Something Wilder
Encyclopedia
Something Wilder is an American sitcom
starring Gene Wilder
that lasted only one season on NBC
, running from October 1, 1994 until June 13, 1995. The series was created by Lee Kalcheim
and Barnet Kellman
.
), whose offices were located adjacent to both their homes. Jack, whose kids were grown, was at first unsure about Gene's newfound habit of dropping work frequently throughout the day to play with the twins, but eventually adjusted and sometimes found himself babysitting Sam and Gabe whenever some situation (usually comedic and slapstick) caused Gene and Annie to be away. Also working for the agency was Annie's irresponsible younger brother, Richie Wainwright (Jake Weber
), who doted on the kids almost as much as Gene. Others seen were Annie's niece from another of her siblings, boy crazy teen Katy Mooney (Raegan Kotz), and Caleb (Cleavant Derricks
), the neighborhood handyman.
The intended wit and charm of the show was drawn from Gene Wilder's comedic intuitiveness and the frantic mimicry and mugging he put on with his two young co-stars. Wilder and on-screen wife Hillary Bailey Smith also developed a "comedic supercouple" repertoire, as they often found themselves in formulaic yet inventive problems ribbed with slapstick every week, but yet at the same time they were found to depict the smart, modern career couple of the '90s. Something Wilder failed to catch on with viewers, which led to cancellation by March 1995.
star Hillary Bailey Smith in for the role. Smith continued in her role as D.A. Nora Hanen
on One Life to Live sporadically during the run of this series (despite the fact that OLTL was on a competing network, ABC
), and resumed it full time when Something Wilder was cancelled.
After the series finally premiered on October 1, 1994, on Saturdays at 8/7c, lackluster ratings prompted NBC to pull the show only after the first four episodes had aired. This only proved to be temporary, as Something Wilder was scheduled for a re-launch of sorts, immediately after November sweeps. The re-launch came about when the network felt that confusion over the show's originally promoted debut date (in September) led to a drop-off in potential audience levels when it launched early the following month. Upon returning to the air in a new Tuesday 8:30/7:30c slot in early December, the series continued steadily for another three months before it was evident that it was not a hit. NBC dropped the show from its lineup again in March 1995, and officially cancelled it not long after. One additional, new episode turned up in the same Tuesday time slot on June 13, 1995, but NBC chose not to air the remaining three episodes of the 18 in total that had been produced.
guest starred in the 14th episode ("Hangin' With Mr. Cooper", aired March 14, 1995) when Gene unexpectedly finds himself cast in a television appearance promoting Cooper's new hit single. Promotions for the episode hinted that Cooper was actually moving next door to the Bergmans, perhaps in an attempt to heighten attention to the struggling series.
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...
starring Gene Wilder
Gene Wilder
Gene Wilder is an American stage and screen actor, director, screenwriter, and author.Wilder began his career on stage, making his screen debut in the film Bonnie and Clyde in 1967. His first major role was as Leopold Bloom in the 1968 film The Producers...
that lasted only one season on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
, running from October 1, 1994 until June 13, 1995. The series was created by Lee Kalcheim
Lee Kalcheim
Lee Kalcheim is an American Emmy Award-winning screenwriter.Kalcheim has written numerous television shows including episodes for:* The Paper Chase * All in the Family * N.Y.P.D...
and Barnet Kellman
Barnet Kellman
Barnet Kellman is a television and film director, television producer and film actor.- Director:* Samantha Who?* Notes from the Underbelly* Four Kings* Living with Fran* George Lopez* Alias* Mary and Rhoda* Felicity...
.
Synopsis
A fifty something husband, Gene Bergman (Wilder), and his wife, Annie (Hillary Bailey Smith), who is in her thirties, are learning to cope with raising 4-year-old fraternal twin sons, Sam and Gabe (Carl Michael Lindner and Ian Bottiglieri). Sensitive, emotional Gene was especially unprepared for the prospect of fatherhood this much later in his life, and couldn't fathom how the generation gap was going to play out with the kids once they grew older. Sensible Annie pulled him through all the obstacles, and in the meantime, the Bergmans were just settling in for the joy of Sam and Gabe's innocent years. Gene ran an advertising agency with his partner, crabby best friend Jack Travis (Gregory ItzinGregory Itzin
Gregory Martin Itzin is an American film and television actor. He is best known for his role as disgraced U.S. President Charles Logan in the television series 24.-Early life:...
), whose offices were located adjacent to both their homes. Jack, whose kids were grown, was at first unsure about Gene's newfound habit of dropping work frequently throughout the day to play with the twins, but eventually adjusted and sometimes found himself babysitting Sam and Gabe whenever some situation (usually comedic and slapstick) caused Gene and Annie to be away. Also working for the agency was Annie's irresponsible younger brother, Richie Wainwright (Jake Weber
Jake Weber
Jake Weber is an English actor, known in film for his role as Michael in Dawn of the Dead and for his role as Drew in Meet Joe Black...
), who doted on the kids almost as much as Gene. Others seen were Annie's niece from another of her siblings, boy crazy teen Katy Mooney (Raegan Kotz), and Caleb (Cleavant Derricks
Cleavant Derricks
Cleavant Derricks may refer to:* Cleavant Derricks , prolific songwriter known for many gospel music standards* Cleavant Derricks , stage and screen actor and musician, in Sliders and Dreamgirls, son of the above...
), the neighborhood handyman.
The intended wit and charm of the show was drawn from Gene Wilder's comedic intuitiveness and the frantic mimicry and mugging he put on with his two young co-stars. Wilder and on-screen wife Hillary Bailey Smith also developed a "comedic supercouple" repertoire, as they often found themselves in formulaic yet inventive problems ribbed with slapstick every week, but yet at the same time they were found to depict the smart, modern career couple of the '90s. Something Wilder failed to catch on with viewers, which led to cancellation by March 1995.
Production and scheduling
The series premiere of Something Wilder was delayed by a few weeks in the fall of 1994, after the original actress slated to play Annie Bergman was let go well into original production. Almost down to the wire, NBC was then able to snag acclaimed daytime soap actress and current One Life to LiveOne Life to Live
One Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
star Hillary Bailey Smith in for the role. Smith continued in her role as D.A. Nora Hanen
Nora Hanen
Nora Hanen Buchanan is a fictional character on the long-running American soap opera One Life to Live. The role was originated by Hillary B. Smith in September 1992.-Casting:...
on One Life to Live sporadically during the run of this series (despite the fact that OLTL was on a competing network, ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
), and resumed it full time when Something Wilder was cancelled.
After the series finally premiered on October 1, 1994, on Saturdays at 8/7c, lackluster ratings prompted NBC to pull the show only after the first four episodes had aired. This only proved to be temporary, as Something Wilder was scheduled for a re-launch of sorts, immediately after November sweeps. The re-launch came about when the network felt that confusion over the show's originally promoted debut date (in September) led to a drop-off in potential audience levels when it launched early the following month. Upon returning to the air in a new Tuesday 8:30/7:30c slot in early December, the series continued steadily for another three months before it was evident that it was not a hit. NBC dropped the show from its lineup again in March 1995, and officially cancelled it not long after. One additional, new episode turned up in the same Tuesday time slot on June 13, 1995, but NBC chose not to air the remaining three episodes of the 18 in total that had been produced.
Notable guest stars
Alice CooperAlice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
guest starred in the 14th episode ("Hangin' With Mr. Cooper", aired March 14, 1995) when Gene unexpectedly finds himself cast in a television appearance promoting Cooper's new hit single. Promotions for the episode hinted that Cooper was actually moving next door to the Bergmans, perhaps in an attempt to heighten attention to the struggling series.