And Then There's Joan...

About 'What About Joan' 'What About Joan' began airing as a mid-season replacement on 27-March-2001 on ABC at 8:30pm Central. It was renewed for the 2001-2002 television season, moving one hour earlier, to Tuesdays at 7:30pm Central. 11-October-2001: According to zap2it.com, What About Joan has been cancelled: Joan Cusack received an unfortunate gift for her 39th birthday Thursday (Oct. 11), as "What About Joan" became the second cancellation of the 2001 fall season when ABC dropped the low-rated sitcom. "What About Joan," which premiered in March 2001, lasted only two weeks in the new fall season. After earning a 6.1 household rating/9 share in its season debut Oct. 2, it fell to a 4.9/7 this week, drawing only 6.72 million viewers. Its rating among adults 18-49 was only 2.5/6, fifth in its time period. An ABC spokesman tells Zap2it.com that the decison to cancel "Joan" was "unfortunate," but the low ratings forced the network's hand. Series star Joan Cusack couldn't be reached for comment. (Nice of ABC to not do any promos for it all summer and fall... dingbats.) From the Sony/Columbia TriStar website: "Thanks for your support! The cast and crew of What About Joan thank you for your support over the past year."

Joan Gallagher (Joan Cusack) is a single, thirty-something high school teacher who finds it difficult to repress any opinions and reveals her views on almost anything without hesitation. Her dry and sharp sense of humor make her very endearing, especially to her two best girlfriends, with whom she shares every detail of her life.

Jake Evans (Kyle Chandler), a banker, is Joan's boyfriend, who proposed marriage after six dates. Jake is the "perfect" man: good looking, successful, and sensitive. Joan doesn't understand what he sees in her.

Dr. Ruby Stern (Donna Murphy), also single, is a psychiatrist by day - professional, astute, composed and well spoken. Having been friends with Joan since her high school years, they remain best friends to this day.

Mark Ludlow (Wallace Langham). Mark is a teacher at Joan's school. He is in love with Betsy, but prefers to keep it a secret.

Alice Adams (Kellie Shanygne Williams), is a student teacher newly arrived at the high school.

Steinie (Jeff Garlin), is a bar manager and best friend to Jake. He attempts to show Jake that there is a lighter side to life than the one his facts-and-figures mentality has allowed him to enjoy. (The character of "Steinie" is new to WAJ in the 2001-2002 season.)

Betsy Morgan (Jessica Hecht), also a teacher, is the other best friend in Joan's life. The continuing saga in Betsy's life is her on again, off again relationship with Mark Ludlow. (Jessica Hecht is not a part of the cast starting with the 2001-2002 season.)

Executive Producers: James L. Brooks ("The Simpsons," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Taxi"); Richard Sakai ("The Simpsons," "Taxi," "The Tracy Ullman Show"); David Richardson ("The Simpsons," "The John Larroquette Show," "Malcolm in the Middle") Director: Michael Lembeck ("Friends," "Mad About You") Produced by: Gracie Films, Columbia TriStar Television

'What About Joan' was shot entirely on location in Chicago and was, as they say, filmed before a live studio audience. Location: Chicago Studio City, 5660 W. Taylor

ADDRESSES (I do not know if they are still valid.)
Write to ABC:	Write to the actors:
ABC, Inc. 500 S. Buena Vista Street Burbank, CA 91521 netaudr@abc.com	Actor Name (What About Joan) c/o Ashland Productions 5660 West Taylor St. Stage #3 Chicago, Illinois 60644 Actor Name (What About Joan) c/o Columbia TriStar 9336 W Washington Blvd Culver City, CA 90232

And Then There's Joan...

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