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, ...

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

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.

---

Connections

Referenced in Entourage: Dramedy (2010)

User Reviews

Fairly amusing

Jon Cryer of "Pretty in pink" fame starred in this shortlived sitcom about a 20-something Greek-American working in the mailroom of a Hollywood agency, who accidentally becomes the agent of an eccentric Brando-esque star, much to the annoyance of Al Floss (Alex Rocco), the agency's No1 agent.

I found "The famous Teddy Z" fairly amusing. It was certainly no worse than many other sitcoms which enjoyed longer runs. Rocco was particularly good.