GCB (TV series)

GCB
Also known as Good Christian Bitches
Good Christian Belles
Genre Comedy-drama
Developed by
Starring
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 10 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
  • Aaron Harberts
  • Aaron Kaplan
  • Alan Poul
  • Darren Star
  • Gretchen Berg
  • Robert Harling
  • Victor Nelli, Jr.
  • Sarah Caplan
Producer(s)
  • Veronica Becker
  • Andy Reaser
  • Jim Klever-Weis
Camera setup Multiple
Running time 43 minutes
Production company(s)
  • ABC Studios
  • Darren Star Productions
  • Kapital Entertainment
Distributor Disney–ABC Domestic Television
Release
Original network ABC
Picture format 720p (HDTV)
Audio format 5.1 surround sound
Original release March 4 – May 6, 2012 (2012-05-06)
Website

GCB[1] (also known as Good Christian Bitches and Good Christian Belles) is an American comedy-drama television series developed by Robert Harling, produced by Darren Star, and starring Kristin Chenoweth, Leslie Bibb, Jennifer Aspen, Miriam Shor, Marisol Nichols, and Annie Potts. Based on the "semi-autobiographical" novel Good Christian Bitches by Kim Gatlin, the series centers on a recently widowed woman who moves her family back to the upscale Dallas, Texas, neighborhood where she grew up.

The series debuted on ABC as a mid-season replacement for Pan Am in the 2011–12 television season,[2] on March 4, 2012.[3] On May 11, 2012, both series were canceled by ABC. In its series finale, GCB drew 5.6 million viewers.[4][5]

Synopsis

The series follows Amanda Vaughn (Leslie Bibb), former high-school "Queen Bitch", a recently widowed mother of two, who returns to her hometown of Highland Park, Texas, an enclave of Dallas. Formerly rich, Amanda lost everything when her husband was exposed as stealing billions of dollars from investors and died in a car crash with his mistress. She meets the former schoolmates she used to mock: Carlene Cockburn (Kristin Chenoweth), the new "Queen Bitch"; Sharon Peacham (Jennifer Aspen), who was beautiful in high school and is now heavy and insecure and does the bulk of Carlene's bidding; glamorous business mogul Cricket Caruth-Reilly (Miriam Shor), whose husband, Blake (Mark Deklin), is gay; and Heather Cruz (Marisol Nichols), a powerful Dallas real-estate agent.[6] Amanda and her teenage children move in with her wealthy 60-something mother Gigi Stopper (Annie Potts), who tries to influence Amanda's parenting and style choices, and gives her advice about strategic maneuvering among these women. While Amanda has grown considerably since high school and wants to move on with her life, Carlene and the others still resent Amanda. They don't believe she's changed and are out to drive her away.

Cast and characters

Main characters

Recurring characters

Notable guests

Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Pilot"Alan PoulRobert HarlingMarch 4, 2012 (2012-03-04)7.56[12]
After her marriage ends in scandal, single mother of two Amanda Vaughn (Leslie Bibb) returns to live with her socialite mother Gigi Stopper (Annie Potts) and start over in her upscale hometown in Texas. But Amanda soon realizes her past as the "Queen Bitch" is catching up to her. Ex-ugly duckling Carlene Cockburn (Kristin Chenoweth) is now living a picture-perfect life with a good-looking husband; Cricket Caruth-Reilly (Miriam Shor), whose boyfriend Amanda stole and later married, is now a powerful business woman with her husband - but the only problem is her husband Blake (Mark Deklin) has a homosexual side; ex-beauty queen Sharon Peacham (Jennifer Aspen) continues to resent Amanda after the "Queen Bitch" sabotaged her chances of winning the Miss Teen Dallas competition; and outsider Heather Cruz (Marisol Nichols) is now the Lone Star State's most successful realtor and the "Gossip Queen" of the social clique. Now Amanda is about to discover that payback can be a real pain.
2"Hell Hath No Fury"Victor Nelli, Jr.Robert HarlingMarch 11, 2012 (2012-03-11)7.12[13]
Gigi decides to throw a luncheon to reintroduce her daughter into society while Amanda becomes concerned that her teenage daughter Laura will be branded a "Javelina" - a name that Amanda coined herself in high school. A devastated Carlene, embarrassed by Amanda at church, plans to get even. Blake argues with Cricket over his priorities and Sharon worries about Zach's fidelity.
3"Love is Patient"Larry Shaw and Victor Nelli, Jr.Gretchen J. Berg & Aaron HarbertsMarch 18, 2012 (2012-03-18)6.07[14]
While Amanda is forced to confront her past during a church relationship seminar, Heather sets her eyes on her new client - former high school nerd Andrew. Meanwhile, Carlene meddles in both Sharon’s and Cricket’s marriages to deflect from her own marital dissatisfaction.
4"A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing"Bethany RooneyHenry Alonso MyersMarch 25, 2012 (2012-03-25)6.33[15]
When Amanda learns that her Uncle Burl and his wife Bitsy have returned to Dallas, Gigi decides to organize a homecoming party where guests are required to come dressed as their favorite Texan. Heather attempts to take Burl's 500 acres of land for Andrew. When Amanda comes up with a new jean design, Cricket seems to support it even as religious-right protestors cause her company to lose sponsors. However, Amanda discovers Cricket is secretly behind the protests; willing to hurt her own company for the sole reason to ruin Amanda as part of Cricket's own twisted way to get back at her for stealing Bill away from her many years ago, but Amanda keeps it to herself in respect to her own destructive and scandalous knowledge of Cricket and Blake's sham marriage. Meanwhile, Sharon and Zack go through a rough patch, resulting in Sharon going to work at the church and Zach taking over the household responsibilities for Sharon at home.
5"Forbidden Fruit"Randy ZiskLaurie McCarthyApril 1, 2012 (2012-04-01)5.63[16]
Heather brings Sheryl Crow to perform at the annual church fundraiser with a little help from her client and new love interest, Andrew, much to the chagrin of Carlene and Crickett who are both fighting for the stage. Gigi steals the show with Burl, while Carlene and Amanda find another reason to disagree with each other.
6"Turn the Other Cheek"James HaymanVeronica Becker & Sarah KucserkaApril 8, 2012 (2012-04-08)5.25[17]
Carlene and Ripp plan a "Gone With the Wind"-themed ceremony to renew their wedding vows, but things don't go as planned when Carlene takes matron-of-honor duties away from Sharon and gives them to Amanda in a bizarre attempt to keep Luke happy. Meanwhile, Heather seeks forgiveness from the ladies; and Blake surprises Cricket with a special request: he wants her to have another child.
7"Sex is Divine"John ScottJordon NardinoApril 8, 2012 (2012-04-08)5.22[17]
In an unorthodox move, Pastor Tudor asks that his whole congregation have sex once a day for the whole week to test their commitment issues. Amanda is nervous about her first night with Luke. Carlene rejects Pastor Tudor's message and wants to teach the teens about purity, but disastrous results. Cricket and Blake try conceiving the old-fashioned way. Burl proposes to Gigi. And Sharon tries to spice her marriage and lose weight, giving Zach a new business idea.
8"Pride Comes Before a Fall"Matt ShakmanRobert SudduthApril 15, 2012 (2012-04-15)4.43[18]
To help Pastor Tudor get the upper hand over his rival, Amanda decides to produce a musical interpretation of the New Testament Heather wrote in high school. When Carlene and Cricket begin to fight over the lead role, Amanda takes a drastic move to put an end in the girl's fight. Meanwhile, Sharon seeks Gigi's help with promoting her business idea.
9"Adam & Eve's Rib"Victor Nelli, Jr.Henry Alonso MyersApril 29, 2012 (2012-04-29)5.52[19]
Ripp organizes the local church team for Dallas Interfaith BBQ Invitational, but he insists that only men take part. Not wanting Laura to be disappointed, Amanda forms an all-female team, the "Spicy Racks". Gigi convinces Burl to let them use his smoker grill, while Heather finds herself attracted to Carlene's butcher while trying to acquire quality meat. Sharon surprises everyone by offering a special sauce, and Cricket lets Amanda take some special wood for their smoke. Carlene opposes the group at every turn, but eventually she realizes that God and girl-power sometimes go hand-in-hand.
10"Revelation"Paul HolahanRobert HarlingMay 6, 2012 (2012-05-06)5.56[20]
When Carlene takes the GCBs down to unincorporated Juarez for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Condos for Christian Living, the GCBs find themselves in danger, in the middle of the desert. Meanwhile Amanda's suspicions regarding Luke lead to a surprising discovery about Ripp, Cricket begins to wonder if a man she cares for can come between her and Blake, and Sharon's success goes to her head. Reeling from the events, Pastor Tudor kisses Amanda.

Development and production

Kristin Chenoweth in the promotional poster.

Jennifer Aspen became the first actress cast in the pilot in February 2011. Aspen plays the role of Sharon Peacham.[21] On March 1, 2011, it was announced that Leslie Bibb had landed the role of Amanda Vaughn in the pilot.[22][23][24] Annie Potts also joined the show as Amanda's overbearing mother. Potts fielded 3 pilot offers before settling on GCB.[25] Creator Robert Harling went to high school with Potts and based the character of Gigi on Potts' own mother.[26]

On March 4, 2011, Deadline announced that Miriam Shor had joined the cast.[27] On March 10, 2011, it was announced that Marisol Nichols had also joined the ensemble cast.[28] On March 14, 2011, it was announced that Kristin Chenoweth had landed the lead role of Carlene Cockburn, the GCBs' queen bee.[29][30][31] On March 16, 2011, David James Elliott was cast in the role of Ripp Cockburn, Carlene's husband.[32]

On May 13, 2011, ABC picked up the pilot for the 2011–2012 television season.[33] Ten episodes were produced for the first season. Season 1 premiered on March 4, 2012.[34]

On December 1, 2011, it was announced that Sheryl Crow and Sandra Bernhard would be guest stars in the series.[35]

Naming

ABC was contacted by a number of Christians and Christian organizations who objected to the original title of the series, Good Christian Bitches, as they believed the name was demeaning toward Christianity, while some advocates for women found it problematic to use the word "bitches" to refer to women.[36] Word of the name change came along with ABC's announcement that it had ordered the series.[37] The series was renamed Good Christian Belles which appeared in several promos before the final renaming to the initialism GCB.[38] Several ABC affiliates in Texas and other states in the Bible Belt had threatened to not air the show if the name wasn't changed.[38] It was known as GCB in Australia.

The American Family Association filed a petition against the show, arguing that "With a title like Good Christian B-tches, you can imagine what kind of show it will be. Even if they change the title, the content will still mock people of faith."[39] Its sister group One Million Moms also called for a boycott of GCB as "blasphemy at its worst!"[40] New York City councilor Peter Vallone, Jr. called for a boycott of GCB claiming the series is "yet another outrageous attack on the Christian faith." Series star Chenoweth, a self-proclaimed evangelical Christian, said "I certainly wouldn't do anything that would make fun of my own faith. This is just chocolate cake, and it's actually a love letter to Dallas."[41] Despite being retitled in the U.S., the series aired under its original title Good Christian Bitches in Denmark on Kanal 4,[42] in Sweden on Kanal 5,[43] in Norway on TV Norge[44] and in the Netherlands on NET5. In Brazil and Latin America, it will air under its second working title Good Christian Belles on Canal Sony.[45]

Music

Most of the music heard on the show is available for purchase at the iTunes Store and went on sale every week consecutively, on the same day episodes aired.[46] Music releases include "This Little Light of Mine" performed by Miriam Shor and Kristin Chenoweth and "Prayer of St. Francis" also by Chenoweth, originally recorded for her Some Lessons Learned album. There are also many unreleased songs, like "Jesus Is Just Alright with Me" by Shor, Chenoweth, Mark Deklin and Cast, Deklin's "It's a Miracle", both from the episode Pride Comes Before a Fall, Sheryl Crow's "The Gospel According to Me" and Shor's rendition of "Amazing Grace", both from episode Forbidden Fruit.[46]

GCB: Music from Season One
Soundtrack album by Various artists
Released May 8, 2012 (cancelled; never released)
Recorded 2004–12
Genre Country, christian
Label Warner Bros.

Background

An official album release featuring songs from the soundtrack titled GCB: Music from Season One[47] was planned for a May 8, 2012,[48] release, although after news of cancellation the release was apparently postponed or cancelled as well. Series star Kristin Chenoweth contributed two tracks to the album; Other contributing artists include country duo The JaneDear Girls and singer-actress Emily West. It consists mainly of original country, Christian songs, and only a few songs (Jason McCoy, Rick Trevino and Elizabeth Cook's) that have been previously released. All tracks are available as individual singles on iTunes and Amazon, except "Can't Behave" by Brett Eldredge.[46] None of Jeff Beal's original score from the show is included.[49]

Track listing

No. TitleArtist(s) Length
1. "Good Girls Gone Bad"  The JaneDear Girls 2:40
2. "Cross My Heart"  Emily West 2:14
3. "Can't Behave"  Brett Eldredge  
4. "Jesus Take the Wheel"  Kristin Chenoweth 3:48
5. "If You Don't Love Jesus Go to Hell"  Billy Joe Shaver 2:38
6. "If I'm Gonna Be Bad"  Joanna Cotten 3:11
7. "Sometimes It Takes Balls to Be a Woman"  Elizabeth Cook 3:17
8. "Between Church and Elvis"  Jaime Hanna 3:27
9. "Blessed Be the Ties That Bind"  Kristin Chenoweth 1:17
10. "Dangerous"  Dean Alexander 3:54
11. "Better in Texas"  Rick Trevino 3:55
12. "I Feel a Sin Comin' On"  Jason McCoy 2:37

Reception

The show received mixed reviews from critics. Metacritic gave it an aggregate score of 56 out of 100 or "mixed or average reviews" based on 21 critics.[50]

The AV Club awarded the pilot episode with a disappointing grade of C-, remarking that the show failed to make an impression. Both critics however noted Chenoweth's performance as a highlight.[51]

The show won the "TV You Betta Watch" category at Logo's 2012 NewNowNext Awards.

Eric Winter, who played Luke Lourd, said, "This is an extremely creative and smart show that just needs more of a chance to take off and run."[52]

References

  1. Knox, David (May 24, 2011). "'Good Christian Bitches' is now just 'GCB'". TV Tonight. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  2. Seidman, Robert (May 17, 2011). "ABC 2011–12 Primetime Schedule Announced". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  3. Hibberd, James. "ABC midseason plans revealed: 'The River', 'GCB', 'Shark Tank' ... but some shows are missing". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  4. Wade, Chase (May 11, 2012). "Dallas-based comedy 'GCB' gets canceled". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  5. Andreeva, Nellie. "ABC' Renews 'Scandal', Cancels 'GCB'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  6. ""Good Christian Bitches" to Include a Good Gay Guy". AfterElton. Lesley Goldberg. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  7. "Tyler Jacob Moore". IMDb.com. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  8. Andreeva, Nellie (September 7, 2011). "Eric Winter Joins ABC's New Series 'Good Christian Belles' As Recurring". Deadline.com. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  9. Martindale, David (March 10, 2012). "'GCB' mean girl is played by true North Texan". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved March 12, 2012. When it comes to being Texan, Mackinlee Waddell is the real deal.
  10. Aug 2, 2011, 12:42 BST (August 2, 2011). "Tom Everett Scott joins 'Good Christian Belles'". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  11. 1 2 Oct 28, 2011, 14:57 BST (October 28, 2011). "Kevin Alejandro, Grant Bowler land 'GCB' roles". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  12. Bibel, Sara (March 6, 2012). "Sunday Final Ratings: 'The Good Wife,' 'CSI Miami' Adjusted Up + 'Cleveland' Adjusted Down". TV By the Numbers. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  13. Kondolojy, Amanda (March 13, 2012). "Sunday Final Ratings: '60 Minutes', 'America's Funniest Home Videos', 'Once Upon a Time', 'The Amazing Race' & 'Desperate Housewives' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
  14. Bibel, Sara (March 20, 2012). "Sunday Final Ratings: 'Harry's Law' Adjusted Down to Series Lows; 'Desperate Housewives' Adjusted Up + Unscrambled CBS". TV By the Numbers. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
  15. Kondolojy, Amanda (March 27, 2012). "Sunday Final Ratings: 'Once Upon a Time' Adjusted Up; 'GCB' Adjusted Down + Final Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  16. Bibel, Sara (April 3, 2012). "Sunday Final Ratings:'Once Upon A Time,' 'Bob's Burgers,' '60 Minutes' Adjusted Up". TV By the Numbers. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  17. 1 2 Bibel, Sara (April 10, 2012). "Sunday Final Ratings: 'Celebrity Apprentice' Adjusted Up + Unscrambled CBS Shows". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  18. Kondolojy, Amanda (April 17, 2012). "Sunday Final Ratings: 'AFV,' 'Amazing Race,' 'Simpsons,' 'Bob's Burgers,' 'Celebrity Apprentice' & 'The Cleveland Show' All Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  19. Bibel, Sarah (April 30, 2012). "Sunday Final Ratings: 'Once Upon a Time,' 'Amazing Race,' 'Celebrity Apprentice,' 'Cleveland' Adjusted Up; 'Harry's Law,' 'GCB' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  20. Kondolojy, Amanda (May 8, 2012). "Sunday Final Ratings: 'Simpsons', 'Amazing Race' Finale, 'Harry's Law' Adjusted Up; 'Desperate Housewives', 'NYC 22' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  21. Andreeva, Nellie. "PILOTS: Frances Fisher Joins 'Partners,' Jennifer Aspen Cast In 'Bitches'". Deadline.com. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  22. Andreeva, Nellie. "Leslie Bibb Set As The Lead In ABC's 'Bitches', Jennifer Ehle To Star In CBS Pilot". Deadline.com. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  23. "ABC makes Leslie Bibb a 'Good Christian' girl". Hitfix.com. March 5, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  24. Mar 3, 2011, 11:42 GMT (March 3, 2011). "Bibb joins 'Good Christian Bitches' pilot". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  25. Andreeva, Nellie. "Annie Potts has been tapped for a lead role in the ABC's dramedy pilot Good Christian Bitches, from writer-exec producer Robert Harling and exec producer Darren Star". Deadline.com. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  26. "Leslie Bibb on playing GCB's bad girl gone good". channelguidemag.com. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  27. Andreeva, Nellie. "Swingtown alumna Miriam Shor has joined the cast of ABC's dramedy pilot Good Christian Bitches". Deadline.com. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  28. Andreeva, Nellie. "Marisol Nichols has landed a co-starring role in ABC's dramedy pilot Good Christian Bitches, which stars Leslie Bibb". Deadline.com. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  29. Matt Webb Mitovich (March 14, 2011). "Pilot News: Chenoweth Joins ABC's Bitches". Tvline.com. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  30. Andreeva, Nellie. "Kristin Chenoweth To Co-Star In ABC's 'Good Christian Bitches'". Deadline.com. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  31. Barrett, Annie (March 14, 2011). "Kristin Chenoweth joins 'Good Christian' pilot at ABC". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  32. Megan Masters (March 16, 2011). "TVLine Items: David James Elliott Joins Bitches, X Factor Judges, and Other TV News to Know". Tvline.com. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  33. BST (May 13, 2011). "'Good Christian Belles', 'Pan Am' join ABC lineup". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  34. "Networks Put in Short Orders for Next Season". TV Guide. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  35. "Sheryl Crow, Sandra Bernhard to Guest on 'GCB,' 'American Pie' Star Heads to 'Good Wife' and More TV News". AOL TV. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  36. "Critics Slam ABC Pilot 'Good Christian Bitches' for 'Inappropriate,' 'Damaging' Title". Fox News. April 7, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  37. Barrett, Annie (May 13, 2011). "ABC series orders: 'Good Christian,' 'Pan Am,' 'The River'; 'Body of Proof' renewed". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  38. 1 2 "'Good Christian' ... somethings". USA Today. February 12, 2012.
  39. Wilonsky, Robert (March 8, 2011). "American Family Association Gives ABC's Good Christian Bitches An Early Publicity Push – Dallas – News – Unfair Park". Blogs.dallasobserver.com. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  40. Merlan, Anna (March 12, 2012). "One Million Moms Is Now Calling For A Boycott Against "Blasphemous" GCB – Dallas – News – Unfair Park". Blogs.dallasobserver.com. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  41. "Good Christian What? (GCB)". Tribune.org. April 2, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  42. "Good Christian Bitches på Kanal 4". kanal4.dk. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
  43. "Kanal 5 visar Good Christian Bitches". kanal5.se. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  44. "GCB: Good Christian Bitches". tvnorge.no. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  45. "Good Christian Belles | Temporada 1 | Brasil SET". Br.canalsony.com. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  46. 1 2 3 "ABC.com – Music Lounge Home". Abc.go.com. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  47. GCB: Music From Season One. "GCB: Music From Season One: Various Artists: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  48. https://web.archive.org/20131213181344/http://www.target.com/p/GCB-Music-From-Season-One-Soundtrack/-/A-14076062. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2012. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  49. "'GCB' Soundtrack Details". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  50. "GCB – Season 1 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
  51. Nowalk, Brandon (March 4, 2012). "GCB | Other Shows | TV Club | TV". The A.V. Club. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  52. Elavsky, Cindy (June 1, 2012). "Celebrity Extra". Downriver Sunday Times. Retrieved June 8, 2012.

External links

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