What About Joan 

Joan Gallagher is a high school teacher who depends on the daily support, counsel, and friendship of her two best friends Ruby, a psychiatrist, and Betsy, a music teacher at the school. ... See full summary »

Creator:

Gwen Macsai

Stars:

Joan Cusack, Kyle Chandler, Donna Murphy

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Joan Cusack	...	Joan Gallagher 21 episodes, 2000-2001
Kyle Chandler	...	Jake Evans 21 episodes, 2000-2001
Donna Murphy	...	Dr. Ruby Stern 21 episodes, 2000-2001
Kellie Shanygne Williams	...	Alice Adams 21 episodes, 2000-2001
Wallace Langham	...	Mark Ludlow 21 episodes, 2000-2001
Jessica Hecht	...	Betsy Morgan / ... 13 episodes, 2001

Storyline

Joan Gallagher is a high school teacher who depends on the daily support, counsel, and friendship of her two best friends Ruby, a psychiatrist, and Betsy, a music teacher at the school. Although Ruby appears to be the picture of strength and stability, she allows herself to be taken advantage of by Betsy, who is locked into an on-again, off-again relationship with fellow teacher Mark. Joan also bonds with Alice Adams, who is a new student teacher at the high school. The series focuses on the private lives of an intimate group of high school teachers and explores the complexity and endurance of close friendships among women, as well as the challenging relationship between Joan and Jake two bright, independent, experienced people as they blunder toward intimacy.

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Plot Keywords:

chicago | illinois | female protagonist | 2000s | high school | 

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Taglines:

Life has rules. She's the exception.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 March 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Joan

Filming Locations:

Chicago Studio City - 5660 W. Taylor Street, Austin, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia TriStar Television, Gracie Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min (19 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The show was originally broadcast on ABC in a 4:3 aspect ratio, but it was shot 16:9 for posterity, and the widescreen version later aired in foreign markets. TV crews at the time were not accustomed to working in this format, so secondary cameras and other gaffes can frequently be glimpsed in the widescreen version.

User Reviews

huge laugh

The episode with the father in law where she's flipping out behind the couch was one of the funniest things I ever saw on TV, with the father in law's punch line something like, "impolite is one thing but this broad's just rude." I only saw it that one time, so I forget some of it, but I remember the tears in my eyes, and how it went to commercial after that and I was still laughing when it came back. Oh, man! Too bad she's selling phones or something, instead of making more comedy like that. That show is up there with the Frasier "Buttons And Bows" scene, Sanford And Son in the traffic court, and some great Taxis and Odd Couples, among other programs and episodes that will come to me later. If someone remembers more of that one, post it here, or tell me if someone has a DVD of it.