The first season of the American television sitcom 2 Broke Girls premiered on CBS from September 19, 2011, and concluded on May 7, 2012. The series was created and executively produced by Michael Patrick King and Whitney Cummings. 2 Broke Girls' first season aired during the 2011–12 television season on Mondays at 8:30 p.m. EST, except the series premiere. While initial reviews were positive, the season garnered mixed reviews from television critics, who praised the lead actresses' chemistry while panning the use of stereotypes and racial content. The season premiere debuted to 19.37 million viewers, the highest series launch on CBS since Fall 2001. The season averaged 11.27 million viewers per 24 episodes. Season one earned several award nominations and won two awards: An Emmy Award for Outstanding Art Direction for a Multi-Camera Series and a People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Comedy. The entire season was released on DVD in Region 1 on September 4, 2012, Region 2 on October 22, 2012, and Region 4 on October 17, 2012.
Premise
The season introduces Max Black, a sarcastic below-the-poverty-line waitress, and Caroline Channing, a disgraced New York socialite turned waitress, who both pool their money together to pay for their future cupcake business. Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs portray the two lead characters of the series, Max Black and Caroline Channing. The main cast is rounded out by actors Garrett Morris, Jonathan Kite, Matthew Moy, and Jennifer Coolidge, who portray Earl, Oleg, Han Lee, and Sophie Kaczynski.
Development and production
Creator Michael Patrick King had worked on several network series before the HBO television series Sex and the City (1998–2004). Initially starting out as a writer, he went on to direct and produce episodes for the series as well as write, produce and direct the two films that followed – Sex and the City and Sex and the City 2. After finalizing the last film to the series, King entered a multi-year deal with Warner Bros. Television, through which he formed his production company, Michael Patrick King Productions.[1] In that year, a bidding war occurred for the undeveloped pilot to 2 Broke Girls. In December, the series' pilot was picked up by CBS. The series was then ordered on May 13, 2011, for the 2011-2012 primetime television season.[2] The series received a full-season pickup on October 5, 2011.[3] In March 2012, the series was renewed for a second season.[4]
The season was produced by Michael Patrick King Productions and Warner Bros. Television and executive produced by creators Michael Patrick King and comedian Whitney Cummings. The season featured writing from King, Cummings, David Feeney, Liz Feldman, Sonny Lee, Dave Mallins, Jhoni Marchinko, Molly McAleer, comedian Morgan Murphy, Michelle Nader, and Patrick Walsh.[5] Directors hired for the season were James Burrows, Scott Ellis, John Fortenberry, Thomas Kail, Julie Anne Robinson (serving as associate director), actor Fred Savage, actress Jean Sagal, and actor Ted Wass.[5] Ellis and Wass directed a majority of the season's episodes. Feldman, Tim Kaiser, Lee and Walsh also served as the series' producers.[6][7] Series writers Malins, Marchinko, and Nader, along with Laura Kightlinger, served as the series consulting producers. Cinematography for the series was headed by Chris La Fountaine, with Gary Baum and Joseph W. Calloway directing photography for one episode each.
Cast and characters
Dennings and Behrs were the first actors cast in the series
The first season employed a cast a five main actors. Actresses Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs were the first to be cast in the series as Max Black, a sarcastic below-the-poverty-line waitress, and Caroline Channing, a former socialite who is bankrupt following her father's arrest for his involvement in a Ponzi scheme.[8][9]Jonathan Kite, Garrett Morris and Matthew Moy were later cast as Oleg, a foreign hypersexed cook; Earl, a wise but hip elderly cashier; and Han, the Korean proprietor of the diner.[10]
Season one introduced a few characters that recurred throughout the season as well as several guest stars. Jennifer Coolidge portrayed Sophie Kaczynski, a Polish cleaning businesswoman who moves into the building where Max and Caroline live, beginning in the episode "And the Upstairs Neighbor".[11] She was later upgraded to series regular in the next season.[12]Nick Zano portrayed Johnny, a street artist and Max's potential love interest.[5]Brooke Lyons played Peaches Landis, a wealthy clueless mother who hires Max as her babysitter of her twins.[13]Marsha Thomason appeared in the season as Johnny's British girlfriend and Max's romantic rival Cashandra.[14]Brian Gross and Greg Worswick appeared in two episodes of the season as a gay couple Steven and Michael.[5]Noah Mills played Robbie, Max's ex-boyfriend in two episodes.[5] Businesswoman Martha Stewart appeared in the season finale as herself.[15]Jayson Blair, who starred in the MTV series The Hard Times of RJ Berger, starred in "And the Spring Break" as Brendon, a tenant in the apartment that Max and Caroline are housesitting for. Stand-up comedian Eddie Pepitone appeared in "And Hoarder Culture" as the voice of the hoarder that Max and Caroline help out.[5]
Reception
Viewership and ratings
The pilot for 2 Broke Girls premiered in the United States on September 19, 2011 to 19.37 million viewers.[16] The series premiere followed the season nine premiere of Two and a Half Men with Ashton Kutcher replacing Charlie Sheen, which premiered to 28 million viewers.[16] The series premiere was the highest rated comedy series launch since fall 2001.[17] The season ended with a 2 part episode "And Martha Stewart Have a Ball", which drew in 8.99 million viewers.[18] The season averaged 11.29 million viewers per 24 episode, ranking No. 32 among the most watched primetime television series.[19] The season also averaged 5.56 million viewers per 24 episodes within the target demographic, registering a 4.35/11 Nielsen ratings share and ranking as the eleventh highest rated program of the 2011-2012 primetime television season.[20]
Critical reviews
The first season was well received by media critics. At Metacritic, a site which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from media critics, the season received an average score of 66, indicating "generally favorable reviews", based on initial reviews of the pilot episode. Reviews of the full season became more polarized, with the criticism towards the show's usage of racial stereotypes.
Matt Hinrichs from DVD Talk wrote that the season release is "highly recommended." He deemed the first season "a snarky delight that crackles with hilarious situations and proudly non-p.c. characters." Hinrichs also praised actresses Dennings and Behrs for their portrayal of Max and Caroline, highlighting the chemistry between them and the characters themselves as the series' "winning formula."[21]The Numbers writer C.S. Strowbridge positively received the season, praising the chemistry between the two leads and the character development of several of the main characters while noting that "calling it crass would be an understatement." Strowbridge concluded, "the style of humor will turn off as many people as it entertains and that is an issue. I do think Season One got better as it went along and even though the DVD and the Blu-ray do not have a lot of extras, it is still worth picking up."[22] Todd Fuller of Sitcoms Online wrote that the series is "an old fashioned sitcom like Laverne & Shirley and Alice. It works on many levels. The writing is a bit edgy and raunchy at times, but that's the trend in many comedies these days. Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs have great chemistry and comic timing together. The supporting cast at the diner is pretty funny in small doses. Jennifer Coolidge was also a welcome later addition to the cast."[23]
Emily Nussbaum of The New Yorker wrote a mixed review of the series. Favoring it over Cumming's series on NBC, Nussbaum praised the character Max as something new for network television, highlighting her sense of humor and her contrasting nature to that of Whitney's lead character. However, she was critical of the racial stereotypes present in the series and the series' setting. Nussbaum positively concluded, "there's so much potential here it kills me—a deep female friendship, raw humor about class, and a show that puts young women's sexuality dead center, rather than using it as visual spice, as in some cable series about bad-boyantiheroes."[24]The A.V. Club writer Emily VanDerWerff, in her review of the series finale, was critical of the series for not living up to the potential present in the series' pilot episode and noted that "still hasn't figured out how to use the ensemble, though at least it doesn't seem to have something out for all of the male supporting characters."[25] Patrick Bromley of DVD Verdict praised the lead actresses' chemistry but ultimately found it "repetitive, broad, grating and, more often than not, just stupid." Browley was also critical of the racial content and stereotypes present in the series.[26] Aaron Peck, writing for High-Def Digest, wrote the first season release as "one to avoid." Deeming the season "pure comedic blasphemy", Peck panned the comedic content and use of stereotyping and racism, deeming the characters alongside Max and Caroline "the most racially insensitive depictions" thought up.[27]
Russian waitress Paulina is fired from the diner by new Korean boss Han after she had sex at work. African-American cashier Earl is celebrating his 75th birthday. Max, a hardworking waitress, soon finds herself helping out Paulina's replacement Caroline, who until recently was very wealthy, but has been left with nothing after her father was sent to prison. Caroline is homeless, so Max invites her to be her roommate. Their new friendship is in jeopardy when Max's boyfriend Robbie (Noah Mills) hits on Caroline, and she suggests that Max split up with him. Max takes her advice; Caroline moves into Max's apartment and Caroline's horse, Chestnut, moves into Max's yard.
Caroline thinks she is doing Max a favor when she takes it upon herself to facilitate her breakup with Robbie. This leads to an increasing dispute over boundaries that threatens to end their new friendship. However, in the end, a very drunk Caroline apologizes to Max and they fall asleep together.
Max takes Caroline thrift shopping. After seeing a shirt stolen from Max's basket worn by another woman, Caroline persists in standing up for Max despite her indifference, and the two try to reconcile their different notions of what girlfriends do and do not do for each other. A struggling street artist, Johnny, catches Max's attention with his similarly sarcastic sense of humor.
Max is for once overwhelmed and impressed when she sees how Caroline once lived when the two break into her old townhouse to retrieve her bite-guard. She insists on staying to enjoy the bath, and begins to realize that despite their very different upbringings, Caroline has some things in common with her. They steal several coats and handbags from the house. At the diner, Han installs a karaoke machine, much to Max's disliking.
After discovering how many debts Max is dodging, Caroline resolves to clean up her roommate's credit by repaying a student loan that Max will not reveal in what it is majored. Max later tells Caroline that she studied art. They host a 1990s-themed party at the diner after they discover that hipsters will pay a lot of money to ride Chestnut. Caroline's ex-boyfriend shows up, so she hides from him in order to prevent him to know that she is now poor.
Different events test Caroline and Max's ability to do things for themselves. Caroline had solicited Johnny to help her assemble a Murphy bed she got for the apartment, but Max challenges her to do it herself so that she can follow up on a "weird" interaction between herself and Johnny at the diner.
Max herself tries to work up the courage to give Peach a business card for the cupcake business.
When Caroline's effort to sell cupcakes to a trendy new coffee shop in the neighborhood fails after the owner says they are not pretty enough, she persuades Max to take a cupcake-decorating class. Max, however, is despondent over her ability to meet the standards of the obnoxious instructors. The girls get their first job after a gay couple see Max's insulting cupcake idea.
Max and Caroline take a job cleaning a hoarder's apartment for the extra money and find items they can sell. While out with Johnny spray painting a billboard, Max tries to kiss him but is unsuccessful. Later, on the street, she runs into him with a woman named Cashandra ("Cash"), whom he introduces as his girlfriend.
Johnny apologizes to Max for not telling her about his girlfriend, but Max is despondent nonetheless. Cash then hires Max and Caroline to make cupcakes for an art show at which Johnny's painting of he and Max in a passionate embrace is among the works shown. The two soon realize that Cashandra is trying to make a point to Max and must choose between their money and their dignity.
Caroline and Max spend Caroline's first broke holiday season working as elves at a department store's Santaland to earn extra money. Max is initially cynical about Christmas, while Caroline, filled with happy childhood memories, is enthusiastic. However, when her hopes of seeing her father are dashed, and Max is unexpectedly promoted to playing Mrs. Claus, their viewpoints change.
With winter approaching, Max persuades Caroline that Chestnut cannot live in their backyard anymore. However, Caroline balks at her plan to persuade Peach to adopt Chestnut, since it is part of Peach's scheme to be cast in The Real Housewives of TriBeCa.
After Max and Caroline struggle to light the pilot light of their oven, Caroline tries to raise money for a new one by selling her jewelry, first at the cash-for-gold store and then at the upscale jewelry stores she once frequented. Encountering hostility from a clerk who remembers Caroline all too well, the pair decide the best option is a pop-up sale in the women's bathroom. Caroline abandons Max there with some wealthy Arab women when some of her former friends recognize her and ask her to lunch, severely testing Max and Caroline's friendship.
Max starts a protest when Han triples the price of tampons in the diner's restroom. Caroline discovers the secret ingredient to Max's cupcakes and develops a new obsession: couponing.
Max and Caroline are suspicious of the new upstairs neighbor, Sophie (Jennifer Coolidge), who moves in after the previous tenant dies. Their attempts to make friends with her backfire, and they fear that she will report them to the landlord as illegal sub-letters. They start to believe that Sophie could be a prostitute.
Sophie tests Max and Caroline to see if they are adept enough to work as maids for her cleaning business. She is impressed by Max but not Caroline, and suggests privately to Max that Caroline is holding her back and she should let go of her. Max resists the suggestion at first, but when Caroline carelessly ruins a batch of cupcakes, Max finds herself wondering if Sophie has a point.
Caroline and Max find themselves spending Valentine's Day in the emergency room when Earl has a heart attack, after being overwhelmed by Sophie's beauty. While there, Caroline attempts to rekindle an old relationship unsuccessfully.
Max and Caroline have to make kosher cupcakes for an Orthodox Jewish family's bar mitzvah. Meanwhile, Caroline worries she might be getting sick, since she lacks the resources she used to have to deal with health problems. Caroline is harassed by the boy having the bar mitzvah and his friend who treat her like a prostitute.
After a surprise birthday party for Caroline bombs, Max runs into an ex-boyfriend when she accompanies Caroline to visit her father in jail. The girls make some friends on the prison bus.
Max and Caroline take a spring getaway dog-sitting at a gay couple's posh apartment. A series of parties tempts Caroline with reminders of her former life. Max starts a relationship with a bacon baker man and Ashley, Caroline's spring break alter ego, flirts with a beer brewer. Max develops a new flavor cupcake, beer batter maple bacon.
Caroline's old family lawyer stops by to inform her she is being deposed by the prosecution in her father's case. Since he cannot represent her for free, Max convinces Caroline to partake in a clinical drug trial in an effort to raise money for his fee. The side effects from the drug ruin her appointment with the lawyer.
After Caroline helps Earl save money on his taxes, Max asks her roommate to help her. Caroline does, but discovers that Max has never filed a tax return. Her efforts to help Max organize her finances put the two at odds, and risk of missing the midnight deadline.
Max and Caroline must deliver perfect cupcakes to Peach's socialite friends if Max wants to keep her babysitting job. However, they get ruined after a subway delay, and Max must make some choices about her future.
A major opportunity for Max and Caroline falls through when her father's move to a new prison brings her story into the news again. Caroline lies in bed depressed until Max brings Chestnut to cheer her up. After learning Martha Stewart will be attending the Met Ball, they concoct a scheme to get her to try their cupcakes. Max's mood is then affected when Johnny, whose art has become more successful, comes into the diner to say goodbye to her as he is moving to Manhattan and getting married. Sophie takes the girls dress shopping.
Final tally for cupcake business venture: $922.00
After Sophie helps them get proper evening clothing, the girls are forced to ride Chestnut to the ball when Oleg's car breaks down. They are stymied by the same party planner who rejected them in Part 1, as Caroline is not on the list. Max, however, comes up with a plan to sneak in. Han reveals that he used to be a jockey.
The DVD boxset and Blu-ray for season one was released by Warner Home Video on September 4, 2012 in the United States. The set contains three discs, each with eight episodes, unaired scenes and a featurette titled "2 Girls Going for Broke". The featurette contains behind the scenes material with the cast and creators.[96] The DVD set and Blu-ray was released in Region 2 on October 17, 2012 while in Region 4, the DVD set was released on October 22, 2012.[97][98][99]
