Buddies (TV series)

Infobox Television
show_name = Buddies


caption = DVD Cover
genre = Sitcom
creator =
starring = Dave Chappelle
Christopher Gartin
country = United States
num_seasons = 1
num_episodes = 13 (5 aired)
list_episodes =
runtime = 22 minutes
network = ABC
picture_format = NTSC (480i)
first_aired = March 5, 1996
last_aired = April 3, 1996
website =
imdb_id = 0115120
tv_com_id = 1290

"Buddies" is the name of a short-lived sitcom starring Dave Chappelle that aired on ABC in 1996.

"Home Improvement" connection

Comedians Dave Chappelle and Jim Breuer attracted the attention of TV network executives with their guest appearance in the March 14, 1995 episode of ABC's highly rated sitcom "Home Improvement". [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0603537/ "Home Improvement" episode listing for "Talk to Me."] IMDB.com.] The storyline had Chappelle and Breuer play a duo of friends who appear on "Tool Time" to ask Tim Taylor advice on their girlfriends. The characters' single outing in the episode proved so popular that ABC decided to give Chappelle and Breuer in their own half-hour sitcom.

Jim Breuer is replaced

After subsequent rehearsals, Jim Breuer was replaced with Christopher Gartin as Dave Chappelle's "buddy." The unique comic timing and chemistry that Chappelle had with Breuer, his real-life friend, was not present with Gartin, and Breuer's abrupt firing exacerbated ill will. This prevented Chappelle and Gartin from developing the rapport and comedic chemistry necessary for the characters' believability and likeability. [ [http://www.poobala.com/buddiesandhome.html "Spin Off: "Buddies" and "Home Improvement".] Poobala.com. Last accessed November 10, 2007.]

Cancellation

"Buddies" premiered on Tuesday, March 5, 1996. The show garnered disappointing ratings. When a move to Wednesday night failed to improve its performance, "Buddies" was off the air on April 3 after a broadcast history of only five episodes out of the 13 that were produced. [ [http://www.tv.com/show/1290/summary.html "Buddies" page at TV.com.] Last accessed November 14, 2007] Dave Chappelle himself, was not proud of his involvement with "Buddies" in retrospect:

DVD Release

For a limited time in 2005, Best Buy had an exclusive DVD available that contained 10 episodes of "Buddies", 8 of which were never aired. [ [http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Buddies/3306 "Best Buy to get exclusive release of Dave Chappelle's 1996 series."] TvShowsOnDVD.com. April 25, 2005.] The DVD was originally released on May 15, 2005 [ [http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?type=category&id=pcmcat58600050040 Best Buy ad for DVD release.] BestBuy.com. Last accessed November 10, 2007.] but seems to have been discontinued as Best Buy currently lists the item as "backordered." It is unclear why the DVD did not include all 13 episodes of the show or if the remaining 3 episodes will ever receive a home video release.

Cast

*David Chappelle as Dave Carlisle
*Christopher Gartin as John Bailey
*Tanya Wright as Phyllis Brooks
*Paula Cale as Lorraine Bailey
*Judith Ivey as Maureen DeMoss
*Richard Roundtree as Henry Carlisle

References

External links

*imdb title|id=0115120|title=Buddies