My Boys is a United States television sitcom that debuted on November 28, 2006, on TBS. The show deals with a female sports columnist in
ChicagoChicago is the largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and with more than 2.8 million people, the 3rd largest city in the United States...
and the men in her life including her brother, her ex-boyfriend, her best friend, and a sportswriter for a rival publication.
PJ Franklin (
Jordana SpiroJordana Ariel Spiro is an American film and television actress, currently starring in the TBS comedy series My Boys as P.J. Franklin.-Life and career:...
) is a professional sportswriter looking for love within her world, which is dominated by her group of male friends.
My Boys is a United States television sitcom that debuted on November 28, 2006, on TBS. The show deals with a female sports columnist in
ChicagoChicago is the largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and with more than 2.8 million people, the 3rd largest city in the United States...
and the men in her life including her brother, her ex-boyfriend, her best friend, and a sportswriter for a rival publication.
Summary
PJ Franklin (
Jordana SpiroJordana Ariel Spiro is an American film and television actress, currently starring in the TBS comedy series My Boys as P.J. Franklin.-Life and career:...
) is a professional sportswriter looking for love within her world, which is dominated by her group of male friends. Her "boys" are her family, which sometimes hinders PJ's dating life, as the men she tries to date don't know how to react to her unconventional interests and the all-important men in her life.
Her tomboyish, upfront approach to relationships tends to intimidate potential suitors, which leads her only female friend to advise her to dress and act more feminine. Being "one of the guys" can mean a lot of great things: poker games, pick-up softball games, watching sports or just hanging out at a favorite bar. But for PJ being a girl who’s one of the guys can be challenging.
During the first season, many of the episodes involved some of the characters going to
match.comMatch.com is an online dating service. The company reportedly has more than 15 million members and Web sites serving 37 countries in more than 12 different languages. Its headquarters are in Dallas, Texas and the company also has offices in London, Paris, Tokyo, Beijing, Munich, Stockholm, Madrid....
, a sponsor of the show, that is often referenced in conversation on the show. The first season seemed to end with a cliffhanger on December 28, 2006. The episode "The Promise of a New Season" aired July 30 and was originally billed as the beginning of the second season. The season had a mere 9 episodes. Later, the first 13 episodes which aired in 2006 were combined with these 9 episodes and the 22 episodes were together released as Season One on DVD. The show had been picked up for a second season with eight episodes, but ended up having 9 episodes. Season 2 premiered on Thursday, June 12, 2008. The second season, like the first, ended on a cliffhanger. The third season premiered on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 with another set of 9 episodes. The second season cliffhanger is resolved, as Bobby and Elsa break off their engagement, and he admits to P.J. that he had feelings for her. The two date througout the season, although they try to keep it a secret, to no avail. Meanwhile, Brendan opens the new club with John but quickly finds himself doing all of the work. After pointing out how valuable he is to John, he manages to negotiate a better salary and work schedule. He also realizes his pattern of dating mentally unstable women, such as the one in "Carpe Burritoem," has to stop; a point emphasized by the crazy "girlfriend" of
Chicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago , the Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the...
player
Mike FontenotMichael Eugene "Mike" Fontenot is a Major League Baseball infielder for the Chicago Cubs.-High school career:Mike Fontenot was a standout for Salmen High School in Slidell, Louisiana...
, who makes a cameo appearance in the season 3 finale. At the end of the season, it is revealed that not only did Kenny and Stephanie continue to secretly date after their night in Arizona, they are in love.
On October 7, 2008, TBS announced it would run a third season of the show. A new set of nine episodes premiered on March 31, 2009. On September 11, 2009, it was confirmed on TV Guide's Internet page that the show has been picked up for a fourth season, although it would only head back into production in January 2010 - with the new season premiering on TBS in the following summer.
Main Characters
- Jordana Spiro
Jordana Ariel Spiro is an American film and television actress, currently starring in the TBS comedy series My Boys as P.J. Franklin.-Life and career:...
portrays Penelope Jane "P.J." Franklin, a sportswriter for the Chicago Sun-TimesThe Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is owned by the Sun-Times Media Group, which filed for bankruptcy protection on March 31, 2009.-History:...
, the protagonist, first-person narrator, and the core of the group.
- Jim Gaffigan
James Christopher "Jim" Gaffigan is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He is best known for his Comedy Central Presents specials, a recurring role on the show My Boys and several nationwide commercials.-Personal life:...
portrays Andy Franklin, PJ's brother, whose wife was thought by the gang to keep him on a short leash; however, after she throws him a fabulous birthday party they realize she is a fun woman. Andy admits he likes using his wife as an excuse to go home because sometimes he feels tired and likes to act like an old man.
- Reid Scott
Reid Scott born November 19, 1977, is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Brendan Dorff on the hit television show, My Boys. He has also appeared in several television commercials, the popular show "All My Children," and in the off-Broadway play "Cargo." - Personal life :Reid Scott...
portrays Brendan 'Brendo' Dorff, a former hard-rock radio DJ and former roommate of PJ, whose on-again, off-again relationship with his girlfriend often leaves him crashing at PJ's apartment and eventually leads to him moving in with her again. In season 2 he loses his DJ job when the station is bought out by corporate interests. He is usually dressed in a band T-Shirt. As of season 3, he is the manager of John's Club, an endeavor that he paired up with John, Bobby's friend he met at Bobby's bachelor party.
- Jamie Kaler
Jamie Kaler is an American stand up comedian and actor who has gained fame by portraying the character Mike Callahan on the TBS comedy "My Boys". He has appeared on such talk shows as the Late Late Show and had a recurring role on Will and Grace. Kaler also lends his voice to the show Robot...
portrays Mike Callahan, a commitment-challenged ladies man, who worked for the Chicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago , the Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the...
and now helps Kenny (below) run his sports memorabilia store.
- Michael Bunin
Michael Louis Bunin is an American actor perhaps best known for playing the role of "Kenny" on the TBS sitcom My Boys. A prolific and highly successful commercial actor during the early part of his career, starring in at least 50 national commercials, the transition to the single camera comedy on...
portrays Kenny Moritorri, a sports memorabilia store owner, who hasn't mastered the art of dating.He also has a love hate relatioship with Stephanie Layne. At the end of season 3 we see them having a secret relationship.
- Kyle Howard
Kyle Alan Howard is an American film and television actor.Kyle Howard grew up in Loveland, Colorado. He has worked in both film and television...
portrays Bobby Newman, a sportswriter for the Chicago TribuneThe Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company...
(the rival newspaper in ChicagoChicago is the largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and with more than 2.8 million people, the 3rd largest city in the United States...
), he was raised in one of the city's wealthiest families, and is a love interest of PJ's. As of season 3, he and P.J. are dating.
- Kellee Stewart
Kellee Stewart is an American film and television actress. As of 2007, she plays on the TBS comedy series My Boys as "Stephanie Lane".-Biography:...
portrays Stephanie Layne, PJ's best friend, who gives her advice on men and dating from a female point of view. Author of a best-selling book about relationships, You're a Great Guy, But.... She also has a love/hate relatioship with Kenny Moritorri. At the end of season 3 we see them having a secret relationship.
Secondary Characters
- Jeannie Noth portrays Meredith, Andy's wife. Andy uses her as an excuse to leave poker games early until PJ learns she's actually fun.
- Johnny Galecki
John Mark "Johnny" Galecki is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as David Healy in the sitcom Roseanne, Rusty Griswold in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and as Leonard Hofstadter, Ph.D, in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory.-Early life:Galecki was born in Bree, Belgium, to...
portrays Trouty, a friend of Kenny's who was brought over to play poker one night. He also got the gang into an exclusive nightclub. At first he comes off as quite annoying, but it is revealed he is a good guy who tries too hard. He constantly wears a hands-free phone piece in his ear.
- Eddie McClintock
Edward "Eddie" McClintock is an American actor who has starred and guest starred in numerous television shows. He currently portrays the role of Secret Service agent Peter Lattimer on the Syfy series Warehouse 13....
portrays Hank, one of PJ's old boyfriends. They broke up because Hank didn't fit in with her friends, which was unacceptable to PJ.
- Jeremy Sisto
Jeremy Merton Sisto is an American actor. He has had many prominent roles in movies and television, and is probably best known for his recurring role as Billy Chenowith on the HBO series Six Feet Under and Detective Lupo on Law & Order...
portrays Thorn, PJ's summer fling from college. Their relationship was left open-ended, until he comes back from Afghanistan to possibly rekindle a relationship with PJ. He is revealed to be engaged, but turns up later and announces that his relationship with his fiancée has ended.
- Travis Schuldt
Travis Schuldt is an American actor. He originated the role of Ethan Winthrop on the NBC soap opera Passions from 1999 to 2002, and was a recurring role in the sitcom Scrubs from 2006-2008...
portrays Matt Dougan, the new Cubs pitcher, who persistently pursues PJ. They briefly date, but PJ breaks it off when she considers it would be unethical. The relationship opens up again when Matt reveals he is not a Cub anymore.
- Michael Landes
Michael Christopher Landes is an American actor. He is known for his roles of Jimmy Olsen in the first season of Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Detective Nicholas O'Malley in Special Unit 2, Officer Thomas Burke in Final Destination 2, and David Conlon in The Wedding Bells.-Lois...
portrays Evan, a botanist PJ meets at Andy's barbecueBarbecue or barbeque is a method and apparatus for cooking meat, with the heat and hot gases of a fire, smoking wood, or hot coals of charcoal or a propane gas grill, and may...
in the suburbs, who quickly becomes a love interest.
- Nia Vardalos
Antonia Eugenia "Nia" Vardalos is a Canadian-American actress, screenwriter and producer.-Personal life:Vardalos was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She is the daughter of Greek Canadian parents Doreen, a bookkeeper and homemaker, and Constantine "Gus" Vardalos, a land developer. She attended...
portrays Jo, Andy's "work wife" who seems to want more than just being friends with him.
- Billy Burke
William Albert "Billy" Burke is an American actor.Burke was born in Bellingham, Washington. He is best known for his roles as Charlie Swan in the 2008 film Twilight and as Gary Matheson in the second season of 24.-Career:...
portrays Jack, Bobby's smooth-talking brother who shows an interest in PJ.
- Mini Anden
Mini Anden is a Swedish model, actress, occasional host, and producer.She was born in Stockholm and began modeling at the age of ten, joining Elite Model Management when she was fifteen. She has been on the cover of many fashion magazines including Vogue, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan and ELLE...
portrays Elsa, Bobby's former fiancée. She was also Andy's Swedish nanny. Bobby and Elsa called off their wedding hours before it was to take place.
- Lindsey Stoddart portrays Wendy, Brendan's former fiancée, who returns later married and expecting a child.
Location
The series takes place in Chicago and makes references to many real-life Chicago locations, and even suburban areas and
Northwest IndianaNorthwest Indiana, also known as the South Shore, The Calumet Region,The Region or even Da Region, comprises Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, and Jasper counties in Indiana...
. These include
Wrigley FieldWrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
,
Billy Goat TavernThe Billy Goat Tavern is a chain of taverns located in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 1937 by Billy Sianis, a Greek immigrant. It achieved fame primarily through newspaper columns by Mike Royko, a supposed curse on the Chicago Cubs and the Olympia Cafe sketch on Saturday Night Live.It now has...
,
MetroMetro is a concert hall at 3730 N. Clark Street in Chicago, Illinois that plays host to a variety of local, regional and national emerging bands and musicians. The Metro was first opened in 1982. The capacity is 1100, divided between the main floor and the balcony...
, Churrascaria, and various bars and streets. Despite frequent
second unitIn film, the second unit is a team that shoots footage which is of lesser importance for the final motion picture, as opposed to the first unit, which shoots all scenes involving actors, or at least the stars of the film...
establishing shots of Chicago, almost all of the principal filming is done in Los Angeles. Three episodes, "Baseball Myths," "110% Solution," and "Rome, If You Want To," included scenes taking place in Chicago. Scenes took place in the
Art Institute of ChicagoThe School of the Art Institute of Chicago is one of America's largest accredited independent schools of art and design, located in Chicago, Illinois. It is associated with the museum of the same name, The Art Institute of Chicago. Providing degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels, SAIC...
,
Northerly IslandNortherly Island is a man-made peninsula along Chicago's lakefront. . The site of the Adler Planetarium, Northerly Island connects to the mainland through a narrow isthmus along Solidarity Drive dominated by Neoclassical sculptures of Kościuszko, Havliček and Copernicus...
, the skydeck of the
Sears TowerWillis Tower, formerly named Sears Tower, is a 108-story skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois. At the time of its completion in 1973 it was the tallest building in the world, surpassing the World Trade Center towers in New York...
, and
Wrigley FieldWrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
. The last episode of season 3 called Spring Training was shot at the Chicago Cubs spring training facility and a nearby hotel in Mesa, AZ.
DVD Release
| DVD name | Release date | Ep # | Additional information |
|---|
| The Complete First Season |
June 10 2008 |
22 |
Behind the Scenes featurette, Sports Quiz, Gag Reel, Deleted Scenes. |
External links