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Watching Ellie

  • TV Series
  • 2002–20032002–2003
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
331
YOUR RATING
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Watching Ellie (2002)
  • Comedy
A single woman, Ellie Riggs, tries to navigate her way through the Los Angeles music scene and her own messy personal life. Told in real time, each episode is a linear 22-minute slice of Ell... Read allA single woman, Ellie Riggs, tries to navigate her way through the Los Angeles music scene and her own messy personal life. Told in real time, each episode is a linear 22-minute slice of Ellie's life.A single woman, Ellie Riggs, tries to navigate her way through the Los Angeles music scene and her own messy personal life. Told in real time, each episode is a linear 22-minute slice of Ellie's life.
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
331
YOUR RATING
  • Creator
    • Brad Hall
  • Stars
    • Julia Louis-Dreyfus
    • Darren Boyd
    • Steve Carell
Top credits
  • Creator
    • Brad Hall
  • Stars
    • Julia Louis-Dreyfus
    • Darren Boyd
    • Steve Carell
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 39User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 nominations

    Episodes19

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Photos16

    Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Watching Ellie (2002)
    Watching Ellie (2002)
    Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Steve Carell in Watching Ellie (2002)
    Watching Ellie (2002)
    Peter Stormare in Watching Ellie (2002)
    Peter Stormare in Watching Ellie (2002)
    Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Watching Ellie (2002)
    Peter Stormare in Watching Ellie (2002)
    Steve Carell in Watching Ellie (2002)
    Watching Ellie (2002)
    Sherilyn Fenn in Watching Ellie (2002)
    Watching Ellie (2002)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Julia Louis-Dreyfus
    Julia Louis-Dreyfus
    • Ellie Riggsas Ellie Riggs
    17 episodes17 eps • 2002–2003
    Darren Boyd
    Darren Boyd
    • Benas Ben
    16 episodes16 eps • 2002–2003
    Steve Carell
    Steve Carell
    • Edgaras Edgar
    16 episodes16 eps • 2002–2003
    Lauren Bowles
    Lauren Bowles
    • Susanas Susan
    16 episodes16 eps • 2002–2003
    Don Lake
    Don Lake
    • Dr. Don Zimmermanas Dr. Don Zimmerman…
    16 episodes16 eps • 2002–2003
    Peter Stormare
    Peter Stormare
    • Ingvaras Ingvar
    11 episodes11 eps • 2002–2003
    Johnny A. Sanchez
    Johnny A. Sanchez
    • Elevator Guyas Elevator Guy…
    3 episodes3 eps • 2002
    Sherilyn Fenn
    Sherilyn Fenn
    • Vanessaas Vanessa
    2 episodes2 eps • 2002
    Allan Wasserman
    Allan Wasserman
    • Produceras Producer
    2 episodes2 eps • 2002–2003
    Armonn Livingston
    • Band Memberas Band Member
    2 episodes2 eps • 2002
    Fred Willard
    Fred Willard
    • Fredas Fred
    2 episodes2 eps • 2003
    Lisa Wilhoit
    Lisa Wilhoit
    • Angelaas Angela…
    2 episodes2 eps • 2002
    John Timothy Botka
    • Groomas Groom…
    2 episodes2 eps • 2002
    Jane Lynch
    Jane Lynch
    • Romanas Roman
    1 episode1 ep • 2003
    Richard Karn
    Richard Karn
    • Richard Karnas Richard Karn
    1 episode1 ep • 2003
    Harry Groener
    Harry Groener
    • Robertas Robert
    1 episode1 ep • 2002
    Ashley Gardner
    Ashley Gardner
    • Monicaas Monica
    1 episode1 ep • 2002
    Holly Joy Gaines
    Holly Joy Gaines
    • Vicki Gerwichas Vicki Gerwich
    1 episode1 ep • 2002
    • Creator
      • Brad Hall
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A single woman, Ellie Riggs, tries to navigate her way through the Los Angeles music scene and her own messy personal life. Told in real time, each episode is a linear 22-minute slice of Ellie's life.
    • real time
    • character name in series title
    • sitcom
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Life is a comedy. Especially hers.
    • Genre
      • Comedy
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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.
    • Connections
      Featured in 101 Biggest Celebrity Oops (2004)

    User reviews39

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Great use of real time action.
    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.
    helpful•5
    0
    • boatierra
    • Feb 27, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 26, 2002 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 22 Minutes with Eleanor Riggs
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Hammond's Reef
      • NBC Studios
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

    Related news

    Celebrating Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Emmy’s Comedy Queen (Column)
    Celebrating Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Emmy’s Comedy Queen (Column)
    Aug 12Variety Film + TV
    Tina Fey, Jerry Seinfeld, Kumail Nanjiani Hail Julia Louis-Dreyfus at Mark Twain Prize Ceremony
    Tina Fey, Jerry Seinfeld, Kumail Nanjiani Hail Julia Louis-Dreyfus at Mark Twain Prize Ceremony
    Oct 22Variety Film + TV

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