Friday, March 02, 2007

FOX Mid-Season Pilot Review: The Winner - Premieres March 4; 'Cheers' Star Joins 'Dancing with the Stars'!

The Winner

The Winner - Sundays at 8:30PM and 9:30 PM ET/PT for three weeks on FOX
Premieres March 4th at 8:30PM ET/PT

The summer of 1994 was a magical one – O.J. Simpson was on the run, Snoop Dogg was climbing the charts, Olympic hopeful Nancy Kerrigan was clubbed on the knee and 32-year-old GLEN ABBOTT (Rob Corddry) was finally on his way to becoming a man.

Back in 1994, when the series begins, Glen is still living with his parents when the only girl he’d ever kissed, ALISON McKELLAR (Erinn Hayes), returns to town with her 13-year-old son JOSH (Keir Gilchrist). The recently divorced Alison inspires Glen to become a “grown-up” and win her heart. There may be hope for late-bloomers everywhere as Glen moves through his formative years a mere 20 years later than most. But, hey, some people’s “Wonder Years” just happen a little later.

Luckily, Glen doesn’t have to go through this awkward period alone. He becomes best friends with Josh – a fellow hypochondriac and the only person he can truly relate to – and receives parental advice from his enabling mother IRENE (Linda Hart) and quasi-rage-aholic dad RON (Lenny Clarke). As narrated by present-day Glen, this story proves that an unlikely underdog can eventually transform from fear-riddled underachiever to the richest man in Buffalo.

THE WINNER comes from 20th Century Fox Television and is executive-produced by Seth MacFarlane (FAMILY GUY, AMERICAN DAD) and Ricky Blitt (FAMILY GUY, “The Ringer”).

Cast: Rob Corddry as Glen Abbott, Erinn Hayes as Alison McKellar, Lenny Clarke as Rob Abbott, Keir Gilchrist as Josh McKellar, Linda Hart as Irene Abbott

Read our review of the pilot and other episodes here.

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

Related Links:

  • FOX.com Official Site
  • TV.com
  • epguides.com
  • Internet Movie Database
  • Wikipedia
  • The Winner Photo Gallery

    Looks like I got my wish! A former sitcom star is joining Dancing with the Stars. Following the departure of Sopranos star Vincent Pastore, the producers of Dancing has chosen none other than John Ratzenberger, of Cheers fame. John of course played the mailman Cliff on the hit sitcom. Everybody knows his name and I'm sure fans are glad that he came! Show producers had previously extended an invitation to him to participate this season, but a scheduling conflict prevented him from accepting until now. He takes on the added challenge of having less time to train than his fellow competitors before the series premieres – two weeks versus four. The series' fourth season premieres March 19 on ABC.
    Read the details here.

  • Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

    Monday, October 27

    The Neighborhood - "Welcome to Spades" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
    Marty and Courtney’s nanny search takes an awkward turn, while Calvin’s secret spades night stirs tension at home. Meanwhile, Dave’s new hobby tests everyone’s patience, and a texting miscommunication between Tina and Gemma leads to a fiery confrontation.

    DMV - "Easy Pass" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
    Marty and Courtney’s nanny search takes an awkward turn, while Calvin’s secret spades night stirs tension at home. Meanwhile, Dave’s new hobby tests everyone’s patience, and a texting miscommunication between Tina and Gemma leads to a fiery confrontation.

    TV We Love - "The Love Boat" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT)
    The cast, writers and directors of "The Love Boat" reveal how star-studded guest lists and high-seas charm made this series a beloved classic.

    Complete TV Listings


    Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 27)

    Monday, October 27

    • Tim Allen (Shifting Gears/Last Man Standing/Home Improvement) - Watch Tim on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
    • Katherine LaNasa (Three Sisters) - Katherine appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
    • Niecy Nash-Betts (Reno 911!/Getting On/The Soul Man/Do Not Disturb) and Sarah Paulson (Leap of Faith) - Niecy and Sarah talk about All's Fair on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
    • Brian Jordan Alvarez (English Teacher/Will & Grace) - Brian talks about English Teacher on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
    • Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) - Jeremy chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
    • Ariana DeBose (Schmigadoon!) and Scott Bakula (Murphy Brown/Eisenhower and Lutz/Gung Ho) - Ariana and Scott talk about The Baker's Wife on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
    • Michelle Buteau (Survival of the Thickest/Bless the Harts/Enlisted) - Michelle co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
    • Edie Falco (Bupkis/Nurse Jackie) and Laura Benanti (Life & Beth/Younger/The Detour/Go On/Starved) - Edie, Laura and the cast of Mayor of Kingstown join Drew on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
    • Lil Rel Howery (Rel/The Carmichael Show) - Lil Rel and Tabitha Brown discuss their film Unexpected Christmas on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.


    New on DVD and Blu-ray

    Frasier (2023) - Season Two Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season

    01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
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    05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
    06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
    06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
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