"Rude Awakening" (1998) TV series 1998-2001

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Creator:

Claudia Lonow

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

1 August 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

... perfect for Showtime.

Plot:

Billie Frank, an out of work alcoholic actress, used to be somewhat of a star in her day, but now she's all washed up...

Plot Keywords:

Alcoholic | Actress | Politically Incorrect | Dysfunctional Family | Alcoholics Anonymous

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Sherilyn Fenn	...	Billie Frank (55 episodes, 1998-2001)
Jonathan Penner	...	Dave Parelli (55 episodes, 1998-2001)
Lynn Redgrave	...	Trudy Frank (55 episodes, 1998-2001)
Rain Pryor	...	Jackie Garcia (30 episodes, 1998-1999)

Runtime:

22 min (55 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:TV-MA

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia TriStar Television

Trivia:

The character of Billie Frank is based upon Claudia Lonow's experience. Billie is an ex-soap actress who is famous for portraying a character called Diana Gateway in a series called "Emerald Bluff". Claudia Lonow is famous for portraying Diana Fairgate in "Knots Landing" (1979).

Quotes:

Billie Frank: Hi, I'm Billie, but all my friends call me "Oh Crap, Here Comes Billie."

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn: (1999-08-12)" (1999)

Soundtrack:

Another Rude Awakening

Keeping it real

This show is so refreshing and funny, I couldn't believe it could survive the prevailing tastes of American TV executives. Trawling the channels late at night, I stumbled upon Sherilyn Fenn's gorgeous face looking at me and found that she could make me laugh as well! This show doesn't look polished, it does not have contrived plots or even high production values, but what it does have, is great laughs, realistic situations, and just all around funny stuff. It is crass, rude and sexy, and it doesn't apologize for it. And it shouldn't, in this time of over political correctness and subsequent fear of offending anyone, this show doesn't care, and in the process, provides great entertainment.