The Girls (TV series)
The Girls is an American situation comedy television series that was broadcast on CBS from January 1, 1950, until March 25, 1950.[1]
The Girls was based on the book Our Hearts Were Young and Gay by Cornelia Otis Skinner and Emily Kimbrough. In the series, Skinner and Kimbrough, having recently graduated from college and having had a European vacation, share a Greenwich Village apartment in the Roaring Twenties while they pursue careers as actress and writer, respectively. Episodes depict "their struggles, mishaps, and disappointments".[2] The series's original title, Young and Gay,[3] was changed after two episodes.[1]
Bethel Leslie originally portrayed Skinner. When she left to be in a play, Gloria Stroock replaced her in that role. Mary Malone played Kimbrough, and Kenneth Forbes played Todhunter Smith II.[1]
The Girls was broadcast live at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday nights, replacing Tonight on Broadway. It lasted for 13 episodes. The producer was Carol Irwin, and the directors were David Rich and Frank Schaffner.[4] It originated at WCBS.[5] Irwin had a disagreement with Skinner and Kimbrough that almost caused the show's cancellation in early February 1950, but they resolved the problem.[6]
Critical response
Sam Chase, in a review of the premiere episode in the trade publication Billboard, wrote that Malone and Leslie "showed a charming combination of naivete and determination not to be swayed by the temptations of the times."[7] Chase also complimented the development of the characters.[7]
References
- Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (24 June 2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House Publishing Group. p. 540. ISBN 978-0-307-48320-1. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- Terrace, Vincent (10 January 2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010, 2d ed. McFarland. p. 395. ISBN 978-0-7864-8641-0. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- Lohman, Sidney (January 1, 1950). "News of TV and Radio: The First Week of the New Year Brings A Quota of New Shows-Other Items". The New York Times. p. 55. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- Leszczak, Bob (8 November 2012). Single Season Sitcoms, 1948-1979: A Complete Guide. McFarland. p. 205. ISBN 978-0-7864-9305-0. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- "This Week -- Debuts, Highlights, Changes". Ross Reports on Television including The Television Index. January 15, 1950. p. 1. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
- "'Girls' Reprieved as Packager, Writers Agree". Billboard. February 18, 1950. p. 6. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- Chase, Sam (January 14, 1950). "Young and Gay" (PDF). Billboard. p. 10.