The Lot is an American comedy-drama television series that aired for two seasons on AMC from 1999 to 2001.[3] It profiled the fictional studio Sylver Screen Pictures during the 1930s and the pursuits of its classic stars (such as Barbara Stanwyck, Greta Garbo and Shirley Temple). The show was met with neither popular nor critical success but Jeffrey Tambor, Rue McClanahan, Linda Cardellini and Michael York all had notable recurring roles.[4]

The Lot
Created byRick Mitz[1][2]
StarringRue McClanahan
Holland Taylor
Linda Cardellini (season 1)
Jonathan Frakes
ComposerNicholas Pike
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes17
Production
Executive producersMarc Juris
Paula Connelly Skorka
Rick Mitz
Running time30 minutes
Production companyIt's Mitz Productions
Original release
NetworkAMC
ReleaseAugust 19, 1999 (1999-08-19) –
April 22, 2001 (2001-04-22)

The two seasons had two different plotlines. The first season (four episodes) detailed the rise and fall of young starlet June Parker (Linda Cardellini). Cardellini left to star in Freaks and Geeks, forcing a premature end to the first season. The second season (thirteen episodes) revolved around a new main character.

Cast

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Episodes

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Season 1 (1999)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date
11"It"Guy FerlandRick MitzAugust 19, 1999 (1999-08-19)
22"Overnight Star"Guy FerlandStory by : Rick Mitz & Barbara Romen
Teleplay by : Rick Mitz
August 19, 1999 (1999-08-19)
33"Stardom"Guy FerlandRick Mitz & Barbara RomenAugust 20, 1999 (1999-08-20)
44"Happy Landing"Guy FerlandRick Mitz & Barbara RomenAugust 20, 1999 (1999-08-20)

Season 2 (2001)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date
51"A New Mogul in Town"Doug WagerRick MitzJanuary 7, 2001 (2001-01-07)
62"Hooked on Hollywood"Doug WagerSusan RiceJanuary 14, 2001 (2001-01-14)
73"The Portable Libby Wilson"Sharon HallSteven PerosJanuary 21, 2001 (2001-01-21)
84"Detox"Sharon HallHall Powell & Steven PerosJanuary 28, 2001 (2001-01-28)
95"The Accident"Jonathan SchmockColleen O'DwyerFebruary 4, 2001 (2001-02-04)
106"Nebraska Johnston"Sharon HallLori LakinFebruary 11, 2001 (2001-02-11)
117"Daddy Dearest"Turi MeyerJay WolpertFebruary 25, 2001 (2001-02-25)
128"Stiffed"Turi MeyerJay WolpertMarch 4, 2001 (2001-03-04)
139"Danny Matthews Takes a Wife"Doug WagerRick MitzMarch 18, 2001 (2001-03-18)
1410"The Mob Scene"UnknownUnknownMarch 25, 2001 (2001-03-25)
1511"Oscar's Wild"Sharon HallKim PowersApril 1, 2001 (2001-04-01)
1612"Kids"Turi MeyerRob Dames & Lenny RippsApril 8, 2001 (2001-04-08)
1713"Property of Silver Screen"UnknownUnknownApril 22, 2001 (2001-04-22)

Historical references

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The characters of Priscilla Tremaine (Rue McClanahan) and Letitia DeVine (Holland Taylor) were based on gossip columnists Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons, respectively. A running end-credits gag had Letitia DeVine reporting ironic news items about period stars on her radio show, then insulting them sotto voce when the broadcast was over. Roland White (Jonathan Frakes) is based on millionaire aeronautical engineer and movie mogul Howard Hughes, who was known for his relationships with pretty redheaded Hollywood starlets.

A movie being made by Sylver Studios refers to The Moon Is Blue, a movie famously censored for having Maggie McNamara say the word "virgin" in one of her lines.

Sylver Studios was a stand-in for Samuel Goldwyn Productions. The title The Lot also refers to the famed Pickford-Fairbanks Studios lot in Hollywood, California, which rented out production space to multiple film studios.

Awards and nominations

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Nominated: Best Casting for TV, Comedy Episodic: Deborah Barylski, Pat McCorkle

Nominated: Excellence in Costume Design for Television - Period/Fantasy: Jean Pierre Dorléac

  • Emmy Awards:

2001:

Won: Outstanding Costumes for a Series: Gilberto Mello, Jean-Pierre Dorléac for episode "Mob Scene"

Nominated: Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: Michael York for episode "Daddy Dearest" and "Stiffed"

Nominated: Outstanding Hairstyling for a Series: Cheri Ruff, Carl Bailey, Stephen Elsbree for episode "Daddy Dearest"

2000:

Nominated: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: Holland Taylor for playing Letitia Devine.

References

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  1. ^ Richmond, Ray (August 19, 1999). "The Lot". Variety. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  2. ^ Boedeker, Hal (August 19, 1999). "Stingin' in the Rain". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  3. ^ King, Susan (January 2, 2001). "Behind the Glamour of 1930s Hollywood in 'The Lot'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  4. ^ Smith, Austin (August 19, 1999). "A 'Lot' Going for This New Series". New York Post. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
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The Lot at IMDb