Dave's World
Encyclopedia
Dave's World is an American
sitcom
that aired on CBS
from 1993 to 1997. The series was based on the writing of Miami Herald columnist Dave Barry
.
) and his wife, Beth (DeLane Matthews
) along with their sons, Tommy (Zane Carney) and Willie (Andrew Ducote). Dave worked at the fictional Miami Record-Dispatch where womanizing Kenny Beckett (Shadoe Stevens
) was his editor although Dave typically worked from home where Mia (J.C. Wendel) was his assistant. Neighbor Sheldon Baylor (Meshach Taylor
) was a successful plastic surgeon and Dave's best friend from high school. Starting in the second season, the Barrys hired Eric (Patrick Warburton
) to do some work on their house which led to Eric and Mia dating and eventually moving next door to the Barrys and getting married. Later in the series, Dave completes a book based on his and his friends' lives during the sixties, and Shel loses all of his money when his business manager runs off. Kenny is also fired from the newspaper and becomes a weatherman.
(which is the actual base of operations of Dave Barry). It was based on Barry's books Dave Barry's Greatest Hits and Dave Barry Turns 40.
The show's theme song was a version of Billy Joel
's "You May Be Right
" sung by Southside Johnny
.
During the run of the show, the real Dave Barry divorced his wife, Beth.
) has released the first 2 seasons of Dave's World on DVD in Region 1. The second season was released on February 3, 2009. The theme song for the DVD releases is a generic rock track.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sitcom
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...
that aired 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...
from 1993 to 1997. The series was based on the writing of Miami Herald columnist Dave Barry
Dave Barry
David "Dave" Barry is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American author and columnist, who wrote a nationally syndicated humor column for The Miami Herald from 1983 to 2005. He has also written numerous books of humor and parody, as well as comedic novels.-Biography:Barry was born in Armonk, New York,...
.
Plot
The show focused on the daily trials and tribulations of columnist Dave Barry (Harry AndersonHarry Anderson
Harry Laverne Anderson is an American actor and magician.-Early life:Born in Newport, Rhode Island, Anderson was a street magician before becoming an actor.-Career:...
) and his wife, Beth (DeLane Matthews
DeLane Matthews
DeLane Matthews is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Beth Barry in the CBS television series Dave's World from 1993 to 1997.-Career:...
) along with their sons, Tommy (Zane Carney) and Willie (Andrew Ducote). Dave worked at the fictional Miami Record-Dispatch where womanizing Kenny Beckett (Shadoe Stevens
Shadoe Stevens
Shadoe Stevens is an American radio host, voiceover actor, and television personality. He was the host of American Top 40 from 1988 to 1995...
) was his editor although Dave typically worked from home where Mia (J.C. Wendel) was his assistant. Neighbor Sheldon Baylor (Meshach Taylor
Meshach Taylor
Meshach Taylor is an American actor.He is perhaps best known for his role as Anthony Bouvier on the sitcom Designing Women. He also had a major role on the sitcom Dave's World, playing Sheldon Baylor, and appeared in Buffalo Bill.-Personal life:Taylor was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of...
) was a successful plastic surgeon and Dave's best friend from high school. Starting in the second season, the Barrys hired Eric (Patrick Warburton
Patrick Warburton
Patrick John Warburton is an American actor of television, film, and voice. He is best known for his several TV roles, including the title role of The Tick, David Puddy on Seinfeld, the evil Johnny Johnson on NewsRadio, and anchorman Jeb Denton on Less Than Perfect...
) to do some work on their house which led to Eric and Mia dating and eventually moving next door to the Barrys and getting married. Later in the series, Dave completes a book based on his and his friends' lives during the sixties, and Shel loses all of his money when his business manager runs off. Kenny is also fired from the newspaper and becomes a weatherman.
Setting/background
The show was set in Miami, FloridaMiami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
(which is the actual base of operations of Dave Barry). It was based on Barry's books Dave Barry's Greatest Hits and Dave Barry Turns 40.
The show's theme song was a version of Billy Joel
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
's "You May Be Right
You May Be Right (song)
"You May Be Right" is a single written and performed by rock singer Billy Joel from his 1980 album Glass Houses. The song reached #7 on the US charts, but failed to chart in the UK unlike his preceding and succeeding singles "All for Leyna" and "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me"...
" sung by Southside Johnny
Southside Johnny
Southside Johnny is an American singer-songwriter, who usually fronts his band Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes.-Early days:...
.
During the run of the show, the real Dave Barry divorced his wife, Beth.
Regular cast
- Harry AndersonHarry AndersonHarry Laverne Anderson is an American actor and magician.-Early life:Born in Newport, Rhode Island, Anderson was a street magician before becoming an actor.-Career:...
as Dave Barry - DeLane Matthews as Beth Barry
- Shadoe Stevens as Kenny Beckett
- J.C. Wendel as Mia
- Zane Carney as Tommy Barry
- Andrew Ducote as Willie Barry
- Meshach TaylorMeshach TaylorMeshach Taylor is an American actor.He is perhaps best known for his role as Anthony Bouvier on the sitcom Designing Women. He also had a major role on the sitcom Dave's World, playing Sheldon Baylor, and appeared in Buffalo Bill.-Personal life:Taylor was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of...
as Dr. Sheldon Baylor - Patrick WarburtonPatrick WarburtonPatrick John Warburton is an American actor of television, film, and voice. He is best known for his several TV roles, including the title role of The Tick, David Puddy on Seinfeld, the evil Johnny Johnson on NewsRadio, and anchorman Jeb Denton on Less Than Perfect...
as Eric (1995–1997)
Recurring cast
- Tammy LaurenTammy LaurenTammy Lauren is an American actress who has appeared in film and television. She starred in Wishmaster, portraying Alexandra Amberson, a young woman who accidentally awakens the Djinn, a powerful spirit more commonly known as a genie.-Career:To date, Wishmaster is the only feature film in which...
as Julie (1993–1994) - Eugene RocheEugene RocheEugene Harrison Roche was an American actor . He was the original "Ajax Man" in 1970s television commercials.-Personal life:...
as Eric, Jr. (1995–1996) - Beatrice ArthurBeatrice ArthurBeatrice "Bea" Arthur was an American actress, comedienne and singer whose career spanned seven decades. Arthur achieved fame as the character Maude Findlay on the 1970s sitcoms All in the Family and Maude, and as Dorothy Zbornak on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls, winning Emmy Awards for both...
as Mel Bloom (1997)
DVD releases
CBS DVD (distributed by ParamountParamount Home Entertainment
Paramount Home Entertainment is the division of Paramount Pictures dealing with home video founded in late 1975.-History:...
) has released the first 2 seasons of Dave's World on DVD in Region 1. The second season was released on February 3, 2009. The theme song for the DVD releases is a generic rock track.
| DVD Name | Ep# | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| The First Season | 23 | August 12, 2008 |
| The Second Season | 25 | February 3, 2009 |
Nielsen Ratings
The show obtained decent ratings throughout most of its run:- 1993-1994 season: #21
- 1994-1995 season: #21
- 1995-1996 season: #70
- 1996-1997 season: #94