"Rude Awakening" (1998) TV series 1998-2001

Creator:

Claudia Lonow
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

1 August 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

... perfect for Showtime.

Plot:

Billie Frank, an out of work alcoholic actress, used to be somewhat of a star in her day, but now she's all washed up...

Plot Keywords:

Alcoholic | Actress | Female Lead | Celebrity Has Been | Mother Daughter Relationship

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Sherilyn Fenn	...	Billie Frank (55 episodes, 1998-2001)
Jonathan Penner	...	Dave Parelli (55 episodes, 1998-2001)
Lynn Redgrave	...	Trudy Frank (55 episodes, 1998-2001)
Rain Pryor	...	Jackie Garcia (30 episodes, 1998-1999)

Series Directed by
Ellen Gittelsohn		(22 episodes, 1998-2000)
J.D. Lobue		(6 episodes, 1999-2001)
Robert Berlinger		(5 episodes, 1998-1999)
Alan Myerson		(3 episodes, 1998)
Timothy Busfield		(3 episodes, 2000-2001)
Amanda Bearse		(2 episodes, 1998)
Jonathan Prince		(2 episodes, 1998)

Series Writing credits
Claudia Lonow		(55 episodes, 1998-2001)
Andrea Abbate		(9 episodes, 1998-2000)
Stephen Lloyd		(5 episodes, 1999-2000)
Pamela Eells		(4 episodes, 1998-1999)
Emily Cutler		(3 episodes, 1999-2000)
Dan Signer		(3 episodes, 1999-2000)
Andrea Frazer		(3 episodes, 2000-2001)
Herbert C. Goss		(3 episodes, 2000-2001)
John Hunter		(3 episodes, 2000)
Chuck Snyder		(3 episodes, 2000)
Andrew Nicholls		(2 episodes, 1999)
Darrell Vickers		(2 episodes, 1999)

Series Produced by
Claudia Lonow	....	executive producer / co-executive producer (55 episodes, 1998-2001)
Joe Voci	....	executive producer (55 episodes, 1998-2001)
Andrea Abbate	....	executive producer / consulting producer (20 episodes, 1998-2001)
Pam Veasey	....	consulting producer (20 episodes, 2000-2001)
Deborah Scarborough	....	associate producer (1 episode, 1998-2000)
Russell Dague	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)
Shawn Schepps	....	supervising producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Paul Buckley		(unknown episodes)
Rick Marotta		(unknown episodes)

Series Cinematography by
Alan Keath Walker		(1 episode, 1998)

Series Film Editing by
Pamela Malouf		(22 episodes, 1999-2000)
Jim Miley		(unknown episodes)
Noel Rogers		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Eric Dawson		(10 episodes, 1998)
Carol Kritzer		(unknown episodes, 1998-1999)
Robert J. Ulrich		(unknown episodes, 1998-1999)
Jason L. Wood		(unknown episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Art Direction by
Alex Fuller		(20 episodes, 2000-2001)

Series Costume Design by
Vickie Brinkford		(1 episode, 1998)

Series Makeup Department
Linda D. Flowers	....	hair department head (50 episodes, 1998-2001)
Kathleen Karridene	....	makeup artist: Miss Fenn (unknown episodes)
Tracey Levy	....	makeup artist (unknown episodes)
Leslie Lightfoot	....	makeup artist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Reid Nakamura	....	post-production supervisor (unknown episodes)
Raymond Parra	....	post-production supervisor (unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Esther Himbaugh	....	associate director (13 episodes, 1998)
Pamela Malouf	....	associate director (11 episodes, 1999-2000)
Michael J. Shea	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Christopher Harwood	....	leadman (6 episodes, 1998)
Richard K. Wright	....	on-set dresser (unknown episodes, 2000)

Series Sound Department
Tamara Johnson	....	sound re-recording mixer (50 episodes, 1998-2001)
Peter Damski	....	sound (unknown episodes)
Jeff Johnson	....	production sound mixer (unknown episodes)
Andrew I. King	....	sound effects (unknown episodes)
Lisa J. Levine	....	adr editor (unknown episodes)
Gene Semel	....	sound editor (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Marla Casey	....	stunt coordinator (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Jon Purdy	....	camera operator (1 episode, 2000)
Tracy Howe	....	grip (unknown episodes)
Stephen A. Jones	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Steffany Bernstein	....	costume supervisor (50 episodes, 1998-2001)
Dawn A. DeWitt	....	costumer (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Robert S. Douglas	....	on-line editor (55 episodes, 1998-2001)

Series Music Department
Andrew I. King	....	music editor (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Matt Orefice	....	writers: assistant / set production assistant (23 episodes, 1999-2000)
Ian Lyons	....	production assistant (21 episodes, 1999-2000)
Teri Pensky	....	stage manager (20 episodes, 2000-2001)
Beth Correll	....	second stage manager (4 episodes, 1998)
Christina Gunderson	....	script supervisor (2 episodes, 2001)
Rebecca Feldman	....	accounting assistant (unknown episodes)
Capucine Lyons	....	set production assistant (unknown episodes)
Marissa Pollock	....	assistant to executive producer (unknown episodes)
Jeff 'Doc' Porter	....	construction medic (unknown episodes)
Ryan Vandergriff	....	intern (unknown episodes)
Nikki Woods	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Columbia TriStar Television
• Mandalay Television

Distributors

• AXN (2008-) (Bulgaria) (TV)
• AXN (2008-) (Czech Republic) (TV)
• AXN (2008-) (Hungary) (TV)
• AXN (2008-) (Romania) (TV)
• AXN (2008-) (Slovakia) (TV)
• Canal Jimmy (1999-2002) (France) (TV)
• Columbia TriStar Domestic Television (2001)
• Showtime Networks
• Sony Pictures Television (2002-)

Other Companies

• FilmLook  image processing

Also Known As:

Runtime:

22 min (55 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:TV-MA

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia TriStar Television

Trivia:

The character of Billie Frank is based upon Claudia Lonow's experience. Billie is an ex-soap actress who is famous for portraying a character called Diana Gateway in a series called "Emerald Bluff". Claudia Lonow is famous for portraying Diana Fairgate in "Knots Landing" (1979).

Quotes:

Billie:If I had known this praying crap actually worked, I would have started it long time ago. Next time I think I'll pray for a Porsche. You want anything?
Dave:I don't think you're supposed to pray for the things that you want.
Billie:What am I supposed to pray for, the things I don't want? Next time I'll pray for... herpes.
Dave:No, you pray for the strength to accept God's will.
Billie:You pray your way and I pray mine, okay?

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn: Episode dated 12 August 1999" (1999)

Soundtrack:

Another Rude Awakening

One of, If not THE best show on Showtime.

This is, in my opinion, Showtime's best show. Its not fake and completely unreal like so many other television shows. The topic they are dealing with is real and they are showing what alcoholism is really like and, that you can overcome your addiction.

They also show the other side of alcoholism; the addiction and dependency on the alcohol which is wonderfully played by Lynn Redgrave. Trudy Frank (Lynn) is a hilarious drunk who loves young men and sex. Lynn alone adds a bit of class to this wonderfully frank show, even though her character is anything but the perfect mother.

Jonathon Penner is also excellent as Dave, who owns a coffee shop and is a recovering alcoholic himself. Mario VanPeebles is also featured.