Beggars and Choosers (TV series)

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Beggars and Choosers was a 1999-2000 television series broadcast by Showtime. Developed by Peter Lefcourt and Brandon Tartikoff, it was a comic behind-the-scenes look at network television. Its 35 episodes aired between June 19, 1999 and December 12, 2000.

The tongue-in-cheek series centered on Rob Malone, President of LGT, and his efforts to boost the network's sagging ratings with Lori Volpone, the scheming Vice-President of Development, and Malcolm Laffley, a gay man who came out of the closet to clear himself of sexual harassment charges levied against him by a woman. Each episode provided amusing insight into how a network runs, from how its executives deal with temperamental stars to how they make big budget deals while trying to keep the network financially stable.

In 2000, Carl Reiner was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his appearance on the show. The series was nominated for a 2001 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding TV Comedy Series.

[edit] Primary cast

Brian Kerwin . . . Rob Malone
Charlotte Ross . . . Lori Volpone
Tuc Watkins . . . Malcolm Laffley
Isabella Hofmann . . . Cecile Malone, Rob's wife
William McNamara . . . Brad Advail, an agent who's a thorn in Rob's side
Paul Provenza . . . Parker Meridian, the egomaniacal star of the hit LGT show Parker's Pals who is romantically involved with Rob's daughter Audrey
Keegan Connor Tracy . . . Audrey Malone, Rob and Cecile's slightly flaky 21-year-old daughter
Bill Morey . . . Emory "E.L." Luddin, the frequently comatose founder and former CEO of LGT
Carol Kane . . . Lydia "L.L." Luddin, E.L.'s wife, whose plans for an eponymous variety show are thwarted when Dan Falco buys the network
Beau Bridges . . . Dan Falco, a Buddhist who acquires ownership of LGT after obtaining 53% of the company's stock during a power struggle between the Luddins