FM (American TV series)
FM is an American television sitcom which aired on NBC in 1989 and 1990.[1] The series title was a pun, referring both to the show's setting at an FM radio station and to its themes of female-male interaction.[2]
| FM | |
|---|---|
| Genre | sitcom |
| Created by | Allan Burns Dan Wilcox Shelley Zellman |
| Starring | Robert Hays Patricia Richardson Lynne Thigpen DeLane Matthews |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Allan Burns Dan Wilcox |
| Producer | Andy Cadiff |
| Production company | MTM Enterprises |
| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Original release | August 17, 1989 – June 28, 1990 |
Plot
Set in Washington, D.C., the series was a workplace comedy which took place at 91.6/WGEO, a small public radio station.[3] Robert Hays starred as program director Ted Costas, a man whose harried professional life and eccentric coworkers distract him from dealing with problems in his personal life, particularly his relationships with women. The women in his life include Lee-Ann Plunkett (Patricia Richardson), his ex-wife and a political commentator with the station; Gretchen Schreck (DeLane Matthews), a young woman he used to babysit who is now an intern for the station; Naomi Sayers (Lynne Thigpen), the station manager; and Maude (Nicole Huntington), his daughter with Lee-Ann.
The cast also included Leo Geter, Fred Applegate, James Avery and John Kassir.
The radio station in the series was partially based on KCRW in Santa Monica, California.[1] Ted Costas was modeled on Tom Schnabel,[4] and was the host of a morning radio show, Long Day's Journey into Lunch, which was based on Morning Becomes Eclectic.[4]
Scheduling
The show initially ran for five weeks as a summer series in 1989, premiering on August 17 in Dear John's regular Thursday night time slot following Cheers before moving to Wednesday nights for four more weeks.[3] It then returned as a midseason replacement in 1990, airing eight more episodes between March 28 and June 28.[1] The series was not renewed for a second season.
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Love or Money" | David Trainer | Allan Burns, Dan Wilcox and Shelley Zellman | August 17, 1989 |
| 2 | "Play Laura for Me" | David Trainer | Allan Burns and Dan Wilcox | August 23, 1989 |
| 3 | "Ultimate Aphrodisiac" | Andy Cadiff | Allan Burns and Howard M. Gould | August 30, 1989 |
| 4 | "Kiss and Tell" | Andy Cadiff | Allan Burns and Dan Wilcox | September 6, 1989 |
| 5 | "If a Man Answers" | Andy Cadiff | Paul Haggis | September 13, 1989 |
| 6 | "Doing It Again" | Andy Cadiff | Howard M. Gould | March 28, 1990 |
| 7 | "Leave It to Me" | Andy Cadiff | Howard M. Gould | April 4, 1990 |
| 8 | "Two Taxing Women" | Burt Metcalfe | Roz Moore | April 11, 1990 |
| 9 | "No Fool Like an April Fool" | Andy Cadiff | J. J. Wall | April 18, 1990 |
| 10 | "Let's Spend the Night Together" | Dan Wilcox | Allan Burns | May 26, 1990 |
| 11 | "The Last Virgin" | Andy Cadiff | Terrie Collins | June 2, 1990 |
| 12 | "Sex, Lies and 35mm Slides" | Andy Cadiff | Howard M. Gould | June 9, 1990 |
| 13 | "Off the Record" | Andy Cadiff | Lincoln Kibbee | June 28, 1990 |
References
- "Checking the casserole with Robert Hays of 'FM'". The Index-Journal, April 8, 1990.
- "Creators hope 'FM' is on right wavelength". Ukiah Daily Journal, August 27, 1989.
- "Robert Hays is down to earth in new series, 'FM'". The San Bernardino Sun, August 17, 1989.
- "Hays back in fun series". Ottawa Citizen, August 17, 1989.