Faye Oshima Belyeu Movies
- 2006
Four years after ending her successful, star-making run on the series Dharma and Greg, Jenna Elfman returned to television with the heavily hyped situation comedy Courting Alex. Elfman starred as Alex Rose, a high-powered attorney working at a firm run by her father (Dabney Coleman). While Alex is a formidable opponent in the courtroom, her dedication to her career hasn't left her much time for a love life. Things begin to change when Alex meets Scott Larson (Josh Randall), but as it happens Scott is also a lawyer, and the would-be couple often find themselves representing rival point of view. Courting Alex also featured Jillian Bach as Alex's diminutive assistant Molly and Hugh Bonneville as her high-spirited neighbor Julian. Courting Alex's premiere on January 23, 2006 was extensively promoted by its network, CBS, but the show fared poorly in the ratings, and of the twelve episodes produced, only eight were ever aired. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jenna Elfman, Dabney Coleman, (more)
- 2003
Comic actor Anthony Anderson was appropriately cast as Anthony Anderson in this half-hour WB sitcom. A struggling actor and single dad, Anthony was forced by financial and other considerations to move back home with his middle-class mom and dad, who looked after his son, Tuga (Damani Roberts), while he continued to seek out movie work. Anthony's mother, Flo (Roz Ryan), was delighted to have her darling boy back, but his irascible father, Joe (John Amos), was not so thrilled -- especially since he had already rented out Anthony's old room to Latina medical student Lydia Serrano (Aimee Garcia). Co-created by star Anderson, Adam Glass, and Marco Pennette, All About the Andersons debuted September 12, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Anderson, John Amos, (more)
- 2003
Based on the real-life romance between series co-creator Chris Henchy and film favorite Brooke Shields, this ABC sitcom starred David Sutcliffe as high school English teacher Patrick Owen and Teri Polo as gorgeous movie star Alex Young. "Meeting cute" when Patrick was attacked by Alex's dog, the couple began dating; Alex, it seemed, was immensely impressed by the fact that Patrick was immensely unimpressed by her celebrity, while Patrick was swept off his feet by Alex's unexpected unpretentiousness. The rest of the series followed a predictable path, with both Patrick's students and Alex's Tinseltown buddies offering sidelines commentary. I'm With Her first aired September 23, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Teri Polo, David Sutcliffe, (more)
- 2002
This NBC sitcom was rather blatantly inspired by the movie comedy hit Meet the Parents. According to network publicity, however, In-Laws was primarily based on the standup routines of comedian Elon Gold, who starred in the series as newlywed Max Landis. Quitting his job to enroll in culinary school, Max and his new bride Alice (Bonnie Somerville) reluctantly moved in with Alice's parents to save money. While Alice's mom Marlene (Jean Smart) pursued a real estate career and Alice herself worked two shifts, poor Max was left home alone with his supremely judgmental father-in-law Victor (Dennis Farina). Perhaps it goes without saying that the humor arose from the prickly relationship between the wisecracking Max and the growling, grumbling Victor. Co-produced by Frasier star Kelsey Grammer, In-Laws debuted September 24, 2002 and was cancelled in January 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Smart, Dennis Farina, (more)
