American Woman (TV series)

American Woman is an American sitcom inspired by the childhood of actress and reality star Kyle Richards that premiered on June 7, 2018, on Paramount Network. The series was created by John Riggi and stars Alicia Silverstone, Mena Suvari, Jennifer Bartels, Makenna James, and Lia McHugh. On September 5, 2018, it was announced that the series had been cancelled after one season.

American Woman
GenreSitcom
Created byJohn Riggi
Starring
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes11
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Lisa Cochran-Neilan
  • Marc Solakian
CinematographyJohn Inwood
Editors
  • Richard Candib
  • Lawrence Maddox
  • Justin Chinn
  • Lizzy Calhoun
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time19–26 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkParamount Network
ReleaseJune 7 (2018-06-07) –
August 23, 2018 (2018-08-23)

Premise

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American Woman follows "Bonnie, an unconventional mother struggling to raise her two daughters after leaving her husband amid the rise of second-wave feminism in the 1970s. With the help of her two best friends, Kathleen and Diana, these three women each discover their own brand of independence in a glamorous and ever-changing world reluctant to give it."[1]

Cast and characters

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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 air dateProd.
code
U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Liberation"Alex HardcastleJohn RiggiJune 7, 2018 (2018-06-07)U11.100470.595[2]
2"Changes and the New Normal"Iain B. MacDonaldJohn Riggi & Becky Hartman EdwardsJune 14, 2018 (2018-06-14)U13.12702 / U13.127030.357[3]
3"The Party"Alex HardcastleJohn RiggiJune 21, 2018 (2018-06-21)U13.127040.381[4]
4"The Cost of Living"Joanna KernsMike Herro & David StraussJune 28, 2018 (2018-06-28)U13.127050.338[5]
5"Adam"Alex HardcastleJohn Riggi & Jen BraedenJuly 12, 2018 (2018-07-12)U13.127060.322[6]
6"The Heat Wave"Liza JohnsonJen BraedenJuly 19, 2018 (2018-07-19)U13.127070.347[7]
7"The Agreement"Mary Lou BelliHilary Helding & Thomas ReyesJuly 26, 2018 (2018-07-26)U13.127080.297[8]
8"Jack"Alethea JonesLauren CaltagironeAugust 2, 2018 (2018-08-02)U13.127090.388[9]
9"The Breakthrough"Alex HardcastleJohn Riggi & Lauren CaltagironeAugust 9, 2018 (2018-08-09)U13.127100.322[10]
10"Obstacles and Assets"Alex HardcastleMike Herro & David StraussAugust 16, 2018 (2018-08-16)U13.127110.332[11]
11"I Will Survive"Alex HardcastleJohn RiggiAugust 23, 2018 (2018-08-23)U13.127120.326[12]

Production

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Development

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On June 2, 2015, it was announced that TV Land was developing a television pilot inspired by the life of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards. The pilot was set to be produced by John Wells Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television. Executive producers included John Wells and John Riggi, who wrote the pilot script.[13]

On November 7, 2016, it was announced that TV Land had given the production a series order for a first season consisting of 12 episodes, but a premiere date had not been set.[14][15]

On March 30, 2017, it was revealed that the series had been shifted from TV Land to the newly rebranded Paramount Network.[16] On August 14, 2017, it was announced that John Riggi had departed the series citing creative differences. Replacing him in the role of showrunner was fellow executive producer John Wells.[17] On January 16, 2018, it was announced at the annual Television Critics Association's winter press tour that the series would premiere on June 7, 2018.[18] On September 5, 2018, it was announced that the series had been canceled after one season.[19]

Casting

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On July 25, 2016, it was announced that Alicia Silverstone had been cast in the series lead role.[20] On August 11, 2016, Mena Suvari joined the pilot in another lead role.[21] Later that month, it was reported that Cheyenne Jackson and Jennifer Bartels had also joined the cast.[22] In May 2017, Diandra Lyle was cast as Louise, a recurring role.[23] On June 13, 2017, it was announced that Sam Morgan had joined the cast in a recurring capacity.[24]

Filming

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Principal photography for the first season of the series began in April 2017 in Los Angeles, California.[25]

Theme Song

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The show's theme song was a cover version of the 1970 The Guess Who song, American Woman. The song was performed by Kelly Clarkson.[26]

Release

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Marketing

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On March 27, 2018, Paramount Network released six "first look" images from the series.[27] On May 3, 2018, the first official trailer for the series was released.[28] On May 17, 2018, it was announced that a cover of the song "American Woman" had been recorded by singer Kelly Clarkson. It was subsequently used in marketing material for the series.[29]

Premiere

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On April 29, 2018, the series held its official world premiere during the Series Mania Festival in Lille, France in which the first three episodes of the first season were screened. It competed against nine other international television programs in the festival's "official competition" series of shows.[30][31][32]

On June 7, 2018, the series held a screening at the annual ATX Television Festival in Austin, Texas. A question-and-answer panel followed, featuring executive producer Josh Wells, cast members Alicia Silverstone, Mena Suvari, Jennifer Bartels, and co-executive producer Kyle Richards.[33]

Reception

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Critical response

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The series has received a mixed reception from critics upon its premiere. On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds a 44% approval rating with an average rating of 5.36 out of 10 based on 18 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Stereotypes and ambiguity shadow the well-meaning intentions of American Woman, though the nostalgic period setting is cute."[34] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the series a score of 48 out of 100 based on 10 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[35]

Ratings

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Viewership and ratings per episode of American Woman
No. Title Air date Rating
(18–49)
Viewers
(millions)
DVR
(18–49)
DVR viewers
(millions)
Total
(18–49)
Total viewers
(millions)
1 "Liberation" June 7, 2018 0.2[2] 0.595 0.2 0.479 0.4 1.074[36]
2 "Changes and the New Normal" June 14, 2018 0.1[3] 0.357 0.1 0.357 0.2 0.714[37][a]
3 "The Party" June 21, 2018 0.12[4] 0.381 0.2 0.586 0.3 0.967[38]
4 "The Cost of Living" June 28, 2018 0.1[5] 0.338 0.1 0.463 0.2 0.801[39][a]
5 "Adam" July 12, 2018 0.1[6] 0.322 0.2 0.582 0.3 0.904[40]
6 "The Heat Wave" July 19, 2018 0.12[7] 0.347 0.2 0.505 0.3 0.852[41]
7 "The Agreement" July 26, 2018 0.08[8] 0.297 0.510 0.807[42]
8 "Jack" August 2, 2018 0.13[9] 0.388 TBD TBD TBD TBD
9 "The Breakthrough" August 9, 2018 0.1[10] 0.322 TBD TBD TBD TBD
10 "Obstacles and Assets" August 16, 2018 0.07[11] 0.332 TBD TBD TBD TBD
11 "I Will Survive" August 23, 2018 0.06[12] 0.326 TBD TBD TBD TBD

Notes

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  1. ^ a b Live +7 ratings were not available, so Live +3 ratings have been used instead.

References

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  1. ^ "Alicia Silverstone, Mena Suvari snag TV Land series 'AMERICAN WOMAN'". Laughspin. November 7, 2016. Archived from the original on February 13, 2019. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (June 8, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.7.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 11, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (June 15, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.14.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (June 22, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.21.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 23, 2018. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (June 29, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.28.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (July 13, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.12.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  7. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (July 20, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.19.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  8. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (July 27, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.26.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  9. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (August 3, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.2.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on August 4, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  10. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (August 10, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.9.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on August 10, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  11. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (August 17, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.16.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  12. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (August 24, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.23.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  13. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 2, 2015). "Kyle Richards & John Wells Producing '70s TV Land Comedy Based On Richards' Life". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  14. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 7, 2017). "'American Woman': Kyle Richards Dramedy Starring Alicia Silverstone Gets TV Land Series Order". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
  15. ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (November 7, 2016). "TV Land Greenlights Alicia Silverstone, Mena Suvari's Dramedy 'American Woman'". Variety. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  16. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 30, 2017). "Paramount Network Sets Slate For 2018 Launch With 2 TV Land Series & 'Waco', Renews 'Lip Sync Battle' For Season 4". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  17. ^ Otterson, Joe (August 14, 2017). "'American Woman' Changes Showrunners Ahead of Paramount Network Debut". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  18. ^ "New Scripted Dramedy AMERICAN WOMAN Premieres on Paramount Network, 6/7". Broadway World. January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  19. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (September 5, 2018). "'American Woman' Canceled at Paramount Network". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  20. ^ Petski, Denise (July 25, 2016). "Alicia Silverstone To Star In 'American Woman' TV Land Pilot Inspired By Kyle Richards". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  21. ^ Petski, Denise (August 12, 2016). "Mena Suvari Joins 'American Woman' Pilot; Osi Okerafor In 'Roadside Picnic'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  22. ^ Petski, Denise (August 29, 2016). "Cheyenne Jackson & Jennifer Bartels Join 'American Woman' TV Land Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  23. ^ Petski, Denise (May 18, 2017). "'American Woman' Casts Diandra Lyle; Chelsea Talmadge Joins 'Halt And Catch Fire'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  24. ^ Petski, Denise (June 13, 2017). "'Major Crimes' Casts James Martinez; 'American Woman' Adds Sam Morgan". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  25. ^ "New Scripted Dramedy AMERICAN WOMAN, Starring Alicia Silverstone Begins Production". Broadway World. April 20, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  26. ^ url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8456650/kelly-clarkson-covers-american-woman-alicia-silverstone-series%7Cwebsite=Billboard
  27. ^ Nolfi, Joey (March 27, 2018). "Alicia Silverstone serves '70s sass in exclusive 'American Woman' first look photos". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  28. ^ Nolfi, Joey (May 3, 2018). "Exclusive: Alicia Silverstone, Kelly Clarkson remix history in first 'American Woman' trailer". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  29. ^ "Exclusive: Watch Kelly Clarkson belt fierce 'American Woman' cover for Alicia Silverstone series". Entertainment Weekly. May 17, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  30. ^ Hopewell, John; Keslassy, Elsa (March 28, 2018). "'Succession,' 'American Woman,' 'Autonomies,' 'Rain' Set for Series Mania in Lille". Variety. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  31. ^ Tutt, Louise (March 28, 2018). "Series Mania 2018 competition line-up includes Jesse Armstrong, Abi Morgan projects". Screen Daily. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  32. ^ Bellet, Nicolas (April 30, 2018). "Séries Mania 2018 : American Woman, une série 70's dans l'air du temps [critique]". Premiere (in French). Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  33. ^ Turchiano, Danielle (February 6, 2018). "'Queen Sugar,' 'The Bold Type,' 'Drunk History' Among Programming Announced for ATX Television Festival Season 7". Variety. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
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  35. ^ "American Woman: Season 1 - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
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  39. ^ Pucci, Douglas (July 6, 2018). "Live+3 Weekly Ratings: 'Code Black' Leads All Telecasts in Viewer Lifts; 'Big Brother 20' Debuts in Three of Top 4 Among Adults 18-49 Gains". Programming Insider. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  40. ^ Welch, Alex (July 29, 2018). "'Yellowstone' and 'Preacher' score big gains in cable Live +7 ratings for July 9–15". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on July 29, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  41. ^ Welch, Alex (August 2, 2018). "'Teen Mom II' doubles in 18-49, 'Snowfall' gets big viewers boost cable Live +7 ratings for July 16–22". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 2, 2018. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  42. ^ Welch, Alex (August 11, 2018). "'American Woman' scores big viewer gains in cable Live +7 ratings for July 23–29". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 12, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
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