Roommates (TV series)

Roommates is an American television sitcom developed by ABC Family and Acme Productions that premiered on March 23, 2009.[1] On April 29, 2009, it was announced that Roommates would not return for a second season.[2]

Roommates
The cast of Roommates.
Created byRobin French
Matt Green
Kieron Quirke
Developed byRobin French
Kieron Quirke
Written byRobin French
Kieron Quirke
Ryan Christopher Mouritsen
StarringDorian Brown
Tyler Francavilla
Tamera Mowry
Tommy Dewey
David Weidoff
Opening theme"Mess" by his Orchestra
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13 (list of episodes)
Production
Camera setupMulti-camera setup
Running time21 minutes approx.
Production companyAcme Productions
Release
Original networkABC Family
Original releaseMarch 23 (2009-03-23) 
May 4, 2009 (2009-05-04)

Overview

The show focuses on a group of twentysomethings who move in together after college. The show is ABC Family’s first scripted half-hour comedy.[3]

The series follows five very different characters and their struggles through life. The main focus of the show revolves around Mark, a struggling actor, who thinks his dream has come true when he runs into high school crush Katie and finds she is looking for a new roommate. Mark takes the chance, moves in, and starts to find a way to win her heart. Katie, who is completely oblivious to Mark's motives, has a hard time getting over her previous boyfriend, Ben, and looks to Mark for support.

The other two roommates, Hope and James, both have their own problems. Hope is longing for an upscale job after losing her job at the television studio, and James brings in a slapstick sensibility as he takes a delight in watching Mark's attempts to "woo" Katie. The series also includes Thom, Mark's ex-roommate, who feels he is destined to help Mark in his quest to be a unit with Katie.[4]

Cast and characters

Main

  • Tyler Francavilla as Mark Fletcher
  • Dorian Brown as Katie Bowman
  • Tamera Mowry as Hope Daniels
  • Tommy Dewey as James
  • David Weidoff as Thom

Recurring and special appearances

Episodes

Each episode began with the title "The" similar to Seinfeld. Only thirteen episodes of the series were aired before it was cancelled.

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"The Roommate"Andrew D. WeymanRobin French, Matt Green & Kieron QuirkeMarch 23, 2009 (2009-03-23)
Mark gets the chance he has been waiting for when he moves in with his high school crush Katie.
2"The Tarot"Andrew D. WeymanRobin French & Kieron QuirkeMarch 30, 2009 (2009-03-30)
Katie goes to see someone who reads tarot cards, and finds out that she has already met the man of her dreams.
3"The Lie"Andrew D. WeymanChris CaseApril 6, 2009 (2009-04-06)
Hope persuades Mark and Tom into hiding her secret from Katie about her job.
4"The Break In"Ellen GittelsohnEric Siegel & Eric D. WassermanApril 13, 2009 (2009-04-13)

When Hope's father comes in a surprise visit, he realizes that his daughter's life is a mess, and wants her to move back home. Hope, trying to prove that her life is not that bad, and asks Mark to pretend to be her boyfriend. Can Mark help Hope with another one of her lies or will she be on her way home with her father?

Special Guest star: Tim Reid as Mr. Stanley Daniels. NOTE: This is the second time that Tim Reid and Tamera Mowry played father and daughter, the first time being on Sister, Sister.
5"The Set-Up"Jack KennyRobin French & Kieron QuirkeApril 20, 2009 (2009-04-20)
Mark goes on a date with Katie's friend from their law firm.
6"The Mark-A-Like"Jack KennyJana Hunter & Mitch HunterApril 27, 2009 (2009-04-27)
Katie dates a guy that looks like Mark and is more confident and more successful.
7"The Uninvited Thom"Jack KennyRobin French & Kieron QuirkeApril 27, 2009 (2009-04-27)
Things go awry when Mark tries to get Hope a job with his new boss.
8"The Green People"Jack KennyJana Hunter & Mitch HunterApril 27, 2009 (2009-04-27)
Katie needs Mark's help after she steals Hope's business idea and is praised as a genius.
9"The Game Night"Jack KennyChris Case & Samantha Montgomery McIntyreApril 27, 2009 (2009-04-27)
Mark finally gets what he wants during game night at the apartment.
10"The Tickets"Leslie Kolins SmallStory by: Chris Case
Teleplay by: Jana Hunter & Mitch Hunter
May 4, 2009 (2009-05-04)
Mark buys Katie theater tickets in hope of wooing her away from David.
11"The Mother of James"Jack KennyVictor LevinMay 4, 2009 (2009-05-04)
James mother comes and visits because she has her first date since the divorce. Special guest star: Marilu Henner
12"The Trash 'N Treasures"Jack KennyStory by: Chris Case
Teleplay by: Jana Hunter & Mitch Hunter
May 4, 2009 (2009-05-04)
Ben Katie's ex invites her to the trash and treasure party so the whole gang decides to go and something happens between Hope and James
13"The Old and the New"Jack KennyStory by: Chris Case
Teleplay by: Jana Hunter & Mitch Hunter
May 4, 2009 (2009-05-04)
Things start to heat up between Katie and Mark, but then there is David and Jackie and things get really complicated. Lots more goes on between James and Hope, and they try to conceal it from Mark and Katie. Mark gets the chance he's been waiting for since High School, and turns out to be really nervous about it.

Response

Ratings

Episode # Viewers Demo
(18-49)
1 1,504,000 0.4/1
2 444,000 0.2/0
3 N/A N/A
4 453,000 0.2/0
5 520,000 0.2/1
6 Avg. 315,000 N/A
7
8
9
10 N/A N/A
11
12
13

Series cancellation

ABC Family canceled Roommates after only six episodes. Roommates was an attempt by ABC Family to push towards an older audience by stepping out of the teen demographic. Star Tamera Mowry told TV.com that "the tone was more along the lines of ABC Family's hit Greek, which targets older teens and younger adults."[5]

References

  1. "Screenwatch" (Press release). Television Business International. 2009-02-11. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  2. Nellie Andreeva (April 29, 2009). "ABC Family canceling 'Roommates'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 3, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
  3. Schneider, Michael (February 22, 2009). "'Roommates' fills cast vacancy". Variety. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  4. "tyler francavilla (mark of roommates)". ABC Family. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  5. Tim Surette (April 30, 2009). "Roommates evicted by ABC Family". TV.com. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
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