Season 2
What About Joan is an American television sitcom created by Paige Bernhardt and Chris Downey which revolves around the life of a single, thirty-something Chicago high school teacher whose outspoken views and sharp sense of humour endear her to best friends as they share their unique perspectives on relationships and life.
The series aired in the USA on ABC from 27 March to 9 October, 2001. There are 21 half-hour episodes in two seasons.
What About Joan originally aired in South Africa on M-Net from 11 December, 2001 to 30 April, 2002. It later aired on e.tv. See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
Season 2 originally aired on M-Net from 12 March to 30 April, 2002, on Tuesdays at 19h00. New episodes broadcast weekly.
Season 2 premiered on e.tv on Friday 19 July 2013, at 20h00. New episodes broadcast weekly. There are eight episodes in the second and final season.
Synopsis
Academy Award-nominated actress Joan Cusack stars as Joan Gallagher in the romantic comedy series What About Joan.
Shot entirely on location in Chicago, the series focuses on the private lives of an intimate group of high school teachers, exploring the complexity and endurance of close friendships among women, as well as the challenging relationship between Joan and Jake (Kyle Chandler) - two bright, independent, experienced people - as they blunder toward intimacy.
Cusack, starring in her first television comedy series, portrays a high school teacher who depends on the daily support, counsel and friendship of her two best friends: Ruby, played by Tony Award-winner Donna Murphy, who is a psychiatrist; and Betsy, played by Jessica Hecht, who is a music teacher at the school.
Although Ruby appears the picture of strength and stability, she still allows herself to be taken advantage of by Betsy who is locked into an on-again, off-again relationship with fellow teacher Mark, portrayed by Wallace Langham.
Joan also bonds with Alice Adams, played by Kellie Shanygne Williams, who is a new student teacher at the high school.
In the premiere episode, Pilot, Joan Gallagher receives the surprise of her life - representing both her fondest wish and her greatest anxiety - when her new boyfriend, Jake, decides to sweep her off her feet.
Joan goes into a full-blown anxiety attack when Jake unexpectedly gets serious, and she turns to Betsy and Ruby for their sage advice on her dilemma. But after gauging Joan's reaction to his suggestion, Jake decides to turn the tables on her.
What About Joan stars Joan Cusack as Joan Gallagher, Kyle Chandler as Jake, Jessica Hecht as Betsy, Donna Murphy as Dr. Ruby Stern, Wallace Langham as Mark and Kellie Shanygne Williams as Alice Adams.
Guest starring are Greta Honold as Maya, Mitchell Fain as waiter, Maia Madison as waitress and Bruce Jarchow as Bob.
Academy and Emmy Award-winner James L. Brooks (As Good As It Gets, Jerry Maguire, The Simpsons, Terms of Endearment), David Richardson (Malcolm in the Middle, Phenom, Manhattan AZ, The Simpsons) and Richard Sakai (As Good As It Gets, Jerry Maguire, The Simpsons) are executive producers of the series.
Emmy Award-winner Michael Lembeck (Friends, Mad About You) directed Pilot from a script by series creator and producer Gwen Macsai.
What About Joan, which is filmed before a studio audience in Chicago, is a production of Gracie Films in association with Columbia TriStar Television.
Seasons
Season 1 (13 episodes)
Channel: M-Net | Premiere: 11 Dec 2001 | Finale: 5 Mar 2002 | Tuesdays, 19h00
Channel: e.tv | Premiere: 19 Apr 2013 | Finale: 12 Jul 2013 | Fridays, 20h00
Season 2 (8 episodes)
Channel: M-Net | Premiere: 12 Mar 2002 | Finale: 30 Apr 2002 | Tuesdays, 19h00
Channel: e.tv | Premiere: 19 Jul 2013 | Finale: 6 Sep 2013 | Fridays, 20h00