The Return of Jezebel James
The Return of Jezebel James is an American sitcom television series, starring Parker Posey as a successful children's book editor who, unable to have children herself, asks her estranged younger sister to carry her baby. The series was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino of Gilmore Girls fame, who also directed the pilot, and executive produced the show with her husband, Daniel Palladino. The show was produced by Regency Television and Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions.
The show premiered on the Fox television network on March 14, 2008, as a mid-season replacement. After airing only three episodes, it was cancelled due to what Fox called unacceptably low ratings.
The remaining four unaired episodes were released on Apple iTunes on May 6, 2008.
Cast
Main
- Parker Posey as Sarah Tompkins
- Lauren Ambrose as Coco Tompkins
- Michael Arden as Buddy
- Scott Cohen as Marcus Sonti
- Ron McLarty as Ronald Tompkins
- Haysha Deitsch as Al
Recurring
- Dana Ivey as Molly
- Dianne Wiest as Talia Tompkins
- Savanah Stehlin as Zoe
- Jack Carpenter as Dash
- Jasika Nicole as Dora
- Renée Elise Goldsberry as Paget
Guest stars
- Wallace Shawn as Garson Leeds
- Frances Conroy as Claire Tompkins, Coco's aunt
- Amy Hill as Dr. Koe
- Bob Saget as Mr. Donald Benson, a landlord
- Tori Spelling as Lindsey, Sarah's Penpal
- Tisha Campbell as Gabby, Paget's friend
- Dan Bakkedahl as Darryl
- Michael McKean as Steve, Buddy's father
Production
The series came into fruition when Fox gave it a put pilot commitment in July 2006. It entered production and was named The Return of Jezebel James in December 2006 before casting began in January 2007 when Scott Cohen was the first to be cast in the regular role of Marcus Sonti. In February 2007, Parker Posey was cast in the lead role. Casting continued throughout March 2007 with Emmy Award-nominee Lauren Ambrose, Michael Arden, Ron McLarty and Tony Award-nominee Dana Ivey all landing roles in the series.The series was greenlit and given a 13-episode order on May 11, 2007, but in October 2007, it was cut to seven episodes in anticipation of the pending writers strike.
The show was officially canceled after the third episode aired.