City (TV Series)
Encyclopedia
City was an American
sitcom which aired for 13 episodes, on CBS
, during the latter half of the 1989-1990 season. It was a new starring vehicle for Valerie Harper
, which went into development not long after she and husband Tony Cacciotti won their lawsuit against Lorimar Telepictures over her dismissal from her NBC
sitcom Valerie
(which eventually continued without Harper as The Hogan Family
). City was created by Paul Haggis
, and like Ms. Harper's previous series, was also executive produced by Tony Cacciotti.
and Rhoda
in the early 1970s. Liz's breezy, Amazonian mentality played more to her advantage at home, where she had to constantly keep up with—and fret over—her rapidly maturing 19-year-old daughter Penny (LuAnne Ponce). Liz and Penny's frantic repertoire and sweet "mother-daughter" moments, filled with witty dialogue, was the other central base of the show.
At work, Liz oversaw a multi-ethnic staff of crazies and eccentrics. Roger Barnett (Todd Susman
) was the assistant city manager who spends most of his time betting on sports and trying to sell a worn-out racehorse he owns. Anna-Maria Batista (Liz Torres
) is the tough Cuban purchasing agent whose most obvious character trait was pronouncing "yep" as "jep". Wanda Jenkins (Tyra Ferrell
) was the sarcastic black secretary, who often discussed how she didn't want her young son to turn out like his father, a composer of classical music who actually made very little money. Also seen around City Hall were Gloria Elgis (Mary Jo Keenen), the city social coordinator, a stereotypically beautiful airhead spoiled by her wealthy family; Lance Armstrong (Sam Lloyd
), the creepy statistician; and Victor Sloboda (James Lorinz
), a dumb security guard, who in one episode thought a bandit had stolen the entire supply of White-Out for use in processing records for illegal immigrants. His solution to the problem: painting his entire body in correction fluid
in order to "keep his eyes" on the supply! Liz and the gang all answered to Ken Resnick (Stephen Lee
), the totally powerless, monumentally rotten Deputy Mayor. Running the newsstand/lunch counter at City Hall was Sean (Shay Duffin
), an acerbic Irishman. Chuck (Rodney Ueno), an aggressive Asian mail clerk, was also part of the cast, but his character was dropped after the pilot.
in January 1990 and immediately cracked the Nielsen
Top 10. The show kept up this performance through February sweeps, but the early success didn't last long. Audiences diminished over the next few months, and although the series was still pulling respectable numbers at the end of its inaugural season that April, CBS decided not to give City a second season. During its entire original run, the show aired in the plum time slot of Mondays at 8:30/7:30c, between freshman hit Major Dad
and sophomore hit Murphy Brown
. After its only season ended, CBS at first pulled the show for May sweeps, and then brought City back on Fridays at 8/7c in June, where it aired reruns for two weeks before its last network airing that same month.
. City even used the same credit font that The Hogan Family had been using during all seasons in which Harper's replacement on that series, Sandy Duncan
, had starred (Cooper Black
). Yet another coincidence was that after NBC canceled The Hogan Family in the summer of 1990, CBS picked up the show(though it would be canceled the following year).
, had acquired selected copies of City episodes from CBS for showings at their public events, which were falsely passed off, along with actual unaired network pilots, as a test preview for a new series being considered for nationwide broadcast.
The actual objective of these focus groups is to test the live audience's emotions and reactions to advertising and product placement; the results are given to top marketers in order for them to keep promotional trends in sync with consumers. The so-called "new TV pilots" only serve the purpose of controlling the attention and emotions of viewers, and to give them something else to occupy their time with besides watching commercials. The general public, as well as press columnists, have accused Research Systems Corporation as using TV pilots and The New Television Preview as a way to deceive people into taking surveys and answering questionnaires on products rather than shows, and as a gateway for manufacturers to push their products on unassuming participants through telemarketing and mail offers (survey takers are asked to provide personal information before starting the process). The events are not only held in major cities across the United States, but also in many other markets abroad.
The research firm reportedly began this practice in the late 1990s, and the pilot episode of City has been seen in steady rotation with other pilot material that never aired since that time. Tony Cacciotti eventually found out that the show was being used for the research ploy and at one point even considered a lawsuit against Research Systems Corporation. In any event, attendees were not fooled by the inclusion of Citys pilot episode in various meetings of The New Television Preview. Whether they remembered the program or not, it became more obvious that the show was not new or even being considered for current network pickup because of its age and the writing, which contained jokes and references to world culture circa 1990.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sitcom which aired for 13 episodes, on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, during the latter half of the 1989-1990 season. It was a new starring vehicle for Valerie Harper
Valerie Harper
Valerie Harper is an American actress, known for her role as Rhoda Morgenstern on the 1970s television show The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and for her starring roles on the sitcoms Rhoda and Valerie.-Early life and career:Harper was born at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, Rockland County,...
, which went into development not long after she and husband Tony Cacciotti won their lawsuit against Lorimar Telepictures over her dismissal from her 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...
sitcom Valerie
Valerie
-People:*Valerie , a feminine given name*Valerie of Limoges, according to legend, an associate of Saint Martial, a cephalophoric martyr*Valeria of Milan, often known as St Valerie, venerated in Thibodaux, Louisiana...
(which eventually continued without Harper as The Hogan Family
The Hogan Family
The Hogan Family is an American television situation comedy that aired from March 1, 1986 to July 20, 1991...
). City was created by Paul Haggis
Paul Haggis
Paul Edward Haggis is a Canadian screenwriter, producer, and director. He spent his early career producing and directing various American and Canadian television network series.-Early life and education:...
, and like Ms. Harper's previous series, was also executive produced by Tony Cacciotti.
Synopsis
Harper portrayed Liz Gianni, the city manager of an unnamed American city. In her line of work came dealings with the all-too-realistic but sometimes lighthearted issues of the modern-day city, from budget cuts to bureaucratic and political corruption, and the socioeconomic travails of inner-city life. Despite the turmoil that often ensued because of these problems, Liz focused on them with much exuberance, with a little kookiness thrown in, which ultimately made this a return to the type of character that first brought Harper fame on The Mary Tyler Moore ShowThe Mary Tyler Moore Show
The Mary Tyler Moore Show is an American television sitcom created by James L. Brooks and Allan Burns that aired on CBS from 1970 to 1977...
and Rhoda
Rhoda
Rhoda is an American television sitcom, starring Valerie Harper, which ran for five seasons, from 1974 to 1978 airing in 109 episodes. The show was a spin-off from The Mary Tyler Moore Show, in which Harper between the years 1970 and 1974 had played the role of Rhoda Morgenstern, a spunky,...
in the early 1970s. Liz's breezy, Amazonian mentality played more to her advantage at home, where she had to constantly keep up with—and fret over—her rapidly maturing 19-year-old daughter Penny (LuAnne Ponce). Liz and Penny's frantic repertoire and sweet "mother-daughter" moments, filled with witty dialogue, was the other central base of the show.
At work, Liz oversaw a multi-ethnic staff of crazies and eccentrics. Roger Barnett (Todd Susman
Todd Susman
Todd Susman is an American actor. His better-known roles include Officer Shifflett on Newhart and the unseen P.A. system announcer on the television series M*A*S*H, a role he shared with Sal Viscuso...
) was the assistant city manager who spends most of his time betting on sports and trying to sell a worn-out racehorse he owns. Anna-Maria Batista (Liz Torres
Liz Torres
Elizabeth "Liz" Torres is an actress, singer, and comedienne of Puerto Rican descent.-Early years:Torres was born in the Bronx borough of New York City where her parents had settled after moving from Puerto Rico. There she received her primary and secondary education...
) is the tough Cuban purchasing agent whose most obvious character trait was pronouncing "yep" as "jep". Wanda Jenkins (Tyra Ferrell
Tyra Ferrell
-Career:She appeared in Jungle Fever , which starred Wesley Snipes and Annabella Sciorra. She also had roles in films such as Boyz n the Hood , White Men Can't Jump , and Poetic Justice...
) was the sarcastic black secretary, who often discussed how she didn't want her young son to turn out like his father, a composer of classical music who actually made very little money. Also seen around City Hall were Gloria Elgis (Mary Jo Keenen), the city social coordinator, a stereotypically beautiful airhead spoiled by her wealthy family; Lance Armstrong (Sam Lloyd
Sam Lloyd
Sam Lloyd may refer to:*Samuel T. Lloyd III, dean of Washington National Cathedral*Sam Lloyd, recurring guest character on several television shows including Scrubs and Desperate Housewives-See also:...
), the creepy statistician; and Victor Sloboda (James Lorinz
James Lorinz
James Lorinz is an American writer/director/actor whose most famous roles include Street Trash, Frankenhooker and The Jerky Boys. He has also had smaller parts in Last Exit to Brooklyn, Robocop 3 and King of New York....
), a dumb security guard, who in one episode thought a bandit had stolen the entire supply of White-Out for use in processing records for illegal immigrants. His solution to the problem: painting his entire body in correction fluid
Correction fluid
A correction fluid is an opaque, white fluid applied to paper to mask errors in text. Once dried, it can be written over. It is typically packaged in small bottles, and the lid has an attached brush which dips into the bottle...
in order to "keep his eyes" on the supply! Liz and the gang all answered to Ken Resnick (Stephen Lee
Stephen Lee
Stephen Lee is a professional snooker-player from Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England, whose smooth cue action is regarded by some pundits as the most natural in the game. He has won four ranking titles, and spent 10 seasons in the Top 16 of the world rankings before dropping out for the snooker...
), the totally powerless, monumentally rotten Deputy Mayor. Running the newsstand/lunch counter at City Hall was Sean (Shay Duffin
Shay Duffin
Shay Duffin was an Irish-born American character actor of the stage and screen. Was in the 1993 film Leprechaun. He also had a role in the 1997 film Titanic....
), an acerbic Irishman. Chuck (Rodney Ueno), an aggressive Asian mail clerk, was also part of the cast, but his character was dropped after the pilot.
Ratings & Scheduling
City premiered on CBSCBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
in January 1990 and immediately cracked the Nielsen
Nielsen
Nielsen , is a Danish patronymic surname, literally meaning son of Niels, Niels being the Danish version of the Greek male given name Νικόλαος, Nikolaos . It is the second most common surname in Denmark, shared by about 5% of the population. It is also used in Norway, although the form Nelsen and...
Top 10. The show kept up this performance through February sweeps, but the early success didn't last long. Audiences diminished over the next few months, and although the series was still pulling respectable numbers at the end of its inaugural season that April, CBS decided not to give City a second season. During its entire original run, the show aired in the plum time slot of Mondays at 8:30/7:30c, between freshman hit Major Dad
Major Dad
Major Dad is an American sitcom created by Richard C. Okie and John G. Stephens that originally ran from 1989 to 1993 on CBS, starring Gerald McRaney as Major John D. MacGillis and Shanna Reed as his wife Polly...
and sophomore hit Murphy Brown
Murphy Brown
Murphy Brown is an American situation comedy which aired on CBS from November 14, 1988, to May 18, 1998, for a total of 247 episodes. The program starred Candice Bergen as the eponymous Murphy Brown, a famous investigative journalist and news anchor for FYI, a fictional CBS television...
. After its only season ended, CBS at first pulled the show for May sweeps, and then brought City back on Fridays at 8/7c in June, where it aired reruns for two weeks before its last network airing that same month.
Coincidences between City and The Hogan Family
Whether it was to Valerie Harper's dismay or not, City had more than one coincidental occurrence with her former series, now known as The Hogan Family. The intended coincidence was that Ms. Harper's husband, Tony Cacciotti, had served as co-producer on both series. However, the connection became stronger when LuAnne Ponce was cast as Penny Gianni in City - she was the sister of Hogan Family star Danny Ponce (thus giving the Ponce siblings the distinction of having both been TV children of Valerie Harper). Harper's characters on both series had husbands named Michael. As if that weren't enough, CBS just happened to schedule City on Monday nights directly opposite The Hogan Family. Both shows even had a number of episodes directed by Howard StormHoward Storm (director)
Howard Storm is an American film, television director and actor.Storm's acting credits include The New Dick Van Dyke Show, Rhoda, Sanford and Son among other series....
. City even used the same credit font that The Hogan Family had been using during all seasons in which Harper's replacement on that series, Sandy Duncan
Sandy Duncan
Sandra Kay "Sandy" Duncan is an American singer, dancer and actress of stage and television, recognized through a blonde, pixie cut hairstyle and perky demeanor...
, had starred (Cooper Black
Cooper Black
Cooper Black is a heavily weighted, old style serif typeface designed by Oswald Bruce Cooper in 1921 and released by the Barnhart Brothers & Spindler type foundry in 1922. The typeface is drawn as an extra bold weight of Cooper Old Style. Though not based on a single historic model, Cooper Black...
). Yet another coincidence was that after NBC canceled The Hogan Family in the summer of 1990, CBS picked up the show(though it would be canceled the following year).
Unauthorized life after death
Despite its short run, it is not doubtful that City would have remained in the memory banks of viewers because of its star power alone. However, the pilot episode of the series has continued to be seen by many around the world to this very day, through their participation in product and consumer research. Research Systems Corporation, which runs public invitation-only conventions known as The New Television PreviewTelevision Preview
Television Preview is a market research company that purports to test pilots of new television shows while actually looking for audience's reactions to commercials presented in a "home-like" atmosphere between breaks in these shows...
, had acquired selected copies of City episodes from CBS for showings at their public events, which were falsely passed off, along with actual unaired network pilots, as a test preview for a new series being considered for nationwide broadcast.
The actual objective of these focus groups is to test the live audience's emotions and reactions to advertising and product placement; the results are given to top marketers in order for them to keep promotional trends in sync with consumers. The so-called "new TV pilots" only serve the purpose of controlling the attention and emotions of viewers, and to give them something else to occupy their time with besides watching commercials. The general public, as well as press columnists, have accused Research Systems Corporation as using TV pilots and The New Television Preview as a way to deceive people into taking surveys and answering questionnaires on products rather than shows, and as a gateway for manufacturers to push their products on unassuming participants through telemarketing and mail offers (survey takers are asked to provide personal information before starting the process). The events are not only held in major cities across the United States, but also in many other markets abroad.
The research firm reportedly began this practice in the late 1990s, and the pilot episode of City has been seen in steady rotation with other pilot material that never aired since that time. Tony Cacciotti eventually found out that the show was being used for the research ploy and at one point even considered a lawsuit against Research Systems Corporation. In any event, attendees were not fooled by the inclusion of Citys pilot episode in various meetings of The New Television Preview. Whether they remembered the program or not, it became more obvious that the show was not new or even being considered for current network pickup because of its age and the writing, which contained jokes and references to world culture circa 1990.