1600 Penn

Last updated

1600 Penn
1600 Penn promo.jpg
A promotional image for 1600 Penn
Genre Sitcom
Created by
Starring
Composers
  • Erica Weis
  • Brandon Williams
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13
Production
Executive producers
Camera setup Single-camera
Running time22 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network NBC
ReleaseDecember 17, 2012 (2012-12-17) –
March 28, 2013 (2013-03-28)

1600 Penn is an American television sitcom about a dysfunctional family living in the White House. The series stars Jenna Elfman, Bill Pullman, and Josh Gad. Gad, along with Jason Winer and Jon Lovett jointly created the central characters (the Gilchrist family). NBC placed a series order in May 2012. [1] The series aired as a mid-season replacement from December 17, 2012, to March 28, 2013. [2] Critics largely panned the series. [3] [4] On May 9, 2013, NBC canceled the series after one season. [5] [6]

Contents

Characters

Recurring character D.B. (Robbie Amell) was the presumed father to Becca's baby.

Production

Development

1600 Penn was given a series order on May 7, 2012. [1] The series aired on NBC from December 17, 2012, to March 28, 2013. [2] On May 9, 2013, 1600 Penn was canceled after one season. [5] [6]

Casting

Brittany Snow had originally been cast as the eldest daughter Becca, but was replaced by MacIsaac. [9] This is the second time Bill Pullman has played an American president, the first having been in the film Independence Day . [8]

Reception

1600 Penn received mixed reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes gives the series a rating of 43%, based on 35 reviews, with the site's critical consensus reading, "Broad but likeable, 1600 Penn unfortunately doles out its jokes unevenly and lacks the cutting wit necessary to meet its satirical aims." [10] On Metacritic the series has a score of 55 out of 100, based on 36 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". [4]

David Hinkley of the New York Daily News gave the series 1 out of 5 stars and said "[it] was clearly designed to be good silly fun. It nails one out of three. It's silly." He called the First Family "annoying... sitcom stereotypes" and said that it "mines none of the more subtle and satisfying possibilities of poking fun at a staid institution. It's more like a drug-fueled Saturday Night Live sketch that won't end. Fortunately, 1600 Penn probably will." [3] Tim Surette of TV.com said that the show is "what happens when network executives think a screeching buffoon equals laughs" and that the jokes elicit responses of "mostly tumbleweeds and cricket chirps". [11] Paste's Ross Bonaime also criticized the characters and said, "please, oh please, make the show actually funny... maybe it should just be put out of its misery." [12] Vicki Hyman of The Star-Ledger graded the show a "D" and said, "you'd be forgiven for thinking [it] was a relic of the 1980s or 1990s", adding that the show was looking for "viewers who have lax requirements about actual humor in their comedies." [13] Paul Meekin of Star Pulse noted that the show was unable to escape the footprint of The West Wing and wondered if it was "a years-late West Wing parody, a humorous and fresh take on presidential politics, or somewhere in between?" answering, "it's neither. It's actually quite godawful." [14]

One less critical review came from Hank Stuever of The Washington Post , who called it "formulaic" but said, "give a few points to 1600 Penn for trying." He also noted that "there's no danger of a partisan storyline or any resemblance to the current administration." [15] Maureen Ryan of The Huffington Post called Josh Gad "by far the best thing about this show" and hoped that if the show were cancelled, he find a better vehicle for his talents. [16]

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		US viewers
(millions)
1"Pilot: Putting Out Fires" Jason Winer Story by : Josh Gad & Jon Lovett & Jason Winer
Teleplay by : Jon Lovett		December 17, 2012 (2012-12-17)1AVZ79 [17] 6.88 [18]
After a fire, Skip Gilchrist (Josh Gad) returns from college to live with his parents and the rest of his family (Jenna Elfman, Andre Holland, Amara Miller, Benjamin Stockham, and Bill Pullman) in the White House. Rebecca "Becca" Gilchrist (Martha MacIsaac), the President's oldest child, frantically checking the results of an at-home pregnancy test, discovers that it is positive, and that she is now pregnant. Around the same time, Skip's and Becca's father, the President, is working on a trade agreement.
2"The Skiplantic Ocean"Jason Winer Mike Royce January 10, 2013 (2013-01-10)1AVZ01 [17] 3.86 [19]
Word gets out that Becca is pregnant after a conversation between Emily and Becca goes viral. Skip convinces Becca to just relax and not be so stressed, but when Skip accidentally leaks the details of the one night stand, it causes Becca to become even more stressed. Dale realizes he cannot punish Becca for the accident and begins to support her in every way possible.
3"So You Don't Want to Dance"Jason WinerJoe Port & Joe WisemanJanuary 17, 2013 (2013-01-17)1AVZ02 [17] 3.04 [20]
Hoping to gain votes for new educational reforms, President Gilchrist hosts a ball for an ill-tempered senator and his wife. Elsewhere, Skip wants to invite an attractive mail-room clerk to the gala; and Becca reveals a hidden past. [21]
4"Meet the Parent" Jason Winer Peter A. KnightJanuary 24, 2013 (2013-01-24)1AVZ04 [17] 3.28 [22]
President Gilchrist uses his influence to locate an important person. Meanwhile, Emily finds herself in hot water after she throws protocol to the wind during a visit from the Austrian chancellor and his wife; and Skip finds his true calling. [21]
5"Frosting Nixon" Jennifer Getzinger Sanjay ShahFebruary 7, 2013 (2013-02-07)1AVZ03 [23] 2.60 [24]
Skip attempts to placate a group of protesters who are upset about his dad's transportation policies, but his efforts only make things worse. Elsewhere, Emily helps Xander with his campaign for student-body president; and Becca struggles to come to grips with her future. [21]
6"Skip the Tour"Jason WinerLaura Gutin PetersonFebruary 21, 2013 (2013-02-21)1AVZ06 [17] 2.34 [25]
Skip thinks the White House tour is too boring and is not showing the White House as the wonderful place he thinks it is, so he hijacks a tour group and starts his own.
7"To the Ranch" Ken Whittingham Bridget BedardFebruary 28, 2013 (2013-02-28)1AVZ052.20 [26]
Unable to decide on whom to appoint to the empty seat on the Supreme Court, President Gilchrist decides to take an untimely family trip to his ranch to clear his head and avoid choosing. Skip is heart broken when he finds out his crush Stacy has a boyfriend. Emily thinks Xander and Marigold are too engrossed in technology, so she kidnaps their phones and has them go on a cross country hike to retrieve them, so they may learn to appreciate the beauty of nature. Yet her plan ends up backfiring against her. Becca is having trouble listening to D.B.'s less than intellectually stimulating conversations.
8"Live from the Lincoln Bedroom"Jason WinerRyan RaddatzMarch 7, 2013 (2013-03-07)1AVZ082.10 [27]
Skip starts his own Podcast, which is potentially a ticking publicity time bomb that Marshall must put a stop to. Becca and Emily once again go head-to-head over mothering responsibilities when Marigold decides to take photography instead of honors algebra.
9"Game Theory"Jason Winer Dan Hernandez & Benji Samit March 14, 2013 (2013-03-14)1AVZ072.23 [28]
Skip finally asks out Stacy, and Emily offers her help to try and stop Skip from inevitably and horribly embarrassing himself.
10"The Short Happy Life of Reba Cadbury"David GrossmanJoe Port & Joe WisemanMarch 21, 2013 (2013-03-21)1AVZ112.49 [29]
Emily does what she can to help Skip graduate college. Becca comes up with a way to be noticed at a committee meeting. Marshall tries anything for a few moments of solitude.
11"Dinner, Bath, Puzzle" Gail Mancuso Jon Lovett & Sanjay ShahMarch 21, 2013 (2013-03-21)1AVZ092.32 [29]
The Gilchrists meet with the French president and first lady, then wish to create a spark in their own marriage by going on a date. Skip is left to tend to the children. D.B. and Marshall bond.
12"Bursting the Bubble"Jason WinerPeter A. Knight & Laura Gutin-PetersonMarch 28, 2013 (2013-03-28)1AVZ101.92 [30]
After being requested, Skip is roped into escorting the Princess of Andorra to a gala but gets himself into too much trouble.
13"Marry Me, Baby"Jason WinerJon Lovett & Mike RoyceMarch 28, 2013 (2013-03-28)1AVZ121.91 [30]
The President makes controversial remarks about marriage causing the public to question if the First Couple are really married. They plan to remarry in a big ceremony where unexpected events occur. Becca goes into labor and gives birth to her and Marshall's baby.

Home media

On April 7, 2015, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment released 1600 Penn - The Complete Series on DVD in Region 1.

Related Research Articles

<i>Greys Anatomy</i> season 8 Season of television series

The eighth season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, commenced airing on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on September 22, 2011, with a special 2-hour episode and ended on May 17, 2012 with the eighth season having a total of 24 episodes. The season was produced by ABC Studios, in association with Shondaland Production Company and The Mark Gordon Company, and overseen by showrunners Shonda Rhimes, Tony Phelan and Joan Rater.

<i>Awake</i> (TV series) American police procedural fantasy drama television series

Awake is an American police procedural fantasy drama television series that originally aired on NBC for one season from March 1 to May 24, 2012. The pilot episode had an early release on Hulu on February 16, 2012, two weeks before the series' premiere on television. Kyle Killen, the series' creator, was primarily responsible for the program's concept. Killen and David Slade served as executive producers of the pilot episode, and Killen continued producing the series along with Jeffrey Reiner and Howard Gordon.

<i>The Vampire Diaries</i> season 4 Season of television series

The Vampire Diaries, an American supernatural drama, was renewed for a fourth season by the U.S. channel The CW on May 3, 2012, seven days before the third season's finale. Unlike the previous seasons that aired in September, it premiered on October 11, 2012, to avoid competition from major television shows. Season 4 consisted of 23 episodes instead of the usual 22 episodes.

<i>Community</i> season 4 Season of television series

The fourth season of the television comedy series Community premiered on February 7, 2013, and concluded on May 9, 2013. The season consists of 13 episodes and aired on NBC on Thursdays at 8:00 pm ET as part of the network's "Comedy Night Done Right" programming block.

<i>Greys Anatomy</i> season 9 Season of television series

The ninth season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy began airing in the United States on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on September 27, 2012, with the season premiere "Going, Going, Gone" and consists of 24 episodes with the season finale "Perfect Storm" airing on May 16, 2013. The season was produced by ABC Studios, in association with Shondaland Production Company and The Mark Gordon Company; the showrunners being Tony Phelan and Joan Rater. The season was officially released on DVD as a 6-disc box-set under the title of Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Ninth Season - Everything Changes on August 27, 2013 by Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

<i>The Office</i> (American TV series) season 9 Season of television series

The ninth and final season of the American television comedy The Office premiered on NBC on September 20, 2012, and concluded on May 16, 2013, consisting of 25 episodes. The Office is an American adaptation of the British comedy series of the same name, and is presented in a mockumentary format, portraying the daily lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictitious Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. The ninth season of The Office aired on Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. (Eastern) in the United States, as part of the Comedy Night Done Right television block. It stars Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, and Ed Helms, with supporting performances from Catherine Tate, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Creed Bratton, Clark Duke, Kate Flannery, Mindy Kaling, Ellie Kemper, Angela Kinsey, Jake Lacy, Paul Lieberstein, B. J. Novak, Oscar Nunez, Craig Robinson, and Phyllis Smith. This is the second season not to star Steve Carell as lead character Michael Scott, although he returned for a cameo appearance in the series finale.

<i>30 Rock</i> season 7 Season of television series

The seventh and final season of 30 Rock, an American television comedy series on the NBC network in the United States, began airing on October 4, 2012. 30 Rock was renewed for a seventh and final season of 13 episodes on May 10, 2012, to air on Thursdays at 8:00 pm. The hour-long series finale wrapped filming on December 19, 2012, and aired on January 31, 2013.

<i>Scandal</i> season 2 Season of American television series Scandal

The second season of the American television drama series Scandal, created by Shonda Rhimes, began on September 27, 2012, in the United States, on ABC, and consisted of 22 episodes. The season was produced by ABC Studios, in association with ShondaLand Production Company; the showrunner being Shonda Rhimes. The program airs at the same time in Canada through the City television system with simsubbing of the ABC feed.

<i>Beauty & the Beast</i> season 1 Season of television series

The first season of Beauty & the Beast, an American television series developed by Sherri Cooper-Landsman and Jennifer Levin and very loosely inspired by the 1987 CBS television series of the same name, commenced airing in the United States on October 11, 2012, concluded May 16, 2013, and consisted of 22 episodes.

References

  1. 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (May 7, 2012). "2ND UPDATE: '1600 Penn', 'Animal Practice', 'New Normal', 'Revolution' & 'Save Me' Picked Up To Series At NBC". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  2. 1 2 Slezak, Michael (November 9, 2012). "The Voice Sets Season 3 Finale Date, Paired With 1600 Penn Sneak Peek in December". TV Line. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  3. 1 2 Hinkley, David (January 10, 2013). "TV review: '1600 Penn'". NYDailyNews.com. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  4. 1 2 "1600 Penn Season 1 reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  5. 1 2 Littleton, Cynthia (May 9, 2013). "NBC Renews 'Parks and Recreation', Cancels '1600 Penn', 'Whitney'". Variety. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  6. 1 2 Kondolojy, Amanda (May 9, 2013). "'1600 Penn' Canceled by NBC After One Season". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 6, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  7. ↑ Zurawik, David (January 8, 2013). "Baltimore native Jason Winer talks about '1600 Penn' on eve of White House visit". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  8. 1 2 Prudom, Laura (January 10, 2013). "'1600 Penn': Bill Pullman On Returning To Comedy, Politics And Tips For Being Presidential". Huffington Post. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  9. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (April 4, 2012). "NBC Pilot '1600 Penn' Recasts A Role". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  10. ↑ "1600 Penn". Rotten Tomatoes .
  11. ↑ Surette, Tim (January 10, 2013). "1600 Penn Review: A Big Fail to the Chief". TV.com. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  12. ↑ Bonaime, Ross (January 11, 2013). "1600 Penn Review: 'The Skiplantic Ocean' (Episode 1.02)". Paste . Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  13. ↑ Hyman, Vicki (January 10, 2013). "'1600 Penn' review: Grounds for impeachment". NJ.com. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  14. ↑ Meekin, Paul (January 11, 2013). "'1600 Penn' Can't Escape 'West Wing's' Foot Print". StarPulse.com. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  15. ↑ Stuever, Hank (January 9, 2013). "In '1600 Penn,' a flailing first family". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  16. ↑ Ryan, Maureen (January 11, 2013). "'Banshee' Review And '1600 Penn' Review: Presidential Shenanigans And Sexy Action". The Huffington Post. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 "View, Screen, Download". FoxFast.com. Retrieved January 19, 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  18. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (December 18, 2012). "Monday Final Ratings: 'The Voice' Adjusted Up; '1600 Penn' Adjusted Down + No Adjustments for 'Gossip Girl' Finale". Archived from the original on December 21, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  19. ↑ Daily Preliminary Broadcast Cable Finals Broadcast Finals (January 11, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', '30 Rock' & 'Grey's Anatomy' Adjusted Up; No Adjustment for 'Scandal' – Ratings | TVbytheNumbers". Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Archived from the original on January 14, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Grey's Anatomy' Adjusted Up; 'Rock Center' Adjusted Down, No Adjustment for 'American Idol'". Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. January 18, 2013. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  21. 1 2 3 "1600 Penn Episodes - 1600 Penn Full Episode Guides from Season 1 on NBC". TVGuide.com. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  22. ↑ Bibel, Sara (January 25, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'American Idol' Adjusted Up; 'Glee' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  23. ↑ "1600 PENN – 01 – Frosting / Nixon". FoxFast.com. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  24. ↑ Bibel, Sara (February 8, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Community' & 'The Big Bang Theory' Adjusted Up; 'Person of Interest' & 'Elementary' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers . Zap2it. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  25. ↑ Bibel, Sara (February 22, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', 'Parks and Recreation', 'Grey's Anatomy' & 'Elementary' Adjusted Up; 'Beauty and the Beast' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 25, 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  26. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 1, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Community' Adjusted Up; No Adjustment for 'American Idol' or 'Zero Hour'". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 4, 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  27. ↑ Bibel, Sara (March 8, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' and 'American Idol' Adjusted Up; 'Glee' Adjusted Down". Archived from the original on March 12, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  28. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 15, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', 'American Idol' & 'Community' Adjusted Up; 'Elementary' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 18, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
  29. 1 2 Bibel, Sara (March 22, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings:'The Vampire Diaries', 'American Idol', 'Grey's Anatomy' & '1600 Penn' Adjusted Up; 'Beauty and the Beast' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 25, 2013. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  30. 1 2 Kondolojy, Amanda (March 29, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'American Idol', & 'Grey's Anatomy' Adjusted Up; 'Raising Hope' Adjusted Down". Archived from the original on April 1, 2013. Retrieved March 30, 2013.
General references
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.