Studio City Walk of Fame Highlights: 'Cybill'

Cybill

Tile #45 on the Studio City Walk of Fame

Carsey-Werner Productions

Cast: Cybill Shepherd, Christine Baranski, Alan Rosenberg, Dedee Pfeiffer, Alicia Witt, Tom Wopat, Tim Maculan

4 seasons from January 2, 1995 through July 13, 1998 broadcast on CBS.
87 Episodes. Half -hour situation comedy television series.

Cybill is a sexy, sophisticated half-hour situation comedy, dealing with single parenthood, divorce, sex and dating over forty from a realistic and fresh perspective..

Cybill Shepherd stars as Cybill Sheridan, a wisecracking actress in Los Angeles whose professional and personal life was in constant turmoil. At fortysomething, the roles she was offered were mostly small parts for older women. Each episode opened with her filming a scene from a movie or TV show in which she had a small part giving audiences a glimpse into Hollywood behind-the-scenes.

Cybill's best friend is the wealthy, cynical divorcee Maryanne Thorpe (Christine Baranski), whom she supports emotionally and assists in her bitter war with Maryanne's ex-husband, celebrity plastic surgeon Richard Thorpe (Ray Baker). When Maryanne is not stalking her ex-husband and playing elaborate and destructive pranks on him, she spends lavishly, drinks and pursues younger men.

The two of them dish dirt, gossip and commiserate about men and life at the trendy restaurant where they lunched in almost every episode, always waited on by the acerbic, scene stealing waiter played by Tim Maculan.

Cybill's rival Andrea (Morgan Fairchild), often the target of immature pranks that often resulted in personal humiliations, professional loss and injury on both sides.

Cybill has a caustic sense of humor and an acid tongue. Although eccentric and flawed, Cybill's strength and wisdom shines through in her support of her family and friends.

On the domestic side, she has two ex-husbands Ira and Jeff (Alan Rosenberg, Tom Wopat), and a daughter by each — Rachel played by DeDee Pfeiffer who is married and pregnant (eventually making Cybill a grandmother), and Zoey a feisty teen played by Alicia Witt.

But with humor and determination, Cybill braves each new challenge that comes her way, while having the time of her life discovering that life after forty is anything but downhill.

The series earned 12 Emmy Nominations and won 3 - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Christine Baranski in 1995, Outstanding Individual Achievement in Art Direction for a Series in 1995 and Outstanding Individual Achievement in Costuming for a Series in 1996. Cybill won a Golden Globe for Best TV Series - Comedy or Musical in 1996 and that same year Cybill Shepherd won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a TV Series Comedy or Musical.

The theme song for Cybill was "Nice Work If You Can Get It" written by George Gershwin and sung by Cybill Shepherd. The song is on the album "Songs from the Cybill Show"

In addition to Cybill, Carsey-Werner Productions gave audiences many hit television shows including The Cosby Show, A Different World, Roseanne, Grace Under Fire, Cosby, 3rd Rock from the Sun, That '70s Show, Whoopi and Grounded for Life. During the production of these television shows, Carsey-Werner's production offices were located at in Studio City, CA. 

Where the cast is today.
Cybill Shepherd has a recurring role on Psych as Madeleine Spencer and tours with a musical act based on her well-received autobiography "Cybill Disobedience".

Christine Baranski has a series regular role on The Good Wife and received 2 Emmy nominations for her role as Diane Lockhart.

Alicia Witt starred in 3 films in 2011 and has 2 more slated for release in 2012. On television, Alicia guest starred on several tv shows and had a series regular role as Cheryl on the highly acclaimed series Friday Night Lights.

Alan Rosenberg served as the President of the Screen Actors Guild from 2005 to 2008 and returned to television in 2011 with a guest starring role on Harry's Law.

Dedee Pfeiffer has just completed filming on L.A., I Hate You with Malcolm McDowell and William Forsythe. Dedee starred as Emily Vicery in Hallmark Channel's Jack's Family Adventure.

In addition to his film and television starring roles Tom Wopat has received critical acclaim for his work in the theater. He returned to Broadway starring as Frank Abagnale Sr. in the new adaptation of Catch Me If You Can. Wopat has also become a successful recording artist with many albums to his credit, including his most recent offering, Consider it Swung. You can see Tom on ABC's first-ever movie musical, Elixir! airing on ABC Family in 2012.