Main Cast: Fred Goss, Jerry Minor, Jerry O'Connell, Tim Peper, Faith Ford, Allison Munn, T.J. Miller
Release Year: 2007
Country: US
Run Time: 30 minutes
Plot
Created by Bruce McCulloch of Kids in the Hall fame, the ABC sitcom Carpoolers chronicled the zany misadventures of four male suburbanites who, twice each working day, drove to and from the jobs in the same carpool. The unofficial leader of the quartet was Gracen Brooker (Fred Goss), a professional mediator who was self-conscious over the fact that his real-estate agent wife Leila (Faith Ford) and his 22-year-old "onliner" son Marmaduke (T.J. Miller) both had higher incomes than he did. Gracen's best friend and fellow carpooler was dentist Laird (Jerry O'Connell), who was in the middle of a divorce from his spouse Joannifer (played on a recurring basis by O'Connell's real-life wife Rebecca Romjin). The third member of the foursome was Aubrey (Jerry Minor), who eagerly looked forward to his daily 90-minute round trip as a brief respite from his lazy, overbearing wife and his seven repulsive children. The youngest and least jaded of the carpoolers was Dougie (Tim Peper), recently married to sweet Cindy (Allison Munn) and the father of an adorable baby son named Reggie. An agreeable if not hilarious harkback to the "ensemble" sitcoms of old, Carpoolers debuted October 2, 2007. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Bruce McCulloch - Executive Producer, Joe Russo - Executive Producer, Anthony Russo - Executive Producer, David Miner - Executive Producer, Justin Falvey - Executive Producer, Darryl Frank - Executive Producer, Barry Frank - Executive Producer, Bruce McCulloch - Show Creator
Carpoolers was an American single-cameracomedy series that premiered on October 2, 2007 on ABC. The show was created by Bruce McCulloch, who also executive produced alongside Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank, David Miner, Marsh McCall, Joe Russo and Anthony Russo (formerly of Arrested Development). Joe and Anthony Russo also directed the pilot. The series focused on the everyday lives of four male suburbanites with different occupations, who took their private lives and issues along for the ride during their daily commute to and from work.[1]
Produced by DreamWorks Television, ABC Studios and 3 Arts Entertainment, the series was given a thirteen-episode order on May 11, 2007.[2] and originally aired Tuesdays at 8:30PM Eastern/7:30PM Central following Cavemen.[3] After a brief hiatus, the show returned to ABC's schedule on January 8, 2008 at 9:30PM Eastern/8:30PM Central, following According to Jim[4].
After the writers strike ended, ABC declined to order any additional episodes of Carpoolers.[5] The season finale aired on March 4, 2008 and although it has not appeared in the Fall '08 lineup, it could come back in the future seasons on ABC.[6] It has aired in Australia on the Seven Network in the timeslot of 11:30pm Tuesdays, first after Eli Stone, then after Lipstick Jungle.
Carpoolers is the story of four very different men- Aubrey, the (usually) stressed family man, Laird, the most masculine of the group who has lost almost everything in a divorce, Gracen, the uptight mediator who is commonly the calm one of the group, and Dougie, a young member of the carpool whose marriage is often mocked by the others. At the beginning, the four carpool together and (other than Laird and Gracen) usually have no other contact. But in "The Recital," the four realize they are friends, and become closer.
Cast
Fred Goss - Gracen Brooker: A mediator who is married and whose adult son, Marmaduke usually spends his entire day at home in his briefs. He and Laird Holcomb are friends as well as neighbors.
Jerry O'Connell - Laird Holcomb: A recently divorced dentist whose ex-wife has taken almost everything he owned (except his absercisor and otherwise empty house); he sleeps with as many women as he can.
Jerry Minor - Aubrey Williber: A man who looks after his rambunctious seven kids in addition to working while his lazy wife, who is never seen, but only depicted as a pair of feet, sits in her recliner. His signature catch phrase is "Gentlemen ... let's carpool", usually uttered immediately prior to beginning their journey to work.
Tim Peper - Dougie: As the new carpooler, he tries to gain acceptance into the group of men while frequently committing major carpooling faux pas. He is a newlywed who likes to tell the others about the joy of marriage and love.
Faith Ford - Leila Brooker: Gracen's sensible wife and successful real estate "flipper".
T. J. Miller - Marmaduke Brooker: The emotionally stunted, hyper-articulate, hulking adult son of the Brookers (who towers over his parents by over a foot).
Allison Munn - Cindy: Dougie's young, dewy wife; they have a saccharine sweet relationship. When she sends Dougie off to work with his lunch she tells him that she "is in every bite".
