Beggars and Choosers 

The amusing trials of the executive staff of a television network.

Creators:

Brandon Tartikoff, Peter Lefcourt

Stars:

Brian Kerwin, Charlotte Ross, Tuc Watkins

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 4 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Brian Kerwin	...	Rob Malone 42 episodes, 1999-2001
Charlotte Ross	...	Lori Volpone 42 episodes, 1999-2001
Tuc Watkins	...	Malcolm Laffley 39 episodes, 1999-2001
Sherri Saum	...	Casey Lenox / ... 29 episodes, 1999-2001
Ben Bass	...	Brian Peske 29 episodes, 1999-2001
Colin Cunningham	...	Herb Kolodny 24 episodes, 1999-2001
Rudolf Martin	...	Nicky Krasnakov 23 episodes, 1999-2001
Klodyne Rodney	...	Latitia Martinez 22 episodes, 1999-2000
Kaj-Erik Eriksen	...	Carey Malone / ... 22 episodes, 1999-2001
Justin Carroll	...	Nigel Gibney 20 episodes, 2000-2001
Christina Hendricks	...	Kelly Kramer 19 episodes, 2000-2001
Isabella Hofmann	...	Cecile Malone 18 episodes, 1999-2000
William McNamara	...	Brad Advail 17 episodes, 1999-2000
Keegan Connor Tracy	...	Audrey Malone 17 episodes, 1999-2000
Jerry Wasserman	...	Irwin 17 episodes, 1999-2001

Storyline

A look behind the scenes of network television. Rob Malone is the president of LGT, a television network fighting for ratings, and usually losing. Taking up the battle with Malone are Lori Volpone and casting executive, Malcolm Laffley. Each episode takes a look into how a network runs - how the executives deal with the stars, how they make big budget deals while trying to keep the network financially stable. Malone has too much on his hands, the owner of the company drifts in and out of a coma, the casting exec. is being accused of sexual harassment, and the VP in charge of development is doing everything she can, no matter how evil, to move up in the ranks.

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Plot Keywords:

television | television network | female nudity | workplace | television industry | 

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Taglines:

Side by side. Neck and neck. And always behind your back.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 June 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Asta-i televiziunea!

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Granada Entertainment, H. Beale Company, Showtime Networks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

User Reviews

I loved this show!

If a DVD was available, I'd buy the whole set in a heartbeat. I have some of the episodes on VHS, complete with commercials, and too hard to locate on my tapes. Plus they aren't in order! I am not in "the business" but I found the satire clever and funny, the acting terrific, and the whole thing strangely both believable and outrageous. I think the biggest problem with the show, during its original run, was that there was so little marketing for it. I found it by accident and thought it sounded interesting, so I watched the first episode, and was hooked immediately. Most of my friends had never heard of it, until I told them about it. Maybe if there had been more hype, more people would have watched it. Also, in my area (Toronto) it was only on TV once a week, Friday nights at midnight. A lot of the audience who would enjoy this show are out on Friday nights.

Anyway, I was devastated when it was cancelled. Special favourite performances were from Lori, Malcolm, Larry the drag queen, and Brad, plus of course Rob and Cecile. Also Mr. Ludden and the fabulous Lydia Ludden.

Some favourite moments were when Mr. Ludden came out of his coma, when Parker Meridien died, when Kendall was getting people to throw out their TVs. And who could forget Lori and the Russian mobster.

I really hope a DVD comes out before the show becomes a pile of archival garbage in Showtime's back storage room.