A Look Back at WATCHING ELLIE - 2002-03

WATCHING ELLIE was the first post-SEINFELD series for Julia Louise-Dreyfuss. It was her first attempt to break the so-called SEINFELD curse. up until this point, no a single series from the four main characters of SEINFELD has been successful. This included the ultra-terrible THE MICHAEL RICHARDS SHOW in 2000 and Jason Alexander's 2001 sitcom BOB PATTERSON. WATCHING ELLIE was Dreyfuss' first try at bucking the trend.

WATCHING ELLIE premiere on Tuesday, February 26, 2002, in the 9:30 p.m. time slot. It ran 10 episodes until April 23, when it was pulled before the final 3 episodes of the season order could air. The series was not cancelled. It came back on April 15, 2003, in the same Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. slot. After six episodes, the series was cancelled.

About WATCHING ELLIE:
As pointed out above, there were two attempts at this series. The original premise was a single camera comedy that was performed in real time, 22 minutes of Ellie's life. Just 10 of the 13 filmed episodes aired and NBC put the show on hiatus for a complete revamping

Nearly a full year after the last episode of the single camera version aired, WATCHING ELLIE came back as a traditional multi-camera sitcom, including a live audience. Gone was the real time aspect of the show. Just six episodes aired before NBC cancelled the series. it also marked the 0 for 3 mark in the SEINFELD curse. Now each of the three supporting characters had flops.

In both concepts of the show, Dreyfuss portrayed single nightclub singer/voice-over artist who lives in Los Angeles. Ellie Riggs is surrounded by: her much-too-pretty married older sister, Susan; building superintendent Ingvar; ex-boyfriend Edgar; and neighbor Dr. Zimmerman. Meanwhile, Ellie tries to figure out just where she stands with her current beau, Ben Raffield, a guitarist in her band.

CAST: 

• Julia Louis-Dreyfus – Ellie Riggs
• Lauren Bowles – Susan
• Steve Carell – Edgar
• Darren Boyd – Ben
• Peter Stormare – Ingvar
• Don Lake – Dr. Zimmerman