Here's a TV Show idea I've had for awhile now. Thought you guys would be interested in looking at it. I've included a synopses, with characters, the first 16 episodes (out of 22 for the first season), with a few other things.



"RUNNING ON EMPTY"

60 Minute Dramedy

Location: Suburbia, Upstate New York

Synopsis:
A couple maried for 15 years decide they want to seperate, but not divorce. Unfortunately for them, they choose the hardest way possible to do that - they keep it a secret from their family and friends, and plan to still live with each other for the sake of their 2 boys, while leading their own lives. They'll soon learn the many faults in their plan as they try to keep their family as close to normal as possible, while moving on with their new lives as single people. Will this end up as the rest of their lives, or will their marriage end for good? Find out how they keep their family and lives together, and see why things become even more difficult when their feelings for each other may get in the way of their single lives, as their marriage is running on empty.

As both lead characters grew up in the 70's, they both still love listening to the classics - music is featured in every episode, both beginning and ending each episode.


Characters:

*Julie Kaynor - wife, sometimes demanding, decides to go back to work to begin her new life, wanted to seperate in the first place

*David Kaynor - husband, newspaper columnist at beginning of series, but eventually quits his job, which opens up new opportunities, didn't want the seperation at first, and is confused with his feelings he still may have for Julie

*Nathan (Nate) Kaylor - oldest child, 11 years old, gets good grades, but sometimes lacks common sense, has feelings for his future neighbor

*Samuel (Sam) Kaylor - youngest child, 8 years old, takes after his father

*Katherine (Kate) Trudeaux - sister of Julie, happily single, but eventually marries later in the season. Her marriage causes troubles for her entire family, especially as it begins to crumble in the final season.

*Christine Trudeaux - mother of Julie and Katherine, divorced and widowed, tough, nosy,

*Richard Kaylor - father of David, says he wasw in the Mafia for over 30 years, which no one believes, or knows whether it's the truth or not

*June Kaylor - mother of David, very easy going and usually soft-spoken

*Meagan Nestly - single mother, moves in next door to the Kaylors in episode 18, David forms feelings for her from the start, but they don't start a relationship with each other until season 3. She has an 11 year old daughter, Allison, who Nate finds feelings for.

Sounds like a really good idea for a new tv show.

I had the first 10 episodes typed and ready to post, but unfortunately, it didn't post them. I'll have to retype them - I'll have them up for you guys tomorrow.

Running On Empty was also the name of a River Phoenix film from 1987 or 1988. (I just mentioned it because I'm a fan of River.) But back to your idea, I think it sounds very good.

Actually, I think there may have also been a song of that title. A song, a movie, and a TV show (a fictional one, anyway.) :)

Running On Empty was also the name of a River Phoenix film from 1987 or 1988. (I just mentioned it because I'm a fan of River.) But back to your idea, I think it sounds very good.

Actually, I think there may have also been a song of that title. A song, a movie, and a TV show (a fictional one, anyway.) :)

I know there's a song with the title (it's where I got the title from), but I didn't know there was a movie with the same title. Interesting - I guess we all think alike :D

I know there's a song with the title (it's where I got the title from), but I didn't know there was a movie with the same title. Interesting - I guess we all think alike :D

I don't think it was a massively popular film. Not that it bombed, I think it was one of those films that did quite well but wasn't/isn't widely known about. I bought it because River was in it; I thought it was a pretty good film.

I don't think it was a massively popular film. Not that it bombed, I think it was one of those films that did quite well but wasn't/isn't widely known about. I bought it because River was in it; I thought it was a pretty good film.

I never heard of it - I guess it was just one of those movies that faded into the night.

Sorry about the episodes - don't have time to get them up tonight, but they'll definitely be up tomorrow.

Have you written the entire first season then? That's impressive; I used to write scripts for my own TV shows quite a lot but haven't for a while.

Are you interested in getting involved in the TV business?

Have you written the entire first season then? That's impressive; I used to write scripts for my own TV shows quite a lot but haven't for a while.

Are you interested in getting involved in the TV business?

I have written out all 22 season 1 episodes, and about half of the pilot script - but, I love to write, and it's just something I like to do in my free time. I've really gotten involved with this, though. I definitely wouldn't want to get into the TV business - I'm too old anyways-LOL. But, it would be neat to see my show on TV one day.

I'll have the first half of season 1 up in an hour or so - the episode descriptions are quite lengthy, and it would take too long to get the entire season's episodes up all at once, but I'll likely have the others up tomorrow.

Here they are: Season 1, Episodes 1-8

1. Pilot
Opening Music: "Running on Empty"

Julie and David begin their new lives as seperated people, still living together. They decide to tell their children about their new lives, who only get confused with the news, but decide not to let on. Julie begins her new job as a receptionist, and meets her new coworkers, who are a group of gossipy women. At the end of the day, Julie and David sit down to talk about things, and their futures, while listening to music and reminiscing about their past.

Closing Music: "Take it to the Limit:
Other music: "Love Will Keep us Together," "When a Man Loves a Woman," "Build me Up Buttercup," "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow"


2. I Can See Clearly Now the Rain is Gone
Opening Music: "Changes"

Both Julie and David unknowingly invite their parents to dinner, and Christine ends up bringing Kate along. Julie unintentionally tells Kate about their seperation, and begs Kate to keep it a secret, just for awhile.

Closing Music: "I Can See Clearly Now the Rain is Gone"
Other Music: "Beautiful Morning," "Respect", "Saturday Night,"


3. Taking After My Father
Opening Music: "Papa Was a Rolling Stone"

Nate meets a girl at school, and brings her home to get married: the only problem is, he doesn't want to stay married to her, but just live with her. Meanwhile, Sam has been telling the kids at school about his parents' new arrangement, which causes a parent-teacher conference after school. That night, Julie and David sit down with their boys to discuss their new lives.

Closing Music: "Call Me Irresponsible"
Other Music: "Soul Man"


4. Drift Away
Opening Music: "Drift Away"

Christine feels she's drifting away from her daughters, so she decides to spend the day with them, causing Julie to almost let her secret slip - more than once. Meanwhile, David feels himself drifting away from Julie, making him confused in his feelings for her, and wants to confront her - but doesn't.

Closing Music: "I Wanna Know What Love Is"
Other Music: "Shop Around"


5. Dancing in the Moonlight
Opening Music: "Saturday Night"

Both Julie and David have dates, and they end up meeting each other with their dates at the same dancing club. All 4 sit down together and talk. While their dates are away, they talk privately, which leads to sharing a dance, and then a kiss - their first kiss since their seperation. Meanwhile, David's parents babysit the boys, with help from Christine, who just happened to "drop over."

Closing Music: "More Than a Feeling"
Other Music: "Dancing in the Moonlight," "Dance the Night Away," "Tender is the Night"


6. I'm Still in Love With You
Opening Music: "I'm Still in Love With You"

While at home the same night, David tells Julie he's not sure about his feelings, and that what they're doing may not be the right thing. Julie at first gets angry, but understands where David's coming from, and tries to show him that they cannot go back to the way things were. Their conversation is interrupted by Kate, who comes over after her date turns out to be a disaster. Both David and Julie talk to her about how they feel, giving Julie the idea of couples' therapy, for David.

Closing Music: "Turn the Page"
Other Music: "Hooked on a Feeling," "We Belong"


7. Talking it Out
Opening Music: "Lost Without Your Love"

Julie and David begin couple's therapy. They learn new things about each other, including the fact that Julie's mother may have been the reason for their break-up. After David gets angry, they leave the session, which turns out to be the first and last session together. David realizes that he may still be in love with Julie, but its obvious that Julie feels differently. Kate and Christine babysit the boys.

Closing Music: "Long Train Running"
Other Music: "Baby I Need Your Loving"


8. Saturday in the Park
Opening Music: "Saturday in the Park"

Julie and David both want to take the boys out for the day. They compromise to take them to the park together. But, instead of spending the day with the boys, they spend it with their parents, who just happen to be there.

Closing Music: "Natural Woman"
Other Music: "Happy Together"

Episodes 9-16:

9. Thanksgiving is my Favorite Holiday
Opening Music: "Isn't She Lovely?"

It's Thanksgiving - everyone's over at David and Julie's house. Christine believes that something is up between the 2, making Julie more nervous than ever. Kate brings over a friend from work, Daphne, who is a lesbian, which raises eyebrows. Richard and June arrive in a very happy mood, getting on everyone's nerves.

Closing Music: "My Girl"
Other Music: "Nowhere to Run," "We are Family"


10. Heard it Through the Grapevine
Opening Music: "I Heard it Through the Grapevine"

Julie overhears a neighbor saying how "the couple next door" is getting divorced, which she thinks refers to her and David. Worried that the entire neighborhood has been gossiping about them, she begins to think that maybe things have to change, of which David overhears. Sam and Nate find a new hobby - climbing on other people's roofs, which causes the neighbors to come over and complain to Julie; only Julie thinks that they're coming over to talk about the "divorce."

Closing Music: "You Keep Me Hangin' On"


11. Talking it Out (But Not Together)
Opening Music: "What's Going On?"

Both David and Julie make appointments with the therapist, but know the other did so. After her appointment, Julie decides that bringing Kate along would be helpful, but after his appointment, David does as well, so Kate gets dragged along to both appointments, not telling the other. Meanwhile, Christine goes to the same therapist, believing that something is wrong with Julie, also keeping it a secret, and Richard and June see the therapist as well, after receiving a coupon in the mail.

Closing Music: "Take the Long Way Home"
Other Music: "Doctor My Eyes"


12. Taking Care of Business
Opening Music: "Takin' Care of Business"

When Richard doesn't come home from work, June begins to worry, and immediately goes to see David and Julie. This causes everyone to believe that possibly it's his "Mafia" work thats holding him up, even though they never believe it before. When Richard finally calls from his house, he doesn't say where he is, though. This causes Richard and June to go back to therapy, with David, Julie, and Kate following, not knowing the other's there as well. But when Julie spots June there, and David spots Richard, it's finally revealed that they've all been secretly seeing the same therapist, and Richard's secret is finally revealed - sort of.

Closing Music: "Do You Feel Like We Do"
Other Music: "Midnight Train to Georgia"


13. Midnight Hour
Opening Music: "Midnight Hour"

When Julie says she has a date, David gets jealous and makes up his own date. Julie also gets jealous of David, and tells him that he shouldn't expect her home until morning. Keeping her word, she goes to her date's apartment for the night, making him excited, but nothing happens. David ends up going out with a girl from work to keep his word, and ends up having a good time to his surprise, but decides not to take it any further. At home late at night, Julie and David arrive instantaneously, both ending the night on a silent note.

Closing Music: "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? (Carole King version)"
Other Music: "Jealously," "Torn Between Two Lovers"


14. Don't Go Breakin' My Heart
Opening Music: "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow"

Julie starts thinking about her future, and to David's shock, he isn't in it. And on top of that, Julie brings up the topic of divorce to David, after talking about it with the girls at work. The boys hear this, and get worried, ending in "family night," which ultimately ends with the David being more confused than anyone.

Closing Music: "Don't go Breakin' My Heart"
Other Music: "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" "Only Love Can Break Your Heart"


15. Hear Come Those Tears Again
Opening Music: "I'd Love You to Want Me"

David gets worried about his future with Julie, and decides it's time to win her back. The mood changes, however, when David learns he's lost his job, just when Julie's quit hers.

Closing Music: "Landslide"
Other Music: "Boys Don't Cry," "Show Me the Way," "Let the Good Times Roll"


16. Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Opening Music: "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"

Julie decides to beg for her job back as David beings to look for a new one. He sees an ad in the paper for Julie's old job, and thinks about applying without telling Julie. David tells Julie his plan ultimately, but she's dead against the idea, and he decides out of respect to her, not to apply. Meanwhile, Julie ends up getting her job after taking a paycut, and David calls Kate to talk about his future with Julie, while on the other line is Julie, calling Kate to talk about her future with David.

Closing Music: "It's Still Rockin' Roll to Me"
Other Music: "Things We Do For Love," "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," "Let it Be"