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

    Friday, January 30

    Happy's Place - "Silence Was Golden" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
    While Bobbie attempts to plan the perfect anniversary dinner for her and Emmett, Steve and Takoda must hide a secret from Isabella and Gabby that could ruin Bobbie's special evening.

    Stumble - "Lights Out" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
    After the AI data center that Courteney helped woo drains Heådltston of water and power, the town and school shut down, sending her cheer team scattered to the wind; with Daytona looming, Courteney relies on Boon to help save the day.

    Complete TV Listings


    Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 26)

    Friday, January 30

    • Anthony Anderson (black-ish/Guys with Kids/All About the Andersons) - Watch Anthony on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
    • Jane Fonda (Grace and Frankie) - Jane appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
    • Jessica Williams (Shrinking/Love Life/Just for Kicks) - Jessica is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
    • Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!) - Alan appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
    • Garcelle Beauvais (The Other Black Girl/Survival of the Thickest/The Jamie Foxx Show/Merry Happy Whatever) - Garcelle talks about Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted 2 Love on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
    • Jason Biggs (Outmatched/Mad Love/Drexell's Class) - Jason talks about Untitled Home Invasion Romance with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
    • Katherine LaNasa (Three Sisters) - Katherine chats about The Pitt with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
    • Kevin James (The Crew/Kevin Can Wait/The King of Queens) - Kevin talks about Solo Mio on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
    • Joel McHale (Animal Control/The Great Indoors/Community) - Joel talks about the new season of Animal Control on Fox on Sherri, so check your local listings.
    • Sarah Shahi (Teachers) - Sarah tells Sherri about her new book, Life is Lifey: The A to Z’s of Navigating Life’s Messy Middle, on Sherri, so check your local listings.
    • Laura Dern (F Is for Family/Enlightened) - Drew chats with the legendary Laura Dern on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.


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