American Housewife Explained

Creator:Sarah Dunn
Narrated:Katy Mixon
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:5
Num Episodes:103
List Episodes:List of American Housewife episodes
Editor:David L. Bertman
Camera:Single-camera
Runtime:22 minutes
Network:ABC

American Housewife is an American television sitcom created and written by Sarah Dunn and co-executive produced with Aaron Kaplan, Kenny Schwartz, Rick Wiener, and for the pilot only Ruben Fleischer. The show, which premiered on ABC on October 11, 2016, is a Kapital Entertainment–ABC Signature co-production.[1] [2]

In March 2021, ABC canceled the series after five seasons and 103 episodes and left on multiple cliffhangers.

Premise

The series chronicles the daily life of Katie Otto, a wife and mother who tries to maintain her sense of self and family while dealing with the wealthy, pretentious, arrogant housewives and their privileged children in her new hometown of Westport, Connecticut. Compared to the other residents who own big houses, Katie and her family are renters of a more modest home. She lives with Greg, her level-headed husband who is a university professor of history, and their three children. Taylor is their athletic, headstrong, but somewhat dimwitted oldest daughter who wants to fit in with her peers; Oliver is their savvy, ambitious and snarky middle child; and Anna-Kat, sweet but obsessive-compulsive, is the youngest and Katie's obvious favorite. Katie frequently vents her frustration to and seeks advice from her two closest friends: Doris, whose strict parenting style sharply contrasts with Katie's, and Angela, a divorced lesbian mother and lawyer with a calm parenting style.

Episodes

See main article: List of American Housewife episodes.

Cast

Main cast

Recurring cast

Guest cast

Production

Development

On January 28, 2016, it was announced that ABC had given the production a pilot order as The Second Fattest Housewife In Westport.[7] The episode was written by Sarah Dunn who was expected to executive produce alongside Aaron Kaplan, Kenny Schwartz and Rick Wiener. Production companies involved with the pilot include Eight Sisters Productions, Weiner & Schwartz Productions, Kapital Entertainment, and ABC Studios. On May 12, 2016, ABC officially ordered the pilot to series.[8] A few days later, it was announced that the series, now titled American Housewife, would premiere on October 11, 2016, and aired on Tuesdays at 9:30 P.M.[9] On November 4, 2016, ABC picked up the series for a full season of 22 episodes and on December 13, an additional episode was ordered.[10] [11] On May 11, 2017, ABC renewed the series for a second season,[12] which premiered on September 27, 2017. On May 11, 2018, ABC renewed the series for a third season of 23 episodes,[13] which premiered on September 26, 2018. On May 10, 2019, ABC renewed the series for a fourth season;[14] the first 15 episodes began to premiere on September 27, 2019, and [15] on November 7, 2019, a back order of six episodes was announced.[16]

On March 14, 2020, production on the fourth season was shut down following the impact of COVID-19, reducing season four from 21 episodes to 20.[17] On May 21, 2020, ABC renewed the series for a fifth season, which premiered on October 28, 2020.[18] [19] On May 14, 2021, ABC canceled the series after five seasons.[20] The cancellation was somewhat unexpected, as season 5 ended with multiple cliffhangers.[21]

Casting

On February 17, 2016, it was announced that Katy Mixon had been cast in the pilot's lead role.[22] In March 2016, it was reported that Carly Hughes, Ali Wong and Diedrich Bader had also joined the pilot's main cast.[23] [24] [25] On June 27, 2016, it was announced that Meg Donnelly had been cast to replace Johnny Sequoyah in the pilot role of Taylor, oldest daughter of the Katie and Greg characters.[26]

On September 11, 2020, it was reported that Julia Butters was leaving the series ahead of its fifth season, reportedly to pursue other opportunities; the role of Anna-Kat was recast with Giselle Eisenberg.[4] In November, Carly Hughes announced she had also left ahead of the fifth season, due to a toxic work environment. She appeared in the fifth-season premiere, the majority of which was filmed before production shut down in March.[27] Following Hughes' departure, Holly Robinson Peete was cast in a recurring role meant to fill the void.

Syndication

CMT aired reruns of American Housewife from 2020 until 2023.[28] [29] Since September 12, 2022, the series aired syndication in local markets, covering roughly 85% of the United States.[30]

Reception

Critical response

American Housewife has received mixed reviews from television critics, with Katy Mixon's performance being praised as the show's highlight. The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 58% for the show's first season, with an average rating of 6.14/10 and based on 38 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads, "American Housewife is boosted by a strong and enjoyable lead performance by Katy Mixon, yet her performance alone strains to sustain an excessively quirky show that relies too heavily on stereotypes."[31] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average assigned the season a score of 60 out of 100, based on 25 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[32]

Accolades

Controversies

In November 2017, the episode "Boo-Who?" featured character Taylor Otto dressed up as a "pregnant Norwalk prom girl", poking fun at the city of Norwalk, Connecticut, which borders the show's location of Westport. Before this incident, there were various other episodes in which Norwalk was mocked: The characters refused to swim in a Norwalk swimming pool, acting like the pool water was diseased because of Norwalk people; one of the children took bets on how many of the girlfriends of Norwalk's basketball team would be pregnant post season; and Oliver Otto used a neighbor's Hispanic housekeeper to alter flawed Polo shirts and sell them to Norwalk students, believing that no Westport resident would buy them; Oliver ended up earning a significant amount of money. This brought condemnation from residents, school officials, and politicians of Norwalk. After a petition calling for the producers to stop "bullying" Norwalk garnered over 500 signatures and received media coverage, a Disney spokesperson released a statement saying "As a comedy, American Housewife isn’t intended to offend anyone. We’ve heard the concerns of the people of Norwalk and have made the decision to omit any mentions of the city from future episodes".[34]

In November 2020, Carly Hughes revealed her departure from the series resulted from a toxic work environment. In a statement, Hughes said, "I made the decision to leave to protect myself from that type of discrimination. As a Black woman in entertainment, I feel the responsibility to stand up for what I deserve, what we all deserve — to be treated equally." Allegations by Hughes and other crew members caused ABC to launch an investigation. Their findings resulted in creator Sarah Dunn no longer having an active producing role, Mark J. Greenberg stepping down as line producer, and showrunners Rick Wiener and Kenny Schwartz undergoing sensitivity training.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . ABC Picks Up 'Downward Dog' & Sarah Dunn Comedies To Series . Deadline Hollywood . May 12, 2016 . September 29, 2016 . November 23, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181123130729/https://deadline.com/2016/05/abc-picks-up-downward-dog-sarah-dunn-comedies-to-series-1201754815/ . live .
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9JRoZsnINw Preview for "American Housewife"
  3. Web site: Petski. Denise. 'American Housewife': Meg Donnelly Added To New ABC Comedy In Recasting. Deadline Hollywood. July 27, 2016. September 9, 2017. July 28, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160728160305/https://deadline.com/2016/07/american-housewife-meg-donnelly-cast-abc-comedy-recasting-1201793752/. live.
  4. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. 'American Housewife' Recasts Anna-Kat Role With Giselle Eisenberg As Julia Butters Exits ABC Comedy. Deadline Hollywood. September 11, 2020. September 12, 2020. September 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200912053824/https://deadline.com/2020/09/american-housewife-anna-kat-role-recast-giselle-eisenberg-replaces-julia-butters-exits-abc-comedy-series-season-5-1234575693/. live.
  5. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. November 6, 2020. Holly Robinson Peete Joins ABC's 'American Housewife' For Season 5. November 9, 2020. Deadline. November 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025149/https://deadline.com/2020/11/holly-robinson-peete-american-housewife-recurring-role-1234610561/. live.
  6. Web site: Oganesyan. Natalie. November 30, 2020. Jake Choi Cast in 'American Housewife' (TV News Roundup). December 2, 2020. Variety. en-US. December 2, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201202004710/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/jake-choi-american-housewife-tv-news-roundup1234842429-1234842429/. live.
  7. Web site: ABC Orders 'The Second Fattest Housewife In Westport' Comedy Pilot. Deadline. January 28, 2016. January 30, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160130033410/http://deadline.com/2016/01/second-fattest-housewife-in-westport-comedy-pilot-abc-1201692569/. live.
  8. Web site: ABC Picks Up 'Downward Dog' & Sarah Dunn Comedies To Series. Deadline Hollywood. May 12, 2016. May 12, 2016. November 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181123130729/https://deadline.com/2016/05/abc-picks-up-downward-dog-sarah-dunn-comedies-to-series-1201754815/. live.
  9. ABC Sets 2016–17 Fall Premiere Dates for Shondaland Shows, Kiefer Sutherland's Drama & More. Wagmeister, Elizabeth. Variety. June 28, 2016. June 28, 2016. June 28, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160628211207/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/abc-fall-premiere-dates-2016-2017-1201805087/. live.
  10. Web site: 'American Housewife' Nabs Full-Season Order at ABC, 'The Real O'Neals' Gets 3 More Episodes . Andreeva . Nellie . Deadline Hollywood . November 4, 2016 . November 5, 2016 . November 5, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161105161241/http://deadline.com/2016/11/american-housewife-full-season-order-abc-real-oneals-1201849120/ . live .
  11. Web site: 6 ABC Comedies Score Additional Episode Orders . Goldberg . Lesley . The Hollywood Reporter . December 13, 2016 . December 13, 2016 . December 15, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161215141703/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/abc-comedies-score-additional-episode-orders-955857 . live .
  12. Web site: 'American Housewife' & 'Designated Survivor' Renewed For Season 2 By ABC. Deadline Hollywood. May 11, 2017. May 12, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170512174212/http://deadline.com/2017/05/american-housewife-designaated-survivor-renewed-season-abc-1202090530/. live.
  13. Web site: 'American Housewife' Renewed For Season 3 By ABC. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline Hollywood. May 11, 2018. May 11, 2018. May 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180512181602/http://deadline.com/2018/05/american-housewife-renewed-season-3-abc-1202383601/. live.
  14. Web site: 'American Housewife' Renewed For Season 4 By ABC. Deadline Hollywood. Erik. Pedersen. May 10, 2019. May 10, 2019. May 10, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190510204501/https://deadline.com/2019/05/american-housewife-renewed-season-4-abc-1202605746/. live.
  15. Web site: ABC Fall Premiere Dates: 'The Conners', 'Black-ish' & Spinoff, Cobie Smulders' 'Stumptown', Final 'Modern Family' Season & More. Deadline Hollywood. Erik. Pedersen. July 2, 2019. July 2, 2019. July 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190702185325/https://deadline.com/2019/07/abc-fall-premiere-dates-2019-1202641119/. live.
  16. Web site: 'American Housewife' & 'Bless This Mess' Get Additional Episodes At ABC. Deadline Hollywood. Nellie. Andreeva. November 7, 2019. November 7, 2019. November 7, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191107223436/https://deadline.com/2019/11/american-housewife-bless-this-mess-additional-episodes-abc-back-orders-1202780555/. live.
  17. Web site: 'Empire', 'Pose', 'Queen Of the South', 'The Resident' & 'American Housewife' Shut Down Over Coronavirus. Deadline Hollywood. Nellie. Andreeva. March 14, 2020. March 14, 2020. April 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200421005342/https://deadline.com/2020/03/empire-pose-queen-of-the-south-the-resident-american-housewife-shut-down-coronavirus-1202883591/. live.
  18. Web site: ABC Renews 13 Series, Including Freshmen 'Stumptown' & 'Mixed-ish', For 2020-21 Season. Deadline Hollywood. Peter. White. May 21, 2020. May 21, 2020. May 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200521211124/https://deadline.com/2020/05/abc-renewals-stumptown-mixed-ish-2020-21-season-a-million-little-things-the-conners-the-goldbergs-the-rookie-the-bachelor-dancing-with-the-stars-renewed-1202940807/. live.
  19. Web site: ABC Sets Fall Premiere Dates For 'The Goldbergs', 'The Conners', 'Black-ish' & 'American Housewife'. Deadline Hollywood. Denise. Petski. September 10, 2020. September 10, 2020. September 10, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200910205431/https://deadline.com/2020/09/abc-sets-fall-premiere-dates-for-the-goldbergs-the-conners-black-ish-american-housewife-1234574485/. live.
  20. News: Andreeva . Nellie . Petski . Denise . 'American Housewife' Canceled By ABC After 5 Seasons . May 14, 2021 . May 14, 2021 . Deadline Hollywood . May 14, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210514213401/https://deadline.com/2021/05/american-housewife-canceled-abc-katy-mixon-five-seasons-1234754256/ . live .
  21. News: Coulston . John C. . 'American Housewife' Ended on Major Cliffhanger Ahead of Cancellation . May 16, 2021 . May 17, 2021 . Popculture.com.
  22. Web site: Katy Mixon To Play The Lead In 'Second Fattest Housewife In Westport' ABC Pilot. Deadline. February 17, 2016. February 17, 2016. February 19, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160219094859/http://deadline.com/2016/02/katie-mixon-star-the-second-fattest-housewife-in-westport-abc-pilot-1201704661/. live.
  23. Web site: 'A.P.B.': Fox Drama Pilot Casts Taylor Handley; Carly Hughes In ABC's 'Second Fattest Housewife'. Deadline. March 2016. March 1, 2016. March 2, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160302104716/http://deadline.com/2016/03/apb-fox-drama-pilot-cast-taylor-handley-ward-horton-cbs-bunker-hill-1201711836/. live.
  24. Web site: 'Four Stars' CBS Pilot Casts Ashley Zukerman; Ali Wong In ABC's 'Second Fattest Housewife'. Deadline. March 2, 2016. March 2, 2016. March 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303095231/http://deadline.com/2016/03/four-stars-cbs-pilot-cast-ashley-zukerman-ali-wong-in-abc-second-fattest-housewife-1201713123/. live.
  25. Web site: Diedrich Bader To Co-Star In 'The Second Fattest Housewife In Westport' ABC Pilot. Deadline. March 4, 2016. March 4, 2016. March 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305100032/http://deadline.com/2016/03/diedrich-bader-cast-male-lead-katy-mixon-second-fattest-housewife-in-westport-abc-pilot-1201714535/. live.
  26. Web site: 'American Housewife': Meg Donnelly Added To New ABC Comedy In Recasting. Deadline. June 27, 2016. July 28, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160728160305/https://deadline.com/2016/07/american-housewife-meg-donnelly-cast-abc-comedy-recasting-1201793752/. live.
  27. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. 'American Housewife' Co-Star Carly Hughes Exited ABC Comedy Over "Toxic Environment"; Investigation Of Claims Led To "Positive Changes", Show Says. Deadline Hollywood. November 9, 2020. November 9, 2020. November 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201109181726/https://deadline.com/2020/11/american-housewife-carly-hughes-exits-abc-comedy-toxic-environment-investigation-positive-changes-1234610754/. live.
  28. Web site: American Housewife – TV Listings. TV Guide. June 24, 2016. September 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200919182335/https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/american-housewife/tv-listings/928141/. September 19, 2020. dead.
  29. nickandmore. 1307170264036376576. Nickandmore!. CMT has acquired repeats of the ABC single-camera family sitcom "American Housewife". Starts on Monday at 11pm.. September 18, 2020. September 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200919041151/https://twitter.com/nickandmore/status/1307170264036376576. September 19, 2020. live.
  30. Web site: 'American Housewife' Sold In Broadcast Syndication Post Cancellation. Deadline Hollywood. Nellie. Andreeva. July 22, 2021.
  31. Web site: American Housewife: Season 1 (2016). Rotten Tomatoes. September 12, 2020.
  32. Web site: American Housewife: Season 1. Metacritic. October 31, 2016.
  33. Web site: People's Choice Awards Nominees 2017 — Full List . November 15, 2016 . Hipes . Patrick . . August 24, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170503235832/http://deadline.com/2016/11/peoples-choice-awards-nominees-2016-full-list-captain-america-kevin-hart-1201854910/ . May 3, 2017 .
  34. News: Following outcry, "American Housewife" to omit Norwalk from future episodes. Kaitlyn Krasselt. November 29, 2017. November 30, 2017. The Hour. November 30, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171130124701/http://www.thehour.com/news/article/American-Housewife-to-omit-Norwalk-from-future-12390310.php. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "American Housewife".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.