Welcome to New York

The basic facts of David Letterman's life story were pretty well known by the turn of the 21st century. Letterman grew up in Indianapolis, attended Ball State University and did a Radio Show on his college 10 watt station, then, after graduation, landed a job as a local weatherman, before arriving in NYC to start a career as a morning talk show host (yep, Letterman's first big gig was somehow a DAYTIME talk show).

Apparently, someone thought Letterman's bio would make a pretty good sitcom, because that's the basic plot of this series (presented by Dave's Production company: Worldwide Pants, Inc.)

"Welcome to New York" is about a TV Meteorologist named Jim Gaffigan (Jim Gaffigan) who left Ft. Wayne (a different city in Indiana) to take a job on a morning news program: "AM New York." The idea was to show how the layback midwest observations were so frickin' different from how everybody saw everything in The City. So, yeah, some of the elements included in the series were based on Gaffigan, but with those parallels to the Letterman story.

Christine Baranski is Jim's immediate boss, Marsha Bickner. Marsha really doesn't care about... or even know much about Jim, despite the fact that she hired him, and she continually got everything wrong about who Jim was and whatever he asked about.

It was Marsha's assistant Amy Manning (Sara Gilbert) the real brains of the operation, who knew everything, arranged everything and made everything work, with that withering NYC attitude, of course.

And Rocky Carroll was Adrian Spencer, the vain, pompous, know-it-all anchor of the "AM New York" show, which I HAVE to think was a full-on parody of Bryant Gumbel (someone with whom Letterman had had a feud with during their days at NBC AND who was the current host of CBS' "The Early Show" during this sitcom's run)!

New York plays a part because of all of the differences in culture and subculture, the rapid fire one-liners that everyone was landing, and the kind and gentle way Jim handled everything getting thrown (sometimes literally) at him!

The problem was that Jim Gaffigan (the real guy) was the actual stand-up comedian, and he was essentially reduced to the role of straight man, reacting to situations instead of cracking wise, himself. So the show's biggest comedy asset was simply not being used.

Letterman's name was never attached to this show. He didn't serve as an executive producer or producer and it's pretty clear his involvement in the series was minimal. That was another mistake. How can you do the Letterman story and leave Dave out?

You have to love Studios Usa one of the major studios that says we won't be like 20th Century Fox and make almost every show you can think of for the network's. Welcome to New York worked for me for the intro perspective of Gaffigan and Christine. The other stars worked in their limited roles. But it really didn't give away the sugar induced details that will make you return for me. Unlike Bette that seemed hyped this show stuns you because it is different. Studios Usa made Brother's Keeper which I really loved hopefully this show hangs around. Now if the studio sticks behind this show it will work. Remember if the show doesn't work it is the studio. Welcome to New York scored an 88/100 for its first try as it surged 23 notches ahead of Bette.

Christine Baranski (Cybill) "Marsha Bickner" in the show, is a multi-talented woman she acts, sings. I think she that she is really good, in all the things she does. She was my favorite character in Cybill. She was and is witty. I enjoyed the show which has that New York, Seinfeld, Neil Simon, type of rhythm. The opening of the show has that Broadway theater type of entrance.

The script was very funny, and Christine Baranski is really good about playing those powerful yet excessively needy type of women.

I have always liked those shows where they do a live broadcast, such Mary Tyler Moore and Murphy Brown. Both of those shows ran many seasons. In the first episode of the show, that cocky guy asking why the guy from Indiana wore glasses, his answer was: to see! Duh, that was quite funny. I know that feeling. I had some lots of class mates in law school who wore glasses just to look smart! Ha! That is a reality for those who feel they have to live up to an image. I loved the show and wish it does well for many seasons to come.

As I watched the first episode I thought this was going to be one of those series to die fast and fade quickly, but now I have to admit there were better things to come. As the series has progressed the episodes have gotten better with better scripts and the cast is finally becoming used to their roles... I still have doubts that CBS will keep the series for a second season due to the poor (but decent) ratings, but it does have potential and will probably be one of those series to be cancelled before its time.

Christine Baranski was the lead (with Jim Gaffigan) of one of the funniest sitcoms in 2000 "Welcome to New York". As she has said, the network didn't give it a chance (canceled in one season). Unfortunately it was never released on DVD. The first episode is on Youtube - anybody know some links where more can be found?