'Til Death
Encyclopedia
’Til Death is an American sitcom
which aired on the Fox
network from September 7, 2006, to June 20, 2010. The series was created by husband-and-wife team Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, who were also the writers and executive-producers. The show focuses on Eddie and Joy Stark (Brad Garrett
and Joely Fisher
), a couple married for 23 years who live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
and Kat Foster
). The second season introduces a new character named Kenny Westchester (J. B. Smoove
) who is Eddie's friend from the big brother program. The third season focuses largely around Eddie and Joy's relationship with Kenny after he moves in with them.
The fourth season focuses on the Starks adjusting to life with their daughter Ally (Kate Micucci
) and new son-in-law Doug (Timm Sharp
), who lives in a trailer in the Starks' backyard. The series takes place in suburban
Philadelphia in Cheltenham Township.
. In November the series was given a full season order and then later paired with The War at Home
. Beginning in March 2007 the show was given the coveted time slot directly following American Idol
's results show, which led to an improvement in its ratings. In May, ’Til Death was renewed for a second season.
The second season ran from September 2007 to May 2008 and consisted of 15 episodes, during which it aired on Wednesdays at 8:30PM following a new comedy Back to You
. Late in 2007, production was halted due to the 2007-2008 writers' strike
; only 19 episodes were produced. The series went on hiatus beginning November 28, but returned with a new episode on a special night in March 2008 at 9:30PM. Then in April, ’Til Death moved again to Wednesdays at 8:00PM leading into Back to You. In May the series was given an 18 episode order for its third season, while comedy companion Back to You was cancelled.
The third season ran from September to October 2008 and consisted of only 7 episodes (3 of which were produced during the second season). In this brief season, ’Til Death aired Wednesdays at 9/8c alongside a new comedy Do Not Disturb
. The ratings for both shows were low and as a result, the network pulled the sitcom from its November schedule. Despite not airing all of season three and low ratings, ’Til Death was renewed for a fourth season in January, 2009. Fox confirmed at its upfront presentation in May that the new season would air on Friday nights in the fall.
The fourth season premiered in October 2009 at a new time, Fridays at 8:30/7:30c, following a new sitcom, Brothers
, starring former NFL
player Michael Strahan
. This season is notable in that a large number of episodes produced for the third season but previously unaired by Fox were shown alongside new episodes produced for season four. Four new episodes of ’Til Death aired on Christmas Day from 8/7c until 10/9c. The schedule changed again, when ’Til Death moved to Sundays at 7/6c and 7:30/6:30c on January 31, 2010. It was eventually paired for three episodes with the similarly canceled comedy Sons of Tucson
. The fourth season finale aired on May 23, 2010, although episodes formerly consigned for season three continued to air into June. Two months prior, Fox finally cancelled production of ’Til Death after years of below-average ratings.
The first season DVDs include all 22 episodes from Season one. The second season DVDs include 18 out of the 19 episodes produced for Season two in airdate order.
:
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
which aired on the Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
network from September 7, 2006, to June 20, 2010. The series was created by husband-and-wife team Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, who were also the writers and executive-producers. The show focuses on Eddie and Joy Stark (Brad Garrett
Brad Garrett
Bradley "Brad" Garrett is an American actor, voice actor, stand-up comedian, and professional poker player. Throughout he has appeared in numerous television and film roles....
and Joely Fisher
Joely Fisher
Joely Fisher is an American actress best known for her work on television as Paige Clark on Ellen as well as Joy Stark in the Fox sitcom Til Death, and also on stage and in films.-Background:...
), a couple married for 23 years who live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Premise
’Til Death centers on Eddie and Joy Stark, and their relationship and behavior after 23 years of marriage. The first two seasons often focus on the contrast between the Starks and their newlywed neighbors, Jeff and Steph Woodcock (Eddie Kaye ThomasEddie Kaye Thomas
Eddie Kaye Thomas is an American film, television, and stage actor who rose to prominence in 1999 as Paul Finch in the American Pie film series.-Early life:Thomas was born in Staten Island, NY...
and Kat Foster
Kat Foster
Kat Foster, sometimes credited as Kathy Foster , is an American actress.A classically trained dramatic actress, Foster studied acting at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts...
). The second season introduces a new character named Kenny Westchester (J. B. Smoove
J. B. Smoove
Jerry Brooks , better known by his stage name J.B. Smoove, is an American actor, writer and stand-up comedian, who began his TV career on Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam in the early '90's...
) who is Eddie's friend from the big brother program. The third season focuses largely around Eddie and Joy's relationship with Kenny after he moves in with them.
The fourth season focuses on the Starks adjusting to life with their daughter Ally (Kate Micucci
Kate Micucci
Kate Micucci born March 31, 1980) is an American actress, comedian and singer-songwriter, whose first major television exposure was as Stephanie Gooch in Scrubs, and later as Shelly in Raising Hope...
) and new son-in-law Doug (Timm Sharp
Timm Sharp
Timm Sharp is an American actor known mainly for his TV roles, including a lead role in the 2001 comedy Undeclared, as well as recurring roles in Six Feet Under and Til Death. He appears with Laura Dern in the HBO comedy series Enlightened, which debuted on October 10, 2011. He also attended...
), who lives in a trailer in the Starks' backyard. The series takes place in suburban
Delaware Valley
The Delaware Valley is a term used to refer to the valley where the Delaware River flows, along with the surrounding communities. This includes the metropolitan area centered on the city of Philadelphia. Such educational institutions as Delaware Valley Regional High School in Alexandria Township...
Philadelphia in Cheltenham Township.
History
The first season of ’Til Death ran from September 7, 2006 to April 11, 2007 and contained 22 episodes. The series initially aired Thursdays at 8/7c alongside fellow freshman sitcom Happy HourHappy Hour (TV series)
Happy Hour is a sitcom that debuted on Fox in the United States and on CTV in Canada on September 7, 2006. The show starred John Sloan as Henry Beckman, a young man rebuilding his life after losing his girlfriend, his job, and his apartment...
. In November the series was given a full season order and then later paired with The War at Home
The War at Home (TV series)
The War at Home is an American sitcom that ran from September 11, 2005 to April 22, 2007 on Fox. It follows the antics of a largely dysfunctional Long Island family...
. Beginning in March 2007 the show was given the coveted time slot directly following American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
The second season ran from September 2007 to May 2008 and consisted of 15 episodes, during which it aired on Wednesdays at 8:30PM following a new comedy Back to You
Back to You
Back to You is an American situation comedy series, which aired on Fox from September 19, 2007 to May 14, 2008. The creators and executive producers were Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan, and the director was James Burrows. The series starred Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton as squabbling...
. Late in 2007, production was halted due to the 2007-2008 writers' strike
2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike
The 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, more commonly referred to as simply the Writers' Strike, was a strike by the Writers Guild of America, East and the Writers Guild of America, West ....
; only 19 episodes were produced. The series went on hiatus beginning November 28, but returned with a new episode on a special night in March 2008 at 9:30PM. Then in April, ’Til Death moved again to Wednesdays at 8:00PM leading into Back to You. In May the series was given an 18 episode order for its third season, while comedy companion Back to You was cancelled.
The third season ran from September to October 2008 and consisted of only 7 episodes (3 of which were produced during the second season). In this brief season, ’Til Death aired Wednesdays at 9/8c alongside a new comedy Do Not Disturb
Do Not Disturb (TV series)
Do Not Disturb is an American sitcom, which debuted as a Fall entry on Fox's primetime lineup on September 10, 2008...
. The ratings for both shows were low and as a result, the network pulled the sitcom from its November schedule. Despite not airing all of season three and low ratings, ’Til Death was renewed for a fourth season in January, 2009. Fox confirmed at its upfront presentation in May that the new season would air on Friday nights in the fall.
The fourth season premiered in October 2009 at a new time, Fridays at 8:30/7:30c, following a new sitcom, Brothers
Brothers (2009 TV series)
Brothers is a television sitcom, which ran on Fox from September 25, 2009 to December 27, 2009. It originally aired on Friday nights at 8:00 pm EST before moving to Sunday nights at 7:00 pm EST as part of the 2009 fall schedule.- Premise :...
, starring former NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player Michael Strahan
Michael Strahan
Michael Anthony Strahan is a former National Football League defensive end who played his entire career for the New York Giants; a career where he set the record for the most sacks in a single season and won a Super Bowl in his final year. He is currently a football analyst on Fox NFL Sunday, and...
. This season is notable in that a large number of episodes produced for the third season but previously unaired by Fox were shown alongside new episodes produced for season four. Four new episodes of ’Til Death aired on Christmas Day from 8/7c until 10/9c. The schedule changed again, when ’Til Death moved to Sundays at 7/6c and 7:30/6:30c on January 31, 2010. It was eventually paired for three episodes with the similarly canceled comedy Sons of Tucson
Sons of Tucson
Sons of Tucson is a comedy television series starring Tyler Labine, Frank Dolce, Matthew Levy and Benjamin Stockham. It premiered on Fox on March 11, 2010...
. The fourth season finale aired on May 23, 2010, although episodes formerly consigned for season three continued to air into June. Two months prior, Fox finally cancelled production of ’Til Death after years of below-average ratings.
Main characters
| Name | Actor | Seasons Featured |
|---|---|---|
| Eddie Stark | Brad Garrett Brad Garrett Bradley "Brad" Garrett is an American actor, voice actor, stand-up comedian, and professional poker player. Throughout he has appeared in numerous television and film roles.... |
1–4 (regular) |
| Eddie is a high school history teacher who has been married to Joy for over two decades. | ||
| Joy Stark | Joely Fisher Joely Fisher Joely Fisher is an American actress best known for her work on television as Paige Clark on Ellen as well as Joy Stark in the Fox sitcom Til Death, and also on stage and in films.-Background:... |
1–4 (regular) |
| Joy is Eddie's wife who works as a travel agent. | ||
| Jeff Woodcock | Eddie Kaye Thomas Eddie Kaye Thomas Eddie Kaye Thomas is an American film, television, and stage actor who rose to prominence in 1999 as Paul Finch in the American Pie film series.-Early life:Thomas was born in Staten Island, NY... |
1–2 (regular) |
| Jeff is a newlywed next-door neighbor to the Starks and also the vice-principal at the high school where Eddie teaches. | ||
| Steph Woodcock | Kat Foster Kat Foster Kat Foster, sometimes credited as Kathy Foster , is an American actress.A classically trained dramatic actress, Foster studied acting at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts... |
1–2 (regular) |
| Steph is Jeff's sarcastic wife with a wild past. | ||
| Kenneth Westchester | J. B. Smoove J. B. Smoove Jerry Brooks , better known by his stage name J.B. Smoove, is an American actor, writer and stand-up comedian, who began his TV career on Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam in the early '90's... |
2, 4 (recurring); 3 (regular) |
| Kenny is Eddie's "little brother" from the Big Brother program and a recent divorcé. | ||
| Allison Stark | Krysten Ritter Krysten Ritter Krysten Alyce Ritter is an American actress and former model. Ritter is well known for her critically acclaimed turn as Jane Margolis on AMC's Breaking Bad where she first appeared as the property manager and neighbor of Aaron Paul's Jesse Pinkman... (Seasons 1–2) Laura Clery (Season 3) Lindsey Broad (Season 4) Kate Micucci Kate Micucci Kate Micucci born March 31, 1980) is an American actress, comedian and singer-songwriter, whose first major television exposure was as Stephanie Gooch in Scrubs, and later as Shelly in Raising Hope... (Season 4) |
1-3 (recurring); 4 (regular) |
| Ally is Eddie and Joy's adult daughter who lives with her boyfriend and later husband, Doug. | ||
| Doug Von Stuessen | Timm Sharp Timm Sharp Timm Sharp is an American actor known mainly for his TV roles, including a lead role in the 2001 comedy Undeclared, as well as recurring roles in Six Feet Under and Til Death. He appears with Laura Dern in the HBO comedy series Enlightened, which debuted on October 10, 2011. He also attended... |
1–3 (recurring); 4 (regular) |
| Doug is Allison's boyfriend and later husband who currently lives in a trailer in the Stark's backyard and in the 4th season becomes convinced his whole life is a sitcom. | ||
Recurring characters
- Nick Bakay as Karl
- Anthony AndersonAnthony AndersonAnthony Anderson is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He has starred in his own sitcom All About the Andersons, as well as the Fox sitcom The Bernie Mac Show during the fifth and final season of the show. He is also known for his leading roles in television dramas such as K-Ville, The...
as Cofeld - Margaret ChoMargaret ChoMargaret Cho is an American comedian, fashion designer, actress, author, and recording artist. Cho is best known for her stand-up routines, through which she critiques social and political problems, especially those pertaining to race and sexuality. She has also directed and appeared in music...
as Nicole - Jerry LambertJerry Lambert (actor)Jerry Lambert is an American stage, film, and television actor and voiceover artist, best known for his work on the ABC sitcom, Sons and Daughters, as well as commercials for companies including GEICO, Holiday Inn, and playing a fictional Sony executive named Kevin Butler.-Education:Lambert...
as Stan - Will SassoWill SassoWilliam "Will" Sasso is a Canadian comedian and actor. He is most notable for his membership in the recurring cast of comedians on the American sketch comedy series MADtv, spending five seasons on the show.-Early life:...
as Russ - Kevin NealonKevin NealonKevin Nealon is an American actor and comedian, best known as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1986 to 1995, acting in several of the Happy Madison films, for playing Doug Wilson on the Showtime series Weeds, and providing the voice of the title character, Glenn Martin on Glenn Martin,...
as Steven - Susan YeagleySusan YeagleySusan Melinda Yeagley is an American actress.-Personal life:Yeagley married fellow actor Kevin Nealon on September 3, 2005 in Bellagio, Italy. She gave birth to their first child, son Gable Ness Nealon, on January 29, 2007 in Santa Monica, California...
as Simona - Kathleen Rose PerkinsKathleen Rose PerkinsKathleen Rose Perkins is an American actress. Her career began in 2001 with a role in the television series The Fighting Fitzgeralds. She has made guest appearances in over 20 television series, including recurring roles in Til Death, NCIS: Los Angeles, Trust Me, Gary Unmarried, Tell Me You Love...
as Duffy - Martin MullMartin MullMartin Mull is an American actor who has starred in his own television sitcom and acted in prominent films. He is also a comedian, painter, and recording artist...
as Mr. White
Cast notes
- Kat Foster and Eddie Kaye Thomas, who played Steph and Jeff Woodcock, respectively, left the show, having "moved onto other projects." However, their characters continued to appear in several episodes of season three, which were filmed during season two but not aired due to the Writers' Strike. Krysten Ritter, who played the recurring role of the Starks' daughter, Allison, was also replaced in season three by Laura Clery. J. B. Smoove, who began appearing late in season two, was also added to the cast as Eddie's friend Kenny. His ex-wife appeared in the premiere episode of the third season..
- Beginning with Season 4, J.B. Smoove, who plays Kenny, was dropped from the show while Lindsey Broad and Timm Sharp were added to the main cast as Allison Stark and Doug Von Stuessen, respectively. Starting episode 19, Kate Micucci took over as Allison Stark.
DVD releases
| DVD Name | Region 1 DVD region code DVD region codes are a digital-rights management technique designed to allow film distributors to control aspects of a release, including content, release date, and price, according to the region... | Region 4 DVD region code DVD region codes are a digital-rights management technique designed to allow film distributors to control aspects of a release, including content, release date, and price, according to the region... | Episode Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Complete First Season | August 21, 2007 | February 13, 2008 | 22 |
| The Complete Second Season | January 13, 2009 | TBA | 18 |
The first season DVDs include all 22 episodes from Season one. The second season DVDs include 18 out of the 19 episodes produced for Season two in airdate order.
Syndication
On July 26, 2011, It was first announced that the show has picked up for syndication by affiliates and WGN America, which debuted on September 12, 2011, It was also announced on July 28, 2011 that Spike has picked up the show for syndication, which debuted on October 3, 2011.Ratings
Seasonal ratings based on average total viewers per episode of ’Til Death on FoxFox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
:
| Season | Timeslot (EDT) | Season Premiere | Season Finale | TV Season | Rank | Viewers (in millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thurs. 8:00 PM (September 7 - February 15) Wed. 9:30 PM (March 14 - April 11) |
September 7, 2006 | April 11, 2007 | 2006-2007 | #82 | 7.1 |
| 2 | Wed. 8:30 (September 19 - November 14) Wed. 8:00 P.M. (April 16 - May 14, 2008) |
September 19, 2007 | May 14, 2008 | 2007-2008 | #131 | 6.1 |
| 3 | Wed. 9:00 PM (September 10 - October 8) | September 10, 2008 | October 8, 2008 | 2008-2009 | #141 | 4.4 |
| 4 | Fri. 8:30 PM (October 2 - October 23) Sun. 7:00 P.M. (January 31 - June 20) |
October 2, 2009 | May 23, 2010 | 2009-2010 2009–2010 United States network television schedule The following is the 2009–2010 network television schedule for the five major English-language commercial broadcast networks in the United States. The schedule covers primetime hours from September 2009 through May 2010. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new... |
#116 | 2.4 |