"Becker" (1998) TV series 1998-2004

Creator:

Dave Hackel
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

2 November 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

His bedside manner is no manners at all!

Plot:

Dr. John Becker goes through his daily routine of being a doctor, stopping at his favorite diner, and other various situations, all the while hating life and everything around him.

Plot Keywords:

Diner | Doctor | New York City | Short Man | Interracial Friendship

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Ted Danson	...	Dr. John Becker (129 episodes, 1998-2004)
Hattie Winston	...	Margaret Wyborn (129 episodes, 1998-2004)
Shawnee Smith	...	Linda (129 episodes, 1998-2004)
Alex Désert	...	Jake Malinak (129 episodes, 1998-2004)
Saverio Guerra	...	Bob / ... (104 episodes, 1998-2003)
Terry Farrell	...	Regina "Reggie" Kostas / ... (94 episodes, 1998-2002)

Series Directed by
Andy Ackerman		(55 episodes, 1998-2003)
Ken Levine		(14 episodes, 1999-2003)
Darryl Bates		(14 episodes, 2000-2003)
Chris Brougham		(11 episodes, 2001-2004)
Gail Mancuso		(9 episodes, 2001-2003)
Wil Shriner		(7 episodes, 2001-2003)
Lee Shallat Chemel		(4 episodes, 1998-2000)
Michael Uppendahl		(4 episodes, 2003-2004)
Gregg Heschong		(3 episodes, 1999-2001)
Leonard R. Garner Jr.		(2 episodes, 1999-2002)
Joyce Gittlin		(2 episodes, 1999-2001)

Series Writing credits
Dave Hackel		(129 episodes, 1998-2004)
Ian Gurvitz		(15 episodes, 1998-2004)
Russ Woody		(14 episodes, 1998-2003)
Marsha Myers		(12 episodes, 1998-2002)
David Isaacs		(10 episodes, 1998-2003)
Michael Markowitz		(10 episodes, 1999-2002)
Matthew Weiner		(9 episodes, 1999-2002)
Kate Angelo		(9 episodes, 2000-2003)
Ken Levine		(7 episodes, 1999-2003)
Liz Astrof		(6 episodes, 2001-2003)
Dana Klein		(5 episodes, 1999-2001)
Anne Flett-Giordano		(3 episodes, 1999-2002)
Chuck Ranberg		(3 episodes, 1999-2002)
Earl Pomerantz		(3 episodes, 1999-2001)
Gary Dontzig		(3 episodes, 2001-2004)
Steven Peterman		(3 episodes, 2001-2004)
Gigi McCreery		(3 episodes, 2002-2003)
Perry M. Rein		(3 episodes, 2002-2003)
Michael Rowe		(3 episodes, 2002-2003)
Mark Egan		(2 episodes, 2000)
Maisha Closson		(2 episodes, 2003-2004)
Bobby Gaylor		(2 episodes, 2003-2004)

Series Produced by
Dave Hackel	....	executive producer (129 episodes, 1998-2004)
Tim Berry	....	producer / executive producer (124 episodes, 1998-2004)
Ian Gurvitz	....	executive producer / co-executive producer (88 episodes, 1998-2004)
Michael Markowitz	....	producer / supervising producer / ... (76 episodes, 1999-2002)
Russ Woody	....	co-executive producer (75 episodes, 1998-2003)
Matthew Weiner	....	co-producer / producer (48 episodes, 2000-2002)
Marsha Myers	....	supervising producer / producer / ... (41 episodes, 1999-2002)
Andy Ackerman	....	producer (39 episodes, 1998-2002)
Gary Dontzig	....	co-executive producer / co-producer (13 episodes, 2003-2004)
Matt Ember	....	consulting producer (13 episodes, 2003-2004)
Steven Peterman	....	co-executive producer (13 episodes, 2003-2004)
Lori A. Moneymaker	....	co-producer (8 episodes, 1999-2002)
Leslie Arras	....	associate producer (5 episodes, 2001-2002)
Liz Astrof	....	co-producer (4 episodes, 2002-2003)
Gigi McCreery	....	supervising producer (4 episodes, 2002-2003)
Perry M. Rein	....	supervising producer (4 episodes, 2002-2003)
Michael Rowe	....	producer (4 episodes, 2002-2003)
Darryl Bates	....	co-producer (4 episodes, 2002)
Maisha Closson	....	co-producer (unknown episodes, 2003)
Ross Woody	....	producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Bruce Miller		(6 episodes, 1999-2002)

Series Cinematography by
Gregg Heschong		(6 episodes, 1999-2002)
Tony Askins		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Darryl Bates		(123 episodes, 1998-2004)
Debra F. Simone		(3 episodes, 1999-2000)
Susan Federman		(2 episodes, 2002)

Series Casting by
Suzanne Goddard-Smythe		(44 episodes, 2000-2004)
Sheila Guthrie		(15 episodes, 1999-2002)
Emily Deshotel		(unknown episodes)

Series Production Design by
Roy Christopher		(62 episodes, 1999-2003)

Series Art Direction by
Amy Skjonsby-Winslow		(35 episodes, 2002-2004)

Series Set Decoration by
Linda Cooper		(129 episodes, 1998-2004)

Series Costume Design by
Sharon Sampson		(107 episodes, 1999-2004)

Series Makeup Department
Paula Sutor	....	makeup department head / makeup artist (37 episodes, 1999-2004)
Brenda Blatt	....	hair stylist (6 episodes, 1999-2002)
Leslie Lightfoot	....	makeup artist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Cheryl Downey	....	unit production manager (6 episodes, 1999-2002)
Pamela Thur	....	production manager: New York (unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Randy Carter	....	first assistant director (128 episodes, 1998-2004)
Brian Fong	....	second assistant director (108 episodes, 1999-2004)
Stephen Messer	....	associate director (10 episodes, 2001-2004)
Marisol 'Ari' Oyola	....	second second assistant director (unknown episodes)
Tom Phillips	....	second second assistant director (unknown episodes)
Cynthia Riddle	....	second assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Steven J. Monroe	....	construction coordinator (129 episodes, 1998-2004)
Larry Clark	....	general foreman (107 episodes, 1999-2004)
Amy Skjonsby-Winslow	....	set designer (94 episodes, 1998-2002)
Lorne Grant	....	assistant property master (83 episodes, 2000-2004)
Michael Goyak	....	property master (72 episodes, 2001-2004)
Matt Furginson	....	lead man (unknown episodes)
Kevin Morrissey	....	set designer (unknown episodes)
Charlotte Raybourn	....	art department coordinator (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Nick Els	....	sound mixer (126 episodes, 1998-2004)
Laurence Abrams	....	boom operator (13 episodes, 2003-2004)
Judi Frenkel	....	sound (7 episodes, 2003-2004)
Rich Jacob	....	production mixer (4 episodes, 2002)
Michael Ballin	....	production mixer / production sound mixer (2 episodes, 1999-2001)
Charles Bruce	....	sound effects editor (2 episodes, 1999)
Robert Adams	....	boom operator (unknown episodes)
John DiSante	....	sound utility (unknown episodes)
Scott C. Kolden	....	supervising sound editor (unknown episodes)
John Lazear	....	utility sound (unknown episodes)
Richard Luckey Jr.	....	sound (unknown episodes)
Timothy Pearson	....	foley artist (unknown episodes)
Mark Server	....	supervising sound editor (unknown episodes)
Noel Vought	....	foley artist (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Greg Anthony	....	stunt double (1 episode, 2002)
Hugh Aodh O'Brien	....	stunts (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Charles R. Young	....	camera operator (129 episodes, 1998-2004)
Troy Kohrs	....	grip (24 episodes, 2000-2001)
Mark L. Johnson	....	second assistant camera (22 episodes, 1998-1999)
Craig T. Mathew	....	still photographer (22 episodes, 1998-1999)
Lance Dickinson	....	lighting technician (3 episodes, 2003)
Rick Lamb	....	assistant camera (2 episodes, 1999)
Joey Alvarado	....	gaffer (unknown episodes)
Paul Ferrara	....	key grip (unknown episodes)
David French	....	grip (unknown episodes)
John Graham	....	first assistant camera (unknown episodes)
Chava Monjaraz	....	best boy grip / grip (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Emily Deshotel	....	original casting (5 episodes, 2001-2002)
Sheila Guthrie	....	original casting / casting executive (5 episodes, 2001-2002)
Helen Mossler	....	casting executive (3 episodes, 1999-2002)
Liz Dean	....	casting intern (unknown episodes)
Linda DeArmond	....	casting assistant (unknown episodes)
Kevin Goldson	....	extras casting (unknown episodes)
Thom Klohn	....	casting associate (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Laura Rice	....	costume supervisor (13 episodes, 2003-2004)
Heather Kohlhoff	....	costume supervisor (5 episodes, 2001-2002)
Beth Beasley	....	costumer (unknown episodes)
Debra Millison	....	key set costumer (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Bill Missett	....	on-line editor (107 episodes, 1998-2004)
Jay Steinberg	....	on-line editor (105 episodes, 1998-2004)
Debra F. Simone	....	assistant editor (83 episodes, 1998-2004)
Susan Federman	....	assistant editor (3 episodes, 2001-2002)

Series Music Department
Chips Swanson	....	music editor (6 episodes, 1999-2002)

Series Transportation Department
Chris Haynes	....	driver (1 episode, 1998)
Gary Edelman	....	transportation captain (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Zuzana Cernik	....	assistant to executive producer (128 episodes, 1998-2004)
Robert G. Lee	....	warm-up comic (107 episodes, 1999-2004)
Kim McLaren	....	production accountant (107 episodes, 1999-2004)
David Isaacs	....	creative consultant (79 episodes, 1999-2004)
Bob Ellison	....	creative consultant (61 episodes, 1999-2003)
Mark Maitlen	....	production secretary / production coordinator (54 episodes, 2001-2004)
Rob A. Fox	....	production coordinator (48 episodes, 2000-2002)
Matthew Weiner	....	executive story editor (24 episodes, 1999-2000)
Naisa Wong	....	assistant coordinator / assistant to producers (24 episodes, 2001-2002)
Mark Reisman	....	creative consultant (22 episodes, 1998-1999)
Howie Edelson	....	production assistant (17 episodes, 1999-2000)
Brian Reeder	....	production assistant (17 episodes, 1999-2000)
Michael Markowitz	....	executive story editor (14 episodes, 1998-1999)
Richard T. Arami	....	assistant accountant (13 episodes, 2003-2004)
Trip Gould	....	production secretary (13 episodes, 2003-2004)
Keith Addis	....	executive consultant (6 episodes, 1999-2002)
Gena Bravos	....	script supervisor (6 episodes, 1999-2002)
H. Lee Kagan	....	medical consultant (6 episodes, 1999-2002)
Jayme Petrille	....	assistant to producers (6 episodes, 1999-2002)
Dena Waxman	....	assistant to producers (6 episodes, 1999-2002)
Chris Brougham	....	technical coordinator (5 episodes, 1999-2002)
Missy Alexander	....	assistant to producers (5 episodes, 2001-2002)
Kate Angelo	....	executive story editor / story editor (5 episodes, 2001-2002)
Ken Blankstein	....	assistant to producers (5 episodes, 2001-2002)
Rich Tabach	....	assistant to producers (5 episodes, 2001-2002)
Norm Gunzenhauser	....	creative consultant (4 episodes, 2002)
Michael Ricci	....	assistant to producers (4 episodes, 2002)
Ian Young	....	assistant to producers (4 episodes, 2002)
Caroline McLaglen	....	assistant to producers (3 episodes, 1999-2002)
Thia Stephan	....	assistant to producers (3 episodes, 2002)
Bob Barress	....	production assistant (2 episodes, 2001)
Georgyne LaLone	....	assistant: Bob Ellison (unknown episodes, 1998-2002)
Shelley Andagan	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Gaye Ann Bruno	....	photo publicity (unknown episodes)
Rob Greenberg	....	creative consultant (unknown episodes)
Ken Halsband	....	location manager (unknown episodes)
Kristin Jones	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Dana Klein	....	story editor (unknown episodes)
Conner McKinley	....	assistant to producer (unknown episodes)
Kimberley Nessler	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Tennille Vega	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Dave Hackel Productions
• Industry Entertainment
• Paramount Television

Distributors

• Viacom (1998-) (worldwide) (all media)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1998-2004) (USA) (TV)
• CanWest Global Communications
• Comedy Central (2009) (Netherlands) (TV)
• Sat.1 (2001-2004) (Germany) (TV)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2013) (Australia) (DVD)
• Universal HD (2010) (USA) (TV)

Other Companies

• Bryant & Johnsen  main title sequence
• Central Casting  extras casting
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  cranes
• Larson Sound Center  sound
• LaserPacific  electronic laboratory
• Studio City Productions  marketing and promotion: syndication

Also Known As:

Runtime:

30 min (including commercials - 129 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:PG | USA:TV-PG | UK:12 (some episodes) | UK:PG (some episodes) | UK:U (some episodes)

Filming Locations:

Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Dave Hackel Productions

Trivia:

Throughout the first season, Linda (Shawnee Smith) is seen wearing a lab coat even though neither Dr. Becker nor Nurse Margaret wear one. This is because Smith was pregnant with her first child at the time and used the lab coat to hide her pregnancy. She also used various props, such as patient charts and purses, to help conceal it.

Quotes:

Linda:What do you have against the New York City Marathon?
Dr. John Becker:The Marathon just gets my hopes up. At first it seems like 20,000 idiots are leaving the city, but then they just make a big loop and come right back.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Jeopardy!: Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational Quarterfinal 8 (#26.154)" (2010)

Only watching it through reruns...

And I have to say, I love it. It comes on Fox (really late on weekdays) here. My husband and I enjoy laying in bed and having a good laugh. I haven't seen an episode yet that didn't crack us up at least 3 times. Everyone can relate to someone in this show. My husband is a mix of Bob's charm, Becker's sense of compassion and Jake's ability to see whats coming. For me, I'm as loving as Margret, witty as Reggie, and have the body of Linda...well, maybe I'm pushing it. Anyway, wish I would have found the show sooner. I am currently trying to figure out what happened to Reggie and where this blond chic came in. I don't like her as much as Reggie, but maybe she will grow on me. Although I doubt it since it was canceled!