''Shaping Up'' is an American

sitcom A sitcom, a Portmanteau, 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 troup ...

created by writer-producers

Sam Simon Samuel Michael Simon (June 6, 1955 – March 8, 2015) was an American director, producer, writer, animal rights activist and philanthropist, who co-developed the television series ''The Simpsons''. While at Stanford University, Simon ...

and

Ken Estin Ken Estin is an American television producer and screenwriter. He has worked on ''Taxi'' and ''Cheers'' and co-created ''The Tracey Ullman Show'' with James L. Brooks''.'' In 1982 Ken won an Emmy Award for Best Writing in a Comedy Series for the e ...

, which ran for five weeks on ABC from March 20 until April 17, 1984.

Synopsis

A spring replacement in 1984, ''Shaping Up'', originally titled ''Welcome to the Club'', was given the 9:00 Tuesday slot following ''

Three's Company ''Three's Company'' is an American sitcom television series that aired for eight seasons on ABC from March 15, 1977, to September 18, 1984. It is based on the British sitcom '' Man About the House''. The story revolves around three single roo ...

''.

Leslie Nielsen Leslie William Nielsen (11 February 192628 November 2010) was a Canadian actor and comedian. With a career spanning 60 years, he appeared in more than 100 films and 150 television programs, portraying more than 220 characters. Nielsen was bo ...

played Buddy Fox, curmudgeonly owner of the Buddy Fox Health Club. Michael Fontaine played Ben, the club's manager who was like a son to Buddy and served as the show's voice of sanity. Other cast members included

Jennifer Tilly Jennifer Tilly (born Jennifer Ellen Chan; September 16, 1958) is an American–Canadian actress and poker player. Known for her distinctive voice and comedic timing, she has been nominated for an Academy Award, two MTV Movie Awards and three Sat ...

, Shawn Weatherly and

Jake Steinfeld Jake Steinfeld (born February 21, 1958) is an American actor, fitness personality, entrepreneur, and producer. He develops businesses through the "Body by Jake" brand. Early life Born in the Sea Gate neighborhood of Brooklyn, Steinfeld was rais ...

of Body by Jake fame. Five episodes were broadcast. The role of Ben was first played by

Tim Robbins Timothy Francis Robbins (born October 16, 1958) is an American actor and filmmaker. He is known for portraying Andy Dufresne in the film '' The Shawshank Redemption ''(1994), and has won an Academy Award and two Golden Globe Awards for his role ...

, whom the network replaced with Fontaine.

Cast

as Buddy Fox * Cathie Shirriff as Zoya Antonova *Michael Fontaine as Ben *

as Shannon Winters * Shawn Weatherly as Melissa McDonald

US television ratings

Episodes

References

External links

* 1984 American television series debuts 1984 American television series endings 1980s American sitcoms American Broadcasting Company original programming English-language television shows Television series by CBS Studios Television shows set in Los Angeles {{US-comedy-tv-prog-stub