LAX (TV series)
Encyclopedia
LAX is a television drama set at the Los Angeles International Airport
and draws its name from the airport's IATA airport code
, "LAX".
, with its runway manager, Harley Random (Heather Locklear
), and its terminal manager, Roger de Souza (Blair Underwood
). In the final episode, Harley leaves her job at the LAX after she is told by Roger that he wants stability back in his life and no longer wants to be romantically involved with her.
on September 13, 2004. Ten episodes aired before NBC announced in November 2004 that no further episodes would be produced. The show was moved to Saturdays at 8pm ET and the final episode aired on April 16, 2005. Thirteen episodes total were aired.
The theme song for the show was the beginning of "Mr. Blue Sky
" by Electric Light Orchestra
. For the opening sequence of the final episode, a different excerpt of the song was used.
, with the LAX airport used only for establishing shot
s.
, who remarked the show was "so bad that the actual Los Angeles Airport is thinking of changing its name to avoid being associated with the show." The 13 episodes of the program averaged 6.52 million viewers.
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second-most populated metropolitan area in the United States. It is most often referred to by its IATA airport code LAX, with the letters pronounced individually...
and draws its name from the airport's IATA airport code
IATA airport code
An IATA airport code, also known an IATA location identifier, IATA station code or simply a location identifier, is a three-letter code designating many airports around the world, defined by the International Air Transport Association...
, "LAX".
Synopsis
LAX is a drama focusing on the day to day operations of the airportAirport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
, with its runway manager, Harley Random (Heather Locklear
Heather Locklear
Heather Deen Locklear is an American actress best known for her television roles as Sammy Jo Carrington on Dynasty, Officer Stacy Sheridan on T.J...
), and its terminal manager, Roger de Souza (Blair Underwood
Blair Underwood
Blair Underwood is an American television and film actor. He is perhaps best known as headstrong attorney Jonathan Rollins from the NBC legal drama L.A. Law, a role he portrayed for seven years. He has gained critical acclaim throughout his career, receiving numerous Golden Globe Award...
). In the final episode, Harley leaves her job at the LAX after she is told by Roger that he wants stability back in his life and no longer wants to be romantically involved with her.
Episodes
LAX premiered on NBCNBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
on September 13, 2004. Ten episodes aired before NBC announced in November 2004 that no further episodes would be produced. The show was moved to Saturdays at 8pm ET and the final episode aired on April 16, 2005. Thirteen episodes total were aired.
The theme song for the show was the beginning of "Mr. Blue Sky
Mr. Blue Sky
"Mr. Blue Sky" is a song by English rock group Electric Light Orchestra, featured on the band's seventh studio album Out of the Blue . Written and produced by frontman Jeff Lynne, the song forms the fourth and final track of the "Concerto for a Rainy Day" suite, on side three of the original double...
" by Electric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra were a British rock group from Birmingham who released eleven studio albums between 1971 and 1986 and another album in 2001. ELO were formed to accommodate Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne's desire to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones...
. For the opening sequence of the final episode, a different excerpt of the song was used.
Cast
- Heather LocklearHeather LocklearHeather Deen Locklear is an American actress best known for her television roles as Sammy Jo Carrington on Dynasty, Officer Stacy Sheridan on T.J...
as Harley Random - Blair UnderwoodBlair UnderwoodBlair Underwood is an American television and film actor. He is perhaps best known as headstrong attorney Jonathan Rollins from the NBC legal drama L.A. Law, a role he portrayed for seven years. He has gained critical acclaim throughout his career, receiving numerous Golden Globe Award...
as Roger De Souza - Paul LeydenPaul LeydenPaul Augustine Leyden is an Australian actor. He currently best known as playing the role of Simon Frasier on the daytime soap opera As the World Turns. He also played as Simon in the 2009 mini series "Maneater"....
as Tony Magulia - Frank John HughesFrank John HughesFrank John Hughes is an American film and television actor best known for his portrayal of "Wild Bill" Guarnere in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, Tom Fox in Catch Me If You Can, Tim Woods in 24 and Walden Belfiore in The Sopranos.-Early life and career:A native of the South Bronx, Hughes...
as Henry Engels
Recurring
- Wendy HoopesWendy HoopesWendy Hoopes is a Malaysian-born actress most widely celebrated for her roles on MTV's animated series Daria, where she provided voices for three different characters , billed under the name "Hannah".-Biography:Hoopes was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and was the fourth of five children in her...
as Betty - David PaetkauDavid PaetkauDavid E. Paetkau is a Canadian actor known for his roles as Evan Lewis in Final Destination 2 , Beck McKaye in Whistler , and Sam Braddock in the CTV television series Flashpoint ....
as Nick - Chad TodhunterChad TodhunterChad Todhunter is a Canadian/American actor, born in British Columbia. He is best known for his roles on numerous television series.-Career:Todhunter began his career as a member of the Vancouver Youth Theatre...
as Mystery Man
Notable guests
- Tony HawkTony HawkAnthony Frank "Tony" Hawk , nicknamed "The Birdman" is an American retired professional skateboarder and actor. Hawk gained significant fame for completing the first 900 as well as his licensed video game titles distributed by Activision...
as himself - Sasha BarreseSasha BarreseAlexandra "Sasha" Barrese is an American actress known for her roles in The Hangover and The Hangover Part II.-Early life:...
as Caitlin Mansfield - Daniel Morton as a Serbian co-pilot
- Sam DoumitSam DoumitSamia "Sam" Doumit is an American actress of Irish, French, Lebanese, and German-Jewish descent . Doumit was born in California. She lived in Boston, Massachusetts. She was a Dean's list and honor roll student at Emerson College in Boston before attending the California Institute of the Arts...
as Rachel, Senator's daughter - Charisma CarpenterCharisma CarpenterCharisma Lee Carpenter is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Cordelia Chase in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel, for which she was nominated for four Saturn Awards. In her most recent film she starred opposite Sylvester Stallone and Jason...
as Julie, Harley's sister
Production
Much of the interior scenes were filmed at Ontario International AirportOntario International Airport
LA/Ontario International Airport , formerly Ontario International Airport, is a public airport located east of the central business district of Ontario, a city in San Bernardino County, California, USA. This airport is owned and operated by the Los Angeles World Airports , an agency of the city...
, with the LAX airport used only for establishing shot
Establishing shot
An establishing shot in filmmaking and television production sets up, or establishes the context for a scene by showing the relationship between its important figures and objects...
s.
Reaction
The show was frequently the butt of comedic jokes due to its poor ratings, including Jay LenoJay Leno
James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno is an American stand-up comedian and television host.From 1992 to 2009, Leno was the host of NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Beginning in September 2009, Leno started a primetime talk show, titled The Jay Leno Show, which aired weeknights at 10:00 p.m. ,...
, who remarked the show was "so bad that the actual Los Angeles Airport is thinking of changing its name to avoid being associated with the show." The 13 episodes of the program averaged 6.52 million viewers.