The John Larroquette Show is an American sitcom television series that was created by Don Reo for NBC. The John Larroquette Show was a star vehicle for John Larroquette following his run as Dan Fielding on Night Court. The series takes place in a seedy bus terminal in St. Louis, Missouri, and originally focused on the somewhat broken people who worked the night shift, and in particular, the lead character's battle with alcoholism. The series was produced by Reo's Impact Zone Productions, Larroquette's Port Street Films and Witt/Thomas Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.
It premiered on September 2, 1993 and ended on October 30, 1996, with a total of 84 episodes over the course of 4 season, although 6 of those episodes were never aired. NBC canceled the series after airing only six episodes in season 4.
Plot
John Hemingway, recovering alcoholic, has been appointed to the role of night shift manager of the St. Louis bus depot. He must deal not only with the intricacies of keeping the station running smoothly, but also the employees and other personalities who frequent the station, all while dealing with his own demons. This was highlighted in the first episode, with a running gag of every character offering to buy him a drink upon his meeting them.
Most of the first season dealt with John's attempts to stay sober, with episodes representing each of the AA program's Twelve Steps. John constantly struggled to maintain control of the station, with regular conflicts with his secretary, Mahalia, the janitor, Heavy Gene, and most strongly with sandwich bar attendant Dexter, who had been turned down for the position to which John was appointed. Adding sexual tension to John's life was high class escort Carly, who was a friend of Dexter's.
Beginning with the second season, Hemingway (and the entire cast) changed from the night shift to the daytime hours, and the alcoholism sub-plot was de-emphasized.
Cast
The show was unusual for occasionally addressing issues of race through a multiracial cast, unlike most American sitcoms in the 1990s.
John Larroquette as John Hemingway
Liz Torres as Mahalia Sanchez, John's secretary
Gigi Rice as Carly Watkins, a high class escort and friend of Dexter's
Daryl "Chill" Mitchell as Dexter Walker, the depot's sandwich bar attendant and John's rival Chi McBride as Heavy Gene, a janitor at the depot Lenny Clarke as Officer Adam Hampton Elizabeth Berridge as Officer Eve Eggers Alison LaPlaca as Catherine Merrick (1994–1996) John F. O'Donohue as Max Dumas (1993–1994) Bill Morey as Oscar (1994–1996) Jazzmun as Pat (occasional, 1993–1995)
Recurring role
David Crosby as Chester, John's AA sponsor. Omri Katz as Tony Hemingway, John's son. Katz would be replaced in an unaired fourth-season episode with Ryan Reynolds. Mayim Bialik as Rachel, John's daughter Ted McGinley as Karl Reese, Carly's boyfriend and future husband in real life
Over the course of its run, the show also featured cameos from a number of celebrities. Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty played themselves in a Golden Girls/Sunset Boulevard inspired episode. Fellow Night Court actors Harry Anderson, Charles Robinson, and Marsha Warfield each appeared in an episode. Composer of the shows first two seasons's theme song, David Cassidy falls down drunk in the bus station near the end of season 2. June Lockhart and Richard Mulligan appeared in separate episodes as John's parents. Boyz II Men appeared in a 1994 episode that saw their tour bus break down at John's station. Joe Pesci, Richard S. "Kinky" Friedman, Dennis Miller, George Hamilton and Ray Charles also appeared playing themselves in episodes.
Other notable guest appearances included Bobcat Goldthwait, Matthew Perry, Dick Martin, Phil Hartman, Rip Torn, Jane Lynch, Tim Daly, Marion Ross, Donna Mills, Art LaFleur, Joey Lawrence, Molly Shannon, Philip Baker Hall, Len Lesser, Deezer D, Cheryl Tiegs, Dinah Manoff and Mila Kunis.
Episodes
Season 1 (1993–94)
Season 2 (1994–95)
Season 3 (1995–96)
Season 4 (1996)
History
Despite receiving early favorable critical reviews, the first season finished 96th overall, in part due to its time slot opposing Roseanne (which was fourth overall during the same season). By Larroquette's own admission, though, the show's first season wasn't prime-time material due to its dark nature – at least not for network television.