The Famous Teddy Z (1989–1990)

Ted Zakalokis' family has a bakery and it has always been assumed that he would one day work there. But that's not what he wants to do. So to avoid that he enlists in the army and after ... See full summary »

Creator:

Hugh Wilson

Stars:

Jon Cryer, Jane Sibbett, Milton Selzer

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Jon Cryer	...	Teddy Zakalokis (20 episodes, 1989-1990)
Jane Sibbett	...	Laurie Parr (20 episodes, 1989-1990)
Milton Selzer	...	Abe Werkfinder (20 episodes, 1989-1990)
Erica Yohn	...	Deena Zakalokis (20 episodes, 1989-1990)
Tom La Grua	...	Richie Herby (20 episodes, 1989-1990)
Josh Blake	...	Aristotle Zakalokis (20 episodes, 1989-1990)
Alex Rocco	...	Al Floss (20 episodes, 1989-1990)

Storyline

Ted Zakalokis' family has a bakery and it has always been assumed that he would one day work there. But that's not what he wants to do. So to avoid that he enlists in the army and after getting out, he gets a temporary job working in the mail room of a Hollywood talent agency under Richie Herby. Now most of the people who work in the mail room are hoping that one of the agents will need a new secretary thus paving the way for them to be agents themselves. One of these persons is Laurie Parr, who Teddy tries to hit on but is shut down. While there he meets Abe Werkfinder, the head of the agency and basically a nice guy. He also meets Al Floss, the quintessential agent, oily, sneaky, deceptive. One day one his clients is arriving and he instructs Richie to meet him cause he doesn't want any of the other "mail room" people making a move on his client. Richie, not wanting to give him the satisfaction, sends Teddy instead. Now the man is arrogant, and pompous, he picks a fight with Teddy, ...

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 September 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

El famoso Teddy Z

Filming Locations:

Sunset Gower Studios, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Television, ELP Communications, Hugh Wilson Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (13 episodes)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The character of Teddy Z was based on Jay Kantor, who was a mail-room clerk at Music Corp. of America sent to pick up Marlon Brando and drive him to the agency. Impressed by the young man, Brando promptly appointed him his agent.

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Connections

Referenced in Entourage: Dramedy (2010)

User Reviews

It Wasn't Amazing but It was Good!

This show had legs and an interesting plot. Jon Cryer plays Teddy Z, a guy who doesn't want to work in the family business, a Greek bakery. Instead, he would rather work in show business. he gets a job in the mail room and gets the attention of a film star who wants him as his agent. With little or no experience, Teddy Z gets the most unlikely promotion. I remember Alex Rocco as the old time agent without a heart or conscience who is Teddy's mentor. I remember Jane Sibbett as the cold, ruthless woman working to get to where Teddy is. Teddy got there by being himself and not some determined, egotistical college graduate who start by working in the mailroom and hope to be secretaries with a promotion to agents. Too bad, they cancelled it after a year.