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Nikki (TV series)

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Nikki
GenreSitcom
Created byBruce Helford
Starring
ComposerEd Alton
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes41 (6 unaired)
Production
Executive producers
  • Michael Curtis
  • Bruce Helford
  • Bob Myer
  • Deborah Oppenheimer
Producers
  • Heather MacGillvray
  • Linda Mathious
CinematographyWayne Kennan
Editors
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time22–24 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkThe WB
ReleaseOctober 8, 2000 (2000-10-08) –
January 27, 2002 (2002-01-27)

Nikki is an American sitcom television series that aired on The WB from October 8, 2000, to January 27, 2002. Nikki was a starring vehicle for Nikki Cox, who had previously starred in another WB sitcom, Unhappily Ever After, which ran for five seasons. Looking to capitalize on Cox's popularity, Bruce Helford created a sitcom that featured her as the title character.[1]

Synopsis

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Cox portrays Nikki White, a Las Vegas showgirl living in Las Vegas with her husband Dwight White (Nick von Esmarch), a professional wrestler. The couple is portrayed as working class, attempting to follow their passions while finding fame and fortune in Las Vegas. Also in the cast are Nikki's best friend and fellow dancer Mary (Susan Egan), and Dwight's boss Jupiter (Toby Huss). Also a recurring character were Dwight's mother Marion (Christine Estabrook), who is angry with Nikki for "luring" her son into a marriage and away from a safe, secure job with a future as a tax attorney; Ken and Alice Gillespie (Todd Robert Anderson and Jacqueline Heinze), Nikki and Dwight's conservative neighbors;

In season one, each episode started with a musical number, where Nikki and her fellow showgirls at "the worst casino in Las Vegas" perform a dance. Their costumes included Godzilla, cockroaches (dancing to "We Are Family"), brides who remove their dresses and veils to reveal red devil costumes and horns, and once she appeared as the severed head of Marie Antoinette. In the second episode of season two, Nikki loses her job when the casino is sold.

Similar to Murphy Brown, all of the episodes in season one, plus some in season two, have a different song be the theme song, while Nikki performed a dance routine. However, in season two, the theme song changed to a standardized intro, to a remixed version of "She's a Lady" by Tom Jones.

Cast

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Main

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Recurring

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Notable guest stars

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Carrie Ann Inaba, Cris Judd, Lane Napper, and Nancy O'Meara appeared in multiple episodes as dancers and in various minor roles.

Production

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In July 1999, The WB placed a straight-to-order series from The Drew Carey Show co-creator Bruce Helford as a vehicle for Unhappily Ever After and Norm co-star Nikki Cox.[2] Nikki was formally ordered to series in May 2000, and was placed on The WB's fall lineup for a Sunday Night comedy block.[3]

On October 31, 2000, The WB ordered a full 22-episode season of Nikki.[4] The network renewed the show for a 22-episode second season at its upfronts in May 2001.[5][6] However, in January 2002, the network pulled the series, and shut down production after only 19 episodes due to very low ratings. Six episodes were left unaired in the United States.[7]

Episodes

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Series overview

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
122October 8, 2000 (2000-10-08)May 20, 2001 (2001-05-20)
219October 14, 2001 (2001-10-14)January 27, 2002 (2002-01-27)

Season 1 (2000–01)

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No.
overall		No. in
season		Title [8]Directed byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		US viewers
(millions)
11"Fierce"Gerry CohenBruce HelfordOctober 8, 2000 (2000-10-08)226-1513.41[9]
22"Humiliated"Gerry CohenScott BuckOctober 15, 2000 (2000-10-15)226-1532.49[10]
33"Topless"Gerry CohenLaura Perkins BrittainOctober 22, 2000 (2000-10-22)226-1522.74[11]
44"No Sex, No Mary, No Title"Gerry CohenJill SolowayOctober 29, 2000 (2000-10-29)226-1542.81[12]
55"Won't You Beat My Neighbor?"Shelley JensenBill DiamondNovember 5, 2000 (2000-11-05)226-1553.43[13]
66"The Next Step"Steve ZuckermanRich Amend & Stephen MarlinNovember 12, 2000 (2000-11-12)226-1593.08[14]
77"The Ex Factor"Gerry CohenRich Amend & Stephen MarlinNovember 19, 2000 (2000-11-19)226-1612.59[15]
88"Stealing Nikki"Shelley JensenRachel PowellNovember 26, 2000 (2000-11-26)226-1563.11[16]
99"The Crybaby Who Stole Christmas"Shelley JensenBen Wexler & Laura Perkins BrittainDecember 17, 2000 (2000-12-17)226-1602.75[17]
1010"Bottoms Up"Gerry CohenAmanda LasherJanuary 7, 2001 (2001-01-07)226-1642.90[18]
1111"The Jupiter and Mary Chain"Steve ZuckermanBen WexlerJanuary 14, 2001 (2001-01-14)226-1582.59[19]
1212"Let It Ride"Shelley JensenStory by : Les Firestein
Teleplay by : Scott Buck & Jill Soloway		January 21, 2001 (2001-01-21)226-1632.60[20]
1313"Dream Weaver"Gerry CohenMaria EspadaFebruary 4, 2001 (2001-02-04)226-1653.16[21]
1414"Fallback"Shelley JensenBen WexlerFebruary 11, 2001 (2001-02-11)226-1662.97[22]
1515"Cheerleader of Doom"Shelley JensenTom MartinFebruary 18, 2001 (2001-02-18)226-1672.80[23]
1616"I'll Kick Your Ass"Joe RegalbutoKirk J. Rudell & Rachel PowellFebruary 25, 2001 (2001-02-25)226-1622.95[24]
1717"One Wedding and a Funeral"Steve ZuckermanRich Amend & Stephen MarlinApril 1, 2001 (2001-04-01)226-1702.88[25]
1818"Dwight and Nikki and Ken and Alice"Steve ZuckermanBen WexlerApril 8, 2001 (2001-04-08)226-1693.15[26]
1919"Schisler's List"John FullerKirk J. RudellApril 29, 2001 (2001-04-29)226-1712.28[27]
2020"And the Winner Is..."Shelley JensenRick NyholmMay 6, 2001 (2001-05-06)226-1682.67[28]
2121"Love at First Dwight"Steve ZuckermanTom MartinMay 13, 2001 (2001-05-13)226-1722.57[29]
When one of Nikki's old high school friends visits, Dwight finds out that Nikki did not like him at first, and only saw him as a ticket to Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Jupiter hires Mary to try the wrestlers for the calendar shoot.
2222"Family Lies"Steve ZuckermanKirk J. RudellMay 20, 2001 (2001-05-20)226-1572.64[30]

Season 2 (2001–02)

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No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected by [31]Written byOriginal air dateProd.
code [31]		US viewers
(millions)
231"Technical Knockup"Gerry CohenBen WexlerOctober 14, 2001 (2001-10-14)2271532.4[32]
A trip to the doctor leads to Nikki discovering she has a limited time to have a baby.
242"Vaya Con Nikki"Shelley JensenKirk J. RudellOctober 21, 2001 (2001-10-21)227156(?)2.26[33]
When Nikki is laid off after the casino is sold, she is forced to resort to being a waitress. One of her new friends, Stacy (Danielle Fishel), attempts to create a rift between her and Mary.
253"A Rock and a Hard Place"Shelley JensenRick NyholmOctober 28, 2001 (2001-10-28)2271522.4[34]
264"Superhero Blues"Shelley JensenAlicia Sky VarinaitisNovember 4, 2001 (2001-11-04)2271572.08[35]
When a businessman (Drew Carey) buys out the wrestling organization, Dwight finds himself out of a job and tries to get it back. Meanwhile, Nikki and Mary compete to get a role in a music video, but have to find a way to leave their jobs at a comic book convention first.
275"My Best Friend's Day Care"Gerry CohenGigi McCreeryNovember 11, 2001 (2001-11-11)2271582.91[36]
286"Home Sweet Homeless"Gerry CohenHeather MacGillvray & Linda MathiousNovember 18, 2001 (2001-11-18)2271592.5[37]
297"Take This Job and Love It"Shelley JensenMichael BornhorstNovember 25, 2001 (2001-11-25)2271612.61[38]
308"Gimme Shelter"Bob KoherrAmanda LasherDecember 9, 2001 (2001-12-09)2271602.08[39]
319"Milli Vanikki"Gerry CohenScott Buck & Les FiresteinDecember 16, 2001 (2001-12-16)2271542.24[40]
3210"Through Thick and Thin"Shelley JensenHeather MacGillvray & Linda MathiousJanuary 6, 2002 (2002-01-06)2271622.43[41]
3311"To Your Grave"Shelley JensenRick NyholmJanuary 13, 2002 (2002-01-13)2271632.8[42]
3412"Nikki Can't Wait for Dwight's Birthday"Amanda BearseMichael BornhorstJanuary 20, 2002 (2002-01-20)2271642.0[43]
3513"She Was a Job-Jumper"Shelley JensenBen WexlerJanuary 27, 2002 (2002-01-27)2271652.1[44]
3614"Welcome to the Rest of Your Life"Shelley JensenMichael Curtis & Rick NyholmUnaired (Unaired)227168[citation needed]N/A
3715"Uneasy Rider"John FullerAlicia Sky VarinaitisUnaired (Unaired)227167N/A
3816"My Two Left Feet"
"Gotta Dance"		Gerry CohenDavid GrubstickUnaired (Unaired)227155N/A
3917"GED Off My Back"Gerry CohenJohn N. HussUnaired (Unaired)227169N/A
4018"Working Girl"Shelley JensenKirk J. RudellUnaired (Unaired)227151N/A
4119"Portrait of the Wrestler as a Young Man"Shelley JensenKirk J. RudellUnaired (Unaired)227166N/A

Syndication

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The show currently airs in the Netherlands on Comedy Central Family, MTV3 Sarja in Finland, and Kanal 9 in Sweden.

References

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  1. ^ Ramin Zahed (October 6, 2000). "Review: 'Nikki'". Variety. Retrieved 2016-08-11.
  2. ^ Josef Adalian (July 21, 1999). "Frog web, WBTV synch on synergy". Variety. Retrieved 2016-08-11. Kellner and WB Entertainment prexy Susanne Daniels backed up the positive words with definitive action, formalizing a 13-episode commitment to a fall 2000 laffer to be created and exec produced by Bruce Helford ("The Drew Carey Show") with Nikki Cox ("Unhappily Ever After") as star.
  3. ^ Michael Schneider; Josef Adalian (May 16, 2000). "'Felicity' survives as WB plays it safe". Variety. Retrieved 2016-08-11.
  4. ^ Josef Adalian (October 31, 2000). "'Nikki' scores 9 more at WB table". Variety. Retrieved 2016-08-11.
  5. ^ Brian Lowry (May 14, 2001). "Networks Fine-Tuning Fall Lineups". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 27, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2022. The WB... Two new sitcoms--"Men, Women and Dogs," with comic Bill Bellamy, and "Off Center," a buddy comedy from the producers of the movie "American Pie"--will join "The Steve Harvey Show" and "Nikki" on Sunday nights.
  6. ^ John Consoli (May 14, 2001). "The WB Playing For Laughter". Adweek. Retrieved August 11, 2016. ...the returning second-year show Nikki...
  7. ^ Josef Adalian (January 22, 2002). "WB nixes 'Nikki' in its 2nd season". Variety. Retrieved 2016-08-11. Nineteen segs will be produced, down from the 22 the Frog had ordered from Warner Bros. Television... A total of 41 episodes will have been produced when the show wraps.
  8. ^ From the United States Copyright Office catalog: "Public Catalog - Copyright Catalog (1978 to present) - Basic Search [search: "Nikki : episode"]". United States Copyright Office. Retrieved 2016-08-11.
  9. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 2–8)". The Los Angeles Times. October 11, 2000. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  10. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 9–15)". The Los Angeles Times. October 18, 2000. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  11. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 16-22)". The Los Angeles Times. October 25, 2000. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  12. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 23–29)". The Los Angeles Times. November 1, 2000. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  13. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 30–Nov. 5)". The Los Angeles Times. November 8, 2000. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  14. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 6-12)". The Los Angeles Times. November 15, 2000. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  15. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 13-19)". The Los Angeles Times. November 22, 2000. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  16. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 20-26)". The Los Angeles Times. December 1, 2000. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  17. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 11-17)". The Los Angeles Times. December 20, 2000. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  18. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 1-7)". The Los Angeles Times. January 10, 2001. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  19. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 8-14)". The Los Angeles Times. January 19, 2001. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  20. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 15–21)". The Los Angeles Times. January 24, 2001. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  21. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 29–Feb. 4)". The Los Angeles Times. February 7, 2001. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  22. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 5-11)". The Los Angeles Times. February 14, 2001. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  23. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 12-18)". The Los Angeles Times. February 22, 2001. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  24. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 19-25)". The Los Angeles Times. February 28, 2001. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  25. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (March 26-April 1)". The Los Angeles Times. April 4, 2001. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  26. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (April 2–8)". The Los Angeles Times. April 11, 2001. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  27. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (April 23-29)". The Los Angeles Times. May 2, 2001. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  28. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (April 30-May 6)". The Los Angeles Times. May 9, 2001. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  29. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (May 7-13)". The Los Angeles Times. May 16, 2001. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  30. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (May 14-20)". The Los Angeles Times. May 23, 2001. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  31. ^ a b From the United States Copyright Office catalog: "Public Catalog - Copyright Catalog (1978 to present) - Basic Search [search: "Nikki : no."]". United States Copyright Office. Retrieved 2016-08-11.
  32. ^ "TV Listings for - October 14, 2001". TV Tango. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  33. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 15-21)". The Los Angeles Times. October 24, 2001. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  34. ^ "TV Listings for - October 28, 2001". TV Tango. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  35. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 29-Nov. 4)". The Los Angeles Times. November 7, 2001. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  36. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 5-11)". The Los Angeles Times. November 14, 2001. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  37. ^ "TV Listings for - November 18, 2001". TV Tango. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  38. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 19-25)". The Los Angeles Times. November 28, 2001. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  39. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 3-9)". The Los Angeles Times. December 12, 2001. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  40. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 10-16)". The Los Angeles Times. December 19, 2001.
  41. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 30-Jan. 6)". The Los Angeles Times. January 9, 2002. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  42. ^ "TV Listings for - January 13, 2002". TV Tango. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  43. ^ "TV Listings for - January 20, 2002". TV Tango. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  44. ^ "TV Listings for - January 27, 2002". TV Tango. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
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