''Diana'' is an American sitcom aired on NBC during the 1973–74 television season, created by Leonard Stern, which ran from September 10, 1973, to January 7, 1974. The series was filmed in front of a live studio audience at CBS Studio Center in Los Angeles.

Premise

The series starred

Diana Rigg Dame Enid Diana Elizabeth Rigg (20 July 1938 – 10 September 2020) was an English actress of stage and screen. Her roles include Emma Peel in the TV series ''The Avengers (TV series), The Avengers'' (1965–1968); Countess Tracy Bond, Teresa di ...

in her first American television series, as Diana Smythe, a recently divorced British fashion designer who moves to the States in the hopes of becoming more noticed in the fashion world by relocating to New York City. As the series begins she has landed a high-profile job as a fashion coordinator at Buckley's Department Store. Since her city-dwelling brother is out of the country indefinitely she moves into his apartment, which to her bemusement becomes the site of many unannounced visits by her brother’s numerous girlfriends. Each episode finds Diana trying to adjust to American life with help from her next door neighbor Holly Green ( Carole Androsky), copywriter Howard Tollbrook ( Richard B. Shull), window decorator Marshall Tyler ( Robert Moore) and new pal Jeff Harmon (

Richard Mulligan Richard Mulligan (November 13, 1932 – September 26, 2000) was an American character actor. He was known for his roles in the sitcoms ''Soap'' (1977–1981) and '' Empty Nest'' (1988–1995). Mulligan was the winner of two Emmy Aw ...

), while dealing with her boss Norman Brodnik ( David Sheiner) and his wife Norma ( Barbara Barrie).

Production

Prior to being picked up by NBC, the series had the working title ''The Diana Rigg Show'' with Rigg playing Elyse Smythe. Also in the pilot was Nanette Fabray as Norma Brodnik, but after it was changed to ''Diana'', Fabray was replaced with Barrie in the Norma role. NBC was hoping to capitalize on the success of single and independent women sitcoms by using Rigg, given her credentials in film and TV, with this attempt to copy ''

The Mary Tyler Moore Show ''The Mary Tyler Moore Show'' (also known simply as ''Mary Tyler Moore'') is an American television sitcom created by James L. Brooks and Allan Burns and starring actress Mary Tyler Moore. The show originally aired on CBS from September 19, 1970 ...

''. However, it wound up trailing both ''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centered on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central charact ...

'' and '' The Rookies'' on Monday nights, eventually leading to its cancellation on January 7, 1974.

Episode list

External links

* {{IMDb title, 0069574, Diana 1973 American television series debuts 1974 American television series endings 1970s American multi-camera sitcoms Television shows set in New York City Fashion-themed television series Television series by Universal Television American English-language television shows Television series by Talent Associates NBC sitcoms