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Katie Joplin

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Katie Joplin
An image with two photos (one of a man and another of a woman next to a young boy). The two images are placed against a pale green background with yellow and red boxes framing them.
GenreSitcom
Created by
  • Tom Seeley
  • Norm Gunzenhauser
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes7 (2 unaired)
Production
Running time30 minutes
Production companyWarner Bros. Television
Original release
NetworkThe WB
ReleaseAugust 9 (1999-08-09) –
September 6, 1999 (1999-09-06)

Katie Joplin is an American sitcom created by Tom Seeley and Norm Gunzenhauser that aired for one season on The WB Television Network (the WB) from August 1999 to September 1999. It is about Katie Joplin (Park Overall) who moves from Knoxville to Philadelphia and tries to balance her job as a radio program host with parenting her teenage son Greg (Jesse Head). Supporting characters include Katie's niece Liz Berlin (Ana Reeder) as well as her co-workers, played by Jay Thomas, Jim Rash, and Simon Rex. Majandra Delfino guest-starred in three episodes as the daughter of the radio station's general manager.

Warner Bros. Television produced the series, and its premise was developed from a pitch that Overall gave to the WB. The network initially optioned the show as a potential mid-season replacement for the 1998–1999 television season, but it was delayed for a year due to production issues. Production on Katie Joplin was halted in October 1998 because the WB and Warner Bros. Television were disappointed with its development.

Katie Joplin received the lowest ratings for any original program WB aired in its time slot. Prior to the show's premiere, the WB already decided to cancel it, feeling it would not connect with a younger demographic. Only five episodes aired, although seven were filmed. Critics recommended Katie Joplin prior to its premiere, and the delay in its airing was the subject of discussion. Retrospective reviews of the series were negative.

Premise and characters

The series follows Katie Joplin (Park Overall), who moves from Knoxville, Tennessee to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[1] She is a single mother to her 14-year-old son Greg (Jesse Head), and is estranged from her husband Jerry.[1][2] While in Knoxville, she was disappointed with her job in a bottling plant, where she worked 16 hours a day.[2] She travels to Philadelphia to track down her husband and find a new job.[2] Katie's niece Liz Berlin (Ana Reeder) allows her and Greg to live in her loft on a temporary basis.[2][3] Liz is an editor at a popular fashion magazine,[3] and according to television historians Tim Brooks and Earle F. Marsh, the series characterizes her through her fashion.[1] Katie first works for the Crescent Corset Company and later Car City, while her son attends Benjamin Franklin High School.[2]

Katie makes a positive first impression with WLBP-FM's general manager Glen Shotz (Jay Thomas) while trying to sell him a car.[1][2] Thomas approached his character from a sympathetic viewpoint; he explained: "I'm trying to make this guy more human than any general manager I've ever had."[4] Brooks and Marsh wrote that the series portrays Katie through her "perception, Southern wit, and strong opinions", and they believed these qualities are why she is hired to host a phone-in radio program.[1] Katie gets a six-hour overnight show titled The Katie Joplin Show, in which she gives advice on love.[2][5] Program director Mitchell Tuit (Jim Rash) dislikes Katie as he opposes a talk show airing on his primarily rock and roll station. In an attempt to sabotage the program, he pairs her with the inexperienced producer Tiger French (Simon Rex).[1] The Malay Mail's Marina Abdul Ghani wrote that Katie quickly becomes popular with listeners because she can get "right to the heart of the matter".[3]

Glen has a teenage daughter, Sara Shotz (Majandra Delfino), out-of-wedlock and has not talked to her in years.[3] During the show, he has a wife who recently gave birth to twins.[6] Upon Katie's encouragement, Glen reconnects with Sara, and spoils her and hires her as a receptionist despite her incompetence. Sarah treats Glen respectfully after he disciplines her, and she moves in with him.[3] An episode focuses on Sara and Tiger secretly dating.[3] The show's storylines are often about Katie's attempt to balance her career and her relationship with her son.[2] Head said that he shared several characteristics with Greg, explaining that they both come from small towns and enjoy "the music and baggy pants".[7]

Production and broadcast history

Tom Seeley and Norm Gunzenhauser created Katie Joplin and were its executive producers.[8][9] Author Richard Irvin wrote that it was similar to the sitcom Murphy Brown, which was also produced by Seeley and Gunzenhauser.[6] Katie Joplin's premise was developed in 1998 and based on a pitch that Overall made to the WB during a presentation.[10] She said the series "brings the mountain spirit and mountain wisdom to the city of brotherly love",[11] and described its tone as "very upbeat (and) very odd".[12] Warner Bros. Television produced the series, which was filmed in front of a studio audience.[9][13]

The WB Television Network (the WB) had originally optioned Katie Joplin as a mid-season replacement for the 1998–1999 television season. The network had considered it along with Zoe, Duncan, Jack and Jane, Baby Blues, and Movie Stars for its Sunday line-up.[14] It was delayed to 1999 due to unspecified production issues.[11][15] The WB and Warner Bros. Television were disappointed with the series,[6] and stopped production in October 1998.[15] Katie Joplin was developed under three working titles: Untitled Park Overall Project, You're With Kate, and Citizen Kate.[5][16][17]

Katie Joplin premiered on August 9, 1999, and the final episode aired on September 6, 1999.[1] Seven episodes were filmed, although only five aired.[18][19] The series carried a TV-PG rating for suggestive dialogue and coarse or crude language.[20] Broadcast on Monday nights at 9:30 pm EST, each episode lasts 30 minutes with commercials.[1][21] Katie Joplin received the lowest ratings for any original WB program that aired in the time slot.[6] When discussing these low ratings, The Washington Post columnist Lisa de Moraes wrote: "Maybe they should've let a couple of people know they were running it."[22] In 2016, Irvin listed Katie Joplin in his book Forgotten Laughs: An Episode Guide to 150 TV Sitcoms You Probably Never Saw.[6]

Overall learned the WB canceled Katie Joplin while promoting the sitcom Ladies Man; she said: "I think that's pretty rude. Honey, they didn't even call me to tell me they were canceling it!" According to Overall, the WB decided to cancel the series months before it aired as they did not believe it could attract a young demographic.[23] Rob Owen, while writing for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, said Katie Joplin was scheduled for a "short run",[24] and Times Leader's Norma Cavazos described it as a "summer series".[25] de Moraes considered it an example of burning off, a practice in which a television network airs an already-canceled show as filler.[22]

Episodes

No.Title [6]Directed by [6]Written by [6]Original air date [6]US viewers
(millions)		Rating/share
(households) [a]
1"I'd Rather Be in Philadelphia"Steve ZuckermanNorm Gunzenhauser and Tom SeeleyAugust 9, 1999 (1999-08-09)2.1[27]1.6/3[27]
After following her husband to Philadelphia, Katie Joplin receives a job as a radio show host after impressing the station's general manager Glen Shotz. The station's program director Mitchell Tuit attempts to sabotage Katie by having her work with the inexperienced producer Tiger French. Katie abandons her plan to reunite with her husband after realizing he will continue to be unfaithful to her.[6]
2"Charcoaled Gray"Steve ZuckermanAmy Engelberg and Wendy EngelbergAugust 16, 1999 (1999-08-16)1.87[28]1.5/2[29]
Katie's son Greg gets detention after refusing a burnt sandwich from the cafeteria. When Katie shares his story on her radio show, Greg is bullied by two students. Meanwhile, Tiger helps Katie steal Mitchell's leather office chair.[6]
3"Promotion Commotion"Steve ZuckermanBill KunstlerAugust 23, 1999 (1999-08-23)1.49[30]1.1/2[31]
Katie's radio show receives a city-wide promotional campaign. While Katie is distracted with work, Greg faces peer pressure from his new friend and gets caught breaking an abandoned building's windows. Because of this, Katie asks Glen to cut back on her busy campaign schedule. At the station, Tiger is uncomfortable with romantic advances from Glen's 16-year-old daughter Sara.[6][b]
4"Parent Trap"Howard MurrayMarc FlanaganAugust 30, 1999 (1999-08-30)2.15[32]1.7/3[33]
Glen spoils Sara with presents and a job at the radio station, and Katie is angry when he refuses to discipline her. After getting Katie's advice, Glenn talks to Sara, and she decides to live with him. Meanwhile, Katie has trouble with her finances after her husband uses their joint credit cards for a shopping spree.[6]
5"Kill the Messenger"Howard MurrayMichael BornhorstSeptember 6, 1999 (1999-09-06)1.78[34]1.3/2[35]
Katie discovers Tiger has been secretly dating Sara and encourages him to tell Glen. However, Tiger decides to break up Sara instead, but Glen still finds out about their relationship. They later discover Sarah has begun dating an intern from the station's mailroom. While preparing for a Bar Mitzvah, Greg turns to Katie's niece Liz Berlin for advice.[6]
6"We're Not in Tennessee Anymore, Toto"James HamptonMarc FlanaganUnaired——
Katie wants to spend more time with Greg, but worries about him after seeing his response to Liz's relationship with a male model. Liz becomes angry with Katie, who interrupts one of her business meetings, and Greg attempts to help the two reconcile. Meanwhile, Katie starts receiving her things from Tennessee and Greg is worried about seeing his father again.[6][c]
7"Tiger's Choice"Joe RegalbutoEd DriscollUnaired——
Tiger feels under-appreciated at his job, and asks for a better salary and more respect. Katie is uncomfortable with Glen's growing friendship with Greg.[6]

Critical reception

Prior to its debut, Katie Joplin was recommended by critics from TV Guide,[11] The News Journal,[36] The Arizona Republic,[37] and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.[38] Rob Owen believed the series would appeal to fans of Overall who was well-known for her role on the sitcom Empty Nest.[24]

Some reviewers commented on the delay with the show's airing.[39][40] David Bianculli, while writing for Fort Worth Star-Telegram, said both Katie Joplin and the CBS sitcom Thanks were not "deemed worthy of consideration for their respective networks' fall schedules".[39] A Dayton Daily News reviewer questioned the WB's decision, and wondered "perhaps they want us to decide for ourselves just why that might be". The writer highlighted Thomas's casting as the main reason for their "curiosity about what might have gone wrong here".[40]

Retrospective reviews of the series were negative.[41][42] Journalist Josh Chetwynd referred to it as one of the WB's "big bombs" in a 2000 article for USA Today.[42] In a 2011 Radio World article, Stephen Winzenburg described Katie Joplin as a failure. He felt it was unrealistic for a middle-aged woman to be hired as a radio host without any prior experience, and said the featured radio station (87.5 FM) was an unlikely dial position.[41]

References

Notes

  1. ^ "Rating" represents the percentage of American households with a television watching an episode during any given minute of its broadcast while "share" represents the percentage of American households with a television in use watching an episode during any given minute of its broadcast.[26]
  2. ^ Sara was supposed to be introduced in the show's fourth episode "Parent Trap". However, "Promotion Commotion" aired first, even though it was produced as the season's fifth episode.[6]
  3. ^ "We're Not in Tennessee Anymore, Toto" was the third episode produced for the series.[6]

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Brooks & Marsh (2009): p. 729
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Terrace (2008): pp. 557–558
  3. ^ a b c d e f Ghani, Marina Abdul (August 3, 2000). "Watch out for Katie!". Malay Mail. p. 22 – via ProQuest.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) (subscription required)
  4. ^ Beck, Marilyn; Smith, Stacy Jenel (October 5, 1998). "Diamond Polishing His New Act Before Taking It Out on the Road". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Pierce, Scott D. (May 20, 1998). "The WB adds Thursday nights and 4 new series". Deseret News. Archived from the original on August 5, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Irvin (2016)
  7. ^ Sayles, Damon (October 18, 1999). "Local teen to have role in sitcom, has eyes on big screen". Image. Seguin Gazette. p. 2B. Retrieved October 22, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Niedt, Bob (October 13, 2011). "Casting begins for 'Upstate,' a pilot episode of a proposed TV series to be set and filmed in Syracuse". The Post-Standard. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012.
  9. ^ a b Morrison, Pamela (August 3, 1999). "The WB's New Comedy Katie Joplin Completes the Summer Season". WarnerMedia. Archived from the original on August 6, 2018.
  10. ^ Beck, Marilyn; Smith, Stacy Jenel (April 1, 1998). "'Seinfeld' Finale Could Close New York's 42nd Street". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on August 6, 2018. (subscription required)
  11. ^ a b c "New Park Overall TV Show,'Katie Joplin,' Premieres Monday". The Greeneville Sun. August 7, 1999. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  12. ^ "TV Newsmakers". Television. Florida Today. August 9, 1999. p. 4D. Retrieved April 25, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ Leszczak (2018): pp. 101–102
  14. ^ Hontz, Jenny (May 19, 1998). "'Creek' tweak in WB's sked". Variety. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
  15. ^ a b Beck, Marilyn; Smith, Stacy Jenel (November 30, 1998). "Taking Bulworth by the Horns". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L10 – via ProQuest.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) (subscription required)
  16. ^ Schneider, Schneider (May 11, 1998). "Network Pilots Run from 'Quirky' to 'Hollyweird'". Advertising Age. Archived from the original on August 5, 2018.
  17. ^ Beck, Marilyn; Smith, Stacy Jenel (June 15, 1998). "McRee Bonds with Mom of School Shooting Suspect". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on August 6, 2018. (subscription required)
  18. ^ "Episodes". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 6, 2018.
  19. ^ "Tonight's Prime Time". Television/Entertainment. Statesman Journal. August 9, 1999. p. 3D. Retrieved July 26, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "'Moesha' spin-off: Hilarious, or just too painful to watch?". The Standard-Times. August 30, 1999. Archived from the original on August 5, 2018.
  21. ^ "Don't Touch That Dial". Kitsap Sun. August 9, 1999. Archived from the original on August 5, 2018.
  22. ^ a b de Moraes, Lisa (August 25, 1999). "The Game Show Must Go On". The Washington Post. p. C07 – via ProQuest.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) (subscription required)
  23. ^ Leifer, Carol (September 4, 1999). "TV Dish: The WB Acts Its Age". Television. Steven Point Journal. p. T3. Retrieved July 26, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ a b Owen, Rob (August 8, 1999). "Hot Ticket". Arts & Entertainment. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. G-2. Archived from the original on August 6, 2018.
  25. ^ Cavazos, Norma (September 3, 1999). "Check international sports channel for down under football". Celebrity Questions. Times Leader. p. 7C. Retrieved April 25, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. ^ Welch, Alex (January 4, 2020). "The Masked Singer adjusts up, SEAL Team adjusts down: Wednesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019.
  27. ^ a b "Primetime TV Rate Race". The Hollywood Reporter. Vol. 359, no. 9. August 18, 1999. pp. 16–17 – via ProQuest. (subscription required)
  28. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership". Los Angeles Times (Orange County ed.). August 25, 1999. p. F12 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "Primetime TV Rate Race". The Hollywood Reporter. Vol. 359, no. 14. August 25, 1999. pp. 16–17 – via ProQuest. (subscription required)
  30. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership". Los Angeles Times (Orange County ed.). September 1, 1999. p. F13 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ "People's Choice". Broadcasting & Cable. September 6, 1999. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. (subscription required)
  32. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership". Los Angeles Times. September 10, 1999. p. F28 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ "People's Choice" (PDF). Broadcasting & Cable. September 13, 1999. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  34. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership". Los Angeles Times. September 15, 1999. p. F10 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ "Primetime TV Rate Race". The Hollywood Reporter. Vol. 359, no. 29. September 15, 1999. pp. 32–33 – via ProQuest. (subscription required)
  36. ^ "Best Bet". TV. The News Journal. August 8, 1999. p. TV10. Retrieved October 22, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ Law, Bonnie Baker (August 9, 1999). "Best Bets". TV. The Arizona Republic. p. D6. Retrieved April 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ "Highlights". Television. South Florida Sun Sentinel. August 9, 1999. p. 4D. Retrieved April 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ a b Bianculli, David (August 9, 1999). "Best Bets". Life & Arts. Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 8D. Retrieved April 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ^ a b "Today's Sure Bets". TV. Dayton Daily News. August 9, 1999. p. 5C. Retrieved October 22, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ a b Winzenburg, Stephen (September 18, 2011). "Do You Remember 'Talk to Me'?". Radio World. Archived from the original on August 6, 2018.
  42. ^ a b Chetwynd, Josh (January 18, 2000). "Happy birthday, UPN and WB Some candles on the cake burn brighter than others". USA Today. p. 04D – via ProQuest.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) (subscription required)

Book sources

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