Working Class starring Melissa Peterman: A Keeping It Real Sitcom

In 1988, Roseanne, a sitcom starring it's name sake Roseanne Barr, focused on the average, middle-class family and America fell in love. Of course, when those working folks won the lottery, their viewers could no longer relate and Roseanne found itself as just another piece of television history.

If there's anybody who can relate to America's "Joe Six Pack," it's gotta be CMT. So it should come as no surprise that their first scripted sitcom should center around "normal folk."

What's the show about?  Well, I think CMT says it best:  Carli Mitchell (Melissa Peterman) is a single mom from a rough and tumble background, trying to give her kids a better life by moving them to an upscale suburb. She quickly finds that making the transition to "the good life" is harder than she thought. She's unwittingly befriended by her cranky, misanthropic neighbor, Hank (Ed Asner). Her only career prospect is a glorified deli job at the local grocery store, and the man she falls for not only already has a girlfriend, but he's also her boss, Rob (Patrick Fabian). But Carli's attitude is when life gives you lemons, make lemonade ... then add booze. With her catnip-to-the-ladies brother, Nick (Steve Kazee), to help her out (when he's not acting like one of the kids himself), Carli faces the challenges of parenting, dating and making friends in her new community by doing more with less, staying true to herself and approaching each day with a touch of working class.
I had a chance to view the pilot episode which will premiere next Friday night, January 28, 2011, 8:00 EST/7:00 CST/8:00 PST, and, boy, was I impressed.

New sitcoms are typically funny but don't really produce their best work until the second or later season.  Not so with Working Class.

Peterman's Carli character is at her best with her quick-witted comebacks that leave you laughing long after the next scene is headed for another crack-up. 

A future episode will guest star Reba McEntire and John Schneider and fans of Reba will love the flip-flop of roles for Peterman and McEntire - but that's all I'm gonna say 'bout that.

Sitcoms come and sitcoms go.  Some are good, some are horrible.  As a sitcom addict, I'm placing my bets that Working Class is going to stick around for a while.

It's a show about all of us, how could we not love it? :)

Stay up to date on the latest about Working Class by "liking" it on Facebook and following on Twitter!

Read more...

Megyn Price talks about Infertility, Surrogacy, and being a Hollywood Mom

The hit CBS sitcom Rules of Engagement is going to be tackling a difficult subject in upcoming episodes:  infertility and surrogacy.

Price's character, Audrey, and husband Jeff have danced around the issue of having a baby in previous episodes without much commitment one way or another.

In upcoming episodes, however, that will will change.

"Our writers, a couple of whom had went through fertility issues with their own wives, managed to find all of the humor that was possible - if that is possible in the sort of the fertility shots and the processes that you go through, and the heartbreak with the absurdity of it," Megyn said.    

And when fertility treatments fail, many couples consider surrogacy.

"They just took it to the next level with the surrogacy which again is again a sort of extreme method I think for having a child. Because it really shows how much a couple wants a child," said Megyn.

So how does Megyn Price feel about taking on this difficult, often-touchy issue?  "It scares me, frankly.  It scares me," she said.

While Rules of Engagement will attempt to lighten the emotional burdens of infertility, it's never far from anyone's mind that it's no laughing matter. Megyn said, "[While] they've managed to find the funny, I will say there are moments I have to take a step back and say, 'Hold on a minute, this is a bigger deal than we're making it!'"

I'm anxious to see where writers will take Audrey and Jeff as they embark on the adventure of having a baby.

Be sure to tune in to CBS on Monday nights at 8:30/7:30 p.m. central to watch new episodes of Rules of Engagement.

I couldn't walk away with from an interview on this subject, however, without asking Megyn her real-life role of being a Mom in Hollywood.

Megyn was born and raised in Oklahoma where she met her high school sweetheart, Eddie, who is now her husband.  I wanted to know if their Midwest upbringing would play a stronger role in the rearing of the daughter, Grace, than the influences of Hollywood. 

Megyn says she has met many people raised in Los Angeles who were part of entertainment families that are wonderful people, but in response to my question she says, "Oh good Lord I hope so!"

She adheres to this by remembering what her father told her when she first started acting, "Sweetheart, you can be in Hollywood but not of Hollywood."

Sounds like Megyn's dad is a very wise man.

Read more...

Grab The Tissues. Be Inspired. CBS New Show Hosted by Jeff Pobst.

Wow!

That one simple word sums up my thoughts and feelings on CBS' new show Live For The Moment, scheduled to premiere Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 8/7c p.m.

In the first life-changing episode, host Jeff Pobst meets Roger Childs, a husband and father of two boys diagnosed with ALS (better known as Lou Gehrig's disease).



Once an active skier, a space enthusiast, and licensed pilot hopeful, Childs life changed at the age of 38 when learning of his diagnosis.

Childs and his wife Julie discuss in a (very) raw emotional moment how it felt to learn that Childs had a remaining life expectancy of 2 to 5 years.

Once the initial shock was over, Childs decided to embrace every day as though it was his last. And with the help of LFTM executive producers Jeff Pobst and Mark Burnett, he'll do just that with a series of adventures that create lasting family memories and shares powerful life lessons for viewers.

Childs' inspirational ways in which he lives his life are sure to change the way others live.

I know it did mine, and my husbands.

By the time we had finished watching this episode, Brian and I both had a new outlook on life. Realizing how frequently we fail to express our love for one another and embrace the time with each other and our children with which we have been blessed.

Grab the tissues. Thursday, January 28th at 8/7c.

Read more...

Somebody Catch Me Up On Desperate Housewives

Desperate Housewives just isn't one of those shows you can miss a single episode of and know what's going on.

And I've missed several lately....and I need someone to catch me up.

Here's the questions I have:

• What happened with Julie?
  
  
• When and how did Mike and Susan get back together?
  
  
• How did they reintroduce John Rollins?
  
  
• When did Gabby go from the frump look back to the Glamour model?
  
  
• Who is Ana and why is she living with Gabby and Carlos?

Ok, that's just a few questions for starters. If I think of more, I'll post them.

Read more...

Exclusive Sneak Peak for Tonight's Episode of The Good Wife

I am hooked! CBS' new fall drama The Good Wife, rocks! You can catch it tonight at 10/9c PM.

Here's a sneak peek of tonight's episode:

The Good Wife - Exclusive Sneak Peek! from Beth Feldman on Vimeo.

Read more...

Would You Be The Good Wife?

For many years, Americans have watched as the wives of politicians have followed Tammy Wynette's advice to "Stand By Your Man."

If you listen closely, you'll hear a lot of judgment passed on these women: "I would drop him so fast it would make his head spin, " "There's no way I would stay with a man who cheated on me," "Is she that stupid?"

I always get a little irritated as such judgments being passed because I know very well that they are being said by those who have never walked a mile in cheated spouses shoes.

I have.

Many of you may not realize that Briian is actually my second husband. My first husband, whom I was married to for 8 years, was a cheater.

When I learned of his indiscretions, I had numerous people tell me to get rid of him then, to kick him to the curb, to divorce him and take everything he had.

I stayed married to him for another 6 years after his first affair (actually a double since he was seeing two at one time. As a matter of fact, it was girlfriend no. 1 that ratted out girlfriend no. 2 to me. Can you say "crazy"?).

So why would I stay with someone like that?

First, we had a child together. And suddenly I saw this little boy's world about to crumble, and I couldn't bear the pain that it would cause him.

Secondly, I was afraid. It's as plain as that. Once you have established a life with someone, it's scary to think about starting over alone.

Third, my pride and anger refused to allow another woman (or women, in my case) to win. No way, no how was she going to take my man. And I was willing to do whatever it took to make sure she didn't take him.

Yeah, that's one of those deals where you cut off your nose to spite your face.

And that is a driving force behind these "good wives." If I felt humiliated over the ordeal, as a nobody, can you imagine how magnified their humiliation was when your husband's affair is displayed on the cover of every newspaper and magazine and broadcast on news programs around the world?

I can. And I understand their motivation.

I also understand that, for the years they remain with their cheating husband, they will never trust him again. And, short of being Mother Teresa, they will not love him as they once did.

For all intents and purposes, when his affair was exposed publicly, the marriage was over. Maybe not so much by way of divorce decree but through the end of love, trust, and security.

It was, however, America's fascination with how these women can stay with these men that CBS brought forth a new drama, The Good Wife starring Chris Noth and Julianna Margulies; airing Tuesday nights at 9/8c.


It's an awesome show. One that I'm already addicted to as I love Margulies character and the strength she exhibits - not to mention some of the take-that lines she has!

In my personal opinion, this is one of the new dramas that will be around for many seasons!

Read more...

Kudos and Applause for CBS Monday Night Comedy Line Up

If you missed CBS' Fall Monday night comedy line-up, then you missed two hours of some serious knee-slapping laughs.

How I Met Your Mother (8/7c) started out its season premier with Robin and Barney playing around - physically and with the idea of forming a relationship; all the while Lily and Marshall was doing all they could to make "the talk" happen. Ted, in his usual manner, screws up his first day as a college professor.

Accidentally On Purpose (8:30/7:30c) is one of CBS' new comedies that's expected to be a big hit (which easily explains why it make its debut on CBS' biggest night for comedy). This very contemporary comedy stars Jenna Elfman as a single woman who gets pregnant after a one-night-stand. After a bit of mental juggling, she moves the baby daddy in with her. How can this plot not create a lot of laughs. (See previous review)

Two and a Half Men (9/8c) began it's seventh season with the gut-busting laughs that can only come from Charlie Sheen. I swear that man has to go in to the writers each day and say, "Ok, this is what I did last night..." and then they write it. Which is what makes viewers laugh so hard they about wet their pants! Question on my mind: Is Charlie Harper really ready to settle down with one woman? If so, does this signal the end of my favorite television sitcom? I hope not!

Big Bang Theory (9:30/8:30c) brings the motley crew home, and the craziness that could surround only this little band of nerds. Nerds you can't help but to love! Penny seems very exicted to see Leonard return, but her affections lean toward Sheldon when he learns that his experiments in the North Pole were sabatoged with false reports from his cohorts. Is the writers of BBT preparing us for a possible romantic interlude between Sheldon and Penny? Sure looks that way!

If you ask me, CBS is making the other networks look like they should be heading for cable service only.

To compete with the ratings that CBS is sure to produce this season, NBC and ABC better dream up something better than what they've presented so far.

Read more...

CBS Revives Medium: Airs Friday, September 25, 2009

Ever since Medium aired on NBC in January 2005, I've been a HUGE fan! And like many other avid viewers, I was heartbroken when NBC announced the show's cancellation.

But thanks to CBS, the heartbreak is over.

CBS will premier Medium on Friday, September 25, 2009, following Ghost Whisperer.

What an awesome combination for the paranormal curious!

I was offered an opportunity to be one of the first to view CBS' premier episode of Medium, wherein Allison Dubois (Patricia Arquette) suffers a brain tumor that could lead to loss of her supernatural gift while trying to protect her family from the Mexican drug cartel.

Faithfully watchers will recognize this episode as the series finale episode from NBC.

However, being that CBS has signed on Medium for their fall line-up, it's safe to assume that Allison Dubois will continue her dreaming of past and future events.

And I'll be there watching every minute of it!

Join me, won't you?

Read more...

Review: The Good Wife (CBS Fall 2009)

"Things will never be normal again."

Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies) is struggling to put her life back together after her husband Peter (Chris Noth) is caught up in a political scandal; a scandal that involves abuse of power in his State Attorney's position and prostitutes, that ultimately lands him in prison.

While Alicia plays a role she never dreamed she could - or even would - that's reminiscent of Hillary Clinton during the Monica Lewinski ordeal, she's re-entering the legal workforce she'd left behind while supporting her husband's career and raising her children.

Unfortunately, Peter's reputation follows Alicia. So she must not only overcome the grief she feels from her husband's public affairs, juggle the struggles of two teenagers and an intrusive mother-in-law, but she must also wage a war who want to punish her for guilt by (marital) association.

But Alicia is a strong woman and she will overcome and prove herself to those who doubt with her first criminal case at her new law firm: a woman who is charged with murdering her ex-husband.

Alicia may be standing by her man, but she's learning everyday how to stand on her own too.

Should we expect any less? She's The Good Wife.

----------------------

Take a little Law & Order, blend it with a pinch of CSI, and large helping of CNN's headlining political scandals, mix them together and you've got The Good Wife.

When first offered the opportunity to review the pilot episode for the The Good Wife, I was a bit hesitant.

After all, Julianna Margulies will always be Nurse Carol Hathaway from ER; and Chris Noth would always stick in mind as Mr. Big from Sex and The City (despite my being a huge Law & Order fan and his starring in several seasons).

Or so I thought.

Chris Noth plays but a minimal part in the pilot episode of The Good Wife as it centers on its namesake character played by Margulies; who, in the years since leaving ER, has aged very gracefully, made slight but beautifully done cosmetic changes that allow viewers to easily slip into her role as an attorney versus nurse.

Despite my hesitation, I now find myself anticipating this Fall's episodes.

And as medical-based shows are now running their course with viewers and legal dramas again take the forefront, I anticipate that this will be a show that last for many, many seasons.

The Good Wife premieres Tuesday, September 22, 2009 on CBS. Check your local listings for more information.

In the meantime, enjoy this exclusive clip from the pilot episode:

Read more...

Review: Accidentally On Purpose (New CBS Sitcom)

CBS is gearing up for their Fall season and on the list of hot new sitcoms is Accidentally On Purpose, starring Jenna Elfman and Jon Foster.

Elfman plays Billie, a newspaper critic who is struggling to survive a humiliating break-up with her handsome boss (Grant Show).

And what's a girl's best way to getting over a guy? Another guy, of course!

Enter Zack (Jon Foster).

Looking for only a one-night stand, Billie suddenly finds herself pregnant with her "boy toy's" baby.

While Billie's best friend Olivia (Ashley Jensen) and her younger, married, more conventional sister Abby (Lennon Praham) offer tons of advice on how to manage the unexpected yet much anticipated bundle of joy, Billie and Zack agree to a platonic relationship that finds him moving in.

Freeloading friends, enter stage left.

Billie suddenly finds her home turned into a frat house and wonders if she's living with a roommate, a boyfriend, or another child to raise.

I've admitted more than once that I'm a television junkie, so I was so excited to be given the chance to watch several CBS' new fall line-up pilots including Accidentally On Purpose.

Since her days of Dharma & Greg (1997-2002), I've been a huge Jenna Elfman fan! And her role as Billie in this new sitcom is very reminiscent of Dharma Montgomery; less the hippie parents and the intrusive, wealthy in-laws.

While watching the pilot episode, I found myself giggling at situations that no 30-something, career-building woman should ever find herself in.

Accidentally On Purpose brings together a great cast who have an awesome rapport that makes a fun, easy sitcom that engages the viewer from the very beginning.

Based on the book written by Mary F. Pols titled Accidentally On Purpose: A One-Night Stand, My Unplanned Parenthood, And Loving The Best Mistake I Ever Made (Harper Collins, June 2008), it's a sitcom that's sure to offer pee-in-your-pants comedy for many seasons to come!

Be Sure To Check Back For My Review On the Book Accidentally On Purpose by Mary F. Pols!

Read more...

13 Best Television Sitcoms from a TV Junkie's Point of View

Hello, my name is Kimmie and I'm a television addict.

I know it. I admit it.

This week I decided to expose my addiction through Thursday 13 by sharing my list of (in my opinion) the best television sitcoms - past and present - to ever grace television sets.

Here they are, beginning with the very best:

1. Seinfeld
   
   
2. Friends
   
   
3. The Big Bang Theory
   
   
4. Becker
   
   
5. The King of Queens
   
   
6. Everybody Loves Raymond
   
   
7. Frasier
   
   
8. All In The Family
   
   
9. The Golden Girls
   
   
10. George Lopez
    
    
11. That 70's Show
    
    
12. Still Standing
    
    
13. Absolutely Fabulous
    

Read more...

Stop The Stupid Commercials, Please!

Seems like every time the television is on these days, I'm bombarded with stupid commercials.

I seriously get the impression that advertising agencies think we're all a bunch of lame-brained zombies who don't know our heads from our behinds.

The one that seems to annoy the most these days is the Swiffer commercials.

If my mop sends me a bouquet of flowers, I'm not going to roll my eyes and shut the door.

I'm going to FREAK OUT!! Especially if I see an (obviously) "living" mop lurking in the bushes watching the delivery.

Come on! Give me a human stalker any day!

So, my question to you this week is:

What commercial do you really hate?

Aloha Friday is brought to you by Kailani at An Island Life.
To find out more, visit her blog at www.island808.com

Read more...

When Will There Be Too Much Reality For TV?

Millions tuned in to the Season 5 premier of Jon and Kate Plus 8 as the Gosselins discussed their recent marital issues with their worldwide audience.

During this episode, it was obvious that the Gosselins are very much on the "outs" as they struggle with media-fueled allegations of infidelity.

The episode became extremely gut-wrenching when Alexis, one of the sextuplets, tells Jon, "I don't want you to leave anymore."

This statement made as Jon and Kate hosted the sextuplet's 5th birthday party at a local park.

As paparazzi lurked in the background.

Their every move recorded and photographed to share with the world.

Which makes me wonder - when did common decency leave human beings?

When will sympathy for a marriage in trouble - family being destroyed before our very eyes - supersede a blood thirst for rumors, gossip and innuendo to be transported through the airwaves?

This episode of Jon and Kate Plus 8 is as real as it gets. I swear I saw the family deteriorate right before my eyes.

Yes, I watched that episode. Somewhere I was hoping that the Gosselins would tell me that the rumors are untrue and they will fight, together, for the sake of the children - even if it means giving up the television series.

But they didn't.

So no matter what the Gosselins decide - I'm done.

I will never watch another episode of Jon and Kate Plus 8. Never.

It's just too....real.

Read more...