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The John Larroquette Show

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The John Larroquette Show
Season 1 intertitle
GenreSitcom
Created byDon Reo
Starring
Opening theme"Skrewy St. Louis Blues" by David Cassidy (1993–1995)
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes84 (6 unaired)
Production
Executive producers
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time30 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseSeptember 2, 1993 (1993-09-02) –
October 30, 1996 (1996-10-30)

The John Larroquette Show is an American sitcom television series that was created by Don Reo for NBC. The John Larroquette Show was a star vehicle for John Larroquette following his run as Dan Fielding on Night Court. The series takes place in a seedy bus terminal in St. Louis, Missouri, and originally focused on the somewhat broken people who worked the night shift, and in particular, the lead character's battle with alcoholism. The series was produced by Reo's Impact Zone Productions, Larroquette's Port Street Films and Witt/Thomas Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.

It premiered on September 2, 1993 and ended on October 30, 1996, with a total of 84 episodes over the course of four seasons, although six of those episodes were never aired. NBC canceled the series after airing only six episodes in season four.

Plot

[edit]

John Hemingway, recovering alcoholic, has been appointed to the role of night shift manager of the St. Louis bus depot. He must deal not only with the intricacies of keeping the station running smoothly, but also the employees and other personalities who frequent the station, all while dealing with his own demons. This was highlighted in the first episode, with a running gag of every character offering to buy him a drink upon his meeting them.

Most of the first season dealt with John's attempts to stay sober, with episodes representing each of the AA program's Twelve Steps. John constantly struggled to maintain control of the station, with regular conflicts with his secretary, Mahalia, the janitor, Heavy Gene, and most strongly with sandwich bar attendant Dexter, who had been turned down for the position to which John was appointed. Adding sexual tension to John's life was high class escort Carly, who was a friend of Dexter's.

Beginning with the second season, Hemingway (and the entire cast) changed from the night shift to the daytime hours, and the alcoholism sub-plot was de-emphasized.[1]

Cast

[edit]

The show was unusual for occasionally addressing issues of race through a multiracial cast, unlike most American sitcoms in the 1990s.[2]

Recurring role

[edit]

Over the course of its run, the show also featured cameos from a number of celebrities. Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty played themselves in a Golden Girls/Sunset Boulevard inspired episode. Fellow Night Court actors Harry Anderson, Charles Robinson and Marsha Warfield each appeared in an episode. David Cassidy, who composed the theme song used for the show's first two seasons, fell down drunk in the bus station near the end of the second season. June Lockhart and Richard Mulligan appeared in separate episodes as John's parents. Boyz II Men appeared in a 1994 episode that saw their tour bus break down at John's station. Joe Pesci, Richard S. "Kinky" Friedman, Dennis Miller, George Hamilton and Ray Charles also appeared playing themselves in episodes.

Other notable guest appearances included Bobcat Goldthwait, Matthew Perry, Dick Martin, Phil Hartman, Rip Torn, Jane Lynch, Tim Daly, Marion Ross, Donna Mills, Art LaFleur, Joey Lawrence, Molly Shannon, Philip Baker Hall, Len Lesser, Deezer D, Cheryl Tiegs, Dinah Manoff and Mila Kunis.

Episodes

[edit]

Series overview

[edit]
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
124September 2, 1993 (1993-09-02)April 12, 1994 (1994-04-12)
224September 20, 1994 (1994-09-20)August 29, 1995 (1995-08-29)
324September 30, 1995 (1995-09-30)May 21, 1996 (1996-05-21)
412September 18, 1996 (1996-09-18)October 30, 1996 (1996-10-30)

Season 1 (1993–94)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
11"Pilot"John WhitesellDon ReoSeptember 2, 1993 (1993-09-02)19.8[3]
Recovering alcoholic John Hemingway takes the night manager position in a run-down bus station, where the staff's antics and the job's responsibilities test his resolve to stay sober.
22"Thirty Day Chip"John WhitesellDon Reo & Judith D. AllisonSeptember 7, 1993 (1993-09-07)18.1[4]
Having managed thirty days of sobriety, John hopes to reconcile with his wife only to be served with divorce papers before he has the chance.
33"Celibate!"John WhitesellJames VallelySeptember 14, 1993 (1993-09-14)14.7[5]
In order to prove that he is serious about staying sober, John must promise his AA sponsor, Chester, that he will remain celibate for six months. This proves difficult when a young, unfulfilled, married woman passes through the depot.
44"This Is Not a Step"John WhitesellMitchell HurwitzSeptember 21, 1993 (1993-09-21)14.6[6]
John has to bail his con artist mother (June Lockhart) out of jail. Her reentry into his life conjures up painful memories of his childhood. Matters are further complicated when credit card slips go missing at the depot.
55"The Unforgiven"John WhitesellEva NeedlemanSeptember 28, 1993 (1993-09-28)13.1[7]
John juggles helping a runaway teen and his promise to Chester that he will make a list of all his wrongdoings and share it with someone as part of his commitment to AA.
66"Pros and Cons"John WhitesellBill RichmondOctober 5, 1993 (1993-10-05)13.3[8]
A friend/con artist from John's drinking days offers to cut him in on a lucrative real-estate scam only to cheat Mahalia out of her savings. Meanwhile the regulars at the depot hatch a plan to aid the escape of a naive teenager from a bounty hunter's custody.
77"Jumping Off the Wagon"John WhitesellBrenda HamptonOctober 12, 1993 (1993-10-12)17.5[9]
John's commitment to sobriety is tested by mounting pressure--including his sponsor's relapse and a petty gangster's protection racket.
88"The Past Comes Back"John WhitesellDon Reo & Judith D. AllisonOctober 26, 1993 (1993-10-26)10.6[10]
John questions his sexuality after he finds out that he may have been seduced by another man while he was blackout drunk.
99"There's a Mister Hitler Here to See You"John WhitesellJ.J. WallNovember 2, 1993 (1993-11-02)12.7[11]
John lands in trouble with the ACLU when he refuses to charter a bus for a neo-Nazi group while Dexter is blackmailed by a corrupt health inspector, Meanwhile an old writer friend of John's returns and reveals that he has written John's past into a novel.
1010"Amends"John WhitesellDon Reo & Judith D. AllisonNovember 23, 1993 (1993-11-23)16.3[12]
John visits his first ex-wife and his son, who John has not seen since he was a baby.
1111"Newcomer"John WhitesellDon Reo & Judith D. AllisonDecember 7, 1993 (1993-12-07)11.0[13]
John's new love affair hits a road bump when his girlfriend joins AA and must observe celibacy for six months.
1212"My Hero"John WhitesellBill RichmondDecember 14, 1993 (1993-12-14)10.5[14]
John has to talk sense into his alcoholic nephew who he introduced to drinking in the first place.
1313"God"John WhitesellJames VallelyDecember 21, 1993 (1993-12-21)12.4[15]
John gets hooked into a crap game and is caught stealing money from the register by Mahalia, who forces John to pray to the almighty for forgiveness. Meanwhile, Dexter finds out that his new girlfriend is a call girl.
1414"The Big Slip"John WhitesellMichael Hurwitz & James VallelyJanuary 4, 1994 (1994-01-04)12.1[16]
John is ordered to train his boss's unusual nephew (Bobcat Goldthwait) for a job at the station. It turns out that his eccentric behavior is the result of his being in AA for a year.
1515"Death and Dishonor"John WhitesellDon Reo & Judith D. AllisonJanuary 11, 1994 (1994-01-11)11.3[17]
John must handle a feud between Mahalia and her sister Linda while coping with the death of Chester.
1616"Don't Drink and Drive Nuclear Waste"John WhitesellJ.J. WallJanuary 18, 1994 (1994-01-18)13.0[18]
John damages the official U.S. inch, and worries that one of the station's drivers is drinking on the job.
1717"Eggs"John WhitesellEve NeedlemanJanuary 30, 1994 (1994-01-30)17.8[19]
When Dexter's truck breaks down he ends up staying in a dingy motel with John and some crates
1818"Dirty Deeds"John WhitesellDon Reo & Judith D. AllisonFebruary 1, 1994 (1994-02-01)13.0[20]
John runs into his by old college roommate dressed as Marlene Dietrich at a drag show. Mahalia is blackmailed over an appearance she made in a dirty movie.
1919"Another Average Night"John WhitesellDon Reo & Judith D. AllisonFebruary 1, 1994 (1994-02-01)14.5[20]
John discovers that his current girlfriend is married and is soon confronted at gunpoint by her husband. Mahalia's ex-husband (Miguel Perez) visits.
2020"John and Carol"John WhitesellDorothy ReoFebruary 8, 1994 (1994-02-08)12.8[21]
John and his ex-wife (John Larroquette, guest star Donna Mills) have an argument at the station when their son (guest star Omri Katz) appears on John's doorstep.
2121"Grit"John WhitesellJ.J. WallMarch 15, 1994 (1994-03-15)12.3[22]
Eggers (Elizabeth Berridge) develops a crush on John (John Larroquette) after he rescues her from a crazed gunman.
2222"Date Night"John WhitesellDon Reo & Judith D. AllisonMarch 22, 1994 (1994-03-22)10.2[23]
Dexter is outraged when his sister strikes up a friendship with Hemingway; Mahalia is overjoyed to hear her first boyfriend is coming to visit; Carly reports to Hemingway that she was sent out on a house call-to his son.
2323"Wasted Lives"John WhitesellMitchell Hurwitz & Jim VallelyMarch 29, 1994 (1994-03-29)12.3[24]
John becomes an AA sponsor but ends up accidentally eating a pot brownie and gets really high. Adam meets his estranged father who wants something from him. Also, actor Joe Pesci (playing himself) briefly visits Oscar for selfish reasons.
2424"A Dark and Stormy Night"Greg AntonacciDon ReoApril 12, 1994 (1994-04-12)12.0[25]
John feels suicidal on his birthday, but discovers new meaning when the bus station is held hostage.

Season 2 (1994–95)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
251"Changes"John WhitesellDon Reo & Judith D. AllisonSeptember 20, 1994 (1994-09-20)16.5[26]
The show is retooled as John gets a new apartment, is moved to the day shift at the bus station, and strikes up a friendship with Catherine Merrick, a night shift nurse and potential love interest.
262"Hiding Out"John WhitesellDon Reo & Judith D. AllisonSeptember 27, 1994 (1994-09-27)16.0[27]
273"A Bird in the Hand"John WhitesellDon Reo & Judith D. AllisonOctober 4, 1994 (1994-10-04)17.5[28]
284"Good News/Bad News"John WhitesellEve NeedlemanOctober 18, 1994 (1994-10-18)15.1[29]
295"The Tutor"John WhitesellJ.J. WallOctober 25, 1994 (1994-10-25)15.6[30]
306"Acting Alone"John WhitesellMitchell HurwitzNovember 1, 1994 (1994-11-01)17.7[31]
The guys find a film in a storage room that shows the JFK assassination from a different angle. Meanwhile, Eggers decides she wants John to sire her baby.
317"Vacation"John WhitesellDon Reo & Judith D. AllisonNovember 8, 1994 (1994-11-08)13.7[32]
328"The Book of Rachel"John WhitesellDon Reo & Judith D. AllisonNovember 15, 1994 (1994-11-15)15.7[33]
A free-spirited young hippie claims to be John's illegitimate daughter.
339"Freedom's Just Another Word for Nothing Left to Lose, But Then So's Desperate"John WhitesellDon Reo & Judith D. AllisonNovember 22, 1994 (1994-11-22)17.1[34]
Mahalia attracts an admirer who wants to buy her a cheese sandwich. Dexter's impression of Carly's lousy mood moves John to cheer her up with a dance but unfortunately, Catherine walks in on them.
3410"Just Like a Woman"John WhitesellRon ZimmermanNovember 29, 1994 (1994-11-29)16.3[35]
Dexter dates a beautiful woman who shares John's name (the woman's father always wanted a boy). When Dexter kisses her he only sees John (Larroquette) with long hair.
3511"A Cult to the System"John WhitesellJames VallelyDecember 6, 1994 (1994-12-06)15.3[36]
John learns that his estranged son has joined a cult and tries to discourage him away from it.
3612"The Job"John WhitesellBill RichmondDecember 13, 1994 (1994-12-13)16.0[37]
John hears about a better paying job opening at the New Orleans bus station. When he arrives he finds his co-workers are also applying for the same job.
3713"Faith"Gil JungerDavid RichardsonJanuary 10, 1995 (1995-01-10)17.6[38]
A face appears an outside wall of the bus station that has a very Jesus like look. Everyone but John thinks it is a sign and pray to it.
3814"The Defiant One"John WhitesellJ.J. WallJanuary 17, 1995 (1995-01-17)16.0[39]
John sticks up for Dexter and Gene when they are profiled and arrested for just standing around outside a theater, but his tirade gets him arrested also.
3915"Wrestling Matches"Gil JungerJames VallelyJanuary 31, 1995 (1995-01-31)13.8[40]
John's old drunk acquaintance Jefferson Kelly (played by David Cassidy) shows up rolling down some stairs to the station floor. John decides to help him dry up.
4016"Whipping Post"John WhitesellDavid RichardsonFebruary 7, 1995 (1995-02-07)14.3[41]
Carley's brother (Joey Lawrence) visits the bus station and John realizes he can't read when he can't read the sign to Carley's Bar.
4117"Bad Pennies"John WhitesellDon Reo & Judith D. AllisonFebruary 14, 1995 (1995-02-14)15.6[42]
Catherine's ex-husband returns, drunk, in hopes of winning her back
4218"Time Out"John WhitesellDon Reo & Judith D. AllisonFebruary 28, 1995 (1995-02-28)15.9[43]
John is visited by a former schoolmate (Cheryl Tiegs) after Catherine puts their romance on hold.
4319"In the Pink"John WhitesellTeresa O'NeillMarch 7, 1995 (1995-03-07)13.4[44]
Dexter is left in charge of the bus station for one disastrous night.
4420"You Bet Your Life"John WhitesellTeresa O'NeillMarch 14, 1995 (1995-03-14)14.3[45]
4521"Rachel Redux"John WhitesellDon Reo & Judith D. AllisonMay 9, 1995 (1995-05-09)16.0[46]
4622"Several Unusual Love Stories"John WhitesellDorothy ReoMay 23, 1995 (1995-05-23)15.1[47]
4723"The Wedding"John WhitesellMitchell Hurwitz & Jim VallelyAugust 22, 1995 (1995-08-22)14.9[48]
4824"And the Heat Goes On"Gil JungerCatherine LePardAugust 29, 1995 (1995-08-29)12.9[49]

Season 3 (1995–96)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
491"More Changes"John WhitesellMitchell HurwitzSeptember 30, 1995 (1995-09-30)10.6[50]
John proposes to Catherine, but both of them fail to show up at their own wedding.
502"Even More Changes"John WhitesellMitchell HurwitzOctober 7, 1995 (1995-10-07)8.9[51]
Even more changes rock their relationship after John and Catherine (John Larroquette and Alison La Placa) decide to try dating again.
513"Rachel and Tony"John WhitesellDon Reo & Judith D. AllisonOctober 21, 1995 (1995-10-21)8.7[52]
Unaware they are related, John's children (Mayim Bialik and Omri Katz), meet, hit it off and leave together.
524"A Moveable Feast"John WhitesellMartin WeissNovember 4, 1995 (1995-11-04)8.0[53]
A newspaper editor accuses John of committing plagiarism to win a writing contest.
535"Johns"John WhitesellMichael Davidoff & Bill RosenthalNovember 14, 1995 (1995-11-14)15.0[54]
John becomes jealous when another man named John asks Catherine out on a date.
546"Night Moves"John WhitesellMichael Davidoff & Bill RosenthalDecember 12, 1995 (1995-12-12)14.5[55]
Carly introduces her millionaire boyfriend, who has an unexpected connection to Dexter. Meanwhile, John and Catherine flirt with the danger of possible break-ins.
557"An Odd Cup of Tea"John WhitesellJohn RidleyDecember 19, 1995 (1995-12-19)18.5[56]
To check items off his bucket list, John tries skydiving and visits his childhood home, and surprises ensue. Catherine displays her vocal chops, and Hampton does a sit-up and receives flowers.
568"Love on the Line"John WhitesellJohn RidleyDecember 26, 1995 (1995-12-26)13.1[57]
Disguising his online identity, John uses the internet to make a date with Catherine.
579"Master Class"John WhitesellPam BradyJanuary 2, 1996 (1996-01-02)14.4[58]
John's ego is shattered when he and Dexter enroll in a creative-writing class.
5810"Ring of Fire"John WhitesellMartin WeissJanuary 9, 1996 (1996-01-09)19.1[59]
Gene makes his professional boxing debut; John is seduced by Mahalia's younger sister.
5911"John's Lucky Day"John WhitesellDon Reo & Judith D. AllisonJanuary 16, 1996 (1996-01-16)17.4[60]
John's luck reaches an end when he bets Catherine's money and the bookie disappears with the winnings.
6012"Black and White and Red All Over"John WhitesellUrsula Ziegler & Steve SullivanJanuary 30, 1996 (1996-01-30)16.5[61]
A seductive performance artist invites John to her loft after John writes a scathing newspaper review of her work.
6113"The Housewarming"John WhitesellPam BradyFebruary 6, 1996 (1996-02-06)18.8[62]
John ends up sharing a house with his old flame Carley when he leases the house owned by her boyfriend.
6214"Cosmetic Perjury"John WhitesellLes EberhardFebruary 13, 1996 (1996-02-13)16.1[63]
Eve considers a breast reduction so John takes her to consult a plastic surgeon (Harry Anderson). When eve calls John an older man, John then considers age reducing plastic surgery.
6315"The Train Wreck"John WhitesellDonald SiegelFebruary 20, 1996 (1996-02-20)17.2[64]
John's romantic weekend plans with a Yoga Instructor get derailed when he spots Catherine with her old beau riding the same train to a mud bath health resort they had reserved before breaking up.
6416"Some Call Them Beasts"John WhitesellMartin WeissFebruary 27, 1996 (1996-02-27)16.7[65]
Disaster ensues when John finagles an invitation to a cocktail party hosted by his favorite author.
6517"Here We Go Again"John WhitesellMichael Davidoff & Bill Rosenthal & James Vallely & Mitchell HurwitzMarch 12, 1996 (1996-03-12)17.3[66]
John and Catherine collaborate in a bus-station production of "Golden Girls: The Musical."
6618"The Dance"John WhitesellDavid LandsbergMarch 26, 1996 (1996-03-26)17.5[67]
John and Catherine start bickering when he gives her dance lessons to help her prepare for a wedding.
6719"A Night to Remember"John WhitesellJim Vallely & Mitchell HurwitzApril 9, 1996 (1996-04-09)17.1[68]
After Gene finally cleans the men's bathroom, John suddenly remembers a night nine years ago when he passed through as a passenger.
6820"Independence Day"John WhitesellPam BradyApril 23, 1996 (1996-04-23)17.7[69]
John (John Larroquette) mistakenly is hailed as a new Hispanic leader after entering a writing contest. With Liz Torres.
6921"Hello, Baby, Hello"John WhitesellJim Vallely & Mitchell HurwitzApril 30, 1996 (1996-04-30)15.2[70]
Gene becoming a father causes Catherine to realize she wants a baby. She asks John to be the father and he agrees, which causes an emotional roller coaster between the two of them. Meanwhile, Dexter joins a reality show "the Reality House".
7022"Intern Writer"John WhitesellWill GluckMay 7, 1996 (1996-05-07)12.1[71]
John gets an internship at a newspaper which doesn't turn out to be the dream job he pictured until he's tasked with the obits that turns into an investigation of the paper's publisher's death. And Gene struggles to comfort his newborn.
7123"Running for Carly"John WhitesellJohn LevensteinMay 14, 1996 (1996-05-14)13.2[72]
As a favor to Carly, John reluctantly agrees to help her boyfriend, Karl, with his senate campaign. It becomes clear Karl's more into image than anything (which could hurt Carly), John throws his "ring into the hat" and runs himself.
7224"Happy Endings (Part 1)"John WhitesellCatherine LePardMay 21, 1996 (1996-05-21)14.5[73]
John tries to keep his electric car charged. Carly breaks up with Karl and wants John back. Dexter warns John against it. Mahalia hits it off with John's landlord. There's a wedding and a giant shoe. Catherine has something to tell John.

Season 4 (1996)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
731"Untying the Knot (Part 2)"David TrainerMitchell HurwitzSeptember 18, 1996 (1996-09-18)11.4[74]
On the day of Carly and John's wedding, Catherine tells John she's pregnant. When John tells Carly, Carly suggests Catherine stay with them. John wonders how he'll survive.
742"Mother of the Year"David TrainerPam BradySeptember 25, 1996 (1996-09-25)9.1[75]
As Mahalia is dealing with a custody battle, John writes an essay about her for a Mother of the Year contest. Her winning the contest sets off a series of unpleasant events.
753"Bathing with Ernest Hemingway"David TrainerDonald SeigalOctober 2, 1996 (1996-10-02)10.0[76]
Feeling they aren't connecting like they should, fitness-freak Carly takes a literature course. In turn, brainy John decides to start working out, taking up Eggers's offer of her being his personal trainer at the police officers' gym.
764"The Blues Traveler"David TrainerPaul PerloveOctober 9, 1996 (1996-10-09)N/A
Carly and John break up after a therapy session. As a just friends favor, John goes to the airport to pick up Ray Charles, who's due to perform at Carly's bar, but he ends up leaving the musician behind and the bar without entertainment.
775"Copies"David TrainerTom Saunders & Kell CahoonOctober 16, 1996 (1996-10-16)N/A
Dexter invites his estranged father to watch a production of John's play; John misinterprets a sign from a man who doesn't speak English.
786"Isosceles Love Triangle"David TrainerWill GluckOctober 30, 1996 (1996-10-30)10.7[77]
After John gives Eggers advice on how to get the man of her dreams, she uses the opportunity to get him to agree to be her date for a Halloween party. Meanwhile, Gene must prove his mettle by cleaning up a toxic chemical spill. (Series Finale)
797"Napping to Success"David TrainerJohn LevensteinUnaired (Unaired)N/A
808"Cheeses H. Taste"David TrainerPam BradyUnaired (Unaired)N/A
819"When Yussel Learned to Yodel"David TrainerTom Saunders & Kell CahoonUnaired (Unaired)N/A
8210"Humble Pi"David TrainerWill GluckUnaired (Unaired)N/A
8311"Friends"David TrainerDonald SeigalUnaired (Unaired)N/A
8412"Pandora's Box"David TrainerJohn LevensteinUnaired (Unaired)N/A

History

[edit]
Season TV Season Episodes Time slot (ET)
1 1993–94 24 Thursday at 9:30 pm (Episode 1)
Tuesday at 9:00 pm (Episodes 2–16, 18)
Sunday at 10:00 pm (Episode 17)
Tuesday at 9:30 pm (Episodes 19–24)
2 1994–95 24 Tuesday at 9:30 pm (Episodes 1-23)
Tuesday at 8:30 pm (Episode 24)
3 1995–96 24 Saturday at 9:00 pm (Episodes 1–4)
Tuesday at 9:30 pm (Episodes 5-24)
4 1996–97 12 (6 unaired) Wednesday at 8:30 pm

Despite receiving early favorable critical reviews,[78][79][80] the first season finished 96th overall, in part due to its time slot opposing Roseanne (which was fourth overall during the same season).[81] By Larroquette's own admission, though, the show's first season wasn't prime-time material due to its dark nature[82] – at least not for network television.

The show faced cancellation,[83] until Larroquette requested the chance to retool the series, which NBC granted. Much of the dark humor was removed, for a more "toned-down" feel. The sets were brighter, and the cast were transferred from the night shift to day. John's dingy bed-sit was traded for a nice apartment. Oscar, the old bum who lived in one of the bus station phone booths, was cleaned up and became a shoeshine, and the prostitute character Carly (Gigi Rice) went "straight" – buying the bar and becoming a model citizen. The producers also gave John a wholesome romantic interest in the form of nurse Catherine Merrick, played by Alison La Placa. The series continued in this more prime-time-friendly format for two more years.

Decline and cancellation

[edit]

In an attempt to boost the third season opener, but without increasing the budget, it featured a faux guest appearance by Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Frasier Crane, whom John calls for advice (not knowing he is on Frasier's live radio program). Ratings did not improve, however. John and Carly got married in the third-season finale while Catherine was seemingly pregnant with John's child. It was revealed that Catherine was experiencing a phantom pregnancy and left the show. The John Larroquette Show was cancelled abruptly one month into its fourth season, the last episode airing on October 30, 1996, showing John and Officer Eggers on a date at a Halloween party. Six episodes remained unaired until being shown on the USA Network years later.[84]

Production

[edit]

The series was originally to be called Crossroads; however, NBC wished to make the most of John Larroquette's popularity from his previous role on Night Court, and insisted on naming the show after him.[85]

The show was videotaped, but processed by NBC to make it look like it was recorded on film.[86] Reruns on other networks had the show in its original videotaped format.

Theme song

[edit]

The series' theme song, "The Skrewy St. Louis Blues", is a bluesy tune performed by David Cassidy on acoustic guitar with a scat vocal. A version of the performance lasting approximately one minute was used in the opening and closing sequences of the show during its first season. A much shorter edit of the song (lasting less than ten seconds) was heard only during the opening logo during the later seasons. An upbeat, jazzy instrumental tune was occasionally used for the closing theme in seasons three and four.

Steve Cochran, a former radio host on WGN Radio in Chicago, used the Cassidy song as the theme music for his own radio program up until he was fired.

Critical reception

[edit]

The Los Angeles Times once referred to the series as "sitcom noir".[87]

The show was nominated and won several technical awards over its four-year run,[88] and Larroquette was nominated in 1994 for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. Guest star Betty White won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series in 1996 for her appearance in the Season 3 episode "Here We Go Again".

Liz Torres, also nominated in 1994 for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, won the NCLR/ALMA Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Comedy Series in 1996 for her role in the series. She would also win a Nosotros Golden Eagle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Series in 1997.

Thomas Pynchon

[edit]

After the series made several references to reclusive novelist Thomas Pynchon's work and reputation, Pynchon (through his agent) reportedly contacted the series' producers to offer suggestions and corrections. When a local Pynchon sighting became a major plot point in a 1994 episode of the series, Pynchon was sent the script for his approval; as well as providing the title of a fictitious work to be used in one episode ("Pandemonium of the Sun"), the novelist apparently vetoed a final scene that called for an extra playing him to be filmed from behind, walking away from the shot.[89][90] Pynchon also insisted that it should be specifically mentioned in the episode that Pynchon was seen wearing a T-shirt showing psychedelic-rock musician Roky Erickson.[91] According to the Los Angeles Times, this spurred an increase in sales of Erickson's albums.[92]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Ahead of Its Time, 'The John Larroquette Show' Was Brilliant". Vulture. July 13, 2017. Archived from the original on June 1, 2018.
  2. ^ Werts, Diana (January 26, 1996). "Segregation Lives On In Sitcomland". Columbia Daily Spectator.
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