High Desert (TV series)
{{short description|2023 television series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox television
| image =
| image_alt =
| genre = Comedy
| creator = {{Plainlist|
}}
| based_on =
| writer = {{Plainlist|
- Nancy Fichman
- Katie Ford
- Jennifer Hoppe-House
}}
| director = Jay Roach
| starring = {{Plainlist|
}}
| theme_music_composer = Jeff Russo
| opentheme = {{Theme song|"Talkin' to Myself"|Sarah Shook & The Disarmers}}
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 8
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
- Patricia Arquette
- John Cameron
- Jackie Cohn
- Nancy Fichman
- Katie Ford
- Michelle Graham
- Jennifer Hoppe-House
- Tom Lassally
- Molly Madden
- Jay Roach
- Ben Stiller
- Nicky Weinstock
}}
| producer =
| cinematography =
| editor =
| runtime = 30 minutes
| company = {{Plainlist|
- Red Hour Films
- Delirious Media
- Radish Pictures
- Ook Pik Productions
- Spoon Productions
- 3 Arts Entertainment
- My Fist Productions
- Apple Studios
}}
| network = Apple TV+
| first_aired = {{Start date|2023|5|17}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2023|6|21}}
}}
High Desert is an American comedy television series created and written by Nancy Fichman, Katie Ford and Jennifer Hoppe-House that premiered on Apple TV+ on May 17, 2023. In July 2023, the series was cancelled after one season.{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=J. Kim |date=2023-07-02 |title='High Desert' Canceled at Apple TV+ After One Season, Patricia Arquette Shares |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/high-desert-canceled-apple-patricia-arquette-1235660005/ |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=Variety}}
Premise
The series follows Peggy (Patricia Arquette), an addict, who decides to make a fresh start after the death of her beloved mother with whom she lived in the small desert town of Yucca Valley, California. She makes a life-changing decision to become a private investigator.
Cast
=Main=
- Patricia Arquette as Peggy Newman
- Brad Garrett as Bruce Harvey
- Weruche Opia as Carol
- Bernadette Peters as Roslyn / Ginger
- Rupert Friend as Guru Bob
=Recurring=
- Crystal Coney as Mary
- Matt Dillon as Denny
- Christine Taylor as Dianne
- Eric Petersen as Owen
- Susan Park as Tammy
- Jeffrey Vincent Parise as Roger
- Eden Brolin as Jeannie
- Carmine Giovinazzo as Nick Gatchi
- Carlo Rota as Arman
- Alex Saxon as Ethan
- Kellen Joseph as William
=Guest=
- Keir O'Donnell as Stewart
- Tracy Vilar as Tina
- Jeff Kober as Jimmy Kachel
- Ursula Burton Nurse Erin
- Michael Masini as Leo Gatchi
- Roslyn Gentle as Grounded Lady
- Sara Lindsey as Mandy
- Melissa Bickerton as Becky
Episodes
{{Episode table |background=#AC8E9E |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|Title = Pain Management
|DirectedBy = Jay Roach
|WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s=Nancy Fichman & Katie Ford & Jennifer Hoppe|t=Nancy Fichman & Katie Ford}}
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|5|17}}
|LineColor = AC8E9E
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|Title = Two Knockers and No Boyfriend = A Felony
|DirectedBy = Jay Roach
|WrittenBy = Nancy Fichman & Katie Ford & Jennifer Hoppe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|5|17}}
|LineColor = AC8E9E
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|Title = I'm Getting Close to This Guru Bastard
|DirectedBy = Jay Roach
|WrittenBy = Jennifer Hoppe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|5|17}}
|LineColor = AC8E9E
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|Title = Get Judy off the Bed
|DirectedBy = Jay Roach
|WrittenBy = Nancy Fichman & Katie Ford & Jennifer Hoppe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|5|24}}
|LineColor = AC8E9E
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|Title = Soul Retrieval
|DirectedBy = Jay Roach
|WrittenBy = Nancy Fichman & Katie Ford & Jennifer Hoppe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|5|31}}
|LineColor = AC8E9E
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|Title = A Nod Is Not a Hello
|DirectedBy = Jay Roach
|WrittenBy = Nancy Fichman & Katie Ford & Jennifer Hoppe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|6|7}}
|LineColor = AC8E9E
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 7
|Title = This Doesn't Have to Be a Tragedy
|DirectedBy = Jay Roach
|WrittenBy = Nancy Fichman & Katie Ford & Jennifer Hoppe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|6|14}}
|LineColor = AC8E9E
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 8
|Title = I Need a Hero
|DirectedBy = Jay Roach
|WrittenBy = Nancy Fichman & Katie Ford & Jennifer Hoppe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|6|21}}
|LineColor = AC8E9E
}}
}}
Production
The series, created by Nancy Fichman, Katie Ford and Jennifer Hoppe-House, was given a greenlight in September 2020 by Apple TV+, with Patricia Arquette set to star in the series as well as executive produce along with Ben Stiller, who was set to direct the first episode.{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Peter |title=Patricia Arquette To Star In Apple TV+ Half-Hour Comedy 'High Desert', Latest Collaboration With Ben Stiller; Apple Studios To Produce |url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/patricia-arquette-ben-stiller-apple-tv-comedy-high-desert-apple-studios-1234582092/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=November 2, 2021 |date=September 22, 2021}}
In November 2021, Matt Dillon, Rupert Friend, Weruche Opia and Brad Garrett were added to the main cast of the series, with Bernadette Peters and Christine Taylor cast in recurring roles. Stiller would no longer be directing the first episode, as Jay Roach had joined the series to direct all eight episodes.{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Peter |title=Matt Dillon & Rupert Friend Set Among Cast Of Apple Comedy Series 'High Desert' |url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/matt-dillon-rupert-friend-set-among-cast-of-apple-comedy-series-high-desert-1234866577/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=November 2, 2021 |date=November 2, 2021}}
Filming began by November 2021 in Long Beach, California.{{cite web |last1=Grobaty |first1=Tim |title=Queen Mary takes on the role of a ship (that works) in a pair of TV shows |url=https://lbpost.com/hi-lo/filming/queen-mary-takes-on-the-on-the-role-of-a-ship-that-works-in-a-pair-of-tv-shows |website=Long Beach Post |access-date=November 18, 2021 |date=November 13, 2021}} The show depicts a fictionalized Pioneertown, California shot on set with outdoor footage taken at Sable Ranch, as the actual town is an unincorporated landmark with separate private owners.{{cite web |last1=Yarbrough |first1=Beau |title=Pioneertown in a showdown with San Bernardino County over its future |url=https://www.sbsun.com/2023/07/07/pioneertown-in-a-showdown-with-san-bernardino-county-over-its-future/ |website=San Bernardino Sun |date=July 8, 2023 |publisher=MediaNews Group |access-date=6 August 2023 |ref=ptownsbsun}}{{cite web |last1=Sasic |first1=Ema |title=Yucca Valley gets spotlight in Apple TV+ show 'High Desert' starring Patricia Arquette |url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/life/entertainment/television/2023/05/05/yucca-valley-gets-spotlight-in-patricia-arquette-led-show-high-desert/70179897007/ |website=Desert Sun |publisher=Gannett |access-date=6 August 2023 |ref=yuccavalleydesertsun}}
Release
High Desert premiered on May 17, 2023, with the first three episodes available immediately and the rest debuting on a weekly basis.{{Cite press release |date=April 5, 2023 |title=Apple TV+ sets May 17 global premiere for "High Desert," and unveils a glimpse at new dark comedy series starring Patricia Arquette, Matt Dillon, Bernadette Peters and more |url=https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2023/04/apple-tv-sets-may-17-global-premiere-for-high-desert-and-unveils-a-glimpse-at-new-dark-comedy-series-starring-patricia-arquette-matt-dillon-bernadette-peters-and-more/ |access-date=April 19, 2023 |website=Apple TV+ Press}}
Reception
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports a 70% approval rating with an average rating of 5.90/10, based on 27 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "High Desert is so deliberately odd and scattershot that viewers may begin to suspect they're being bamboozled, but Patricia Arquette's whirlwind performance will be enough for many to just sit back and enjoy the ride."{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes|id=high_desert|title=High Desert|type=tv|season=1|access-date=June 22, 2023}} Metacritic gave the series a weighted average score of 67 out of 100 based on 17 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".{{Cite Metacritic|id=high-desert|title=High Desert|type=tv|season=1|access-date=June 22, 2023}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|tt13142324}}
{{Apple TV+}}
Category:Apple TV+ original programming
Category:2023 American television series debuts
Category:2023 American television series endings
Category:2020s American comedy television series
Category:American English-language television shows
Category:Television series by 3 Arts Entertainment