ONE SEASON WONDERS: The Pursuit of Happiness

On Wednesdays, I take a look at shows that lasted one season or less. Here's a look at 1995's The Pursuit of Happiness!

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

September 19, 1995 - November 7, 1995

6 episodes

NBC

Starring: Tom Amandes, Melinda McGraw, Brad Garrett, Maxine Stuart, Meredith Scott Lynn and Larry Miller

Created by: Dave Hackel

Plot: Steve Rutledge (Amandes) is a successful Chicago lawyer who is in the midst of a mid-life crisis while dealing with a newly unemployed wife, McKenzie (McGraw), and her brother, Larry (Miller). His colleagues include partner Alex (Garrett) and secretary Jean (Lynn). Rounding out the main cast is Steve's grandma (Stuart).

Brief Pilot Review:

I'm pretty used to seeing Tom Amandes in dramas so it was a little weird to see him in a comedic role. He wasn't particularly well-suited for comedy as he was awfully stiff in a role that had plenty of comedic opportunities. The pilot also made use of Amandes doing voiceovers which were a little bit more effective at setting the tone and the feel of the episode. It also had the unconventional approach of the pilot taking place over the course of many months and different characters' birthdays. Then of course there was Larry Miller, who I find irritating more often than not. He made his presence known very quickly with an obnoxious scene where his character barges in on Steve and McKenzie. 

On the plus side, there were strong performances from Melinda McGraw and Brad Garrett. Garrett was playing a gay character, which was not very common on TV in 1995. They dealt with it head-on in the pilot and though it certainly had a dated feeling looking at it now, it was refreshing to see a show deal with the topic that directly at that time. McGraw had strong comedic timing in her scenes and she elevated scenes with Amandes (Garrett did too for that matter). The writing wasn't bad either. So I think there were several things to like it this pilot but if Amandes didn't loosen up and Miller didn't settle down, it seemed like it could easily have its weaknesses overcome it.

What Went Wrong:

The Pursuit of Happiness was one of six new comedies that NBC launched in Fall 1995. It seems crazy now to think of a network launching six comedies in one month, but that was the way business was done back then especially on a network that had a comedy brand that included Friends, Seinfeld and Frasier. Aside from their Thursday night newbies The Single Guy and Caroline in the City, The Pursuit of Happiness was given the best new timeslot, airing behind Frasier on Tuesday nights. That could be because it came from the Frasier creative team (so perhaps it was guaranteed that specific timeslot). But it quickly proved to be not worthy of the Tuesday 9:30pm slot. Despite airing in the fall and behind all new episodes of Frasier each week, it came in 50th place for the season in the ratings while Frasier came in 11th place.

Reviews were not kind either. Ken Tucker called it "lame" for Entertainment Weekly. Tom Shales of The Washington Post called it a "confused sitcom" that "gets your nowhere." NBC cancelled the series early into November Sweeps and brought The John Larroquette Show back to the night (after it was languishing on Saturdays). They did eventually find a Tuesday hit in the 1995-96 season with midseason entry 3rd Rock From the Sun. The Pursuit actors, including Tom Amandes, Melinda McGraw and Larry Miller have continued to find steady work. After the failure of this show, Brad Garrett signed on to Everybody Loves Raymond for the next season and went on to a decade-long, Emmy winning run.

Tomorrow: A look at Happy Days Season 6 (Part 2)!

Next Wednesday: A One Season Wonder look at Central Park West!