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Diana (American TV series)

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For the 1984 UK series, see Diana (British TV series).
Diana
GenreSitcom
Created byLeonard B. Stern
Gordon Farr
Arnold Kane
Written byLeonard B. Stern
Stanley Charles
Stan Cutler
StarringDiana Rigg
Richard B. Shull
Barbara Barrie
Carole Androsky
Richard Mulligan
Robert Moore
Theme music composerJerry Fielding
ComposerJerry Fielding
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes15
Production
Executive producersHarry R. Sherman
Leonard B. Stern
ProducersLeonard B. Stern
Gordon Farr
Arnold Kane
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time25 mins.
Production companyTalent Associates-Norton Simon, Inc.
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseSeptember 10, 1973 (1973-09-10) –
January 7, 1974 (1974-01-07)

Diana is an American sitcom that aired on NBC during the 1973–1974 television season that was created by Leonard Stern, which ran from September 10, 1973 to January 7, 1974. The series was filmed in front of a live studio audience at CBS Studio Center in Los Angeles.

Premise

The series starred Diana Rigg in her first American television series, as Diana Smythe, a recently divorced British fashion designer who moves to the States in the hopes of becoming more noticed in the fashion world by relocating to New York City. As the series begins she has landed a high-profile job as a fashion coordinator at Buckley's Department Store. Since her city-dwelling brother is out of the country indefinitely she moves into his apartment, which to her bemusement becomes the site of many unannounced visits by her brother’s numerous girlfriends.

Each episode finds Diana trying to adjust to American life with help from her next door neighbor Holly Green (Carole Androsky), copywriter Howard Tollbrook (Richard B. Shull), window decorator Marshall Tyler (Robert Moore) and new pal Jeff Harmon (Richard Mulligan), while dealing with her boss Norman Brodnik (David Sheiner) and his wife Norma (Barbara Barrie).

Production

Prior to being picked up by NBC, the series had the working title The Diana Rigg Show with Rigg playing Elyse Smythe. Also in the pilot was Nanette Fabray as Norma Brodnik, but after it was changed to Diana, Fabray was replaced with Barrie in the Norma role.

NBC was hoping to capitalize on the success of single and independent women sitcoms by using Rigg, given her credentials in film and TV, with this attempt to copy The Mary Tyler Moore Show. However, it would turn out to be a mistake as it wound up trailing both Gunsmoke and The Rookies on Monday nights, eventually leading to its cancellation on January 7, 1974.

Episode list

No. in
series 		Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"The Lady Comes Across"Leonard B. SternSam Bobrick & Ron Clark & Leonard B. SternSeptember 10, 1973 (1973-09-10)
Diana arrives in New York, only to find her new job involves a hostile boss – and that her borrowed apartment houses a suicidal writer.
2"The Gilt Complex"Leonard B. SternStanley CharlesSeptember 17, 1973 (1973-09-17)
Diana is invited out to a platonic dinner date by her married boss. Though it's absolutely innocent, guilt soon rears its head on all sides.
3"Shuffle Off To Buffalo"UnknownUnknownSeptember 24, 1973 (1973-09-24)
Diana is called upon to narrate a fashion show.
4"If No One Answers, That's Me"Robert MooreLisa David & Laura DeanOctober 1, 1973 (1973-10-01)
After getting an obscene phone call, Diana invests in an answering machine.
5"Hanrahan's Rainbow"UnknownUnknownOctober 8, 1973 (1973-10-08)
Diana receives someone else's alien identification card.
6"Fire One"UnknownUnknownOctober 15, 1973 (1973-10-15)
To prove her worth to the company, Diana is asked to fire a friend.
7"Queen For A Night"UnknownUnknownOctober 29, 1973 (1973-10-29)
A dentist won't leave Diana alone until she helps him launch a fashion career.
8"Take My Father, Please"UnknownJerry MayerNovember 5, 1973 (1973-11-05)
Diana enters into a May–December relationship with a friend's father.
9"You Can't Go Back"Jay SandrichGordon Farr & Arnold KaneNovember 12, 1973 (1973-11-12)
Former Avengers co-star Patrick Macnee guest stars as an old flame of Diana's, who drives her crazy with his self-centered ways.
10"Pest in the House"UnknownUnknownNovember 26, 1973 (1973-11-26)
Howard, needing a place to stay, temporarily moves into Diana's apartment.
11"Long Shots and Fat Chances"UnknownUnknownDecember 3, 1973 (1973-12-03)
Diana agrees to keep Howard's money safe from his compulsive gambling.
12"Never, Never, Ever Again....Maybe"UnknownUnknownDecember 10, 1973 (1973-12-10)
Howard is trying to get Diana together with his charming high-school buddy.
13"Who's Minding the Cat?"UnknownUnknownDecember 17, 1973 (1973-12-17)
Confusion reigns as Diana and her office-mates try to keep track of Howard's foot-loose cat.
14"New Marshall In Town"UnknownJerry MayerDecember 24, 1973 (1973-12-24)
Marshall suffers an identity crisis after his psychiatrist suggests a new lifestyle.
15"Kung Who?"UnknownUnknownJanuary 7, 1974 (1974-01-07)
Diana's friend Holly cannot seem to stop falling for married men.
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