Hollywood employment can be great fodder for buzzy comedies, from The Larry Sanders Show to 30 Rock. But one sitcom that may have been ahead of its time was The Famous Teddy Z, which debuted on CBS 35 years ago on Sept. 18, 1989.
Created by Hugh Wilson, the series starred Jon Cryer as Teddy Zakalokis, a mailroom worker at a fictional UTA — Unlimited Talent Agency — who punches Hollywood’s top actor shortly after meeting him and is soon picked by the Marlon Brando-esque star to be his rep. The concept was inspired by the real-life story of young MCA agent Jay Kanter, who became Brando’s rep after picking him up at a train station. Cryer had landed a CBS deal off the success of Pretty in Pink, but producer Richard Dubin preferred another on-the-rise actor, Ben Stiller, who also auditioned. “I thought that Jon, while a very able and journeyman actor, didn’t have the cojones necessary for [Teddy],” Dubin tells THR.
This was Wilson and Dubin’s third project together, but it led to a falling-out, with Dubin leaving before shooting wrapped. Tension spiked over Lainie Kazan (My Favorite Year), Dubin’s pick as Teddy’s mom. After seven episodes, Wilson wasn’t happy with Kazan and let her go, and scenes were reshot. (Erica Yohn replaced Kazan as Teddy’s grandmother.) Jane Sibbett, later known as Carol on Friends, played Cryer’s love interest, and they dated during that time. Cryer said the show’s turbulence brought them together: “It was a roller coaster, and when you’re both on the same roller coaster, you tend to grab each other.”
Critics praised Teddy Z — THR dubbed it “this season’s best new comedy” — and co-star Alex Rocco would win a supporting actor Emmy for his turn as agent Al Floss. But low ratings led to the series being pulled midseason with five episodes unaired. “It was absolutely devastating, and I really took it personally,” recalls Cryer. 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 appeared in the Oct. 30 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.
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