High Desert (TV series)

High Desert is an American comedy television series created and written by Nancy Fichman, Katie Ford and Jennifer Hoppe-House that premiered on Apple TV+ on May 17, 2023. In July 2023, the series was cancelled after one season.[1]

High Desert
GenreComedy
Created by
Written by
  • Nancy Fichman
  • Katie Ford
  • Jennifer Hoppe-House
Directed byJay Roach
Starring
Theme music composerJeff Russo
Opening theme"Talkin' to Myself"
by Sarah Shook & The Disarmers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
  • Patricia Arquette
  • John Cameron
  • Jackie Cohn
  • Nancy Fichman
  • Katie Ford
  • Michelle Graham
  • Jennifer Hoppe-House
  • Tom Lassally
  • Molly Madden
  • Jay Roach
  • Ben Stiller
  • Nicky Weinstock
Running time30 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkApple TV+
ReleaseMay 17 (2023-05-17) –
June 21, 2023 (2023-06-21)

Premise

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The series follows Peggy (Patricia Arquette), an addict, who decides to make a fresh start after the death of her beloved mother with whom she lived in the small desert town of Yucca Valley, California. She makes a life-changing decision to become a private investigator.

Cast

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Main

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Recurring

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Guest

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Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Pain Management"Jay RoachStory by : Nancy Fichman & Katie Ford & Jennifer Hoppe
Teleplay by : Nancy Fichman & Katie Ford
May 17, 2023 (2023-05-17)
2"Two Knockers and No Boyfriend = A Felony"Jay RoachNancy Fichman & Katie Ford & Jennifer HoppeMay 17, 2023 (2023-05-17)
3"I'm Getting Close to This Guru Bastard"Jay RoachJennifer HoppeMay 17, 2023 (2023-05-17)
4"Get Judy off the Bed"Jay RoachNancy Fichman & Katie Ford & Jennifer HoppeMay 24, 2023 (2023-05-24)
5"Soul Retrieval"Jay RoachNancy Fichman & Katie Ford & Jennifer HoppeMay 31, 2023 (2023-05-31)
6"A Nod Is Not a Hello"Jay RoachNancy Fichman & Katie Ford & Jennifer HoppeJune 7, 2023 (2023-06-07)
7"This Doesn't Have to Be a Tragedy"Jay RoachNancy Fichman & Katie Ford & Jennifer HoppeJune 14, 2023 (2023-06-14)
8"I Need a Hero"Jay RoachNancy Fichman & Katie Ford & Jennifer HoppeJune 21, 2023 (2023-06-21)

Production

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The series, created by Nancy Fichman, Katie Ford and Jennifer Hoppe-House, was given a greenlight in September 2020 by Apple TV+, with Patricia Arquette set to star in the series as well as executive produce along with Ben Stiller, who was set to direct the first episode.[2]

In November 2021, Matt Dillon, Rupert Friend, Weruche Opia and Brad Garrett were added to the main cast of the series, with Bernadette Peters and Christine Taylor cast in recurring roles. Stiller would no longer be directing the first episode, as Jay Roach had joined the series to direct all eight episodes.[3]

Filming began by November 2021 in Long Beach, California.[4] The show depicts a fictionalized Pioneertown, California shot on set with outdoor footage taken at Sable Ranch, as the actual town is an unincorporated landmark with separate private owners.[5][6]

Release

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High Desert premiered on May 17, 2023, with the first three episodes available immediately and the rest debuting on a weekly basis.[7]

Reception

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The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports a 70% approval rating with an average rating of 5.90/10, based on 27 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "High Desert is so deliberately odd and scattershot that viewers may begin to suspect they're being bamboozled, but Patricia Arquette's whirlwind performance will be enough for many to just sit back and enjoy the ride."[8] Metacritic gave the series a weighted average score of 67 out of 100 based on 17 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[9]

References

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  1. ^ Murphy, J. Kim (July 2, 2023). "'High Desert' Canceled at Apple TV+ After One Season, Patricia Arquette Shares". Variety. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  2. ^ White, Peter (September 22, 2021). "Patricia Arquette To Star In Apple TV+ Half-Hour Comedy 'High Desert', Latest Collaboration With Ben Stiller; Apple Studios To Produce". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  3. ^ White, Peter (November 2, 2021). "Matt Dillon & Rupert Friend Set Among Cast Of Apple Comedy Series 'High Desert'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  4. ^ Grobaty, Tim (November 13, 2021). "Queen Mary takes on the role of a ship (that works) in a pair of TV shows". Long Beach Post. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  5. ^ Yarbrough, Beau (July 8, 2023). "Pioneertown in a showdown with San Bernardino County over its future". San Bernardino Sun. MediaNews Group. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  6. ^ Sasic, Ema. "Yucca Valley gets spotlight in Apple TV+ show 'High Desert' starring Patricia Arquette". Desert Sun. Gannett. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  7. ^ "Apple TV+ sets May 17 global premiere for "High Desert," and unveils a glimpse at new dark comedy series starring Patricia Arquette, Matt Dillon, Bernadette Peters and more". Apple TV+ Press (Press release). April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  8. ^ "High Desert: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  9. ^ "High Desert: Season 1". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
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