The New Adventures of Old Christine

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The New Adventures of Old Christine
File:Christine Logo.jpg
Series original logo.
Created byKari Lizer
StarringJulia Louis-Dreyfus
Clark Gregg
Hamish Linklater
Trevor Gagnon
Emily Rutherfurd
Tricia O'Kelley
Alex Kapp Horner
and Wanda Sykes
Country of originUnited States United States
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes67 (list of episodes)
Production
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running timeapprox. 23 minutes
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseMarch 13, 2006 –
present

The New Adventures of Old Christine is an Emmy Award winning comedy series starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus as a recently divorced single mother. The series debuted as a midseason replacement on March 13, 2006 on CBS and is currently broadcasting its fourth season, which debuted September 2008. Old Christine, as it is often more conveniently called, is a Warner Bros. Television production and was created by writer Kari Lizer, who is also the show's executive producer.

Plot summary

In the show, Louis-Dreyfus stars as Christine Campbell, a neurotic divorced mother and owner of a women's gym who is in a constant struggle to keep pace with those around her. A frequent fixture in her life is her irresponsible ex-husband Richard (Clark Gregg) whose new girlfriend (Emily Rutherfurd) is also named Christine, hence the nickname "Old Christine" for the Louis-Dreyfus character. Christine lives with her son Richie and her brother Matthew (Hamish Linklater), while Wanda Sykes portrays Christine's best friend and colleague Barb. Christine also struggles with her inferiority complex with the snobby "meanie moms" (Alex Kapp Horner and Tricia O'Kelley) at her son's private school.

The show has featured recurring roles for a wide range of established actors including Blair Underwood, Dave Foley, Scott Bakula, Andy Richter and Jane Lynch.

Season one

Season one of The New Adventures of Old Christine consisted of 13 episodes, kicked off by setting up the show's premise. Christine found out at her son's new posh private school that her ex-husband and friend is dating a new, younger girlfriend, also named Christine. Christine then sets out to find some happiness, and begins to date Burton until Christine can't tell him she loves him, leading to a breakup. Christine also had some showdowns with meanie moms Marly and Lindsay, and in the season finale, Christine had a chance to get back with Burton, which was plagued when he found out that she'd kissed with Richard the previous day. New Christine left Richard when he told her, closing the season with a cliffhanger.

Season two

Season two had a full 22-episode order, and continued the explosive season 1 finale where Ritchie incorrectly told his new class that Richard and Christine had reconciled. Christine and Richard, following this, unsuccessfully give their relationship another try. The next episode found Christine meet a handsome man and begin to date him, as Richard and New Christine reconciled. However, when Christine, New Christine, Richard and the stranger are in the house, New Christine calls out the man as her father, effectively complicating the once strong relationship. Shortly after in the season, the two broke up.

Still early, Christine and Ritchie's new teacher expressed their feelings for each other but established they couldn't get romantically involved. As the season progressed, Christine sent out an email that found Mr. Harris nearly fired, and Christine realized she had to move on, and she began dating Tom, but the date was ruined when he had diarrhea. Christine and Mr. Harris once again hit it off. As the season began to conclude, Matthew and Barb started to express feelings for each other after a messy wedding where Christine ruined the bride's time and New Christine, again, left Richard. Christine and Richard again slept together where Christine suffered a pregnancy scare, which thankfully was avoided. The season finished with Richard and New Christine together and Christine and Mr. Harris together.

Season three

In a 10-episode third season, shortened by the WGA strike, Christine and Mr. Harris had a smooth going relationship, until Christine's schedule became too hectic midway through the season, and to her dismay, he left her. Christine made a new friend earlier, Mike, who tried to help her through the breakup. Christine then tried dating again but then dated a guy who proved to still be in high school, obviously not going well. Richard and New Christine bought a house and it turned out to be Christine's dream house, not sitting right with her. Matthew and Barb slept together and stayed together to punish Christine, although not into each other in reality. They split up at the end of the season. The finale featured Jason Alexander, as the episode set up a Seinfeld Reunion.

Season four

The fourth season, currently airing, debuted on September 24, 2008, and consists of 22 episodes. In the season premiere, Barb discovered that because of her divorce and her foreign status, she would have to be temporarily deported until her paperwork could sort out. Christine offered to marry her to keep her in the country and Barb reluctantly accepted, even though it was apparent that Christine was much more into the marriage concept than she was. Richard, after many failed attempts, successfully proposed to New Christine. Marly showed up to school a few months pregnant to save her marriage, and moments later a less-pregnant Lindsay comes, who was pressured into pregnancy to revive her friendship with Marly.

Meanwhile, Matthew began his work as a therapist and his first patient "Lucy" played by Michaela Watkins had a problem with a lack of boundaries with authority figures, and this included Matthew. Matthew tried to control himself but the two ended up kissing. Problems such as sleeping together and Lucy acting like Christine arose, but the issues strengthened their relationship.

Christine and Barb go on a double date with two random guys, and they both fall in love with their respective dates, and both become part of a couple. Christine realized Patrick was the perfect guy when he accepted Richard as being a part of her life, but she took it too far and he temporarily left her, but the two reconciled. In the end, though, Patrick shows off some rage issues and Christine fearfully breaks up with him.

Christine and Barb, when their gym is checked up on, find out that they've broken a clause in their contract because of their same sex marriage and must either support 'no gay rights' or lose their gym. They reluctantly gave up the gym and briefly contemplated turning it into a day spa, but this was short lived and they found money to re-open a gym their own way, at the expense of Barb living with Christine.

Richard and New Christine realize that they want a permanent solution and have no children. Richard cannot go through with the vasectomy, though, and continues intimacy with her despite the massive consequences.

Cast and characters

Main

  • Christine Campbell (née Kimble) (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), the main character of the series, is a divorced mother who owns and operates a gym for women. She has a number of neuroses: although she suffers from feelings of inadequacy, she can also be highly self-centered and self-obsessed. Christine 's bad luck with relationships continued after her divorce, and included failed relationships with New Christine's father, her son's teacher, her ex-brother-in-law and most recently, a man with a rage problem. Christine is obsessed with being seen as socially progressive and liberal, and recently married her best friend Barb when she risked being deported.
  • Richard Campbell (Clark Gregg), is Christine's ex-husband, who maintains a frequent presence in her life. After divorcing Christine, he found love with another woman named Christine, whom he nicknames "New Christine". He suffers from commitment issues, and only recently did he finally get engaged. This season, his irresonsibility has included him lying to New Christine about having had a vasectomy.
  • Matthew Kimble (Hamish Linklater), is Christine's live-in brother, who often acts as the straight man to his neurotic sister. Matthew has had trouble finding a career path: first he entered and then quit medical school, and is currently pursuing a career as a therapist. He suffers from a somewhat unnatural attachment to his mother (who he kisses on the mouth and speaks to several times daily), but is currently in a healthy relationship with his girlfriend Lucy.
  • Barb (Wanda Sykes), is Christine's straight-talking best friend and colleague at the gym (whom she often calls "my black friend Barb"). Barb divorced her husband Pete after the second season, and in the fourth season is revealed to be from the Bahamas and not a US citizen. She has a dry, sarcastic sense of humor and is rarely enthused by any of Christine's plans. Barb and Christine got married early in season four to save Barb from deportation, but their same-sex marriage ended up resulting in them losing ownership of their gym. Since they lost the gym, Barb sold her condo to build up a new business and is living with Christine.
  • Christine Hunter (Emily Rutherfurd), is Richard's new girlfriend, an often frustrated and confused young blonde whom he nicknames "New Christine". She is annoyed by Richard's continued friendship with Old Christine, who treats her with derision, leading to friction between the two women. She is also frustrated with Richard's slow pace of commitment to their relationship. She doesn't want children with Richard, but was recently duped by him when he lied about having had a vasectomy.
  • Richie Campbell (Trevor Gagnon), Christine and Richard's only son, who attends a posh private school. Often smothered by his mother, his lack of masculine traits had recently begun to worry his father.
  • Marly and Lindsay (Tricia O'Kelley and Alex Kapp Horner), are two mean, rich mothers whose children attend Richie's school. They are looked upon as the 'queen bees' of the school, although Marly is clearly dominant to the subservient Lindsay (Lindsay even got pregnant when Marly did so Marly wouldn't have to do it alone). They frequently make Christine feel inferior, leading Christine to constantly trying to find ways to get back at them.

Supporting

  • Mike Gay (Tom Papa),Christine's only friend at Westbridge, as he is similar to Christine in that he is not wealthy and divorced. Season 3
  • Sad Stan (Andy Richter), divorced and mocked father at Westbridge that Christine finds herself unable to not sleep with. She later announces why she finds him so irresistible. Seasons 1-3
  • Jeff Hunter (Scott Bakula), originally Christine's love interest, but soon finds out is 'New' Christine's father. They continue to date for a while after but eventually becomes too much for Christine. Season 2
  • Tom (Dave Foley), Richard's work associate and obsesser of Christine. After he got sick on their first date, they slightly bonded later in the series. Seasons 2-3
  • Daniel Harris (Blair Underwood), former teacher of Ritchie until he gave it up to date Christine. Christine had been in love with him for a long time and although dating goes well, it eventually becomes too much for Daniel because of Christine's schedule. Seasons 2-3
  • Ali (Amy Farrington), quiet, shy and surprisingly witty worker at the gym. Seasons 1-4
  • Mrs. Belt (Jordan Baker), Ritchie's third grade teacher. Season 1
  • Burton Shaffer (Matt Letscher), Christine's on-and-off romantic interest. She always finds herself stupidly splitting them up until Burton had therapy. They dated again but he was so different and strange Christine couldn't take it. Seasons 1-2
  • Ashley (Lily Goff), Marly's air-headed daughter. Seasons 1-4
  • Kelsey (Marissa Blanchard), Lindsay's daughter with lesbian tendencies. Seasons 1-4
  • Kit/Mrs. Nunley (Nancy Lenehan), peppy principal of Ritchie's school. Nancy Lenehan, before recurring as Mrs. Nunley, guest starred in season one as a completely different character. Seasons 1-2
  • Pete (Anthony Holiday), ex-husband of Barb. Seems to have little emotions. Seasons 1-2
  • Mrs. Wilhoite (Mary Beth McDonough), teacher and meanie mom at the school. Seasons 1-4
  • Ms. Hammond (Jane Lynch), ethics Counselor and gym teacher at the school. Season 2
  • Lucy (Michaela Watkins), a former patient of Matthew's that becomes attracted to authority figures. Matthew cannot control himself and, thus, the two begin to date. Since then, unexpectedly, the two fell in love and currently sport a much more serious relationship. Season 4
  • Patrick Harris (Tim DeKay), Christine's new boyfriend, who she meets in a video store and starts dating. Patrick turns out to have some serious rage issues when he 'loses' at something, and Christine fearfully broke up with him. Season 4
  • Joe Campbell (Charles Esten), Richard's brother. Joe spent the night at Christine's house during a visit and following this admitted to her he was a homosexual. Christine encouraged him to admit this but to date, only she knows. Seasons 2, 4

Notable guest stars

  • Dr. Palmer (Jason Alexander), Christine's gynecologist.
  • Audrey (Sandra Bernhard), an activist promoting offshore oil drilling, which Christine's opposed to.
  • Claire (Rachael Harris), Christine's college friend's fiancé.
  • Belinda (Ana Ortiz), a down-to-Earth Portuguese mother at Richie's school.
  • Timmy (Ben Feldman), a young ambitious lawyer whom New Christine set up with Christine.
  • Shelley (Gigi Rice), Timmy's protective mother
  • Ben (Matthew Glave), Christine's friend from college and Claire's fiance.
  • Neil (Jeffrey Tambor), owner of a reptile club Richie wants to get into. Christine agrees to go on a date with him to allow Richie in the club.
  • Liz (Helen Slater), a mother at Richie's school that flirts with and employs Matthew at the same time.
  • Father Christopher (Ed Begley, Jr.), a friendly minister that makes an effort to make Christine feel comfortable when she goes to church.
  • Angela (Brenda Blethyn), Christine's neurotic mother.
  • Margaret (Megan Mullally), corporate adviser of Christine and Barb's gym.

Reception

"While it occasionally runs to the absurd — a blind date who won't eat food other people have touched and brings his own chicken to a restaurant — it stays for the most part within the realm of recognizable human relations, and lets you feel something for its characters. This was not a luxury Seinfeld ever afforded anyone, and it's nice to see the star getting to play something less cerebrally conceived, less obsessive-compulsive and more ordinarily well-rounded."

The New adventures of Old Christine crew about the series

The review website Metacritic.com, which tabulates critics' reviews, gave it a 64 — equating to their summary of "generally positive reviews", with 16 out of 26 critics reviews deemed as positive.[1] A Los Angeles Times review notes that "Louis-Dreyfus makes Christine feel fresh and real" and the show has a "dry charm and a nice tone of affectionate irony."[2] The review continues:

The series had broadcast three seasons, and its viewing ride has been a bumpy one. After gaining 12 million or more viewers consistently in the first season and start of the second season, fans responded poorly to its time slot change, as it lost around 5 million viewers. In the third season, it reprised its original slot and gained back a few million. As the season progressed, comedies included in the night it aired began to broadcast new episodes, and Old Christine had their viewers up where they originally were, as in the final episode of the season, total viewers estimated to 12.41 million.

Although the series is one of the most successful comedies viewer-wise on CBS, and was part of its 'Monday Night Comedy Night', the show was put on hiatus. At the CBS upfronts it was officially picked up for 22 episodes. However, it has been leading a new mini-comedy lineup, as it acts as a lead-in to new sitcom Gary Unmarried. With the unfamiliarity of the new comedy lineup, ratings dropped severely originally, but have been steadily increasing over the past few weeks. It appears clear that throughout the seasons it has maintained consistency, as it has received multiple Emmy nominations for each of its first three seasons including a win for Dreyfus in 2006.

Nielsen ratings and broadcast history

Seasonal rankings (based on average total viewers per episode) of The New Adventures of Old Christine on CBS.

The show's initial ratings success is the first example of a show breaking the "Seinfeld curse" (after the failures of The Michael Richards Show, Bob Patterson, Listen Up!, and Louis-Dreyfus' own Watching Ellie).[3] On October 3, 2006, The Futon Critic announced that the show had been given a full 22-episode order.

Old Christine's time slot was changed during the second season, thus eliciting a decline in ratings after losing its Two and a Half Men lead-in.

On May 16, 2007, it was announced that, despite the decline in ratings, CBS would renew the show for the 2007-2008 season as a mid-season replacement.[4] On November 6, 2007, CBS said that production of Old Christine had been halted because of a strike by the Writers Guild of America.[5] On December 13, 2007 CBS announced that the series would return for its third season, which premiered on February 4, 2008, replacing Rules of Engagement.[6] However, only ten episodes of the original 13-episode order were produced and aired for the third season because of the Writers Guild of America strike.[7]

On May 14, 2008, CBS gave the sitcom a 22-episode order for the 2008-2009 season, where it now airs on Wednesdays, opening up a second comedy night for the network.[8] The premier, as expected, generated a disappointing audience, as only 6.7 million viewers tuned in. This was largely because the season received little promotion compared to fellow comedies and the new comedy lineup wasn't ready to handle a major audience. Christine's follower, Gary Unmarried struggled too, barely edging out Christine in viewers. Gary Unmarried wasn't received as well by critics which may take viewers away from The New Adventures of Old Christine. The following week, despite not having to go up against ratings success Dancing With the Stars, ratings tip-toed up although not much as liked, as it added a few hundred thousand. By the third episode, the show was over 7.5 million and had added more than one million to the premiere audience. Since then, Old Christine has had ratings close to 8 million viewers, and has come in first in its time period multiple times.

It was expected that when Old Christine reprises its timeslot on January 14, 2009, ratings would drop because it would be competing with FOX's American Idol, the most watched program in the United States of America, however, ratings held up surprisingly well.

Season Time slot Premiere Finale TV Season Rank Viewers
(millions)
1 Monday 9:30 P.M. (March 13, 2006 - May 22, 2006) March 13, 2006 May 22, 2006 2005-2006 #29 12.5[9]
2 Monday 9:30 P.M. (September 18, 2006 - January 22, 2007)
Monday 8:30 P.M. (March 12, 2007 - May 7, 2007)
September 18, 2006 May 7, 2007 2006-2007 #40 10.4[10]
3 Monday 9:30 P.M. (February 4, 2008 - March 31, 2008)
Monday 8:30 P.M. (March 10, 2008)
February 4, 2008 March 31, 2008 2007-2008 #38 10.4[11]
4 Wednesday 8:00 P.M. (September 24, 2008 - 2009) September 24, 2008 2009 2008-2009 #52 (so far) 7.5

Date Live+SD Viewers 18-49 Rating Live+7 Viewers


09/24/08 6.53 M 2.1/6 10/01/08 6.81 M 2.0/6 10/08/08 7.53 M 2.2/7 10/15/08 7.61 M 2.2/6 10/22/08 7.76 M 2.4/7 10/29/08 (8:30) 7.61 M 2.3/6 11/05/08 6.50 M 1.9/5 11/12/08 6.82 M 2.0/6 11/19/08 7.85 M 2.4/7 11/26/08 7.48 M 2.0/7 12/10/08 7.94 M 2.2/7 12/17/08 7.29 M 2.0/6 12/24/08(R) 3.48 M 0.9/4 3.65 M 12/31/08(R) 4.13 M 1.1/4 01/07/09(R) 7.89 M 2.1/6 01/14/09 7.17 M 1.9/5 01/21/09 7.24 M 2.0/6

Date Live+SD Viewers 18-49 Rating Live+7 Viewers
09/24/08 6.53 M 2.1/6
10/01/08 6.81 M 2.0/6
10/08/08 7.6 M 2.2/7
10/15/08 7.7 M 2.2/6
10/22/08 8.0 M 2.4/7
10/29/08 7.6 M 2.3/6
11/05/08 6.7 M 1.9/5
11/12/08 6.9 M 2.0/6
11/19/08 8.1 M 2.4/7
11/26/08 7.6 M 2.0/7
12/10/08 8.3 M 2.2/7
12/17/08 7.5 M 2.0/6
01/14/09 7.3 M 1.9/5
01/21/09 7.4 M 2.0/6

DVD release

Season one
The New Adventures of Old Christine - The Complete First Season
Season 1 DVD digipak Set details[12] Special features
  • 13 episodes
  • 278 minutes
  • 2-disc set
  • 5.1 Surround Sound


  • Gag Reel
  • Unaired Scenes
  • The Real Christine
Release dates
 United States
15 January 2008
Season two
The New Adventures of Old Christine - The Complete 2nd Season
Season 2 DVD digipak Set details[13] Special features
  • 22 episodes
  • 481 minutes
  • 4-disc set
  • 5.1 Surround Sound


  • Gag Reel
  • Unaired Scenes
  • The Real Christine
Release dates
 United States
24 June 2008

Awards and nominations

Awards Outcome
Art Directors Guild Awards:
2007: Television - Multi-Camera Television Series Nominated
Emmy Awards:
2006: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) Won
2007: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) Nominated
2008: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) Nominated
2006: Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series Nominated
2008: Outstanding Art Direction for a 30-Minute Series Nominated
Golden Globe Awards:
2007: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy Nominated
Humanitas Prize Awards:
2007: 30 Minute Category Won
Image Awards:
2008: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Blair Underwood) Nominated
2009: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Blair Underwood) TBA
2009: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Wanda Sykes) TBA
Satellite Awards:
2006 - 2008: Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards:
2007: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) Nominated
Young Artist Awards:
2008: Best Performance in a TV Series - Young Actor Ten or Under (Trevor Gagnon) Nominated

References

  1. ^ "New Adventures Of Old Christine, The". Metacritic.com. Retrieved 2008-03-11. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ 'Christine' creates a life beyond Elaine, a March 2006 Los Angeles Times article
  3. ^ Sweet bump for CBS's 'Old Christine', a Media Life magazine article
  4. ^ Breaking News - CBS ANNOUNCES 2007-2008 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE | TheFutonCritic.com
  5. ^ Writers work picket lines as TV shows shut down, a L.A. Times article
  6. ^ Breaking News - PREMIERES OF "WELCOME TO THE CAPTAIN" AND "THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE" MOVE TO MONDAY, FEB. 4 | TheFutonCritic.com
  7. ^ Hooley, Danny (2008-02-19). "He Has Work to Do". The News & Observer. Retrieved 2008-03-11. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  8. ^ Surette, Tim (2008-05-14). "CBS yuks up new schedule". TV.com. Retrieved 2008-05-16. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  9. ^ "2005-06 primetime wrap". Hollywood Reporter. May 26, 2006.
  10. ^ "2006-07 primetime wrap". Hollywood Reporter. May 25, 2007.
  11. ^ "Season Program Rankings" (PDF). ABC Medianet. 2008-05-28. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
  12. ^ "The New Adventures of Old Christine - The Complete First Season (2006)". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  13. ^ "The New Adventures of Old Christine - The Complete Second Season (2006)". TVshowsondvd.com. Retrieved 2008-09-18.

External links