Undateable
{{short description|American television sitcom (2014–2016)}}
{{distinguish|The Undateables}}
{{use mdy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Undateable.jpg
| alt_name = Undateable Live
| genre = Sitcom
| creator = Adam Sztykiel
| director = {{Plainlist|
- Phill Lewis (mostly season 2 and 3)
- Various (season 1)
}}
| based_on = {{Based on|Undateable|Ellen Rakieten|Anne Coyle}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
}}
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 3
| num_episodes =
| list_episodes = List of Undateable episodes
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
- Adam Sztykiel
- Bill Lawrence
- Jeff Ingold
}}
| camera = Multi-camera
| runtime = 21–23 minutes
| company = {{Plainlist|
}}
| network = NBC
| first_aired = {{Start date|2014|5|29}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2016|1|29}}
}}
Undateable is an American sitcom television series that aired on NBC from May 29, 2014, to January 29, 2016, and originally premiered as a mid-season replacement.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2013/05/12/nbc-reveals-its-2013-14-primetime-schedule-840010/20130512nbc03/|title=NBC Reveals Its 2013–14 Primetime Schedule|date=May 12, 2013|work=The Futon Critic|access-date=May 12, 2013}}{{cite news|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|title=NBC Announces Summer Premiere Dates for 'Crossbones', 'Undateable', 'The Night Shift', 'Taxi Brooklyn' & More |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/03/26/nbc-announces-summer-premiere-dates-for-crossbones-undateable-the-night-shift-taxi-brooklyn-more/248405/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327221226/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/03/26/nbc-announces-summer-premiere-dates-for-crossbones-undateable-the-night-shift-taxi-brooklyn-more/248405/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 27, 2014 |access-date=March 26, 2014|publisher=Zap2it|date=March 25, 2014}} The series was created by Adam Sztykiel, based on the book Undateable: 311 Things Guys Do That Guarantee They Won't Be Dating or Having Sex by Ellen Rakieten and Anne Coyle.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nbc-series-orders-chicago-fire-520712|title=NBC Series Orders: 'Chicago Fire' Spinoff, 'Ironside' Remake, 'Undateable'|date=May 10, 2013|last1=Goldberg|first1=Lesley|last2=Rose|first2=Lacey|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=May 11, 2013}}{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/nbc-orders-comedy-undateable-and-drama-ironside-1200479181/|title=NBC Orders 'Undateable,' 'Ironside,' 'Chicago PD'; Cancels 'Go On'|date=May 10, 2013|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|work=Variety|access-date=May 11, 2013}}{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2012/10/undateable-comedy-from-adam-sztykiel-bill-lawrence-lands-at-nbc-with-penalty-352607/|title='Undateable' Comedy From Adam Sztykiel & Bill Lawrence Lands At NBC With Penalty|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=October 12, 2012|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=May 11, 2013}} In the show, bachelor Danny Burton has trouble getting into a relationship with various women he meets. On May 8, 2015, NBC renewed Undateable for a third season that consisted entirely of live episodes,{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/05/08/the-night-shift-renewed-by-nbc-for-third-season/401461/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510003202/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/05/08/the-night-shift-renewed-by-nbc-for-third-season/401461/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 10, 2015|title='The Night Shift', 'Undateable' Renewed by NBC|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|work=TV by the Numbers|date=May 8, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/05/09/undateable-renewed-for-season-3-comprised-entirely-of-live-episodes?abthid=554d8862c7f0d35e39000037/|title='Undateable' Renewed for Season 3 {{sic|Comprised |hide=y}} Entirely of Live Episodes|last= Goldman|first=Eric|work=IGN|date=May 8, 2015|access-date=May 8, 2015}} which premiered on October 9, 2015.{{cite web|title=NBC Announces Fall Premiere Dates for 2015–16 Season|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/06/22/nbc-announces-fall-premiere-dates-for-2015-16-season/420714/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623023424/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/06/22/nbc-announces-fall-premiere-dates-for-2015-16-season/420714/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 23, 2015|publisher=Zap2It|access-date=June 23, 2015}} On May 13, 2016, NBC canceled the series after three seasons.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/05/telenovela-undateable-canceled-nbc-1201755300/|title='Telenovela' & 'Undateable' Canceled By NBC|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=May 13, 2016|access-date=May 13, 2016}}
Premise
{{main|List of Undateable episodes}}
Danny Burton is a 34-year-old carefree single guy who has watched most of his friends move on to serious relationships. When his last remaining single friend, Shannon, moves out to marry, Danny searches for a new roommate. A promising candidate is Justin, the owner of Black Eyes Bar (frequently mispronounced "Black Guys Bar") in the Detroit suburb of Ferndale. Justin and his friends—the creepy Burski, oddball Shelly, and recently out-of-the-closet Brett—all have certain qualities that make them appear "undateable". While Danny himself has good luck getting women into bed, he is unable or unwilling to form a lasting commitment with any of them. Danny's older sister, Leslie, has similar fears about being undateable, having the "baggage" of being a mid-30s divorcee.
{{:List of Undateable episodes}}
Cast
=Main=
- Chris D'Elia as Danny Burton, a womanizer
- Brent Morin as Justin Kearney, Danny's roommate who is a bar owner and is awkward with women
- Bianca Kajlich as Leslie Burton, Danny's recently divorced and alcoholic older sister
- David Fynn as Brett, Justin's gay co-worker and friend
- Rick Glassman as Adam Burski, Justin's nerdy friend who has a crush on Leslie and often goes by his surname
- Ron Funches as Shelly, Justin's oddball friend who moves into the upstairs loft at the bar
- Bridgit Mendler as Candace (Season 2–3), Justin's eccentric new bartender and later fiancée; she often scares the gang with bizarre stories from her childhood, living in cars and eating paper – but always delivers these tales with a strange optimism{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2014/11/25/bridgit-mendler-undateable-season-2-cast-nbc/|title=Bridgit Mendler Cast in 'Undateable' — Season 2 on NBC – TVLine|work=TVLine|date=November 25, 2014 }}
=Recurring=
- Briga Heelan as Nicki, Justin's ex-girlfriend (Season 1; guest in Season 2)
- Eva Amurri as Sabrina, Danny's ex-girlfriend and Justin's new employee (Season 1)
- Adam Hagenbuch as Trent, Candace's ex-boyfriend who wants her back, making him Justin's rival (Season 2–3)
- Whitney Cummings as Charlotte, Justin's friend from school whom he sets up with Danny (Season 3)
=Guest=
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
- Tom Cavanagh as Frank, Justin's father
- Josh Hopkins as Julius, Leslie's ex-husband
- Ed Sheeran as himself{{cite web|url=http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/undateable_nails_live_show_fans_love_it-2015-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508201354/http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/undateable_nails_live_show_fans_love_it-2015-05|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 8, 2015|title='Undateable' nails its live show and fans love it – Zap2it – News & Features|author=Andrea Reiher|date=May 6, 2015|work=Zap2it}}
- Victoria Justice as Amanda
- Rene Gube as Parker, Nicki's new boyfriend
- Zach Braff as Zach, Shelly's co-worker
- Donald Faison as Donald, Shelly's co-worker
- Christa Miller as Allie (Season 2), a customer
- Christa Miller as Jackie (Season 3), the woman to whom Danny lost his virginity
- Minnie Driver as Minnie, Allie's friend{{col-2}}
- Rory Scovel as Kevin, Justin's and Danny's annoying neighbor
- Neil Flynn as Neil, a customer
- Drew Pinsky as himself{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2015/05/05/undateable-live-episode-recap-ed-sheeran-scott-foley/|title='Undateable' Live Episode Recap –– Ed Sheeran, 'Scrubs' Cast, Scott Foley – TVLine|author=Ryan Schwartz|work=TVLine|date=May 6, 2015 }}
- Mike Catherwood as Mike, a customer who later becomes Leslie's boyfriend
- Kate Walsh as Kate, Allie's friend{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/NBCUndateable/status/595799357565329409|title=Backstage at #UndateableLive with @katewalsh ! 4 minutes, West Coast!|work=Twitter}}
- Scott Foley as "TV's Scott Foley", an exaggerated version of himself
- Sarah Chalke as herself
- Meghan Trainor as Meghan, a customer
- Robert Maschio as Todd
{{col-end}}
Production
=Development and casting=
NBC purchased the script from Bill Lawrence in October 2012.{{cite web|last=Rose|first=Lacey|title='Cougar Town's' Bill Lawrence Sells 'Undateable' Comedy to NBC|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/bill-lawrences-undateable-goes-nbc-378618|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 12, 2012 |access-date=March 4, 2014}} Casting for the pilot began in early 2013, with Brent Morin and Rick Glassman being cast in February and Bianca Kajlich and Chris D'Elia being cast in March.{{cite news|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|title=NBC's Bill Lawrence Comedy 'Undateable' Casts Lead|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nbcs-bill-lawrence-comedy-undateable-422689|access-date=March 4, 2014|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 20, 2013}}{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title=att Craven Joins ABC Pilot 'The Returned', Duo Cast In NBC Pilot 'Undateable'|url=https://deadline.com/2013/02/matt-craven-joins-abc-pilot-the-returned-duo-cast-in-nbc-pilot-indateable-435269/|access-date=March 4, 2014|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 20, 2013}}{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title=Bianca Kajlich & Aly Michalka To Co-Star In NBC Comedy Pilot 'Undateable'|url=https://deadline.com/2013/03/bianca-kajlich-aly-michalka-to-co-star-in-nbc-comedy-pilot-undateable-458109/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=March 20, 2013 |access-date=March 4, 2014}}{{cite web|last=Kasperowicz|first=Leslie|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/Whitney-Chris-Elia-Joins-NBC-Undateable-Pilot-53445.html|title=Whitney's Chris D'Elia Joins NBC's Undateable Pilot|work=Cinemablend|access-date=March 4, 2014|date=March 3, 2013}} Matthew Wilkas was also cast in March as Brett, Justin's gay friend.{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|url=https://www.deadline.com/2013/03/nbc-pilot-undateable-adds-actor/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323072807/http://www.deadline.com/2013/03/nbc-pilot-undateable-adds-actor/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 23, 2013|title=NBC Pilot 'Undateable' Adds Actor|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=March 4, 2014|date=March 21, 2013}} Aly Michalka was originally cast as Maddie, a waitress in Justin's bar and Justin's love interest, but she left the show in April 2013 and was replaced with Briga Heelan in a guest star role as the similar character Nicki.{{cite web|last=Ausiello|first=Michael|url=http://tvline.com/2013/04/09/undateable-pilot-recast-aly-michalka-leaving-briga-heelan-replacement/|title=Pilot Scoop: Hellcats' Aly Michalka Out, Cougar Town's Briga Heelan In on NBC's Undateable|work=TV LINE|access-date=March 4, 2014|date=April 9, 2013}}{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|url=https://deadline.com/2013/04/aly-michalka-exits-nbc-pilot-undateable-briga-heelan-expected-to-replace-her-471448/|title=Aly Michalka Exits NBC Pilot 'Undateable', Briga Heelan Expected To Replace Her|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=March 4, 2014|date=April 9, 2013}}
=Filming=
In May 2013, NBC placed a series order for Undateable.{{cite magazine|last=Rice|first=Lynette|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/05/10/nbc-orders-new-comedy-from-cougar-town-creator-bill-lawrence/|title=NBC orders new comedy from 'Cougar Town' creator Bill Lawrence|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=March 4, 2014|date=May 10, 2013}} After the series was ordered, Wilkas left and was replaced with David Fynn in the role of Brett.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2013/07/david-flynn-undateable-casting-nbc-533842/|title=David Fynn Joins NBC's 'Undateable'; Valarie Pettiford To Recur On 'True Blood'|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=March 4, 2014|date=July 3, 2013}} When both Undateable and Ground Floor, which stars Heelan, were picked up as series, Megan Park was cast to replace Heelan in the Nicki role.{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|url=https://deadline.com/2013/08/megan-park-lands-vacant-regular-role-on-nbc-comedy-series-undateable-565968/|title=Megan Park Lands Vacant Regular Role On NBC Comedy Series 'Undateable'|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=March 4, 2014|date=August 16, 2013}} However, by September of that year, the producers were able to arrange the schedules of the two shows so that Heelan could appear on Undateable as Nicki on a recurring basis, and she replaced Park.{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|url=https://deadline.com/2013/09/briga-heelan-back-on-nbc-comedy-undateable-as-recurring-579720/|title=Briga Heelan Back On NBC Comedy 'Undateable' As Recurring|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=March 4, 2014|date=September 5, 2013}}
In March 2014, Lawrence, Morin, Glassman, Funches, and D'Elia launched an 8-city comedy tour to promote the show.{{cite news|last=Juul|first=Matthew|title=Cast of NBC's 'Undateable' coming to Boston on March 3 |url=https://www.boston.com/thingstodo/gotoit/2014/02/cast_of_nbcs_un.html|access-date=March 4, 2014|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=February 21, 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Littleton|first1=Cynthia|title=Bill Lawrence and 'Undateable' Stars Hit the Road to Promote NBC Comedy 'Undateable' |url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/bill-lawrence-and-undateable-stars-hit-the-road-to-promote-nbc-comedy-undateable-1201120161/|website=Variety|access-date=18 July 2014|date=25 February 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Lawrence|first1=Bill|title=The 'Undateable' Comedy Tour: How to Launch (or Not Launch) a TV Show in 2014|url=http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/the-undateable-comedy-tour-how-to-launch-or-not-launch-a-tv-show-in-2014/|website=Grantland|access-date=18 July 2014|date=28 May 2014}}
On May 5, 2015, the show was presented live in a one-hour episode that featured numerous guest stars. Based on the reception to that episode, NBC made the decision to feature all live episodes for Season 3, with each episode featuring a musical guest. Starting with season 3, Undateable aired two feeds, one from the East Coast and one from the West Coast, both of which were available online after the show aired on its linear broadcast.{{cite news|last1=Fernandez|first1=Maria Elena|title=Inside Undateable, the Live TV Show Where Chaos Reigns — and That's the Point|url=https://www.vulture.com/2015/11/inside-undateable-a-tv-show-where-chaos-reigns.html|access-date=22 November 2015|work=Vulture|date=13 November 2015}}{{cite news|last1=O'Connell|first1=Michael|title=NBC's 'Undateable' Doubling Up With Live Telecasts for Each Coast|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nbcs-undateable-doubling-up-live-834251|access-date=22 November 2015|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=23 October 2015}}
On November 13, 2015, 30 minutes before air time, a decision was made to pre-empt the then-upcoming live program due to the November 2015 Paris attacks.{{cite news|last1=Carroll|first1=Larry|title='Undateable Live' cancels broadcasts due to Paris terror attacks|url=http://zap2it.com/2015/11/undateable-live-cancels-broadcasts-paris-terror-attacks/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116150710/http://zap2it.com/2015/11/undateable-live-cancels-broadcasts-paris-terror-attacks/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 16, 2015|access-date=22 November 2015|work=Zap2It|date=13 November 2015}} The next week, during the November 20 live episode, references were made about the attack.{{cite news|last1=Carroll|first1=Larry|title='Undateable Live' returns to address Paris attack – then gets back to funny business|url=http://zap2it.com/2015/11/undateable-live-returns-paris-attack-funny-business/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121222014/http://zap2it.com/2015/11/undateable-live-returns-paris-attack-funny-business/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 21, 2015|access-date=22 November 2015|work=Zap2It|date=20 November 2015}}
''The Sixth Lead''
The Sixth Lead is a five-part webseries starring Rick Glassman.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thesixthlead.com/|title=thesixthlead.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-01}} Each part runs for 4–7 minutes. It is described as "A web-series about an NBC Sitcom actor who doesn't really talk much." It is about Glassman wanting to contribute more to Undateable and become a more important cast member on the series. The first episode is titled "Meeting With the Showrunner".{{Citation|last=Glassman|first=Rick|title=The Sixth Lead: Meeting with the Showrunner (episode 1/5)|date=2016-03-02|url=https://vimeo.com/157524372|access-date=2018-03-01}}
Reception
=Critical response=
Undateable initially received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds a 38% rating, based on 16 reviews, with the consensus reading: "Largely bereft of originality or humor, Undateable is underwhelming."{{cite web|title=Undateable: Season 1 (2014)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/undateable/s01/|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=5 July 2014}} On Metacritic, the first season has a score of 49 out of 100 based on 19 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".{{cite web|title=Undateable (2014) : Season 1|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/undateable-2014|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=5 July 2014}}
The third season finale "averaged a 0.8/3 in 18–49 and 2.7 million viewers overall, placing fourth among the Big Four but matching the show's top score since mid-October."{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/ratings-masterchef-junior-finale-shark-tank-dateline-1201692831/|title='MasterChef Junior' Finale Ratings Strong; 'Dateline', 'Shark Tank' Up - Variety|author=Rick Kissell|work=Variety|date=January 30, 2016 }} Due to the success of the Season 2 finale going live, the decision was made to renew Undateable for an all-live Season 3, broadcasting live for both the East and West Coast feeds.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/undateable-renewed-all-live-third-794615|title='Undateable' Renewed for All-Live Third Season |first=Lesley |last1=Goldberg |first2=Kate |last2=Stanhope |date=May 8, 2015|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/undateable-nbc-live-broadcast-east-west-coast-1201625138/|title='Undateable': NBC's Comedy to Tape Live from Both East and West Coast - Variety|author=Elizabeth Wagmeister|work=Variety|date=October 23, 2015 }}
=Ratings=
{{Television season ratings
| hide_18_49_rank = y
| hide_18_49_rating = y
| link1 = List of Undateable episodes#Season 1 (2014)
| timeslot1 = Thursday 9:00 p.m.
| episodes1 = 13
| start1 = {{Start date|2014|5|29}}
| end1 = {{Start date|2014|7|3}}
| season1 = 2013–14
| rank1 = {{TableTBA|N/A}}
| link2 = List of Undateable episodes#Season 2 (2015)
| timeslot2 = Tuesday 9:00 p.m.
| episodes2 = 10
| start2 = {{Start date|2015|3|17}}
| end2 = {{Start date|2015|5|12}}
| season2 = 2014–15
| rank2 = 109
| viewers2 = 5.11{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/2014-15-full-tv-season-ratings-shows-rankings-1201431167/|title=Full 2014–15 TV Season Series Rankings: Football & 'Empire' Ruled|last=de Moraes|first=Lisa|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=May 21, 2014|access-date=May 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523083530/http://deadline.com/2015/05/2014-15-full-tv-season-ratings-shows-rankings-1201431167/|archive-date=May 23, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}
| link3 = List of Undateable episodes#Season 3 (2015–16)
| timeslot3 = Friday 8:00 p.m.
| episodes3 = 13
| start3 = {{Start date|2015|10|9}}
| end3 = {{Start date|2016|1|29}}
| season3 = 2015–16
| rank3 = 133
}}
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable" |
| style="text-align:center;"
! Year ! Award ! Category ! Nominee(s) ! Result ! Ref |
| rowspan="2"| 2015
| rowspan="2"| Art Directors Award | Multi-Camera Television Series | Undateable – Episode: "Pilot" | {{nom}} | {{citation needed|date=October 2015}} |
| Episode of a Multi-Camera, Variety or Unscripted Series
| Cabot McMullen (production designer), Jeffrey Beck (set designer), Susan Bolles (graphic designer), Amber Haley (set decorator) | {{nom}} | {{citation needed|date=October 2015}} |
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Official website}}
- {{IMDb title}}
Category:2014 American television series debuts
Category:2016 American television series endings
Category:2010s American LGBTQ-related sitcoms
Category:2010s American multi-camera sitcoms
Category:American English-language television shows
Category:American live television series
Category:Television shows based on books
Category:Television series about siblings
Category:Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios
Category:Television shows set in Detroit