Monday, September 25, 2006

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

Help Me Help You

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

    Tuesday, September 29

    Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "As Good As Good Can Be" (BET, 9:00PM ET/PT)
    Jeremy and Leah struggle through sleepless nights with their newborn while Efe's superstitions heighten the chaos; amid broken mirrors and bad omens, the residents find laughter, faith and heart as they support one another.

    The Ms. Pat Show - "Give It Arrest" (BET, 9:30PM ET/PT)
    Pat lands in the hospital again when she continues to neglect her self-care, and if she won't listen to her family, then maybe she'll listen to a good scolding from Rabbit.

    Complete TV Listings


    Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 28)

    Tuesday, September 29

    • Amy Schumer (Life & Beth) Catch Amy on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
    • Hailee Steinfeld (Dickinson) - Hailee is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
    • Eric Idle (Suddenly Susan/Nearly Departed) - Eric appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. He also talks about his book on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
    • Caroline Rhea (Sydney to the Max/Sabrina, the Teenage Witch/Pride & Joy) and Tommy Davidson (The Varnell Hill Show/The Proud Family/Malcolm & Eddie/Between Brothers) - Caroline and Tommy will be on Funny You Should Ask at 12:37am on CBS.
    • Zach Braff (Scrubs/Alex, Inc.) and Donald Faison (Scrubs/Extended Family/The Exes/Clueless) - Zach and Donald talk about Scrubs on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am. Zach will also be on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
    • Josh Charles (Best Medicine/Sports Night) - Josh drops by for a chat with the hosts about Best Medicine on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
    • Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Cafe Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - Valerie stops by the news desk on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
    • Sarah Paulson (Leap of Faith) - Drew chats with Sarah about working on American Horror Story: 13 and Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.


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