big time movers and shakers but he can't handle it. Jake has to save Gavin from himself.
Gavin can't snap out of it for the sake of the show, so Jake pays Penny to babysit Gavin while he goes out with Dylan. Claire's exploits end up in the tabloids thanks to Frank, Gavin ends up faking it.
Part 1/2 To get a date with Dylan, Jake first sets up a dating segment to get Gavin a date, but Gavin proposes to Dylan instead during the show. Frank encourages Claire to see her old friend in the hospital.
Part 2/2 Dylan needs time to think over Gavin's proposal, Claire and Frank can't keep it together during their appearance on a PSA for the influenza shot. Penny tells Jake, "I love you," and then quits. Jake tells Dylan, "I'm in love with You," but things go awry there. Penny and Gavin have dinner together and end up consoling each other. Gavin and Penny kiss. Jake runs after Penny and Dylan runs after Jake. To Be Continued...
Part 1/2 The new couples Jake and Dylan, and Gavin and Penny, consummate their new relationships which leaves Frank feeling left out. The show gets a new revolving set and logo after a corporate conglomerate, Sunbright Media, buys the station and sends a new boss, Victoria, to Miami to improve the ratings of the show.
Part 2/2 Jake and Dylan move to NY after Jake quits his job, Victoria takes over as Executive Producer with disastrous results, Jake see the results and develops a guilty conscience about his move and then decides to return to Miami. The team strikes to get Jake back as Executive Producer, A new weather girl Joni joins the crew.
Jake promotes Dylan to producer then micro-manages her. Gavin makes a fool out of himself when he doesn't know how to pronounce Beyoncé. Frank tries to impress a caterer named Hollis (Mary Lynn Rajskub).
Gavin receives recognition as the most improved on-air personality then runs into Victoria at an AA meeting, later Gavin becomes an investigative reporter. Dylan discovers Penny's past.
An old family friend Mr Fowler (John Aylward) kisses Dylan and creeps out Jake. Jake is caught in a lie when his mother Judy (Carrie Fisher) visits and Frank is asked to fill in during the holiday. Note: Thanksgiving Themed Episode
Victoria fights with Jake over a place on a corporate retreat trip, a parking spot, and an apartment that Dylan saw first, Gavin's investments dry up and he gets a job doing a cartoon voice.
Everyone in the station has a pool on whether or not Jake and Dylan will last, and everyone loses. Gavin and Penny bring separate dates to a dinner party held by Jake and Dylan. Gavin's date happens to be born to be a news anchor and Penny's is a total flake. Meanwhile, Frank babysits his Nephew at the party, but it is actually Frank who needs the babysitter since he is acting like a baby when he needs a spoon for his ice cream during a fight between Dylan and Jake.
The station cuts corners to get new computers and Victoria banishes the staff to the basement after Jake goes over her head to get them and tells the Sunbright Ceo Jim Templeton (Hal Holbrook).
The station's helicopter crashes in the Everglades during a storm and they are forced to communicate their location to Frank live on the air since he accidentally trapped Jake and Penny inside a magic box.
Frank gets caught in a scam by an old women that Penny warns him about. The station employees are drug tested, Dylan is mistakenly told she is pregnant but it's actually Frank who has high estrogen levels, meanwhile Jake spars with a jeweler played by (Curtis Armstrong) while trying to buy an engagement ring for Dylan.
Gavin is feeling sorry for himself and everything he says seems like he is coming out of the closet. While Frank's ex-wife Sara (Valerie Mahaffey) is back and everyone is confused by the injuries Frank sustains from magic tricks gone awry.
Part 1/3 Gavin hosts a show about teenagers and sex. A video tape labeled X-Files turns out to be a sex tape. Dylan expects Jake to propose but he has given up.
Part 2/3 Jake and Dylan wonder if they should wait to get married. Gavin's mom Catherine (Joanna Cassidy) visits town. Dylan accidentally advises Jake's Ex Cheryl (Jolie Jenkins) to profess her love for him. Jake finally proposes to Dylan. Frank starts dating Gavin's Mom.
Part 3/3 The show is being canceled and as a final rating stunt Jake's network boss Larry (George Wyner) comes to town and turns Jake and Dylan's wedding into a circus, so they both run out on the wedding. Gavin and Penny tell each other, "I love you." Penny finds out whether or not she is pregnant. Frank becomes Gavin's father at an on-air wedding ceremony officiated by Reverend Earl (Shashawnee Hall). Jake and Dylan are headed to the airport to do what they need to do.
Note: This episode contains a parting shot at NBC. In his office, Jake tells his network boss Larry, "you've never given us a fair shake, you've moved us around the schedule, you've taken us off for months at a time, you barely promoted us." Larry responds that he will replace the show with a new concept called Something Factor, a direct barb against this show's replacement, Fear Factor.
^Fitzgerald, Toni (November 20, 2002). "A romantic score for ABC". Media Life Magazine. Archived from the original on November 22, 2002. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
