Anyone Remember Chef Emeril Lagasse's Failed Sitcom "Emeril"?

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Scoobiedoo30

Emeril Has Not passed away

Not Emeril, we were talking about Robert Urich.

[Scoobiedoo30]

you know I forgot about Robert Urich being in Emeril

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Scoobiedoo30

you know I forgot about Robert Urich being in Emeril

You know, I did too, at first.

[Scoobiedoo30]

I just knew that Robert was in Spencer for Hire Vegas and Soap.

[howierules86]

Originally Posted by JamesG

That one didn't last long either.

You're right. "Undeclared" was also a one-season wonder as well (even though I remember not wanting to watch it as much after "Emeril" got quickly cancelled by NBC, I'm probably the only one who thought "Emeril" & "Undeclared" would have made a great Tuesday night sitcom duo, despite being on different networks).

[howierules86]

Originally Posted by Scoobiedoo30

yes I do It aired Monday Night at 7:00 pm CT on NBC.

Actually, it was Tuesday night at 8:00 PM ET.

[JamesG]

Originally Posted by howierules86

You're right. "Undeclared" was also a one-season wonder as well (even though I remember not wanting to watch it as much after "Emeril" got quickly cancelled by NBC, I'm probably the only one who thought "Emeril" & "Undeclared" would have made a great Tuesday night sitcom duo, despite being on different networks).

Maybe you can answer this, was Undeclared at all related to Freaks & Geeks?

I know that Judd Apatow was involved on both shows and that many of the Freeks & Geeks' crowd appeared on Undeclared.

Are they at all related?

[howierules86]

Originally Posted by JamesG

Maybe you can answer this, was Undeclared at all related to Freaks & Geeks?

I know that Judd Apatow was involved on both shows and that many of the Freeks & Geeks' crowd appeared on Undeclared.

Are they at all related?

Considering that they were both school-type dramas (Freaks & Geeks related to high school kids, but Undeclared focused on college kids) and Judd Apatow's involvement with both shows as you mentioned, I would think they would have some sort of connection myself. As luck would have it, both shows got a lot of critical acclaim, but only lasted one season because of low ratings (of course).

[howierules86]

Originally Posted by bencasey

It was on this decade. Why wouldn't people remember it? You act like it was on 50 years ago. Sorry but to me a few years ago seems like 5 minutes ago.

Actually, this is a show that lasted less than six months, so it's likely that not a lot of people would remember it. Maybe if the show was on for about 8 years, more people would be likely to remember it (rather than you having to say something like, "You mean you didn't watch Wings?!").

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by JamesG

This was a sitcom that was based on the behind-the-scenes fiascos of famous chef Emeril Lagasse's cooking show; of which he was the star of.

It aired on NBC in the Fall 2001 season and it didn't last long because it was critically panned and it got no audience attention. Other famous cast members included Robert Ulrich, Sherry Shepherd, and Tricia O'Kelley.

I think because it started after 9/11 I was so messed up that it was impossible to get into any news shows at the time. I saw that Sherri Shepard was on the show so that's why it failed

[Schmoopie]

I had no idea about this show! Never even heard of it! It was an actual sitcom? That's scary to think of Emeril as an actor! Sounds more like a reality show to me!

[TV Knowledge Fan]

...went on the air primarily because Jeff Zucker, a whiz at being head of NBC/Universal these days, but an absolute failure as their programming executive from 2001 through 2005, thought Legasse had enough "personality" and popularity to front a situation comedy (never mind the fact that Emeril is a better chef than he is an "actor"). Let's face it, Zucker made other terrible programming decisions as well. Remember the other comedies he scheduled- "WATCHING ELLIE", with Julia Louis-Dreyfus? "COUPLING"? "HIDDEN HILLS"? "PRIDE OF THE FAMILY"? "JOEY", the successor to "FRIENDS" that "couldn't miss"??? And "FEAR FACTOR" was scheduled on Zucker's "watch" as well....ugh!

No matter what merits "EMERIL" may have had, it all boiled down to one factor- Emeril himself. And he just didn't have what it took to be a successful sitcom star....

[angiefan]

I remember it. I never seen it.

[Vinni_Rattolle]

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I had no idea about this show! Never even heard of it! It was an actual sitcom? That's scary to think of Emeril as an actor! Sounds more like a reality show to me!

Yes, it was a sitcom, from "Designing Women" creator Linda Bloodworth-Thomason. Emeril played himself, and it was set on the set of his cooking show. Robert Urich played his sleazy best friend/lawyer, and other coworkers included Sheri Shepard, Lisa Ann Walter and Carrie Preston. In initial episodes Emeril seemed uncomfortable and most of the witty banter was given to his costars, but the show was improving when it got canceled. Only 7 of the 10 episodes (not counting the original pilot) that were filmed aired. As mentioned before, probably the biggest contributing factor to the show's demise is it premiered immediately post 9-11.

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

Remember the other comedies he scheduled- "WATCHING ELLIE", with Julia Louis-Dreyfus? "COUPLING"? "HIDDEN HILLS"? "PRIDE OF THE FAMILY"? "JOEY", the successor to "FRIENDS" that "couldn't miss"??? And "FEAR FACTOR" was scheduled on Zucker's "watch" as well....ugh!

"Watching Ellie" had an interesting premise and a great cast... so I don't understand why it wasn't very good. And I'll defend "Coupling" insomuch as the final episode that aired -- which deviated from its British counterpart -- showed that the series had potential. The problem was that they outright cloned the other two or three episodes that aired from the British show, instead of coming up with original ideas. Of course, it was tricky being a clone of a British show that was a clone of the American show that it was scheduled with ("Friends").

[TMC]

This Looks Terrible: Emeril