It's All Relative
Encyclopedia
It's All Relative is an ABC
sitcom
about a man who dates the adoptive daughter of a gay
couple, which forces their very different families to learn to coexist.
and Anne Flett-Giordano
, premiered on ABC on October 1, 2003 and aired to solid ratings until it was cancelled, with two episodes unaired, on April 6, 2004. While the final two episodes produced were never aired in the US during the show's original run, they have been broadcast in the original run of the show abroad (such as in the United Kingdom
and Ireland
, where the channel Trouble, aimed at teenagers, showed the episodes), as well as in reruns.
Although the show had a loyal audience, ABC pulled it two episodes short of completing its first and only season under the allegation of poor ratings. (In fact, no show scheduled opposite it had ever beaten it in the ratings until the arrival of The Simple Life
and American Idol
, and no show which followed it on ABC matched its ratings until Lost
a few months later)
Many argued that what killed the show was its bad time slot, on Wednesday nights, but fans were rather suspicious that what actually would have caused cancellation was an alleged conservatism as well as censorship on the part of ABC and possibly some of the channel's audience. According to this theory, the presence of a gay couple, played by real-life gay actors (Christopher Sieber
and John Benjamin Hickey
) that had adopted and raised a child was too much of a shock and considered inappropriate for the time slot, which would be a more "familiar" one. ABC has vehemently denied that thesis, but fans were not convinced, and were particularly irritated by the fact that the creators and writers of the show were fired from ABC following the show's cancellation.
, Massachusetts
. In one corner, there was the rather stereotype
d character played by Lenny Clarke, a Boston Irish
bar owner close to retirement who watches with dismay as his son falls for a girl with a rather unorthodox family history: she is the adoptive, and somewhat spoiled, daughter of an upper-middle class gay couple. The situation forces the character to come to terms with his homophobia
although this aspect of Clarke's character was substantially toned down, since the atmosphere of a sitcom would not be suitable to explore such a conflict appropriately (the producers did not intend to recreate another All in the Family
Archie Bunker character). In addition, the audience is introduced to the also stereotypical Irish American wife (Harriet Sansom Harris), who helps in the pub but is generally a traditional middle-aged housewife (but oddly has little problems accepting her soon-to-be daughter-in-law's parents), as well as the couple's tough-but-kind daughter (Paige Moss
), who waitresses in the family's bar.
On the other side, there were Simon (Christopher Sieber) and Philip (John Benjamin Hickey), a same-sex couple who takes pride in how well they were able to raise their adoptive daughter. Here, the comedy came from the couple's difficulties in adjusting to their daughter's boyfriend's family, especially his father (Lenny Clarke), and most notably from Philip's notion that his daughter was dating someone "beneath her", both socially and culturally.
The first (and as it turned out, the only) season followed Maggie Lawson's and Reid Scott's characters romance as it evolved from a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship into engagement and, eventually, marriage. During this process, the two families strived to come to terms with the inevitability of being "joined" by their children's union, which would force both sides to revisit their preconceptions and prejudices.
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
sitcom
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...
about a man who dates the adoptive daughter of a gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
couple, which forces their very different families to learn to coexist.
Overview
The show, created by Chuck RanbergChuck Ranberg
Chuck Ranberg is an American television producer, and screenwriter. He has written and produced episodes of the popular television shows Desperate Housewives and Frasier.-References:...
and Anne Flett-Giordano
Anne Flett-Giordano
Anne Flett-Giordano is an American television producer, and screenwriter.-External links:...
, premiered on ABC on October 1, 2003 and aired to solid ratings until it was cancelled, with two episodes unaired, on April 6, 2004. While the final two episodes produced were never aired in the US during the show's original run, they have been broadcast in the original run of the show abroad (such as in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, where the channel Trouble, aimed at teenagers, showed the episodes), as well as in reruns.
Although the show had a loyal audience, ABC pulled it two episodes short of completing its first and only season under the allegation of poor ratings. (In fact, no show scheduled opposite it had ever beaten it in the ratings until the arrival of The Simple Life
The Simple Life
The Simple Life was a reality television series that was broadcast from December 2, 2003 to August 5, 2007. The first three seasons aired on Fox, and the final two on E!...
and American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
, and no show which followed it on ABC matched its ratings until Lost
Lost (TV series)
Lost is an American television series that originally aired on ABC from September 22, 2004 to May 23, 2010, consisting of six seasons. Lost is a drama series that follows the survivors of the crash of a commercial passenger jet flying between Sydney and Los Angeles, on a mysterious tropical island...
a few months later)
Many argued that what killed the show was its bad time slot, on Wednesday nights, but fans were rather suspicious that what actually would have caused cancellation was an alleged conservatism as well as censorship on the part of ABC and possibly some of the channel's audience. According to this theory, the presence of a gay couple, played by real-life gay actors (Christopher Sieber
Christopher Sieber
Christopher Sieber is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Kevin Burke in Two of a Kind starring Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen and Lord Farquaad in Shrek the Musical. Christopher studied acting and musical comedy at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City...
and John Benjamin Hickey
John Benjamin Hickey
John Benjamin Hickey is an American actor with a career in stage, film and television. He won the 2011 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play for his performance as Felix Turner in The Normal Heart....
) that had adopted and raised a child was too much of a shock and considered inappropriate for the time slot, which would be a more "familiar" one. ABC has vehemently denied that thesis, but fans were not convinced, and were particularly irritated by the fact that the creators and writers of the show were fired from ABC following the show's cancellation.
Story
The story revolved around two rather different realities, in BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. In one corner, there was the rather stereotype
Stereotype
A stereotype is a popular belief about specific social groups or types of individuals. The concepts of "stereotype" and "prejudice" are often confused with many other different meanings...
d character played by Lenny Clarke, a Boston Irish
Irish American
Irish Americans are citizens of the United States who can trace their ancestry to Ireland. A total of 36,278,332 Americans—estimated at 11.9% of the total population—reported Irish ancestry in the 2008 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau...
bar owner close to retirement who watches with dismay as his son falls for a girl with a rather unorthodox family history: she is the adoptive, and somewhat spoiled, daughter of an upper-middle class gay couple. The situation forces the character to come to terms with his homophobia
Homophobia
Homophobia is a term used to refer to a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards lesbian, gay and in some cases bisexual, transgender people and behavior, although these are usually covered under other terms such as biphobia and transphobia. Definitions refer to irrational fear, with the...
although this aspect of Clarke's character was substantially toned down, since the atmosphere of a sitcom would not be suitable to explore such a conflict appropriately (the producers did not intend to recreate another All in the Family
All in the Family
All in the Family is an American sitcom that was originally broadcast on the CBS television network from January 12, 1971, to April 8, 1979. In September 1979, a new show, Archie Bunker's Place, picked up where All in the Family had ended...
Archie Bunker character). In addition, the audience is introduced to the also stereotypical Irish American wife (Harriet Sansom Harris), who helps in the pub but is generally a traditional middle-aged housewife (but oddly has little problems accepting her soon-to-be daughter-in-law's parents), as well as the couple's tough-but-kind daughter (Paige Moss
Paige Moss
Paige Moss is an American stage, film and television actress.-Background:Moss was born in Bowie, Maryland and raised in Abilene, Texas. While in high school, she was a Senate page for Senator Tim Wirth, and interned for Congressman Vic Fazio. She also auditioned for the summer drama program at...
), who waitresses in the family's bar.
On the other side, there were Simon (Christopher Sieber) and Philip (John Benjamin Hickey), a same-sex couple who takes pride in how well they were able to raise their adoptive daughter. Here, the comedy came from the couple's difficulties in adjusting to their daughter's boyfriend's family, especially his father (Lenny Clarke), and most notably from Philip's notion that his daughter was dating someone "beneath her", both socially and culturally.
The first (and as it turned out, the only) season followed Maggie Lawson's and Reid Scott's characters romance as it evolved from a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship into engagement and, eventually, marriage. During this process, the two families strived to come to terms with the inevitability of being "joined" by their children's union, which would force both sides to revisit their preconceptions and prejudices.
Cast and characters
- Lenny ClarkeLenny ClarkeLenny Clarke is an American comedian and actor, famous for his thick Boston accent and role as Uncle Teddy on the series Rescue Me. During the 1970s, as related in the Comedy Central roast of Clarke's friend Denis Leary, Clarke ran for mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts. When asked by Leary what...
as Mace O'Neill - Harriet Sansom HarrisHarriet Sansom HarrisHarriet Sansom Harris , often credited as "Harriet Harris" is an American actress best known for her portrayals of Bebe Glazer on Frasier and Felicia Tilman on Desperate Housewives. She won a Tony Award in 2002 as a Featured Actress in a Musical for playing the evil white slaver Mrs. Meers in...
as Audrey O'Neill - John Benjamin HickeyJohn Benjamin HickeyJohn Benjamin Hickey is an American actor with a career in stage, film and television. He won the 2011 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play for his performance as Felix Turner in The Normal Heart....
as Philip Stoddard - Maggie LawsonMaggie LawsonMargaret "Maggie" Lawson is an American actress who is best known for her role as Juliet O'Hara in the TV show Psych...
as Liz Stoddard-Banks - Paige MossPaige MossPaige Moss is an American stage, film and television actress.-Background:Moss was born in Bowie, Maryland and raised in Abilene, Texas. While in high school, she was a Senate page for Senator Tim Wirth, and interned for Congressman Vic Fazio. She also auditioned for the summer drama program at...
as Maddy O'Neill - Reid ScottReid Scott (actor)Reid Scott is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Brendan Dorff on the hit television show, My Boys. He has also appeared in several television commercials, the popular show All My Children, and in the off-Broadway play "Cargo."- Life and career :Scott was born on November 19,...
as Bobby O'Neill - Christopher SieberChristopher SieberChristopher Sieber is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Kevin Burke in Two of a Kind starring Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen and Lord Farquaad in Shrek the Musical. Christopher studied acting and musical comedy at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City...
as Simon Banks
Episode guide
| Title | Writers | Director | First Aired | Obs. |
| Pilot | Chuck Ranberg Chuck Ranberg Chuck Ranberg is an American television producer, and screenwriter. He has written and produced episodes of the popular television shows Desperate Housewives and Frasier.-References:... , Anne Flett-Giordano Anne Flett-Giordano Anne Flett-Giordano is an American television producer, and screenwriter.-External links:... |
Andy Cadiff Andy Cadiff Andy Cadiff is an American television director and producer.He has directed episodes for number of notable television series including, Home Improvement, Spin City, My Wife and Kids, Growing Pains, According to Jim, The War at Home, Quintuplets and number of other series.He also directed the... |
1 October 2003 | Taped on July 14, 2003 |
| Truth and Consequences | Barton Dean | Steve Zuckerman Steve Zuckerman Steve Zuckerman is an American television director.Since 1987, He has amassed a number television credits including Full House, The Golden Girls, Murphy Brown, Empty Nest, Friends, The Drew Carey Show, Everybody Loves Raymond, According to Jim and among other series.He began his career in theater... |
8 October 2003 | |
| Hell's Kitchen | Ken Levine Ken Levine (TV personality) Ken Levine is a writer, director and producer in the television and film industry. Levine has worked on a number of television series, including M*A*S*H, Cheers, Frasier, The Simpsons, Wings, Everybody Loves Raymond, Becker and Dharma and Greg... , David Isaacs David Isaacs (writer) David Isaacs has been an American TV and Screen writer, and producer since 1975. He has written episodes of M*A*S*H, Cheers, its spin-off Frasier, and The Simpsons with Ken Levine.... |
Steve Zuckerman Steve Zuckerman Steve Zuckerman is an American television director.Since 1987, He has amassed a number television credits including Full House, The Golden Girls, Murphy Brown, Empty Nest, Friends, The Drew Carey Show, Everybody Loves Raymond, According to Jim and among other series.He began his career in theater... |
15 October 2003 | |
| Take Me Out | Jon Fener, Josh Bycel Josh Bycel Josh Bycel is a television writer/producer. He has worked on such shows as Veronica's Closet, It's All Relative, Andy Barker P.I., and American Dad. He has recently been hired as the executive producer and co-showrunner for the revamped ninth season of Scrubs.-Writer:*09.Scrubs **Our Drunken... |
Steve Zuckerman Steve Zuckerman Steve Zuckerman is an American television director.Since 1987, He has amassed a number television credits including Full House, The Golden Girls, Murphy Brown, Empty Nest, Friends, The Drew Carey Show, Everybody Loves Raymond, According to Jim and among other series.He began his career in theater... |
22 October 2003 | |
| The Doctor Is Out | Ellen Byron | Lissa Kapstrom | 29 October 2003 | |
| Waking Uncle Paddy | Barton Dean | Barnet Kellman Barnet Kellman Barnet Kellman is a television and film director, television producer and film actor.- Director:* Samantha Who?* Notes from the Underbelly* Four Kings* Living with Fran* George Lopez* Alias* Mary and Rhoda* Felicity... |
5 November 2003 | |
| Swangate | Josh Bycel Josh Bycel Josh Bycel is a television writer/producer. He has worked on such shows as Veronica's Closet, It's All Relative, Andy Barker P.I., and American Dad. He has recently been hired as the executive producer and co-showrunner for the revamped ninth season of Scrubs.-Writer:*09.Scrubs **Our Drunken... , Jonathan Fener |
Barnet Kellman Barnet Kellman Barnet Kellman is a television and film director, television producer and film actor.- Director:* Samantha Who?* Notes from the Underbelly* Four Kings* Living with Fran* George Lopez* Alias* Mary and Rhoda* Felicity... |
12 November 2003 | |
| Road Trippin' | Lissa Kapstrom, Ellen Byron | Barnet Kellman Barnet Kellman Barnet Kellman is a television and film director, television producer and film actor.- Director:* Samantha Who?* Notes from the Underbelly* Four Kings* Living with Fran* George Lopez* Alias* Mary and Rhoda* Felicity... |
19 November 2003 | |
| Thanks, But No Thanks | Anne Flett-Giordano Anne Flett-Giordano Anne Flett-Giordano is an American television producer, and screenwriter.-External links:... , Chuck Ranberg Chuck Ranberg Chuck Ranberg is an American television producer, and screenwriter. He has written and produced episodes of the popular television shows Desperate Housewives and Frasier.-References:... |
Andy Cadiff Andy Cadiff Andy Cadiff is an American television director and producer.He has directed episodes for number of notable television series including, Home Improvement, Spin City, My Wife and Kids, Growing Pains, According to Jim, The War at Home, Quintuplets and number of other series.He also directed the... |
26 November 2003 | |
| Artistic Differences | Jordan Hawley, Wil Schifrin | Andy Cadiff Andy Cadiff Andy Cadiff is an American television director and producer.He has directed episodes for number of notable television series including, Home Improvement, Spin City, My Wife and Kids, Growing Pains, According to Jim, The War at Home, Quintuplets and number of other series.He also directed the... |
10 December 2003 | |
| The Santa That Came to Dinner | Ken Levine Ken Levine (TV personality) Ken Levine is a writer, director and producer in the television and film industry. Levine has worked on a number of television series, including M*A*S*H, Cheers, Frasier, The Simpsons, Wings, Everybody Loves Raymond, Becker and Dharma and Greg... , David Isaacs David Isaacs (writer) David Isaacs has been an American TV and Screen writer, and producer since 1975. He has written episodes of M*A*S*H, Cheers, its spin-off Frasier, and The Simpsons with Ken Levine.... |
Ken Levine Ken Levine (TV personality) Ken Levine is a writer, director and producer in the television and film industry. Levine has worked on a number of television series, including M*A*S*H, Cheers, Frasier, The Simpsons, Wings, Everybody Loves Raymond, Becker and Dharma and Greg... |
17 December 2003 | |
| What's Up | Anne Flett-Giordano Anne Flett-Giordano Anne Flett-Giordano is an American television producer, and screenwriter.-External links:... |
Philip Charles MacKenzie Philip Charles MacKenzie Philip Charles MacKenzie is an American actor and television director. He is best known for his role as Donald Maltby on Brothers, and as Ted Nichols on Open House, which he worked on with his current wife Alison LaPlaca.-Career:... |
7 January 2004 | |
| And Our Sauce, It Is a Beauty | Michael Markowitz Michael Markowitz Michael Markowitz is a writer, producer, and actor who began his comedy career in The Mee-Ow Show, an improv group at Northwestern University. Some projects he has worked on include Duckman, Becker, and the films Horrible Bosses and . He has collaborated several times in the past with Jason... |
Bob Koherr Bob Koherr Bobby "Bob" Koherr is an American actor and director.As an actor, Koherr has guest starred in number of television series namely, Cybill, Party of Five, Nash Bridges, The Pretender, Malcolm in the Middle, Close to Home, Weeds and the feature films Poor White Trash, Firehouse Dog and Race to Witch... |
14 January 2004 | |
| Ready, Aim, Sing! | Michael Markowitz Michael Markowitz Michael Markowitz is a writer, producer, and actor who began his comedy career in The Mee-Ow Show, an improv group at Northwestern University. Some projects he has worked on include Duckman, Becker, and the films Horrible Bosses and . He has collaborated several times in the past with Jason... |
Barnet Kellman Barnet Kellman Barnet Kellman is a television and film director, television producer and film actor.- Director:* Samantha Who?* Notes from the Underbelly* Four Kings* Living with Fran* George Lopez* Alias* Mary and Rhoda* Felicity... |
21 January 2004 | |
| Tackleboxxx / The Love Below | Michael Markowitz Michael Markowitz Michael Markowitz is a writer, producer, and actor who began his comedy career in The Mee-Ow Show, an improv group at Northwestern University. Some projects he has worked on include Duckman, Becker, and the films Horrible Bosses and . He has collaborated several times in the past with Jason... |
28 January 2004 | Title name after an Outkast OutKast Outkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast... album |
|
| Cross My Heart | Jayme Petrille | Ken Levine Ken Levine (TV personality) Ken Levine is a writer, director and producer in the television and film industry. Levine has worked on a number of television series, including M*A*S*H, Cheers, Frasier, The Simpsons, Wings, Everybody Loves Raymond, Becker and Dharma and Greg... |
11 February 2004 | |
| A Long Day's Journey Into Leonard's | Charlie Hauck | Barnet Kellman Barnet Kellman Barnet Kellman is a television and film director, television producer and film actor.- Director:* Samantha Who?* Notes from the Underbelly* Four Kings* Living with Fran* George Lopez* Alias* Mary and Rhoda* Felicity... |
18 February 2004 | |
| Oscar Interruptus | 25 February 2004 | |||
| Who's Camping Now | 30 March 2004 | |||
| Philip in a China Shop | Barton Dean, Josh Bycel Josh Bycel Josh Bycel is a television writer/producer. He has worked on such shows as Veronica's Closet, It's All Relative, Andy Barker P.I., and American Dad. He has recently been hired as the executive producer and co-showrunner for the revamped ninth season of Scrubs.-Writer:*09.Scrubs **Our Drunken... |
Barnet Kellman Barnet Kellman Barnet Kellman is a television and film director, television producer and film actor.- Director:* Samantha Who?* Notes from the Underbelly* Four Kings* Living with Fran* George Lopez* Alias* Mary and Rhoda* Felicity... |
6 April 2004 | The show was cancelled after this episode. |
| Doggy-Style | Barton Dean | Leonard R. Garner Jr. | UNAIRED | |
| Fight For Your Invite to Party | Lissa Kapstrom, Ellen Byron | Barton Dean | UNAIRED | Last episode produced. |