Bob Patterson (TV series)

Bob Patterson
Created by	Jason Alexander Michael Markowitz Peter Tilden Ira Steven Behr
Starring	Jason Alexander
Country of origin	USA
No. of episodes	10 (5 unaired)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Ira Steven Behr
Running time	22 min.
Production company(s)	20th Century Fox Television Angel Ark Productions Touchstone Television
Distributor	Disney–ABC Domestic Television
Release
Original network	ABC
Original release	October 2 – October 31, 2001

Bob Patterson is a 2001 television sitcom starring Jason Alexander, produced by Ira Steven Behr. It was directed by Robby Benson and Barnet Kellman. The show debuted on ABC on October 2, 2001 and the final episode aired October 31 of that year. The show was cancelled after five episodes aired.

Synopsis

The show revolves around fictitious motivational speaker Bob Patterson, "America's #3 Self Help Guru," who is popular with millions of people across America, thanks to his books I Know More Than You, I Still Know More Than You and the To the Top! franchise. Friction between his job and family occurs due in part to Bob's self-absorbed but insecure nature and complete lack of self-awareness, ironic qualities for someone whose job is supposed to be selflessly motivating others to improve their lives.

After the show's cancellation, Alexander used the concept behind Patterson to create a similar fictional character named Donny Clay, "America's #4 Self Help Guru." Alexander has toured the United States in character as Clay.

Cast

• Jason Alexander (Bob Patterson)
• Robert Klein (Landau)
• Phil Buckman (Vic)
• Jennifer Aspen (Janet Patterson)
• Chandra Wilson (Claudia)
• James Guidice (Jeffrey Patterson)

Response

The show received poor reviews and ratings were disappointing. A New York Times critic wrote that "the series may be the season's biggest disappointment...Robert Klein yells while Mr. Alexander screeches."

In a one-and-a-half-star review for USA Today, Robert Bianco called Chandra Wilson "the only person in the show you can imagine wanting to see again."

A Los Angeles Times reviewer wrote: "The only character here that's amusingly written is Bob's new assistant, Claudia (Chandra Wilson)."

Episodes

1. "Pilot" (10/2/01)
2. "Honest Bob" (10/9/01)
3. "Naked Bob" (10/16/01)
4. "Awards Bob" (10/24/01)
5. "Bathroom Bob" (10/31/01)
6. "Family Bob" (UNAIRED)
7. "Paranoid Bob" (UNAIRED)
8. "Clown Bob" (UNAIRED)
9. "Mentor Bob" (UNAIRED)
10. "Wheelchair Bob" (UNAIRED)

Catchphrases

• "No is only yes to a different question."
• "The only thing between you and your goals is you.......and your goals."
• "You are the U in the Universe."
• "To the top!"

Ratings

Premiere: 9.8 million

Last episode: 7.8 million

External links

• Bob Patterson at IMDb
• Bob Patterson at TV.com