''Friends with Better Lives'' is an American
sitcom
A sitcom, a portmanteau of situation comedy, or situational comedy, is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troupe may use ne ...
television series created by Dana Klein. The
multi-camera
The multiple-camera setup, multiple-camera mode of production, multi-camera or simply multicam is a method of filmmaking and video production. Several cameras—either film or professional video cameras—are employed on the set and simultaneous ...
series premiered on
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS, the abbreviation of its former legal name Columbia Broadcasting System, is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainm ...
on March 31, 2014, as part of the
2013–14 American television season.
On May 10, 2014, CBS canceled the series after only five episodes had aired. Later that day, it was reported that ''Friends with Better Lives'' was being shopped to other networks. To date, eight of the thirteen episodes produced have aired. The remaining five episodes were aired by DSTV in South Africa and were released on DVD in the US.
Plot
Six people all think their friends have better lives. Will (
James Van Der Beek) is a newly-single bachelor pining for his ex-wife; Jules (
Brooklyn Decker
Brooklyn Danielle Decker (born April 12, 1987) is an American model and actress, perhaps best known for her appearances in the ''Sports Illustrated'' Swimsuit Issue, including the cover of the 2010 issue. In addition to working for Victoria's ...
) and Lowell (
Rick Donald) are newly engaged; Kate (
Zoe Lister-Jones
Zoe Lister-Jones (born September 1, 1982) is an American actress, and filmmaker who co-starred as Jen Collins Short in the CBS sitcom ''Life in Pieces'' from 2015 to 2019. She is also known for her roles in the television shows ''Delocated'' (20 ...
) is a successful, single career woman who does not have the best luck with dating; and Andi (
Majandra Delfino
Maria Alejandra Delfino ( ; born February 20, 1981), known professionally as Majandra Delfino, is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Maria DeLuca on '' Roswell'', and as Andi on the CBS sitcom ''Friends with Bette ...
) and Bobby (
Kevin Connolly) are a happily married couple with one child and one on the way, pining for their younger fun days.
Cast
*
James Van Der Beek as Will Stokes, a gynecologist who returns to the bachelor life after learning of his wife's infidelity
*
Kevin Connolly as Bobby Lutz, a married man with two kids, who misses his young partying days
*
Majandra Delfino
Maria Alejandra Delfino ( ; born February 20, 1981), known professionally as Majandra Delfino, is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Maria DeLuca on '' Roswell'', and as Andi on the CBS sitcom ''Friends with Bette ...
as Andi Lutz, a married woman with two kids, who misses her young partying days
*
Zoe Lister-Jones
Zoe Lister-Jones (born September 1, 1982) is an American actress, and filmmaker who co-starred as Jen Collins Short in the CBS sitcom ''Life in Pieces'' from 2015 to 2019. She is also known for her roles in the television shows ''Delocated'' (20 ...
as Kate McLean, the Chief Operating Officer of a thriving social media company who doesn't have the best of luck when it comes to dating. The character's last name is mentioned as ''Piers'' in the episode "The Lost and Hound".
*
Brooklyn Decker
Brooklyn Danielle Decker (born April 12, 1987) is an American model and actress, perhaps best known for her appearances in the ''Sports Illustrated'' Swimsuit Issue, including the cover of the 2010 issue. In addition to working for Victoria's ...
as Jules Talley, a former model and aspiring actress who recently became engaged to Lowell
*
Rick Donald as Lowell Peddit, a spiritual, self-righteous, Australian environmentalist who is recently engaged to Jules
Production and development
In September 2012, ''Friends with Better Lives'' first appeared as part of the
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS, the abbreviation of its former legal name Columbia Broadcasting System, is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainm ...
development slate. On January 22, 2013, CBS placed a pilot order. The pilot was written by Dana Klein and directed by
James Burrows
James Edward Burrows (born December 30, 1940), sometimes known as Jim "Jimmy" Burrows, is an American television director who has been working in television since the 1970s.Stated in interview on ''Inside the Actors Studio'' Burrows has direct ...
.
Casting announcements began in February 2013, with
James Van Der Beek first cast in the role of Will Stokes, a gynecologist who returns to the bachelor life after learning of his wife's infidelity.
Brooklyn Decker
Brooklyn Danielle Decker (born April 12, 1987) is an American model and actress, perhaps best known for her appearances in the ''Sports Illustrated'' Swimsuit Issue, including the cover of the 2010 issue. In addition to working for Victoria's ...
was the next actor cast, in the series regular role of Jules Talley, a former model and aspiring actress who recently became engaged to Lowell.
Rick Donald then joined the series as Lowell Peddit, a spiritual, self-righteous environmentalist who is recently engaged to Jules. Shortly after,
Kevin Connolly and
Majandra Delfino
Maria Alejandra Delfino ( ; born February 20, 1981), known professionally as Majandra Delfino, is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Maria DeLuca on '' Roswell'', and as Andi on the CBS sitcom ''Friends with Bette ...
signed onto the series regular roles of Bobby and Andi Lutz, a happily married couple with two kids, who miss their young partying days.
Zoe Lister-Jones
Zoe Lister-Jones (born September 1, 1982) is an American actress, and filmmaker who co-starred as Jen Collins Short in the CBS sitcom ''Life in Pieces'' from 2015 to 2019. She is also known for her roles in the television shows ''Delocated'' (20 ...
was the last actor cast in the series regular role of Kate McLean, the Chief Operating Officer of a thriving social media company who doesn't have the best of luck when it comes to dating.
On May 12, 2013, CBS placed a series order on ''Friends with Better Lives'' to premiere as part of the
2013–14 American television season.
Episodes
Reception
On
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wang ...
, the series has an aggregate score of 13% based on 3 positive and 21 negative critic reviews. The website’s consensus reads: "With uninspired writing and a lack of chemistry between its leads, ''Friends With Better Lives'' is one you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy."
References
External links
* {{IMDb title, 2742174
2010s American sitcoms
2014 American television series debuts
2014 American television series endings
CBS original programming
English-language television shows
Television series by 20th Century Fox Television
Television series by Kapital Entertainment