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Buddies (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Buddies is the name of a short-lived sitcom starring Dave Chappelle
that aired on ABC
in 1996
.
and Jim Breuer
attracted the attention of TV network executives with their guest appearance in the March 14, 1995 episode of ABC
's highly rated sitcom Home Improvement. The storyline had Chappelle and Breuer play a duo of friends who appear on Tool Time to ask Tim Taylor
advice on their girlfriends. The characters' single outing on the episode proved so popular that ABC decided to give Chappelle and Breuer their own half-hour sitcom.
was replaced with Christopher Gartin
as Dave Chappelle's "buddy". The unique comic timing and chemistry that Chappelle had with Breuer, his real-life friend, was not present with Gartin, and Breuer's abrupt firing exacerbated ill will. This prevented Chappelle and Gartin from developing the rapport and comedic chemistry necessary for the characters' believability and likeability.
. When a move to Wednesday night failed to improve its performance, Buddies was off the air on April 3 after a broadcast history of only five episodes out of the 13 that were produced. Dave Chappelle himself, was not proud of his involvement with Buddies in retrospect:
had an exclusive DVD available that contained 10 episodes of Buddies, 8 of which were never aired. The DVD was originally released on May 15, 2005 but seems to have been discontinued as Best Buy currently lists the item as "backordered." It is unclear why the DVD did not include all 13 episodes of the show or if the remaining 3 episodes will ever receive a home video release.
Dave Chappelle
David Khari Webber "Dave" Chappelle is an American comedian, screenwriter, television/film producer, actor, and artist. Chappelle began his film career in the film Robin Hood: Men in Tights in 1993 and continued to star in minor roles in the films The Nutty Professor, Con Air, and Blue Streak. His...
that aired on 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...
in 1996
1996 in television
The year 1996 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1996.For the American TV schedule, see: 1996-97 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-1950s:...
.
Home Improvement connection
Comedians Dave ChappelleDave Chappelle
David Khari Webber "Dave" Chappelle is an American comedian, screenwriter, television/film producer, actor, and artist. Chappelle began his film career in the film Robin Hood: Men in Tights in 1993 and continued to star in minor roles in the films The Nutty Professor, Con Air, and Blue Streak. His...
and Jim Breuer
Jim Breuer
Jim Breuer is an American stand-up comedian, actor and radio host. He is most noted for his time as a cast member on Saturday Night Live and starring in the 1998 cult "stoner comedy" Half Baked, alongside Dave Chappelle....
attracted the attention of TV network executives with their guest appearance in the March 14, 1995 episode of 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...
's highly rated sitcom Home Improvement. The storyline had Chappelle and Breuer play a duo of friends who appear on Tool Time to ask Tim Taylor
Tim Taylor (fictional character)
Timothy "Tim The Tool Man" Taylor is the main character on the American television sitcom Home Improvement, portrayed by Tim Allen, from which his first name and alma mater are derived...
advice on their girlfriends. The characters' single outing on the episode proved so popular that ABC decided to give Chappelle and Breuer their own half-hour sitcom.
Cast changes
After subsequent rehearsals, Jim BreuerJim Breuer
Jim Breuer is an American stand-up comedian, actor and radio host. He is most noted for his time as a cast member on Saturday Night Live and starring in the 1998 cult "stoner comedy" Half Baked, alongside Dave Chappelle....
was replaced with Christopher Gartin
Christopher Gartin
Christopher Russell Gartin is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his role in the 1996 film Tremors 2: Aftershocks as cab driver Grady Hoover. He also had roles in the films As Virgins Fall, Johns and the comedy Friends & Family...
as Dave Chappelle's "buddy". The unique comic timing and chemistry that Chappelle had with Breuer, his real-life friend, was not present with Gartin, and Breuer's abrupt firing exacerbated ill will. This prevented Chappelle and Gartin from developing the rapport and comedic chemistry necessary for the characters' believability and likeability.
Cancellation
Buddies premiered on Tuesday, March 5, 1996. The show garnered disappointing ratingsNielsen Ratings
Nielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
. When a move to Wednesday night failed to improve its performance, Buddies was off the air on April 3 after a broadcast history of only five episodes out of the 13 that were produced. Dave Chappelle himself, was not proud of his involvement with Buddies in retrospect:
Cast
- David Chappelle as Dave Carlisle
- Christopher GartinChristopher GartinChristopher Russell Gartin is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his role in the 1996 film Tremors 2: Aftershocks as cab driver Grady Hoover. He also had roles in the films As Virgins Fall, Johns and the comedy Friends & Family...
as John Bailey - Tanya Wright as Phyllis Brooks
- Paula CalePaula CalePaula Korologos Cale is an American actress best known for her role as Joanie Hansen on the television series Providence.-Early life:...
as Lorraine Bailey - Judith IveyJudith IveyJudith Lee Ivey is an American actress and director.-Personal life:Ivey was born in El Paso, Texas, the daughter of Dorothy Lee , a teacher, and Nathan Aldean Ivey, a college instructor and dean. She spent 1965-1968 in Dowagiac, Michigan, where she attended Union High School through tenth grade...
as Maureen DeMoss - Richard RoundtreeRichard RoundtreeRichard Roundtree is an American actor and former fashion model. He is best known for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 film Shaft and in its two sequels, Shaft's Big Score and Shaft in Africa .-Personal life:Born in New Rochelle, New York, Richard Roundtree graduated from...
as Henry Carlisle
Episode list
| Series # | Title | Notes | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Pilot" | No synopsis available. | March 5, 1996 |
| 2 | "A Room with a Pyew" | No synopsis available. | March 13, 1996 |
| 3 | "Regarding Henry" | No synopsis available. | March 20, 1996 |
| 4 | "Famous Last Words" | No synopsis available. | March 27, 1996 |
| 5 | "Marry Me ... Sort Of" | No synopsis available. | April 3, 1996 |
| 6 | "Lights, Camera ... Yuck!" | No synopsis available. | Unaired |
| 7 | "Pet Peeves" | No synopsis available. | Unaired |
| 8 | "The Content of Their Character" | No synopsis available. | Unaired |
| 9 | "There Goes the Groom" | No synopsis available. | Unaired |
| 10 | "The PSA Story" | No synopsis available. | Unaired |
| 11 | "John, I've Been Thinking" | No synopsis available. | Unaired |
| 12 | "Engagement Hell" | No synopsis available. | Unaired |
| 13 | "Whack and Blight" | No synopsis available. | Unaired |
DVD release
For a limited time in 2005, Best BuyBest Buy
Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...
had an exclusive DVD available that contained 10 episodes of Buddies, 8 of which were never aired. The DVD was originally released on May 15, 2005 but seems to have been discontinued as Best Buy currently lists the item as "backordered." It is unclear why the DVD did not include all 13 episodes of the show or if the remaining 3 episodes will ever receive a home video release.