Normal, Ohio 

About a grown man (played by John Goodman) who moves back home after coming out that he is gay.

Creators:

Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Bob Kushell

Stars:

Greg Pitts, John Goodman, Joely Fisher

1 win.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Greg Pitts	...	Charlie Gamble 12 episodes, 2000
John Goodman	...	Butch Gamble 7 episodes, 2000
Joely Fisher	...	Pamela Theresa Gamble-Miller 7 episodes, 2000
Anita Gillette	...	Joan Gamble 7 episodes, 2000
Julia McIlvaine	...	Kimberly Miller 7 episodes, 2000
Cody Kasch	...	Robbie Miller 7 episodes, 2000
Mo Gaffney	...	Elizabeth 7 episodes, 2000
Charles Rocket	...	Danny 7 episodes, 2000
Orson Bean	...	William 'Bill' Gamble, Sr. 7 episodes, 2000

Storyline

About a grown man (played by John Goodman) who moves back home after coming out that he is gay.

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Plot Keywords:

gay father | gay interest | homosexuality | gay parent | homosexual | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 November 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Butch

Filming Locations:

CBS Studio Center - 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carsey-Werner Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

13 Episodes were made but only 7 episodes got to air.

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Quotes

Joan Gamble: You will never ever guess what happened! It's something wonderful!
William 'Butch' Gamble: Don't be jerkin' my chain about a Menudo reunion!

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Connections

Referenced in Nostalgia Critic: Small Wonder (2015)

User Reviews

A Good Idea Spoiled by Corporate Stupidity

First of all, I agree with most of the posters that say that Fox should have been shot for the way they handled "Normal, Ohio." That being said, a good amount of the blame should also be laid at the feet of John Goodman himself, who seemed to base his response to interviewers who asked about the show on its original title: "Don't Ask."

As good an actor as he is, John Goodman was the wrong actor to choose, in that he did everything but sabotage the show himself. He seemed very uncomfortable--almost to the point of hostility--that there was some small contingent of the gay community that might find him desirable, and that doesn't go over so well when you're playing a gay man on a gay-themed comedy. I didn't expect him to be anything like Richard Karn (who is aware of his gay following and is cool with it), but he definitely didn't handle it well.

But most of all, I miss this show because of the possibilities that would have been opened up had Fox not pulled the plug and showed a bit more moxie. If it had continued, Butch would have gotten a love interest--none other than Dan Aykroyd! This was a show that could have finally broken the "Will and Grace" stereotype of gay men that seems to have a complete stranglehold on the media. Only one other show has come close, and that was the two "Wings" episodes with "Men in Trees'" Abraham Benrubi (another straight-but-not-narrow actor who actually appeared on "Roseanne" as a younger version of Goodman's character). Sadly, like most potentially daring ideas on TV nowadays, they were forced to sacrifice their higher concept for survivability.