Employment in Hollywood can be great fodder for racy comedies, from The Larry Sanders Show TO 30 Rock. But a sitcom that may have been ahead of its time was The famous Teddy Zwhich debuted on CBS 35 years ago, on September 18, 1989.
Created by Hugh Wilson, the series starred Jon Cryer as Teddy Zakalokis, a mail clerk at a fictional UTA (Unlimited Talent Agency) who punches Hollywood's top actor shortly after meeting him and is soon cast by the star in style Marlon Brando as his representative. . The concept was inspired by the real-life story of young MCA agent Jay Kanter, who became Brando's representative after picking him up at a train station. Cryer had landed a deal with CBS thanks to the success of Beautiful in pinkbut producer Richard Dubin preferred another rising actor, Ben Stiller, who also auditioned. “I thought Jon, despite being a very skilled and experienced actor, didn't have the cojones to do it [Teddy]”, says Dubin THR.
This was Wilson and Dubin's third project together, but it led to an argument, with Dubin leaving before filming finished. Tension rose on Lainie Kazan (My favorite year), chosen by Dubin as Teddy's mother. After seven episodes, Wilson was unhappy with Kazan and let her go, and the scenes were re-shot. (Erica Yohn replaced Kazan as Teddy's grandmother.) Jane Sibbett, later known as Carol Hon Friendsshe played Cryer's love interest, and they dated during that time. Cryer said the turbulence of the show brought them together: “It was like a roller coaster, and when you're both on the same roller coaster, you tend to grab each other.”
Critics praised it Teddy Z — THR dubbed it “the best new comedy this season” — and co-star Alex Rocco would win a supporting actor Emmy for his role as Agent Al Floss. But low ratings led to the series being picked up mid-season with five episodes not airing. “It was absolutely devastating and I took it really personally,” Cryer recalls. Now, he looks back on the show fondly: “The effort was worth it, even if it didn't hit all the right notes.”
This story appears in the Oct. 30 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to sign up.