Damon (TV series)
1998 American TV series or program
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Damon is an American television sitcom starring Damon Wayans that ran for thirteen episodes on Fox in 1998. It was created by Leo Benvenuti, Steve Rudnick and Damon Wayans and directed by John P. Whitesell.[1]
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Steve Rudnick
Damon Wayans
David Alan Grier
Andrea Martin
Dom Irrera
Melissa De Sousa
Julio Oscar Mechoso
Greg Pitts
| Damon | |
|---|---|
| |
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Created by | Leo Benvenuti Steve Rudnick Damon Wayans |
| Starring | Damon Wayans David Alan Grier Andrea Martin Dom Irrera Melissa De Sousa Julio Oscar Mechoso Greg Pitts |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Steve Rudnick Leo Benvenuti Marcy Carsey Caryn Mandabach Tom Werner Damon Wayans Dick Blasucci John Whitesell |
| Producers | Sam Henry Kass Brenda Hanes-Berg |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production companies | Nu Systems Productions Carsey-Werner Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | Fox |
| Release | March 22 – July 20, 1998 |
The series received negative reviews from critics, who praised Wayans' comedic work but criticized the show's writing and overly-crass humor.
Synopsis
Two brothers, one a bachelor and undercover detective, the other a married rent-a-cop, are reunited in Chicago. Things come easily to Damon, a clever but politically incorrect undercover cop. He has a quick wit, beautiful women and a challenging job. His older brother Bernard is a rent-a-cop home security officer who longs to be the real thing. Down on his luck and separated from his wife, he spends most of his time on Damon's couch. Down at the precinct, Captain Carol Czynencko is Damon's hard-as-nails boss who is trying to get in touch with her sensitive side; Stacy Phillips is a strong career-driven Latina who has a "no dating cops" rule; Carrol Fontain is a hypochondriac who makes his co-workers cringe with graphic descriptions of his problems; Jimmy Tortone is a Cuban con-artist who walks a fine line between shady and legit; and Billy McCarthy is a gung-ho, gullible new kid in the department who falls prey to everyone's practical jokes.[2]
Cast
- Damon Wayans as Damon Thomas
- David Alan Grier as Bernard Thomas
- Andrea Martin as Captain Carol Czynencko
- Dom Irrera as Carrol Fontain
- Melissa De Sousa as Stacy Phillips
- Julio Oscar Mechoso as Jimmy Tortone
- Greg Pitts as Billy McCarthy
Recurring Actors
- Veronica Webb as Tracy Warren
- Nellie Sciutto as Gloria
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Pilot" | John Whitesell | Leo Benvenuti & Steve Rudnick & Damon Wayans | March 22, 1998 |
| 2 | "The Exam" | John Whitesell | Brad Kaaya & Tim Hightower | March 29, 1998 |
| 3 | "Under Covers" | John Whitesell | Mike Barker & Matthew Weitzman | April 5, 1998 |
| 4 | "The Apartment" | John Whitesell | Bernadette Luckett | April 6, 1998 |
| 5 | "Chasing Tracy" | John Whitesell | Judith McCreary & Devon Shepard | April 13, 1998 |
| 6 | "House Warming" | John Whitesell | Brad Kaaya & Tim Hightower | April 20, 1998 |
| 7 | "The Test" | John Whitesell | J.J. Paulsen & Nick LeRose | April 27, 1998 |
| 8 | "My Brother's So-Called Life" | John Whitesell | Dick Blasucci & Devon Shepard | May 4, 1998 |
| 9 | "The Actor" | John Whitesell | Bernadette Luckett | May 11, 1998 |
| 10 | "The Designer" | John Whitesell | Dick Blasucci | May 18, 1998 |
| 11 | "The White Guy" | John Whitesell | Leo Benvenuti & Steve Rudnick & Damon Wayans | June 22, 1998 |
| 12 | "A Bury Special Episode" | John Whitesell | Matt Weitzman & Mike Barker | July 13, 1998 |
| 13 | "The Last Cub Scout" | John Whitesell | Nick LeRose & J.J. Paulsen | July 20, 1998 |
Development
Wayans signed a deal with Fox to create two shows for the network. Following the launch and cancellation of his first show, the hour-long drama 413 Hope St., he began working on a half-hour sitcom.[3] Damon, then untitled, was announced in January 1998.[4] The title and premiere date of the show was revealed in February.[5]
Broadcast
Reception
Critical response
Bruce Fetts of Entertainment Weekly described the show as "the crassest sitcom in history" and said that the "lowlights are too numerous to list".[7] The Standard-Times described Wayans as "brilliant" but the overall show as "amateurish".[8] Similarly, Rick Lyman of The New York Times lauded Wayan's caricature work, but criticized the show's writing.[1] The Hartford Courant praised the cast's "substantial talents", specifically the dynamic between Wayans and Grier, but criticized the show as "lowbrow" and "raucous".[9]
Accolades
| Award | Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAACP Image Awards | 1999 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | David Alan Grier | Nominated | [10] |