Sordid Lives: The Series
Encyclopedia
Sordid Lives: The Series is an American
television series created, written, and directed by Del Shores
and acts as a prequel to 2000 film Sordid Lives
, also by Shores, self-described as a "Black comedy about white trash". The show is set in small town Texas
and centers around the Ingram family.
It stars Rue McClanahan
, Olivia Newton-John
, Caroline Rhea
, Leslie Jordan
, Beth Grant
and most of the original cast of the film.
It premiered on Logo
in July 2008. In Canada, Sordid Lives the uncut version can be seen on Super Channel (also in HD) and the censored version on Out TV. According to Logo's contact page a second season will not be produced due to a lack of funding, and the Logo online web page for the series is no longer available.
The series premiered in the UK on Film24 (Sky157) in August 2009.
) takes in the town bar singer Bitsy Mae Harling (Olivia Newton-John
) who has just been released from prison. Peggy's wild child daughter LaVonda (Ann Walker) lives with Peggy's chain-smoking sister Sissy (Beth Grant
), while Peggy's good girl Latrelle (Bonnie Bedelia
) maintains an image of seeming perfection.
Peggy's third child, Earl "Brother Boy" Ingram (Leslie Jordan
), is locked in a mental institution where he performs as Tammy Wynette
. He plots to escape while he attends therapy sessions with the crazy Dr. Eve (Rosemary Alexander) who believes she can dehomosexualize him.
LaVonda's white trash best friend Noleta (Caroline Rhea
) lives in a trailer in Sissy's backyard with her husband G.W. (David Steen), a Vietnam veteran with two wooden legs. G.W. escapes regularly to the local bar in town amidst a small crowd of regulars including brothers Wardell (Newell Alexander) and Odell (David Cowgill), Bitsy Mae, and the bar's resident drunk Juanita (Sarah Hunley).
Latrelle's son Ty (Jason Dottley) is an actor living in Los Angeles and struggling with several therapists (including ones played by Margaret Cho
, Carson Kressley
, and Candis Cayne
) to come to terms with his homosexuality. Along the way he deals with his first boyfriend (Ted Detwiler), his stalker ex-girlfriend (Sharron Alexis), a vengeful trick (Emerson Collins), and the difficulty of coming out to his straight best friend (Robert Lewis Stephenson) and his family back in Texas.
based production company known for its television programming, for MTV Networks
' Logo
Channel as its first original series. The first season of 12 episodes was shot in Shreveport, Louisiana
, from November 28, 2007 to January 27, 2008.
released the complete series on DVD in Region 1 (Canada only) on October 13, 2009. The 3-disc set features all 12 episodes of the series uncensored and uncut as well as several bonus features including deleted scenes, bloopers and several performances by Olivia Newton-John.
Well Go USA released the complete series on DVD and Blu-ray in the United States. The set contains all 12 episodes uncensored and uncut, as well as special features including deleted scenes, bloopers, performances by Olivia Newton-John and music videos (series promo/trailers).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television series created, written, and directed by Del Shores
Del Shores
Del Shores is an American film director and producer, television writer and producer, playwright and actor.-Biography:...
and acts as a prequel to 2000 film Sordid Lives
Sordid Lives
Sordid Lives was a 2000 independent film, written and directed by Del Shores. The movie is based on Shores' play of the same name and includes elements of his life, according to the director's DVD commentary...
, also by Shores, self-described as a "Black comedy about white trash". The show is set in small town Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and centers around the Ingram family.
It stars Rue McClanahan
Rue McClanahan
Rue McClanahan was an American actress, best known for her roles on television as Vivian Harmon on Maude, Fran Crowley on Mama's Family, and Blanche Devereaux on The Golden Girls, for which she won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in 1987.-Early life:McClanahan was born Eddie Rue...
, Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
, Caroline Rhea
Caroline Rhea
Caroline Gilchrist Rhea is a Canadian stand-up comedian and actress who was the original host of the reality television show The Biggest Loser on NBC until she was replaced by Alison Sweeney after the end of the third season...
, Leslie Jordan
Leslie Jordan
Leslie Allen Jordan is an American actor and playwright.- Early life and career :Hailing from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and at a height of 4 ft 11 in , Jordan has made numerous appearances in both film and television...
, Beth Grant
Beth Grant
Beth Grant is an American actress. She is known for often playing characters who are conservatives, religious zealots or sticklers for rules....
and most of the original cast of the film.
It premiered on Logo
Logo (TV channel)
Logo is an American digital cable television channel owned by Viacom's MTV Networks division. Launched in June 2005, the channel's programs are geared towards the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community...
in July 2008. In Canada, Sordid Lives the uncut version can be seen on Super Channel (also in HD) and the censored version on Out TV. According to Logo's contact page a second season will not be produced due to a lack of funding, and the Logo online web page for the series is no longer available.
The series premiered in the UK on Film24 (Sky157) in August 2009.
Premise
Matriarch Peggy Ingram (Rue McClanahanRue McClanahan
Rue McClanahan was an American actress, best known for her roles on television as Vivian Harmon on Maude, Fran Crowley on Mama's Family, and Blanche Devereaux on The Golden Girls, for which she won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in 1987.-Early life:McClanahan was born Eddie Rue...
) takes in the town bar singer Bitsy Mae Harling (Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
) who has just been released from prison. Peggy's wild child daughter LaVonda (Ann Walker) lives with Peggy's chain-smoking sister Sissy (Beth Grant
Beth Grant
Beth Grant is an American actress. She is known for often playing characters who are conservatives, religious zealots or sticklers for rules....
), while Peggy's good girl Latrelle (Bonnie Bedelia
Bonnie Bedelia
Bonnie Bedelia Culkin is an American actress best known for her supporting roles in the action film Die Hard and the courtroom drama Presumed Innocent...
) maintains an image of seeming perfection.
Peggy's third child, Earl "Brother Boy" Ingram (Leslie Jordan
Leslie Jordan
Leslie Allen Jordan is an American actor and playwright.- Early life and career :Hailing from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and at a height of 4 ft 11 in , Jordan has made numerous appearances in both film and television...
), is locked in a mental institution where he performs as Tammy Wynette
Tammy Wynette
Virginia Wynette Pugh, known professionally as Tammy Wynette , was an American country music singer-songwriter and one of the genre's best-known artists and biggest-selling female vocalists....
. He plots to escape while he attends therapy sessions with the crazy Dr. Eve (Rosemary Alexander) who believes she can dehomosexualize him.
LaVonda's white trash best friend Noleta (Caroline Rhea
Caroline Rhea
Caroline Gilchrist Rhea is a Canadian stand-up comedian and actress who was the original host of the reality television show The Biggest Loser on NBC until she was replaced by Alison Sweeney after the end of the third season...
) lives in a trailer in Sissy's backyard with her husband G.W. (David Steen), a Vietnam veteran with two wooden legs. G.W. escapes regularly to the local bar in town amidst a small crowd of regulars including brothers Wardell (Newell Alexander) and Odell (David Cowgill), Bitsy Mae, and the bar's resident drunk Juanita (Sarah Hunley).
Latrelle's son Ty (Jason Dottley) is an actor living in Los Angeles and struggling with several therapists (including ones played by Margaret Cho
Margaret Cho
Margaret Cho is an American comedian, fashion designer, actress, author, and recording artist. Cho is best known for her stand-up routines, through which she critiques social and political problems, especially those pertaining to race and sexuality. She has also directed and appeared in music...
, Carson Kressley
Carson Kressley
Carson Lee Kressley was the fashion expert on the American television program Queer Eye, where he was one of the show's "Fab Five" members. He is also the motivational host of the TV show How to Look Good Naked.-Biography:...
, and Candis Cayne
Candis Cayne
Candis Cayne is an American actress and performance artist.Known in the New York City nightclub scene since the 1990s, Cayne came to national attention in 2007 for portraying transgender mistress Carmelita on ABC's prime time drama Dirty Sexy Money...
) to come to terms with his homosexuality. Along the way he deals with his first boyfriend (Ted Detwiler), his stalker ex-girlfriend (Sharron Alexis), a vengeful trick (Emerson Collins), and the difficulty of coming out to his straight best friend (Robert Lewis Stephenson) and his family back in Texas.
Production
Sordid Lives: The Series is executive produced by Stanley M. Brooks of Once Upon A Time Films, a Santa Monica, CaliforniaSanta Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
based production company known for its television programming, for MTV Networks
MTV Networks
MTV Networks is a division of media conglomerate Viacom that oversees the operations of many television channels and Internet brands, including the original MTV channel in the United States...
' Logo
Logo (TV channel)
Logo is an American digital cable television channel owned by Viacom's MTV Networks division. Launched in June 2005, the channel's programs are geared towards the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community...
Channel as its first original series. The first season of 12 episodes was shot in Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
, from November 28, 2007 to January 27, 2008.
Cast and characters
| Actor | Character | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A local singer with "a reputation" who is a close friend of Peggy's, recently released from prison for arson Arson Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires... . |
||
| The son of Latrelle, Ty is a closeted 20-something gay man who left behind the small Southern Baptist town in Texas and moved to West Hollywood to become an actor. | ||
| The local bar's crazy fly. | ||
| G.W.'s friend and the object of Brother Boy's affection. | ||
| Noleta's unfaithful husband, who regularly escapes to the local bar. He starts an affair Infidelity In many intimate relationships in many cultures there is usually an express or implied expectation of exclusivity, especially in sexual matters. Infidelity most commonly refers to a breach of the expectation of sexual exclusivity.Infidelity can occur in relation to physical intimacy and/or... with Peggy. |
||
| Bubba's brother, who is scarred for life by a pig-bloating incident. | ||
| Peggy's much younger sister, an aunt to Brother Boy, LaVonda and Latrelle, who is frequently distressed by her family and neighbors. | ||
| Bitsy Mae's secret love. | ||
| Sissy's next-door neighbor, the distraught wife of G.W. Nethercott, and best friend to LaVonda. | ||
| Brother Boy has been institutionalized for 23 years by his parents for being a cross-dressing homosexual, who performs as Tammy Wynette. | ||
| Bumper | Security guard at the mental institution where Brother Boy is kept. He is always trying to get Brother Boy to "pleasure" him. | |
| Ty's mother, who is primarily concerned with keeping up appearances. | ||
| Ty's stalker ex-girlfriend. | ||
| Peggy's eldest daughter, a free spirit who is also Noleta's best friend. | ||
| Ethel | An employee at the mental institution, and a friend for Brother Boy. | |
| "Doctor Evil" wants to de-homosexualize Brother Boy so she can write a book, appear on Oprah The Oprah Winfrey Show The Oprah Winfrey Show is an American syndicated talk show hosted and produced by its namesake Oprah Winfrey. It ran nationally for 25 seasons beginning in 1986, before concluding in 2011. It is the highest-rated talk show in American television history.... , and quit her psychiatrist job at the mental institution. |
||
| The older sister of Sissy and mother of Latrelle, LaVonda, and Brother Boy. |
Ingram Family tree
Episodes
| Episode number | Title | Original airdate | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | "The Day Tammy Wynette Died - Part 1" | July 23, 2008 | Sissy asks her nieces Latrelle and LaVonda to search for their mother, Peggy. Brother Boy learns that Tammy Wynette Tammy Wynette Virginia Wynette Pugh, known professionally as Tammy Wynette , was an American country music singer-songwriter and one of the genre's best-known artists and biggest-selling female vocalists.... is dead. Noleta and GW have a fight over GW's desire to remove his false legs during sex. Ty goes to therapy and is nervous about trying for a part in a play with gay characters. |
| 102 | "The Day Tammy Wynette Died - Part 2" | July 30, 2008 | Brother Boy is visited by the ghost of Tammy Wynette (played by her daughter Georgette Jones), who wants Brother Boy to carry on her legacy. He also meets his new therapist, Dr Eve. Peggy goes to the local bar for the first time with bar singer/ex-con Bitsy Mae. Ty runs into his former girlfriend Sara and meets the very handsome Jacob during his play audition. |
| 103 | "Pills, Poison & Penises" | August 6, 2008 | Brother Boy is in a coma at the mental institution and is visited by the family. While there, Latrelle steals some Valium. G.W. has his legs repaired from Notela shooting some holes in them. Noleta threatens to kill her husband or herself, and buys rat poison. Sara opens Ty's apartment only to discover Ty and Jacob naked. |
| 104 | "Secrets and Lies" | August 13, 2008 | Latrelle escapes after getting caught stealing pills by Bumper, the security guard. Bitsy learns Glyndora burned down her trailer—the crime that sent her to prison. G.W. thinks Noleta has poisoned herself. Ty is confronted about his habit of lying and decides to make a change. Dr. Eve explains her dehomosexualization therapy to Brother Boy's family. |
| 105 | "The Fall and Rise of Brother Boy" | August 20, 2008 | Brother Boy wakes up from his coma. G.W. and Peggy's affair heats up as they spend the night at the Galaxy Motel. Sissy and LaVonda are kept awake by the neighbor's pet goat. When it eats her prize violets, Sissy shoots it, and they make it look like the goat was run over. Ty meets Walker, an older gay neighbor, who encourages him to come out of the closet. |
| 106 | "Call Waiting" | September 10, 2008 | LaVonda spends the day in the salon, and while her hairdresser is at the store buying cigarettes, LaVonda receives several phone calls. Latrelle spies on Peggy and G.W., catching them at the Galaxy Motel spending the night together. Sissy and LaVonda plot to convince Latrelle that she was dreaming about the affair while being unconscious from valium. Brother Boy agrees to pretend to "butch it up" in order to convince people at the institution that he's cured. LaVonda contacts several people at the bar who are aware of her mother's affair with G.W. and composes a cover-up story for everyone to stick to, while convincing Noleta that G.W. was at Odell's home. |
| 107 | "An Audacious Affair" | September 17, 2008 | Bitsy Mae and the gang at Bubba's decide to confront the church members; Brother Boy tries to convince Dr. Eve to continue his therapy; Noleta suspects G.W. of being unfaithful; Ty comes clean, but Sara refuses to believe he's gay. |
| 108 | "Guess Who's Coming to Bubba's" | September 24, 2008 | Bitsy Mae speaks to the church; Peggy explains her reasons for taking Bitsy Mae in; Brother Boy is troubled in Dr. Eve's therapy; Sissy, Noleta and LaVonda search for a missing Latrelle. |
| 109 | "Those Pesky Little Stalkers" | October 1, 2008 | Latrelle owns up to her pill addiction; Brother Boy learns of an escape out of the mental institution; Bumper goes to Latrelle's house to attack her; Walker dies and Sara moves into his old place, upsetting Ty further; G.W. wants to get rid of Noleta so he can be with Peggy. |
| 110 | "Desperately Seeking Ty" | October 8, 2008 | Noleta and her gun save the day when Bumper fights with Latrelle, LaVonda and Sissy; the church circulates a petition to close Bubba's bar; Noleta finds evidence of G.W.'s extramarital affair with Peggy; LaVonda catches Bitsy and Glyndora in a compromising position; Sara refuses to accept that her ex, Ty, is now involved with a man. |
| 111 | "Compromising Situations" | October 22, 2008 | Ty comes out to Marc and tells Sara that he and Jacob are a couple; Brother Boy and Jackie try blackmail to get out of the institution; church members picket Bubba's; Bitsy Mae takes Glyndora in after Ritchie beats her; Latrelle quits popping pills, while Sissy wants to quit smoking; Noleta decides to accompany LaVonda to L.A. to see Ty's play. |
| 112 | "The Trip" | October 29, 2008 | LaVonda and Noleta arrive in Los Angeles for the opening of Ty's play, but Ty has other problems; G.W. proposes to Peggy; Bitsy Mae shares her feelings with Glyndora; Latrelle kicks her pill addiction; Sissy confesses to killing the goat and is arrested along with Noleta; Brother Boy blackmails Bumper and he and Jackie make their escape. |
Soundtrack
- Sordid Lives Theme - Olivia Newton-John
- So Bad - Olivia Newton-John
- None of My Business - Olivia Newton-John
- You Look Like a Dick to Me - Olivia Newton-John
- Jack Daniels - Olivia Newton-John
- Slow Burn - Olivia Newton-John
- I Don't Want to Play House - Georgette Jones
- I Still Believe in Fairy Tales - Georgette Jones
- Precious Memories - Georgette Jones
- You Done Me Wrong - Sean Wiggins & Lone Goat
- I Could Get Over Him - Kacey Jones
- Joyful Sound - Debby Holiday
DVD release
Visual EntertainmentVisual Entertainment
Visual Entertainment Inc. is a home video/television distribution company that is based in Toronto, Ontario Canada. It is an independent label but has managed to release quite a few well-known TV series on DVD.-Children:* The Big Adventure Series...
released the complete series on DVD in Region 1 (Canada only) on October 13, 2009. The 3-disc set features all 12 episodes of the series uncensored and uncut as well as several bonus features including deleted scenes, bloopers and several performances by Olivia Newton-John.
Well Go USA released the complete series on DVD and Blu-ray in the United States. The set contains all 12 episodes uncensored and uncut, as well as special features including deleted scenes, bloopers, performances by Olivia Newton-John and music videos (series promo/trailers).
International broadcasters
- Super Channel - CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
- TIMMTIMMTIMM is a German language free-to-air cable and satellite service from Germany targeting gay male audiences. It was first launched on November 1, 2008. It was also available over a live stream....
- GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... - Yes Stars ComedyYes Stars ComedyYes Comedy is an Israeli television channel carried by the Israeli satellite television provider - yes, which broadcasts American and British TV shows of the sitcom, dramedy and comedy genres...
- IsraelIsraelThe State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea... - Film 24 - UK
- OUTTVOUTTVOUTTV is a Dutch language premium digital cable specialty channel from the Netherlands and is the lifestyle television channel from the Netherlands and Belgium and soon also Sweden and Switzerland. OUTTV originally launched on KPN on April 4, 2008 and widely became available on April 11, 2008,...
- The Netherlands - Série Club - FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
External links
- Sordid Lives: The Series at TV.comTV.comTV.com is a website owned by CBS Interactive. The site covers television and focuses on English-language shows made or broadcast in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Japan...