Main Cast: Bonnie Hunt, Mark Derwin, David Alan Grier, Marianne Muellerleile, Anthony Russell
Release Year: 2002
Country: US
Run Time: 30 minutes
Plot
In her third attempt to launch a successful starring sitcom, comedienne Bonnie Hunt starred as Bonnie Molloy, host of the low-rated TV chat show "Morning Chicago." The basic humor arose from Bonnie's efforts to juggle her career with her home life as the wife of doctor John Molloy (played by Lance Kerwin in the unaired pilot episode, and by Mark Derwin in the series proper) and the mother of three rambunctious kids. The domestic scenes admirably avoided the usual "setup-punch line" formula, with Bonnie making jokes almost as an afterthought as she tried to cope with her hectic lifestyle, while the scenes allegedly taking place during the telecast of "Morning Chicago" were largely improvised. The supporting cast included Samantha Browne-Walters and Charlie Stewart as Bonnie's kids Cathleen and Tommy (youngest child Connor was played by an uncredited infant), Marianne Muellerleile as autocratic live-in maid Gloria, David Alan Grier as Bonnie's TV producer David Bellows, Holly Wortell as studio makeup artist Holly, Anthony Russell as Bonnie's on-air piano player Tony Russo, and Chris Barnes as Marv, the cue-card guy. Life With Bonnie debuted September 17, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
September 17, 2002 (2002-09-17) – April 9, 2004 (2004-04-09)
Life with Bonnie is an ABC television comedy that originally aired from 2002 to 2004. The show outlined the life of character Bonnie Malloy, who juggled her personal life and a TV talk show position. The show had fair ratings in the first season but struggled in the second, causing ABC to cancel it. Life With Bonnie was also shown on Living TV during ABC's airings.
Bonnie Hunt as Bonnie Malloy - Bonnie is the mother of 2 children (3 in season 1), loving wife, and TV host of a local talk show. While balancing all this Bonnie tries to maintain a public image of the perfect wife and mother when in reality, her life is chaotic.
Mark Derwin as Mark Malloy – Mark is a doctor, father and Bonnie's husband. Usually Mark looks on as Bonnie tries to balance her hectic life. Mark is much less concerned about what other people think than Bonnie is, which causes problems on occasion. He has a generally more professional demeanour, and sometimes doesn't understand why Bonnie continues to put up with annoying people in her life.
Charlie Stewart as Charlie Malloy – Charlie is Bonnie's son. Charlie shares most of his scenes with his friend Frankie. His role is small and usually unscripted although he adds priceless comedy to the show.
Samantha Browne-Walters as Samantha Malloy (Season 1) - Samantha played Bonnie's eldest child. Along with Charlie, she added to Bonnies hectic life. She was removed from the cast when season 2 started without a mention of what had become of her.
Marianne Muellerleile as Gloria – Gloria is Bonnie's live-in housekeeper/nanny. It was stated in the show that she was only intended to stay there until Charlie started school but because they had grown close to her, and as a result they could not let her leave, despite the fact she provides little help.
David Alan Grier as David Bellows – David is the producer of the "Morning Chicago" show. David is most often seen yelling and franticly rushing to get things for the show in order while pushing his lectern around the studio.
Anthony Russell as Tony Russo – Tony plays Bonnie's affable piano player on the "Morning Chicago" show. Bonnie’s housekeeper Gloria has a crush on Tony.
Holly Wortell as Holly – Holly is Bonnie's make-up artist on the "Morning Chicago" show. She often gives advice on Bonnie’s marriage issues and seems to date many men.
Chris Barnes as Marv – Marv is the cue-card guy on the "Morning Chicago" show. Marv is very protective of Holly, who does not return his interest.
Frankie Ryan Manriquez as Frankie – Frankie is Charlie's best friend and spends most of his time at the Malloy's house. He contributes many funny anecdotes about his screwed up family.
Regulars Bonnie Hunt, David Alan Grier, Marianne Muellerleile, Holly Wortell, Chris Barnes, and recurring guest David Duchovny appeared in Return to Me. Don Lake also shared writing credits for both Return to Me and Life with Bonnie.
Bonnie Hunt and David Alan Grier both appeared in Jumanji, released in 1995.