ABC Sitcom Pilot Review: Help Me Help You - Premieres September 26th

Monday, September 25, 2006

ABC Sitcom Pilot Review: Help Me Help You - Premieres September 26th

Help Me Help You - Tuesdays at 9:30PM ET/PT on ABC
Premieres September 26th at 9:30PM ET/PT

Ted Danson ("Cheers," "Becker") stars in this comedy series about a collection of eccentric individuals in group therapy with a respected therapist -- who may quite possibly have more problems than his patients.

Dr. Bill Hoffman (Danson) is a brilliant therapist with a lucrative practice and the author of several definitive psychotherapy texts. He is an icon among his fellow therapists. But his over-inflated ego is dealt a blow when he is forced to come to grips with the end of his 25-year marriage to wife Anne (guest star Jane Kaczmarek, "Malcolm in the Middle"). Bill is also forced to deal with the news that his daughter is dating her psychology professor -- a man old enough to be her father and who also happens to idolize him. Things are changing too fast, and Bill is struggling to keep up.

When it comes to the group patients, Bill also has his work cut out for him: The newest group member, Dave (Charlie Finn, the film "The Dukes of Hazzard"), recently attempted suicide by jumping out of his office window -- and landing on his boss; Jonathan (Jim Rash, "Sky High") is a self-avowed metro-sexual who is in serious denial that he might possibly be gay; Inger (Suzy Nakamura, "Dodgeball") is a 25-year-old, self-made millionaire who totally lacks social skills and hasn't had a real date in over six years; Darlene (Darlene Hunt, "I Heart Huckabees") has too many psychological issues to count, including her obsession with Dr. Hoffman; and Michael (Jere Burns, "Good Morning Miami," "Dear John") has anger issues at work, which is what led him into mandatory group therapy.

The group will try to apply Bill's advice to their lives out in the world, while Bill tries to figure out his own life problems.

"Help Me Help You" was created by Jennifer Konner & Alexandra Rushfield ("Undeclared"), who also serve as executive producers, along with Alex Reid ("Malcolm in the Middle"). The show is from Regency Television.

Cast: Ted Danson as Dr. Bill Hoffman, Charlie Finn as Dave, Jim Rash as Jonathan,
Suzy Nakamura as Inger, Darlene Hunt as Darlene, Jere Burns as Michael.

Read our review of the pilot and 3rd episode here.

Discuss the show after you watch it on Tuesday on our message board.

Related Links:

ABC.com Official Site

TV.com

epguides.com

Internet Movie Database

Wikipedia

Help Me Help You Photo Gallery

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Friday, November 22

Happy's Place - "Happy's House" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Bobbie agrees to take Isabella to Happy's house in search of a connection to their late father, leading Bobbie to worry about what they may find; Gabby hopes to strike it rich by searching through Happy's penny collection looking for a rarity.

Lopez vs Lopez - "Lopez vs Orlando" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Rosie's spoiled nephew Orlando visits, Mayan sets out to expose Rosie's cultural gender bias; George wants to teach Chance the value of hard work, but, instead, helps him create a toxic work environment.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Whacking the Mole" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After Abishola has a romantic dream about Bob, she tries to suppress her feelings for him and pays the price.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Ralph Lauren and Fish" (The CW, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bob and Abishola finally go on a proper date, which is interrupted by Dottie's medical emergency.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Tough Like a Laundromat Washing Machine" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bob hires Abishola to take care of Dottie in his home while she recovers; Dottie has a hard time dealing with her limitations and takes it out on Abishola.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Useless Potheads" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
With Abishola only helping part-time, Bob, Douglas and Christina struggle to take care of Dottie.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place - "Wiz-Taken Identity" (Disney Channel, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Billie struggles with a spell, Roman says he could do it if he was a wizard: to prove him wrong, Billie uses a Power Glass to transfer her powers to Roman.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place - " Ain't Gnome Party Like a Wizard Party" (Disney Channel, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Justin embraces mortality to live with his family; his new challenge arises when Alex introduces Billie, a wizard-in-training, seeking Justin's mentorship.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 18)

Friday, November 22

Kerry Washington (UnPrisoned) - Watch Kerry on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Jimmy O. Yang (Interior Chinatown/Space Force/Silicon Valley) - Jimmy is a guest on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Ariana Grande (Sam & Cat/Victorious) - Ariana appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Andy Richter (Andy Barker, P.I./Quintuplets/Andy Richter Controls the Universe), Thomas Lennon (The Odd Couple/Sean Saves the World/Reno 911!) and Aparna Nancherla (Lopez vs Lopez/Search Party/Corporate) - Andy, Thomas and Aparna are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Keke Palmer (Scream Queens/True Jackson, VP) - Keke talks about her new book Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Andrew Rannells (Girls/The New Normal) - Drew is joined by the hilarious Andrew to celebrate all things Thanksgiving on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Rosie Perez (Human Resources/Search Party) - Rosie tells Sherri about her new Apple TV+ psychological thriller Before on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Candace Cameron Bure (Fuller House/Full House) - Candace will be on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:15am.