The New Adventures of Old Christine

The New Adventures of Old Christine
Series original logo.
Format	Sitcom
Created by	Kari Lizer
Starring	Julia Louis-Dreyfus Clark Gregg Hamish Linklater Trevor Gagnon Emily Rutherfurd Tricia O'Kelley Alex Kapp Horner and Wanda Sykes
Country of origin	United States
No. of seasons	5
No. of episodes	89 (List of episodes)
Production
Camera setup	Multi-camera
Running time	approx. 23 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	CBS
Picture format	480i (SDTV) 1080i (HDTV)
Original run	March 13, 2006 – present
External links
Official website

The New Adventures of Old Christine is an Emmy Award winning, critically acclaimed comedy series starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus as a recently divorced single mother. The series debuted as a midseason replacement on March 13, 2006 on CBS and has broadcast four complete seasons.

The sitcom returned for a fifth season, which premiered on September 23, 2009. Old Christine, as it is often more conveniently called, is a Warner Bros. Television production and was created by writer Kari Lizer, who is also the show's executive producer. The series' fifth (current) season includes Emmy winners Wanda Sykes and Eric McCormack.

Plot summary

In the show, Julia Louis-Dreyfus stars as Christine Campbell, a neurotic divorced mother and owner of a women's gym who is in a constant struggle to keep pace with those around her. A frequent fixture in her life is her irresponsible ex-husband Richard, played by Clark Gregg, whose new girlfriend, played by Emily Rutherfurd, is also named Christine, hence the nickname "Old Christine" for the Louis-Dreyfus' character. Christine lives with her son Richie and her brother Matthew, played by Hamish Linklater, while Wanda Sykes portrays Christine's best friend and colleague Barb. Christine also struggles with her inferiority complex with the snotty "cruel bitchy moms", played by Alex Kapp Horner and Tricia O'Kelley at her son's private school.

The show has featured supporting roles for a wide range of established actors including Blair Underwood, Dave Foley, Eric McCormack, Jennifer Grey, Scott Bakula, Andy Richter and Jane Lynch.

Season one

Season one of The New Adventures of Old Christine consisted of 13 episodes, kicked off by setting up the show's premise. Christine found out at her son's new posh private school that her ex-husband and friend is dating a new, younger girlfriend, also named Christine. Christine then sets out to find some happiness, and begins to date Burton until Christine can't tell him she loves him, leading to a breakup. Christine also had some showdowns with meanie moms Marly and Lindsay, and in the season finale, Christine had a chance to get back with Burton, which was plagued when he found out that she'd kissed with Richard the previous day. "New Christine" left Richard when he told her, closing the season with a cliffhanger.

Season two

Season two had a full 22-episode order, and continued the explosive season 1 finale where Ritchie incorrectly told his new class that Richard and Christine had reconciled. Christine and Richard, following this, unsuccessfully give their relationship another try. The next episode found Christine meet a handsome man and begin to date him, as Richard and New Christine reconciled. However, when Christine, New Christine, Richard and the stranger are in the house, New Christine calls out the man as her father, effectively complicating the once strong relationship. Shortly after in the season, the two broke up.

Still early, Christine and Ritchie's new teacher expressed their feelings for each other but established they couldn't get romantically involved. As the season progressed, Christine sent out an email that found Mr. Harris nearly fired, and Christine realized she had to move on; she began dating Tom, but the date was ruined when he had diarrhea. Christine and Mr. Harris once again hit it off. As the season began to conclude, Matthew and Barb started to express feelings for each other after a messy wedding where Christine ruined the bride's time and New Christine, again, left Richard. Christine and Richard again slept together, and Christine suffered a pregnancy scare, which thankfully was avoided. The season finished with Richard and New Christine together and Christine and Mr. Harris together.

Season three

In a 10-episode third season, shortened by the WGA strike, Christine and Mr. Harris had a smooth going relationship, until Christine's schedule became too hectic midway through the season and, to her dismay, he left her. Christine made a new friend earlier, Mike, who tried to help her through the breakup. Christine then tried dating again, but then dated a guy who proved to still be in high school, obviously not going well. Richard and New Christine bought a house and it turned out to be Christine's dream house, not sitting right with her. Matthew and Barb slept together and stayed together to punish Christine, although not into each other in reality. They split up at the end of the season. The finale featured Jason Alexander, as the episode set up a Seinfeld reunion.

Season four

The fourth season debuted on September 24, 2008, and consists of 22 episodes. In the season premiere, Barb discovered that because of her divorce and her foreign status, she would have to be temporarily deported until her paperwork could be sorted out. Christine offered to marry her to keep her in the country and Barb reluctantly accepted, even though it was apparent that Christine was much more into the marriage concept than she was. Richard, after many failed attempts, successfully proposed to New Christine. Marly showed up to school a few months pregnant to save her marriage, and moments later a less-pregnant Lindsay comes, who was pressured into pregnancy to revive her friendship with Marly. The two went into labor eventually and were assisted by Christine.

Meanwhile, Matthew began his work as a therapist and his first patient "Lucy" played by Michaela Watkins had a problem with a lack of boundaries with authority figures, and this included Matthew. Matthew tried to control himself but the two ended up kissing. Problems such as sleeping together and Lucy acting like Christine arose, but the issues strengthened their relationship. They moved in together, but this was a decision which proved to be a bad one, as both exhibited neurotic behavior and an upsetting break-up was the result.

Christine and Barb go on a double date with two random guys, and they both fall in love with their respective dates, and both become part of a couple. Christine realized Patrick was the perfect guy when he accepted Richard as being a part of her life, but she took it too far and he temporarily left her, but the two reconciled. In the end, though, Patrick shows off some rage issues and Christine fearfully breaks up with him.

Christine and Barb, when their gym is checked up on, find out that they've broken a clause in their contract because of their same sex marriage and must either support 'no gay rights' or lose their gym. They reluctantly gave up the gym and briefly contemplated turning it into a day spa, but this was short lived and they found money to re-open a gym their own way, at the expense of Barb living with Christine. This, too, was short lived.

Richard and New Christine realize that they want a permanent solution and have no children. Richard cannot go through with the vasectomy, though, and continues intimacy with her despite the massive consequences.

Christine ran into an old rival of hers from elementary school, and their encounter was short and Christine got her revenge. At New Christine and Richard's wedding rehearsal, Christine took him as a date to make Richard jealous. During their time at the rehearsal Christine realized she was jealous and uncomfortable that Richard was getting remarried, but was able to feel genuinely happy for him.

Matthew, at the rehearsal, met New Christine's cynical and alternative sister Amy, and instantly felt an attraction, glad to get over Lucy. Their relationship continues into their wedding where Matthew is heartbroken once more when Amy says she lives in London and that their relationship means nothing to her.

Barb finally meets a decent guy at the wedding and they hit it off. But when Barb jokes about her marriage with Old Christine and her illegal status, the man reveals that he is an Immigration and Naturalization Service agent and he has no choice but to arrest her.

Christine reunited with 'Papa' Jeff Hunter at New Christine and Richard's wedding. She decided to give him another chance and the two immediately rekindled their relationship. Shortly thereafter, Christine was introduced to a woman, who revealed herself to be 'Papa' Jeff's fiance. Christine, heartbroken, puts Richard into a dilemma—should he be with his soon-to-be wife, or his ex-wife/best friend. Over New Christine's protests, Richard chooses to go comfort Old Christine. Later, as the ceremony begins, New Christine fails to appear as the wedding processional plays, thus ending the season on a cliffhanger.

Season five

On May 20, 2009, CBS announced at their upfronts presentation that The New Adventures of Old Christine had been renewed for a fifth season, to air a 22-episode season in the same timeslot as its previous season. This renewal came after ABC assured the comedy a 22 episode season on their network should CBS have dropped it.

Season 5 premiered on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 8:00PM ET.^[1]

Eric McCormack joins the cast this season, playing a therapist who has an office next to Matthew's and becomes a love interest for Christine.^[2] Julia Louis Dreyfus gave away these details about McCormack's role: "He's going to be a therapist in Matthew's suite of therapist offices and I'm going to start to see him as a therapist; a [possible] romance and plenty of dysfunction abounds."^[3] Ausiello has also confirmed that Blair Underwood will reprise his role as Christine's former mate Daniel Harris at some point in the season. CBS has confirmed that Michaela Watkins and Nancy Lenehan will return.

In the fifth season premiere, which aired on September 23, 2009, the characters pick up where they left off in season 4, and cliffhangers are resolved. Barb makes it safely back to the US by eventually marrying Richard, and takes away a romantic relationship with Dave, the man who had no choice but to detain her at the wedding. Richard, meanwhile, begs New Christine to take him back but she clearly states she is over him. Richard temporarily moves back in with New Christine when Old Christine kicks him out, and although a friendship resurfaces, the two eventually realize they cannot live together because Richard is still in love with her and she doesn't feel the same way. Richard eventually finds a very nice new apartment, and convinces Matthew to move in with him.

Christine, meanwhile, has to deal with losing yet another love, and realizing that love may not be her thing, though she finds happiness in the fact that she is no longer 'old' Christine with New Christine out of the picture. Much to the delight of Matthew and Richard, Christine begins therapy with Matthew's mentor Max (Eric McCormack). Unfortunately, Christine finally beginning therapy has its own line of dysfunction to it, as she and Max realize they are very attracted to each other, despite still seeing each other as therapist/patient. Christine, thus far, has made good progress and has tackled some of her issues.

Richard and Christine set each other up, as both realize they are ready to move on. Christine sets Richard up with Tracey, a sexual woman who eventually reveals herself to be a psychopath, and Christine is set up with Tom (Dave Foley), who Christine uses to get her things back after Matthew took his belongings back to his new apartment. Through this, New Christine arrives at Christine's house, and is confronted by Tracey. New Christine scares her away, and when she leaves, she slaps Richard, and reveals she is pregnant, furious, as Richard told her he got a vasectomy months earlier. Tom leaves Christine after Christine attempted to seduce him and Tom called it disgusting.

Richard thinks that he and New Christine are automatically together because of the pregancy, but New Christine doesn't agree, saying he has to "woo" her in order for them to be a couple. Through this, Richard finally learns how to properly romance the woman he loves, and tentatively, the two are currently back together.

Barb asks Christine to join her on a date with Dave, as she's fearful Dave is going to propose to her. When Christine and Dave are alone, Christine learns that Dave doesn't want to propose to Barb, but break up with her because she's too mean. Christine says he should ask her to marry him, because Barb told Christine earlier if he did than they'd break up. Dave does this, thinking he's letting her off easy, but instead she accepts, much to his chagrin.

Cast and characters

Main

• Christine Campbell (née Kimble) (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), the main character of the series, is a divorced mother who owns and operates a gym for women. She has a number of neuroses: although she suffers from feelings of inadequacy, she can also be highly self-centered and self-obsessed. Christine's bad luck with relationships continued after her divorce, and included failed relationships with New Christine's father, her son's teacher and her ex-brother-in-law. Christine is obsessed with being seen as socially progressive and liberal, and recently married her best friend Barb when she risked being deported, though this marriage ended shortly due to the fact that it in no way protected Barb. Christine currently is in another dysfunctional relationship, as she has romantic feelings for her therapist Max.
• Richard Campbell (Clark Gregg), is Christine's ex-husband, who maintains a frequent presence in her life. After divorcing Christine, he found love with another woman named Christine, whom he nicknames "New Christine". He suffers from commitment issues, and only recently did he finally get engaged. Richard's presence on his ex-wife's life caused a strain between himself and New Christine, which heightened when she walked out on their wedding. Richard has finally accepted the fact she doesn't want him back, but although Richard is currently single, New Christine showed up on his doorstep a month later furious, revealing she is pregnant.
• Matthew Kimble (Hamish Linklater), is Christine's live-in brother, who often acts as the straight man to his neurotic sister. Matthew has had trouble finding a career path: first he entered and then quit medical school, and is currently pursuing a career as a therapist. He suffers from a somewhat unnatural attachment to his mother (who he kisses on the mouth and speaks to several times daily), but recently lost loves with many women, and is left heartbroken. Matthew finally moved out of Christine's and is currently sharing a nice apartment with Richard.
• Barbara Baran (Wanda Sykes), is Christine's straight-talking best friend and colleague at the gym (whom she often calls "my black friend Barb"). Barb is divorced and in the fourth season was revealed to be from the Bahamas and not a US citizen. She has a dry, sarcastic sense of humor and is rarely enthused by any of Christine's plans. Barb and Christine got married early in season four to save Barb from deportation, but their same-sex marriage ended up resulting in them losing ownership of their gym. Since they lost the gym, Barb sold her condo to build up a new business and is married to Richard to stave off deportation. She's also engaged to Dave, a man she met at the wedding. Unfortunately, in reality, Dave hates Barb and thought proposing to her would break them up, but instead she accepted.
• Christine Hunter (Emily Rutherfurd), is Richard's former fiance, an often frustrated and confused young blonde whom he nicknames "New Christine". She is annoyed by Richard's continued friendship with Old Christine, who treats her with derision, leading to friction between the two women. She is also frustrated with Richard's slow pace of commitment to their relationship. She walked out on their wedding, and she currently is single and holds intense anger towards Richard for ruining their wedding, and also became furious to learn she is pregnant, even though Richard told her he got a vasectomy.
• Ritchie Campbell (Trevor Gagnon), Christine and Richard's only son, who attends a posh private school. Often smothered by his mother, his lack of masculine traits had recently begun to worry his father.
• Marly and Lindsay (Tricia O'Kelley and Alex Kapp Horner), are two mean, rich mothers whose children attend Richie's school. They are looked upon as the 'queen bees' of the school, although Marly is clearly dominant to the subservient Lindsay (Lindsay even got pregnant when Marly did so Marly wouldn't have to do it alone). They frequently make Christine feel inferior, leading Christine to constantly trying to find ways to get back at them.

Supporting

• Mike Gay (Tom Papa), Christine's only friend at Westbridge, as he is similar to Christine in that he is not wealthy and divorced. Season 3
• Sad Stan (Andy Richter), divorced and mocked father at Westbridge that Christine finds herself unable to not sleep with. She later announces why she finds him so irresistible. Seasons 1-3
• Jeff Hunter (Scott Bakula), originally Christine's love interest, but soon finds out is 'New' Christine's father. They continue to date for a while after but eventually becomes too much for Christine. At New Christine and Richard's wedding, Jeff and Christine rekindle their relationship. Christine realizes shortly after this he is engaged. Season 2,4
• Tom (Dave Foley), Richard's work associate and obsesser of Christine. After he got sick on their disastrous first date, they bonded later in the series, but Christine still refused to see him. Richard set them up yet again, and this time Christine used him for his money, but Tom left her after he though Christine's attempted seduction of him as "repulsive". Seasons 2-3, 5
• Daniel Harris (Blair Underwood), former teacher of Ritchie until he gave it up to date Christine. Christine had been in love with him for a long time and although dating goes well, it eventually becomes too much for Daniel because of Christine's schedule. Seasons 2-3, 5
• Ali (Amy Farrington), quiet, shy and surprisingly witty worker at the gym. Seasons 1-4
• Mrs. Belt (Jordan Baker), Ritchie's third grade teacher. Season 1
• Burton Shaffer (Matt Letscher), Christine's on-and-off romantic interest. She always finds herself stupidly splitting them up until Burton had therapy. They dated again but he was so different and strange Christine couldn't take it. Seasons 1-2
• Ashley (Lily Goff), Marly's air-headed daughter. Seasons 1-5
• Kelsey (Marissa Blanchard), Lindsay's daughter with lesbian tendencies. Seasons 1-5
• Kit/Mrs. Nunley (Nancy Lenehan), peppy principal of Ritchie's school. Nancy Lenehan, before recurring as Mrs. Nunley, guest starred in season one as a completely different character. Seasons 1-2, 5
• Pete (Anthony Holiday), ex-husband of Barb. Seems to have little emotions. Seasons 1-2
• Mrs. Wilhoite (Mary Beth McDonough), teacher and meanie mom at the school. Seasons 1-5
• Ms. Hammond (Jane Lynch), ethics Counselor and gym teacher at the school. Season 2
• Lucy (Michaela Watkins), a former patient of Matthew's that becomes attracted to authority figures. Matthew cannot control himself and, thus, the two begin to date. Since then, unexpectedly, the two fell in love and sported a much more serious relationship. The two moved in, and unfortunately, both exhibited negative qualities that led to an upsetting break-up. Season 4, 5
• 'Patrick Harris (Tim DeKay), Christine's new boyfriend, who she meets in a video store and starts dating. Patrick turns out to have some serious rage issues when he 'loses' at something, and Christine fearfully broke up with him. Season 4,
• Joe Campbell (Charles Esten), Richard's brother. Joe spent the night at Christine's house during a visit and following this admitted to her he was a homosexual. He lives in San Francisco and returned for Richard's bachelor party where he became jealous he wasn't the best man. Seasons 2, 4
• Todd Watski (Lee Tergensen), Christine's elementary school rival. When she discovers he's a fellow parent at the school, she gets revenge. Christine later uses him at a wedding rehearsal as her date to make Richard jealous, but his 'ass' qualities kick in. Season 4
• Amy Hunter (Constance Zimmer), New Christine's sister. Amy is notably vastly different than her sister, as she's much less ditsy and much more down-to-Earth. She meets Matthew at Richard and New Christine's wedding rehearsal and the two hook up. Season 4
• Principal Merrow (Stephen Toblowsky), Westbridge's middle school principal. He has very little tolerance for Christine's neurotic behavior. Season 4
• Max (Eric McCormack), Christine's current therapist/attraction and Matthew's mentor. Christine and Max share a mutual attraction, though currently Christine is only his patient. Max has already had his license suspended mutual times for getting close to patients, and Matthew has shown immense disapproval of his mentor dating his sister. Season 5
• Dave (James Lesure), a man Barb met at Richard and New Christine's wedding. Although he originally tried to deport her as he is an IRS agent, he later found a way to keep her in the country because of his feelings for her, but later developed a hatred of her as their relationship progressed. He proposed to her, thinking she'd break up with him, but instead the two are now engaged. Seasons 4-5

Notable guest stars

• Dr. Palmer (Jason Alexander), Christine's gynecologist.
• Audrey (Sandra Bernhard), an activist promoting offshore oil drilling, which Christine's opposed to. She calls Christine "shorty", so Christine counters by calling her names such as "Tall" or "Gigantor".
• Claire (Rachael Harris), Christine's college friend's fiancé.
• Belinda (Ana Ortiz), a down-to-Earth Portuguese mother at Richie's school, who turns out to be Marly's housekeeper.
• Timmy (Ben Feldman), a young ambitious lawyer whom New Christine set up with Christine.
• Shelley (Gigi Rice), Timmy's protective mother
• Ben (Matthew Glave), Christine's friend from college and Claire's fiance.
• Neil (Jeffrey Tambor), owner of a reptile club Richie wants to get into. Christine agrees to go on a date with him to allow Richie in the club.
• Liz (Helen Slater), a mother at Richie's school who flirts with and employs Matthew at the same time.
• Father Christopher (Ed Begley, Jr.), a friendly minister who tries to make Christine feel comfortable at church.
• Angela (Brenda Blethyn), Christine's neurotic mother.
• Margaret (Megan Mullally), corporate adviser of Christine and Barb's gym.
• Francie (Kristen Johnston), a mother at Richie's school, and Christine's needy new friend.
• Howard (Corbin Bernsen), a high powered attorney Christine hires in her divorce with Barb.
• Agnes (Marion Ross), an elderly woman that Richard tries to evict from her own apartment.
• Tracey (Jennifer Grey), a passionate woman whom Christine sets up with Richard. (Jennifer Grey is the wife of series star Clark Gregg)
• Frances (Amy Sedaris), a victim of Christine's bullying from their childhood whom Christine tries to make amends with.
• Jeannie (Molly Shannon), an eccentric neighbor of Christine's who throws a disastrous holiday block party.

Reception

The review website Metacritic.com, which tabulates critics' reviews, gave it a 64 — equating to their summary of "generally positive reviews", with 16 out of 26 critics reviews deemed as positive.^[4] A Los Angeles Times review notes that "Louis-Dreyfus makes Christine feel fresh and real" and the show has a "dry charm and a nice tone of affectionate irony."^[5]

The series had broadcast three seasons, and its viewing ride has been a bumpy one. After gaining 12 million or more viewers consistently in the first season and start of the second season, fans responded poorly to its time slot change, as it lost around 5 million viewers. In the third season, it reprised its original slot and gained back a few million. As the season progressed, comedies included in the night it aired began to broadcast new episodes, and Old Christine had their viewers up where they originally were, as in the final episode of the season, total viewers estimated to 12.41 million.

Although the series is one of the most successful comedies viewer-wise on CBS, and was part of its 'Monday Night Comedy Night', the show was put on hiatus. At the CBS upfronts it was officially picked up for 22 episodes. However, it has been leading a new mini-comedy lineup now in its second year, as it acts as a lead-in to sophomore sitcom Gary Unmarried. With the unfamiliarity of the new comedy lineup, ratings dropped severely originally, but have been steadily increasing over the past year and some. It appears clear that throughout the seasons it has maintained consistency, as it has received multiple Emmy nominations for each of its first four seasons including a win for Dreyfus in 2006. TV Squad has been reviewing each episode of Old Christine's current (fifth) season, and the reviews have been extremely positive.

Nielsen ratings and broadcast history

Seasonal rankings (based on average total viewers per episode) of The New Adventures of Old Christine on CBS.

The show's initial ratings success is the first example of a show breaking the "Seinfeld curse" (after the failures of The Michael Richards Show, Bob Patterson, Listen Up!, and Louis-Dreyfus' own Watching Ellie).^[6] On October 3, 2006, The Futon Critic announced that the show had been given a full 22-episode order.

Old Christine's time slot was changed during the second season, thus eliciting a decline in ratings after losing its Two and a Half Men lead-in.

On May 16, 2007, it was announced that, despite the decline in ratings, CBS would renew the show for the 2007-2008 season as a mid-season replacement.^[7] On November 6, 2007, CBS said that production of Old Christine had been halted because of a strike by the Writers Guild of America.^[8] On December 13, 2007 CBS announced that the series would return for its third season, which premiered on February 4, 2008, replacing Rules of Engagement.^[9] However, only ten episodes of the original 13-episode order were produced and aired for the third season because of the WGA strike.^[10]

On May 14, 2008, CBS gave the sitcom a 22-episode order for the 2008-2009 season, where it now airs on Wednesdays, opening up a second comedy night for the network.^[11] The premier, as expected, generated a disappointing audience, as only 6.7 million viewers tuned in. This was largely because the season received little promotion compared to fellow comedies and the new comedy lineup wasn't ready to handle a major audience. Christine's follower, Gary Unmarried struggled too, barely edging out Christine in viewers. Gary Unmarried wasn't received as well by critics which may take viewers away from The New Adventures of Old Christine. The following week, despite not having to go up against ratings success Dancing with the Stars, ratings tip-toed up although not much as liked, as it added a few hundred thousand. By the third episode, the show was over 7.5 million and had added more than one million to the premiere audience. Since then, Old Christine has had ratings close to 8 million viewers, and has come in first in its time period multiple times.

On an overall basis for its fourth season, Old Christine struggled in its timeslot, as it had its worst season in the ratings to date and dipped in timeslot placings over time. However, Rules of Engagement was also given a chance in that slot (a fellow CBS comedy performing well in Old Christine's old timeslot), and Old Christine outperformed it.

The early ratings of the fifth season of Old Christine (same timeslot as season 4) have been extremely positive, as Old Christine is leading its timeslot in viewership and is among the top 2 in demos consistently. Last season, Old Christine didn't once win its timeslot in viewers. This is an additionally positive statistic because this season Old Christine is battling and defeating rival network ABC's comedy lineup.

DVD release

Season one

The New Adventures of Old Christine - The Complete First Season
	Set details[15]			Special features
	13 episodes 278 minutes 2-disc set 5.1 Surround Sound Languages: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)			Gag Reel Unaired Scenes The Real Christine
	Release dates
	United States
	15 January 2008

Season two

The New Adventures of Old Christine - The Complete Second Season
	Set details[16]			Special features
	22 episodes 481 minutes 4-disc set 5.1 Surround Sound Languages: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)			Gag Reel Unaired Scenes The Real Christine
	Release dates
	United States
	24 June 2008

Awards and nominations

References

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: The New Adventures of Old Christine

• Official website
• The New Adventures of Old Christine on WB in India
• The New Adventures of Old Christine at the Internet Movie Database
• The New Adventures of Old Christine at TV.com
• Zap2It
• MSN review
• Hollywood Reporter review