Dear John is an American sitcom television series that aired on NBC from October 6, 1988 to July 22, 1992. It was originally based on the British sitcom of the same name. It was retitled Dear John USA when it was shown in the United Kingdom.[1] During its four-season run, it was bounced to and from various time periods on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. It moved from its post-Cheers slot on Thursdays to a post-Night Court slot on Wednesdays in 1990.
The sitcom is set in New York City. Judd Hirsch stars as John Lacey, a teacher at a preparatory school in Manhattan. After ten years of marriage, one day he returns home and finds a Dear John letter: His wife, Wendy, is leaving him for his best friend. When the court grants Wendy the house and custody of their son, Matthew, John moves into an apartment in the Rego Park neighborhood of Queens.
Six months after the divorce, John joins the One-To-One Club, a support group for people who are divorced and single. The series chronicles John's life and the lives of his new friends at the One-to-One Club.
Charactersedit
The original group consisted of:
John Lacey (Judd Hirsch), a school teacher who tries—not always successfully—to keep his life from falling apart after his acrimonious, financially devastating divorce.[2]
Louise Mercer (Jane Carr), the founder and leader of the One-to-One Club, an Englishwoman whose conversation frequently returns to the topic of sex. (Her catchphrase, usually said as people discuss their previous relationships: "Were there any ... sexual problems?") Has a child named Nigel out of wedlock in season 2.
Kirk Morris (Jere Burns), a cocky, self-styled ladies' man who is a preening narcissist and habitual liar.
Kate McCarron (Isabella Hofmann), a beautiful divorcée with some self-image issues. She and John share an attraction, but she eventually marries a police officer in season 4, while remaining a regular attendee at club meetings. Kate also opens a restaurant ("Kate's Place") in season 4.
Ralph Drang (Harry Groener), a shy, unconfident milquetoast who works as a tollbooth collector. His marriage lasted less than 6 hours; his Bulgarian wife (who married him only to avoid being deported) deserted him at the wedding reception. Noted for his extremely nasal, whining voice, and his propensity for being manipulated by Kirk. Seen only in seasons 1-3; he then simply disappears. After several episodes, it is briefly mentioned he 'graduated' from the group, but no details are offered.
Bonnie Philbert (Billie Bird), a talkative retiree who often references her sexually adventurous past. Seen infrequently in the very earliest episodes, Mrs. Philbert effectively becomes a regular by mid-season 1.
Tom (Tom Willett), a very tall and extremely quiet man, almost always seen sporting a bow-tie. He does not actually ever speak at any meeting, and usually sits near the back—but eventually becomes Mrs. Philbert's ongoing boyfriend.
Later additions were:
Mary Beth Sutton (Susan Walters), a beautiful, naive young Southerner from a wealthy background. She eventually finds work as a soap opera writer. Added midway through season 2, staying through the end of the series.
Denise (Olivia Brown), who frequently drops by group meetings as she attends the weight control group across the hall at the community center. Seen only in season 3, beginning partway through.
Ben Conners (William O'Leary), a maintenance man at the Rego Park Community Center. He becomes involved with Louise and is friendly with the group. Seen throughout season 4.
Annie Marino (Marietta DePrima), an aspiring actress who joins the group after her husband deserts their marriage—and sublets their apartment to Kirk without telling her. Added partway through season 4.
Recurring characters:
Wendy Lacey (Carlene Watkins in season 1, Deborah Harmon in seasons 3-4), John's ex-wife. Though she left John, she later decides she wants another child with him. She goes to extreme lengths to make this happen without trying to actually win him back.
Matthew Lacey (Ben Savage in seasons 1-2, Billy Cohen in season 3), John's school age son who lives with his mother. John and Matthew have a good relationship, despite their limited time together.
Brad Durman (Peter Jurasik), an often-weaselly fellow teacher of John's. Seen in seasons 2-3.
Dr. Hendricks (Raye Birk), the headmaster at the school where John teaches. Seen in seasons 2-4.
Chow Ling (Cu Ba Nguyen), a recent immigrant who attends meetings in the community center both to learn English and to quit smoking. Seen in seasons 2-3.
Mitch Kurland (Greg Salata), a police officer who marries Kate. Seen in season 4 only.
Curtis (Ruben Santiago-Hudson) and Calvin (Tim Jones), employees at Kate's Place. Seen in season 4 only.
John Leonard of New York magazine previewed the pilot episode, in which John Lacey tries to attend a support group "for the recently singled", and stumbles instead into a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. "I found this funny, and maybe even profound," Leonard wrote. NBC launched the show two days before Empty Nest, another sitcom about a middle-aged man who recently lost his wife. "Some talented people run around in them agreeably," said Leonard, commenting on both shows.[3]
Ratingsedit
In its first season, the sitcom was part of NBC's Thursday night lineup. It attracted the eleventh largest audience of all prime time television programs in the United States for the 1988–89 season. Its viewer share (as recorded in Nielsen ratings) declined in later seasons. NBC moved its time slot several times.
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For the 1986 British sitcom and Taylor Swift song see Dear John British TV series and Dear John Taylor Swift song Dear John is an American sitcom television series that aired on NBC from October 6 1988 to July 22 1992 It was originally based on the British sitcom of the same name It was retitled Dear John USA when it was shown in the United Kingdom 1 During its four season run it was bounced to and from various time periods on Wednesday Thursday Friday and Saturday nights It moved from its post Cheers slot on Thursdays to a post Night Court slot on Wednesdays in 1990 Dear JohnOriginal CastGenreSitcomBased onDear Johnby John SullivanDeveloped byBob EllisonPeter NoahStarringJudd HirschIsabella HofmannJane CarrHarry GroenerBillie BirdJere BurnsTom WillettTheme music composerJohn SullivanOpening theme Dear John by Wendy TalbotCountry of originUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishNo of seasons4No of episodes90 4 unaired list of episodes ProductionExecutive producersHal CooperBob EllisonRod ParkerPeter NoahEd WeinbergerCamera setupMulti cameraRunning time30 minutesProduction companiesEd Weinberger ProductionsParamount TelevisionOriginal releaseNetworkNBCReleaseOctober 6 1988 1988 10 06 July 22 1992 1992 07 22 RelatedDear John 1986 Contents 1 Synopsis 2 Characters 3 Episodes 4 Reception 4 1 Critical response 4 2 Ratings 4 3 Awards 5 References 6 External linksSynopsis editThe sitcom is set in New York City Judd Hirsch stars as John Lacey a teacher at a preparatory school in Manhattan After ten years of marriage one day he returns home and finds a Dear John letter His wife Wendy is leaving him for his best friend When the court grants Wendy the house and custody of their son Matthew John moves into an apartment in the Rego Park neighborhood of Queens Six months after the divorce John joins the One To One Club a support group for people who are divorced and single The series chronicles John s life and the lives of his new friends at the One to One Club Characters editThe original group consisted of John Lacey Judd Hirsch a school teacher who tries not always successfully to keep his life from falling apart after his acrimonious financially devastating divorce 2 Louise Mercer Jane Carr the founder and leader of the One to One Club an Englishwoman whose conversation frequently returns to the topic of sex Her catchphrase usually said as people discuss their previous relationships Were there any sexual problems Has a child named Nigel out of wedlock in season 2 Kirk Morris Jere Burns a cocky self styled ladies man who is a preening narcissist and habitual liar Kate McCarron Isabella Hofmann a beautiful divorcee with some self image issues She and John share an attraction but she eventually marries a police officer in season 4 while remaining a regular attendee at club meetings Kate also opens a restaurant Kate s Place in season 4 Ralph Drang Harry Groener a shy unconfident milquetoast who works as a tollbooth collector His marriage lasted less than 6 hours his Bulgarian wife who married him only to avoid being deported deserted him at the wedding reception Noted for his extremely nasal whining voice and his propensity for being manipulated by Kirk Seen only in seasons 1 3 he then simply disappears After several episodes it is briefly mentioned he graduated from the group but no details are offered Bonnie Philbert Billie Bird a talkative retiree who often references her sexually adventurous past Seen infrequently in the very earliest episodes Mrs Philbert effectively becomes a regular by mid season 1 Tom Tom Willett a very tall and extremely quiet man almost always seen sporting a bow tie He does not actually ever speak at any meeting and usually sits near the back but eventually becomes Mrs Philbert s ongoing boyfriend Later additions were Mary Beth Sutton Susan Walters a beautiful naive young Southerner from a wealthy background She eventually finds work as a soap opera writer Added midway through season 2 staying through the end of the series Denise Olivia Brown who frequently drops by group meetings as she attends the weight control group across the hall at the community center Seen only in season 3 beginning partway through Ben Conners William O Leary a maintenance man at the Rego Park Community Center He becomes involved with Louise and is friendly with the group Seen throughout season 4 Annie Marino Marietta DePrima an aspiring actress who joins the group after her husband deserts their marriage and sublets their apartment to Kirk without telling her Added partway through season 4 Recurring characters Wendy Lacey Carlene Watkins in season 1 Deborah Harmon in seasons 3 4 John s ex wife Though she left John she later decides she wants another child with him She goes to extreme lengths to make this happen without trying to actually win him back Matthew Lacey Ben Savage in seasons 1 2 Billy Cohen in season 3 John s school age son who lives with his mother John and Matthew have a good relationship despite their limited time together Brad Durman Peter Jurasik an often weaselly fellow teacher of John s Seen in seasons 2 3 Dr Hendricks Raye Birk the headmaster at the school where John teaches Seen in seasons 2 4 Chow Ling Cu Ba Nguyen a recent immigrant who attends meetings in the community center both to learn English and to quit smoking Seen in seasons 2 3 Mitch Kurland Greg Salata a police officer who marries Kate Seen in season 4 only Curtis Ruben Santiago Hudson and Calvin Tim Jones employees at Kate s Place Seen in season 4 only Episodes editMain article List of Dear John episodes SeasonEpisodesOriginally airedRankRatingFirst airedLast aired122October 6 1988 1988 10 06 May 11 1989 1989 05 11 1118 5224September 28 1989 1989 09 28 May 16 1990 1990 05 16 1717 2322September 19 1990 1990 09 19 May 1 1991 1991 05 01 50 422September 19 1991 1991 09 19 July 22 1992 1992 07 22 77 Reception editCritical response edit John Leonard of New York magazine previewed the pilot episode in which John Lacey tries to attend a support group for the recently singled and stumbles instead into a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous I found this funny and maybe even profound Leonard wrote NBC launched the show two days before Empty Nest another sitcom about a middle aged man who recently lost his wife Some talented people run around in them agreeably said Leonard commenting on both shows 3 Ratings edit In its first season the sitcom was part of NBC s Thursday night lineup It attracted the eleventh largest audience of all prime time television programs in the United States for the 1988 89 season Its viewer share as recorded in Nielsen ratings declined in later seasons NBC moved its time slot several times Season Viewers millions Rank by audience share References1 1988 89 18 5 11 4 2 1989 90 17 1 17 4 3 1990 91 50 citation needed 4 1991 92 77 citation needed Paramount Domestic Television sold the show into syndication after Dear John ended its run in 1992 Awards edit In Stand By Your Man the thirteenth episode of the first season Cleavon Little makes a guest appearance as a closeted gay man whose marriage to a woman has just ended His performance won him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series at the 41st Primetime Emmy Awards in 1989 5 6 Judd Hirsch won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy in 1989 and was nominated again the following year References edit BBC Comedy Guide Dear John Archived from the original on December 8 2004 Family Programs Dear John The Program Exchange Archived from the original on March 21 2002 Retrieved June 1 2017 Leonard John October 10 1988 Television In brief New York p 82 Retrieved May 7 2017 via Google Books a b Brooks Tim Marsh Earle 2003 Appendix 3 Top Rated Programs by Season The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946 Present 8th ed New York Ballantine Books p 1468 ISBN 978 0 345 45542 0 McBride Joseph October 23 1992 Cleavon Little Variety Retrieved May 23 2017 Brooks Tim Marsh Earle 2003 Appendix 2 Emmy Award Winners 1988 1989 presented September 17 1989 The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946 Present 8th ed New York Ballantine Books p 1439 ISBN 978 0 345 45542 0 External links editDear John at IMDb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Dear John American TV series amp oldid 1179142173, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
