"What About Joan"
comedy series
with Joan Cusack
Joan Cusack's "WHAT ABOUT JOAN"
To Premiere On ABC
(3/27/01)
Mon, Mar 5, 2001 07:36 PM PDT zap2it.com
Academy
Award-nominated actress Joan Cusack ("In And Out,"
"Working Girl" ) stars as Joan Gallagher in the
new romantic comedy series "What About Joan,"
premiering TUESDAY, MARCH 27 (9:30 -10:00 p.m., ET), on
the ABC Television Network.
Shot entirely on location in Chicago, the series focuses
on the private lives of an intimate group of high school
teachers, exploring the complexity and endurance of close
friendships among women, as well as the challenging
relationship between Joan and Jake (portrayed by Kyle
Chandler, "Early Edition," "Homefront")
-- two bright, independent, experienced people -- as they
blunder toward intimacy.
Ms. Cusack, starring in her first television comedy
series, portrays a high school teacher who depends on the
daily support, counsel and friendship of her two best
friends: Ruby, played by Tony Award-winner Donna Murphy
("The King and I," "Passion" ), who
is a psychiatrist, and Betsy, played by Jessica Hecht
("Friends," "The Single Guy" ), who
is a music teacher at the school. Although Ruby appears
the picture of strength and stability, she still allows
herself to be taken advantage of by Betsy who is locked
into an on-again, off-again relationship with fellow
teacher Mark, portrayed by Wallace Langham ("Veronica's
Closet," "The Larry Sanders Show").
Joan also bonds with Alice Adams, played by Kellie
Shanygne Williams ("Family Matters" ), who is a
new student teacher at the high school.
In the premiere episode, "Pilot," Joan
Gallagher receives the surprise of her life -
representing both her fondest wish and her greatest
anxiety -- when her new boyfriend, Jake, decides to sweep
her off her feet. Joan goes into a full-blown anxiety
attack when Jake unexpectedly gets serious, and she turns
to Betsy and Ruby for their sage advice on her dilemma.
But after gauging Joan's reaction to his suggestion, Jake
decides to turn the tables on her.
"What About Joan" stars Joan Cusack as Joan
Gallagher, Kyle Chandler as Jake, Jessica Hecht as Betsy,
Donna Murphy as Dr. Ruby Stern, Wallace Langham as Mark,
Kellie Shanygne Williams as Alice Adams.
Guest starring are Greta Honold as Maya, Mitchell Fain as
waiter, Maia Madison as waitress and Bruce Jarchow as Bob.
Academy and Emmy Award-winner James L. Brooks ("As
Good As It Gets," "Jerry Maguire," "The
Simpsons," "Terms of Endearment" ), David
Richardson ("Malcolm in the Middle," "Phenom,"
"Manhattan AZ," "The Simpsons") and
Richard Sakai ("As Good As It Gets," "Jerry
Maguire," "The Simpsons") are executive
producers of the series. Emmy Award-winner Michael
Lembeck ("Friends," "Mad About You")
directed "Pilot" from a script by series
creator and producer Gwen Macsai. "What About Joan,"
which is filmed before a studio audience in Chicago, is a
production of Gracie Films in association with Columbia
TriStar Television.
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