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Webposted: May 7, 2002
by: Kay Kellam
From the writer/producers of “Late Show with David Letterman” comes this one-hour romantic comedy – now entering its second season – which centers on Ed Stevens (Tom Cavanagh, NBC’s “Providence”), a former New York lawyer who, after being fired & catching his wife cheating on him, decides to return to his Midwestern hometown of Stuckeyville.
Once there, Ed makes an effort to recapture his past. He pursues Carol Vessey (Julie Bowen, NBC’s “ER”), the most popular girl from his high school class; & he reunites with his best friend Mike (Josh Randall, “Angel”), a doctor whose multi-tasking wife Nancy (Jana Marie Hupp, NBC’s “Friends”) is valiantly trying to balance work & parenting. On an impulse, Ed buys the local bowling alley which becomes his impromptu law office. In no time, Stuckeybowl becomes the main hub of activity in town, allowing Ed to see his hometown & its eccentric citizens with fresh eyes.
While Carol is initially disinterested in Ed’s advances, she begins to succumb to her persistent suitor while encouraged by her upbeat best friend & colleague Molly (Lesley Boone, “High Incident”).
In addition, Stuckeybowl is stocked with an odd but appealing group of staff workers, headed by the ever-scamming Phil (Michael Ian Black, NBC’s “SPY TV”), Ed’s main man & bowling alley manager; Shirley (Rachel Cronin), who assists Ed & tends the food-and-beverage counter, & Kenny (Mike Starr, “Goodfellas”), a well-meaning jack-of-all-trades. Adding a youthful tint to the colorful denizens is Warren (Justin Long, “Jeepers Creepers”), an awkward but likable high school student who often reminds Ed of a younger version of himself.
The series was honored with a People’s Choice Award as Favorite New Comedy earlier this year. In addition, series star Cavanagh won the TV Guide Award as Actor of the Year in a New Series. The series also recently received three Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Writing, Directing and Casting for a Comedy Series.
Do you remember this :
SERIES FEATURES
'BOWLING ALLEY LAWYER' -- From the writer/producers of "The Late Show with
David Letterman" comes this story about the quirky life of New York
attorney Ed Stevens (Tom Cavanagh, NBC's "Providence"), who moves back
to his small Midwestern hometown after losing his job & dumping his cheating
wife. Once there, Ed pursues a romance with attractive teacher Carol Vessey
(Julie Bowen, NBC's "ER"), the most popular girl in high school when
they were classmates years before, & who currently has a boyfriend (Gregory
Harrison) & gently rebuffs him. Undeterred, Ed hopes to impress her when he
buys a bowling alley & begins a law practice there while living with his
best friend Mike (Josh Randall, "Angel"), Mike's wife, Nancy (Jana
Marie Hupp, "Brooklyn South"), & their newborn baby. Lesley Boone
("High Incident") also stars.
It is the description that first appeared in October of 2000 to proclaim the beginning of this sitcom. If you had asked me in October of 2000 my expectations for this show... well, I'd have said it'll be off the air in record time. And yet it has somehow survived the test of time, or at least two seasons, & may even see a third. I have yet to see anything that has made me want to watch in personally, but I've been assigned the task of reviewing it, so I will see it in the near future & see if I am converted, or can even understand the appeal of a bowling alley lawyer.
(C) Kay
Kellam, 2001 for PopArtsPlace.com
Prior to having her first novel, A
Life to Di For, published author Kay
Kellam enjoyed a variety of jobs that helped to shape her outlook on the
world, and her profession. more...
