High Society (TV series)
Encyclopedia
High Society is the title of an American television sitcom
that aired Monday nights on CBS
in 1995 and early 1996; it was entered into the CBS schedule as a replacement for If Not for You, a sitcom starring Elizabeth McGovern
, which was quickly canceled by the network. The theme song was the Lady is a Tramp
sung by Chaka Khan
.
Its premise was similar to the campy
British comedy series Absolutely Fabulous
.
women who acted in an outrageous, campy, and decadent manner. Ellie Walker (Jean Smart
) was a successful author of trashy romantic novels, and her best friend and publisher was Dorothy 'Dott' Emerson (Mary McDonnell
). Emerson was a divorced mother with a preppie
college-aged son, Brendan Emerson (Dan O'Donahue), a College Republican, who rejected the relentless sexual advances of Ellie, but who otherwise appeared to be heterosexual. In the pilot
episode, the women's small-town former college friend, Val Brumberg (Faith Prince
), arrived and moved in with Dott. At the publishing house, the women worked with a flamboyant gay male secretary named Stephano (Luigi Amodeo) and a sleazy publisher partner named Peter Thomas (David Rasche
).
Aside from the situational comedy that arose from Ellie and Dott's campy antics, the storylines often centered around the notion of family. Val started to become something of a mother figure to Brendan. Stephano was often seeking a boyfriend and was seen more as a family member than a mere secretary, and in the final episode Ellie decided that she wanted to have a baby and she scouted out possible fathers.
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
that aired Monday nights on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
in 1995 and early 1996; it was entered into the CBS schedule as a replacement for If Not for You, a sitcom starring Elizabeth McGovern
Elizabeth McGovern
-Early life:McGovern was born in Evanston, Illinois, the daughter of Katharine Wolcott , a high school teacher, and William Montgomery McGovern, Jr., a university professor. Her paternal grandfather was adventurer William Montgomery McGovern and her maternal great-grandfather was U.S. diplomat...
, which was quickly canceled by the network. The theme song was the Lady is a Tramp
The Lady Is a Tramp
"The Lady Is a Tramp" is a show tune from the 1937 Rodgers and Hart musical Babes In Arms in which it was introduced by former child star Mitzi Green. This song is a spoof of New York high society and its strict etiquette...
sung by Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
.
Its premise was similar to the campy
Camp (style)
Camp is an aesthetic sensibility that regards something as appealing because of its taste and ironic value. The concept is closely related to kitsch, and things with camp appeal may also be described as being "cheesy"...
British comedy series Absolutely Fabulous
Absolutely Fabulous
Absolutely Fabulous, also known as Ab Fab, is a British sitcom created by Jennifer Saunders, based on an original idea by her and Dawn French, and written by Saunders, who plays the leading character. It also stars Joanna Lumley and Julia Sawalha, along with June Whitfield and Jane Horrocks...
.
Storyline
The series revolves around two New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
women who acted in an outrageous, campy, and decadent manner. Ellie Walker (Jean Smart
Jean Smart
Jean E. Smart is an American film, television, and stage actress. She is known for her comedic roles, one of the best known being her role as Charlene Frazier Stillfield on the CBS sitcom Designing Women. She later gained critical acclaim for dramatic work, with her portrayal of Martha Logan on 24...
) was a successful author of trashy romantic novels, and her best friend and publisher was Dorothy 'Dott' Emerson (Mary McDonnell
Mary McDonnell
Mary Eileen McDonnell is an American film, stage, and television actress. She received an Academy Award nomination for her role as Stands With A Fist in Dances with Wolves, and she is also very well known for her performance as President Laura Roslin in Battlestar Galactica, the President's wife...
). Emerson was a divorced mother with a preppie
Preppy
Preppy, preppie, or prep refers to a modern, widespread United States clique, often considered a subculture...
college-aged son, Brendan Emerson (Dan O'Donahue), a College Republican, who rejected the relentless sexual advances of Ellie, but who otherwise appeared to be heterosexual. In the pilot
Television pilot
A "television pilot" is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell the show to a television network. At the time of its inception, the pilot is meant to be the "testing ground" to see if a series will be possibly desired and successful and therefore a test episode of an...
episode, the women's small-town former college friend, Val Brumberg (Faith Prince
Faith Prince
Faith Prince is an American actress and singer known primarily for her work on Broadway. Prince has won the Tony Award as Best Actress in a Musical and received three Tony nominations.-Life and career:...
), arrived and moved in with Dott. At the publishing house, the women worked with a flamboyant gay male secretary named Stephano (Luigi Amodeo) and a sleazy publisher partner named Peter Thomas (David Rasche
David Rasche
-Early life and career:Rasche was born in St. Louis, Missouri. His father was a minister and farmer. Rasche started in theatre, but also has appeared on numerous movies and television series. He became a member of the Chicago Second City, after John Belushi moved on to Saturday Night Live...
).
Aside from the situational comedy that arose from Ellie and Dott's campy antics, the storylines often centered around the notion of family. Val started to become something of a mother figure to Brendan. Stephano was often seeking a boyfriend and was seen more as a family member than a mere secretary, and in the final episode Ellie decided that she wanted to have a baby and she scouted out possible fathers.
Cancellation
Despite garnering good ratings and being a part of CBS's victory in one of the sweeps week in the 1996 television season, the series was canceled after 13 episodes.Cast
- Jean SmartJean SmartJean E. Smart is an American film, television, and stage actress. She is known for her comedic roles, one of the best known being her role as Charlene Frazier Stillfield on the CBS sitcom Designing Women. She later gained critical acclaim for dramatic work, with her portrayal of Martha Logan on 24...
...Ellie Walker - Mary McDonnellMary McDonnellMary Eileen McDonnell is an American film, stage, and television actress. She received an Academy Award nomination for her role as Stands With A Fist in Dances with Wolves, and she is also very well known for her performance as President Laura Roslin in Battlestar Galactica, the President's wife...
...Dorothy "Dott" Emerson - Dan O'Donahue...Brendan Emerson
- David RascheDavid Rasche-Early life and career:Rasche was born in St. Louis, Missouri. His father was a minister and farmer. Rasche started in theatre, but also has appeared on numerous movies and television series. He became a member of the Chicago Second City, after John Belushi moved on to Saturday Night Live...
...Peter Thomas - Faith Prince...Valerie "Val" Brumberg
- Luigi Amodeo...Stephano
- Jayne MeadowsJayne Meadows-Early life:Jayne Meadows was born as Jayne Cotter in Wu-ch'ang, in Heilongjiang, China, to Episcopal missionary parents, the Rev. Francis James Meadows Cotter and his wife, the former Ida Miller Taylor, who had married in 1915. Meadows is the older sister of the late actress Audrey Meadows. She...
...Alice Morgan-DuPont-Sutton-Cushing-Ferruke
Episodes
| Episode # | Production Code | Episode Title | Airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 465051 | "Family Val's" | October 30, 1995 |
| 2 | 465053 | "Who's Son is It Anyway?" | November 6, 1995 |
| 3 | 465052 | "Sleeping with the Enemy" | November 13, 1995 |
| 4 | 465055 | "Dolce & G'bye Now" | November 20, 1995 |
| 5 | 465056 | "Tomb with a View" | November 27, 1995 |
| 6 | 465054 | "The Naked and the Deadline" | December 4, 1995 |
| 7 | 465057 | "Finnigan's Rainbow" | December 11, 1995 |
| 8 | 465058 | "We Ought to be in Pictures" | December 18, 1995 |
| 9 | 465059 | "Nip and Tuck" | January 15, 1996 |
| 10 | 465060 | "Alice Doesn't Pump Here Anymore" | January 22, 1996 |
| 11 | 465061 | "Touching up Your Roots" | February 5, 1996 |
| 12 | 465062 | "I Found My Thrill on Nancy Garvey Hill" | February 12, 1996 |
| 13 | 465063 | "The Family Jewels" | February 26, 1996 |
Award nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Emmy Award Emmy Award An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various... |
Nominated | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Jayne Meadows |
| 1996 | Casting Society of America Casting Society of America Founded in Los Angeles, California in 1982, the Casting Society of America is a professional society of about 350 casting directors for film, television, and theatre in Australia, Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States. The society is not to be confused with an industry union. The... |
Nominated | Best Casting for TV, Comedy Pilot | Leslie Litt |