What About Joan

The episode with the father in law where she's flipping out behind the couch was one of the funniest things I ever saw on TV, with the father in law's punch line something like, "impolite is one thing but this broad's just rude." I only saw it that one time, so I forget some of it, but I remember the tears in my eyes, and how it went to commercial after that and I was still laughing when it came back. Oh, man! Too bad she's selling phones or something, instead of making more comedy like that. That show is up there with the Frasier "Buttons And Bows" scene, Sanford And Son in the traffic court, and some great Taxis and Odd Couples, among other programs and episodes that will come to me later. If someone remembers more of that one, post it here, or tell me if someone has a DVD of it.

Yes the reviewer was correct in saying Joan Cusack was awful on her own show but the rest of the cast was adorable, mainly Kyle Chandler. He is an actor who never gets much press good or bad but he was a great quiet boyfriend for Joan as Jake Evans along with the characters Ruby, and Alice.Betsy and Mark were annoying but still they were better than Joan who at one point looked to be on crack,her face was haggard and frankly scary and she was rail thin then in later episodes she seemed stocky.ABC messed with the show when it was doing well and thus ended up cancelling it when their meddling backfired.The addition of a barman named Steinie was played by a funny actor who had good chemistry with Kyle but only two shows aired then ABC lowered the boom.

I gotta tell ya. I just love Joan Cusack anything she is in I'll watch. And let me tell you this show is hilarious. This going to be a big hit. The show just works. The cast, the writing all are just brilliant.

Joan Gallagher (Joan Cusack) is a Chicago high school teacher. She is shocked when her banker boyfriend Jake Evans (Kyle Chandler) surprises her with a marriage proposal. Her fellow teachers friends Betsy Morgan (Jessica Hecht) and Mark Ludlow (Wallace Langham) are secretly dating. She befriends new teacher Alice Adams (Kellie Shanygne Williams). Her other best friend Dr. Ruby Stern (Donna Murphy) is an expert therapist. The second season loses Betsy and gains Steinie (Jeff Garlin) who owns Jake's favorite bar.

I don't remember this and there's a good reason for that. The first season is actually fine. I always like Joan Cusack. Normal single gal network sitcoms usually have a super cute girl who can't find a boyfriend for some unfathomable reason. Joan has never been the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. While she does Manic, mostly she's the quirky best friend. There are other minor issues but it's a fine network sitcom. The second season falters with some of the changes. Most of all, the network threw it out there less than a month after 9-11. I remember those times as being very trying. Comedy had a tough time and standard sitcoms became even more disposable. What About Joan came and went without making a mark.

I wish Joan had more time as a single gal. She's missing the will they or won't they part of the romance. Kyle Chandler is good as usual and they have some fun chemistry. She even gets her real sister Ann Cusack an episode to play with. There is an issue with Ruby Stern. She has no natural direct connection to Joan other than being a friend. They don't hang out in a repeated spot. She's not a teacher so she can't hang out at the school. At the very least, Joan could be living in her spare bedroom so they have natural time together. The show tries to make Steinie's bar as the hangout spot in the second season. I don't think it works. The teachers' lounge is great but that's the only repeated spot that works. It's questionable whether Joan Cusack is a good lead at this type of network sitcom and the aftermath of 9-11 finished this off.

Contrary to the other reviewer, I found the show quite enjoyable. While it wasn't perfect, it was loads better than the typical mindless crap that makes it on network television. See also other shows networks have killed without giving them enough time to find their audience: Covington Cross, The Geena Davis Show, Bette, The Ellen Show, Good Sports, The Book of Daniel, and soon to be Commander In Chief.

Kyle Chandler was (and is)adorable, and no one makes awkwardness better than Joan Cusack. The supporting cast was stellar. I'm still sad that this show isn't still being produced.

Please! Somebody put this out on DVD!