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, January 12

    The Neighorhood - "Welcome to the Downsizing" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    Calvin and Marty face permit delays at Westside Fuse Box, pushing back the grand opening, while Malcolm’s booming writing career sparks an urgent search for a new nanny. Over at the Johnson house, Dave is still struggling to bounce back after being fired.

    DMV - "Splash Fountain" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    Colette’s effort to redirect holiday plans takes an unexpected turn when it lands her trapped in a car. Meanwhile, a surprising new friendship stirs up jealousy among the team.

    St. Denis Medical - "This Is From Joyce" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
    Serena and Alex work a "Botox and Bubbly" party; Joyce enlists Matt's help with a personal issue; Bruce introduces Ron to the world of memecoins.

    Stumble - "Media Day" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    Courteney decides to use media day as a way to recruit new cheerleaders and to push her team to get right back on that mat; DiMarcus proves that not all Buttons are meant to be pushed.

    Complete TV Listings


    Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 12)

    Monday, January 12

    • Michael B. Jordan (The Assistants) - Watch Michael on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
    • Joel McHale (Animal Control/The Great Indoors/Community) - Joel appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
    • Kristen Wiig (Palm Royale) - Kristen is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
    • Ashton Kutcher (The Ranch/Two and a Half Men/That '70s Show) - Ashton stops by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
    • Kal Penn (The Santa Clauses/Sunnyside/We Are Men) - Andy Cohen interviews Kal on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 3:30am on Bravo.
    • Laura Dern (F Is for Family/Enlightened) - Laura talks about Is This Thing On? on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
    • Elise Neal (A.N.T. Farm/All of Us) - Elise, starring in the new series G.R.I.T.S., stops by to share how she built unshakable confidence and her non-negotiables for self-care on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
    • Chris Perfetti (Abbott Elementary) - Chris can be heard on The Morning Mash Up on SiriusXM.
    • Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/One Day at a Time) - Valerie joins Drew and Ross to cover the latest headlines on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
    • Denis Leary (Going Dutch/No Good Deed/Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll/The Job), Danny Pudi (Going Dutch/Mythic Quest/Powerless/Community) and Taylor Mislak (Going Dutch) - Denis, Danny and Taylor talk about Fox's Going Dutch on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.


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