IMDb >
"Watching Ellie" (2002)
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditsepisode listepisodes castepisode ratings... by rating... by votestv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsrecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips"Watching Ellie" (2002) More at IMDbPro »TV series 2002-2003
Overview
User Rating:
Seasons:
Release Date:
26 February 2002 (USA)
more
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
2 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(13 articles)
They're Not Watching 'Ellie'
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 30 April 2003)
'Idol' Does It Again
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 16 April 2003)
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 30 April 2003)
'Idol' Does It Again
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 16 April 2003)
User Comments:
Great use of real time action.
more (39 total)
Cast
(Series Cast Summary - 6 of 14)| Julia Louis-Dreyfus | ... | Eleanor 'Ellie' Riggs (17 episodes, 2002-2003) | |
| Darren Boyd | ... | Ben (16 episodes, 2002-2003) | |
| Steve Carell | ... | Edgar (16 episodes, 2002-2003) | |
| Lauren Bowles | ... | Susan (16 episodes, 2002-2003) | |
| Don Lake | ... | Dr. Don Zimmerman / ... (16 episodes, 2002-2003) | |
| Peter Stormare | ... | Ingvar (11 episodes, 2002-2003) |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
22 Minutes with Eleanor Riggs (USA) (working title)
more
more
Runtime:
30 min (19 episodes)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The original concept of the series was that each episode took place in real time. A timer on the corner of the screen counted down from 22 minutes, pausing in the middle for one commercial break. The timer was discontinued after a few episodes. For the second season, the conceit was abandoned altogether in favor of a more conventional time structure, perhaps due to a combination of network pressure and the difficulties in planning and filming the action so that it appears to unfold in real time.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in 101 Biggest Celebrity Oops (2004) (TV)
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (39 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for "Watching Ellie" (2002) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| "The Single Guy" | "American Dreamer" | "Arrested Development" | "Futurama" | "Extras" |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Episode guide | Full cast and crew | Company credits |
| External reviews | News articles | IMDb TV section |
| IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |
You may add a new episode for this TV series by clicking the 'add episode' button

I recorded the premiere of "Watching Ellie" last night to view after watching my other standard Tuesday night shows. I'm so glad I did, because this show is totally worth watching.
The show's use of real time action is not a not a new concept to television (as seen on HBO and Showtime), but it is rather new to advertiser supported networks like NBC. The concept of using real time action is a breath of fresh air in the land of the half hour sitcom, with their story lines frequently interupted by commercials. The actual length of a 'half-hour' sitcom is twenty-two minutes. "Watching Ellie" broke this into two halves, with only on stop for commercials in the middle. I noticed, thankfully, that there was no laugh track used (an overused concept).
The ability of the actors to accurately portray what is really going on in a twenty-two minute span obviously gives it a sense of real time passing, rather than a beginning-middle-end storyline where everything falls into place perfectly. Now, don't get me wrong, I love my sitcoms. I am frequently glued to my TV in the evenings. But it is nice to see something new every once in a while.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays Ellie, a single lounge singer who happens to be sleeping with the married guitarist of her backup band. So far, the show seem to be about watching her everyday life as a lounge singer.
Watching this show reminded me of an episode of "Mad About You" that broached this same concept. The story was about Jamie and Paul as they were trying to put their little Mabel to sleep with out hovering over her. The whole episode was shot in one take, with no commercial interuptions.
I really hope this show makes it. I am looking forward to future episodes.