Oliver Beene | |
---|---|
Created by | Howard Gewirtz |
Starring |
Grant Rosenmeyer Grant Shaud Wendy Makkena Andrew Lawrence Daveigh Chase Taylor Emerson |
Narrated by | David Cross |
Opening theme | "The Future Is Now" by The Solids |
Composer(s) | Paul Buckley |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language(s) | English |
No. of seasons | 2 |
No. of episodes | 24 (2 unaired) (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Camera setup | Single-camera |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Production company(s) | Steven Levitan Prods. (ge.writz) Films DreamWorks Television 20th Century Fox Television |
Release | |
Original network | Fox |
Picture format | 1080i/720p (HDTV) |
Audio format | Stereo |
Original release | March 9, 2003 | – September 12, 2004
Oliver Beene is an American sitcom that premiered on Fox on March 9, 2003. The show was created by Howard Gewirtz. Set in 1962 and 1963, the show chronicled the trials and tribulations of the 11-to-12-year-old Oliver Beene (played by Grant Rosenmeyer), in first person perspective. Oliver Beene's other main characters are his parents Jerry and Charlotte Beene, his older brother Ted Beene, and his two friends Joyce and Michael. The narrator, an older Oliver reflecting on his experience, is voiced by David Cross. Often in episodes, the story is interrupted by flashbacks and flash-forwards.
Oliver (born c. 1951), attempts to sustain normality in an often unpredictable family. Oliver's father Jerry spends his days drilling teeth as a dentist, while his mother attempts to play the traditional homemaker. Oliver's brother, Ted is a sports nut and a womanizer. Oliver's life is often made more bearable with friends Michael, Joyce and his crush Bonnie, who appears at his most embarrassing moments. Both brothers have a crush on a Swedish girl in their apartment, Elke.
The series first aired on March 9, 2003 as a Fox program to replace the animated series Futurama. The first season was relatively successful, and the show was brought back for a second season. However, poor ratings throughout the second season led to the show's cancellation in September 2004, with the two last episodes of the season being left unaired in America. (the last episode to air in the show's original timeslot was broadcast on September 12, 2004). In the UK and Ireland, Sky One broadcast both seasons, in their entirety.
Oliver learns that he is going to the lowest level of the grade levels in his school because his former teacher Mrs. Heller punished him. So, Oliver tries to figure out how to get back to level one without taking the Iowa test. Meanwhile, Jerry tries to get people interested in his latest invention "The Disposa Toothbrush".
Charlotte and Ted try to teach Jerry how to throw a ball... in a more manly fashion.
Oliver tries out for the annual talent show hoping he can impress Bonnie. Meanwhile, Jerry turns the basement into a fallout shelter as a 15-anniversary present for Charlotte.