Among the first batch of original programming ordered by the newly launched WB network, the series was put on hiatus after 12 episodes in December 1995. The show was later cancelled with three episodes left unaired.
Synopsis
The series focuses on the life of Ellen Carlson (Cleghorne), a single mom who is raising her nine-year-old daughter Akeyla on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Comedic situations arise as Ellen tries to balance raising her daughter, running a local production company in SoHo, and the interference her overbearing parents, Sidney and Lena, who live next door.
Cast
Main
Ellen Cleghorne as Ellen Carlson, a single mother who runs a struggling television commercial production company
Alaina Reed Hall as Lena Carlson, Ellen's mother, a part-time schoolteacher
Steve Bean as Brad, Ellen's partner
Cerita Monet Bickelmann as Akeyla Carlson, Ellen's daughter
Michael Ralph as Tyrell Livingston, Ellen's ex-husband
Sherri Shepherd as Victoria Carlson, Ellen's dim-witted sister who aspires to become a model
Recurring
Cathy Silvers as Coral, a waitress at Piccolo's, the local bar
Dorien Wilson as Jeff, a man Ellen dates who is the father of George, a student at Akeyla's private school
Development
Cleghorne was the third black woman to be credited on Saturday Night Live (1991–1995), after Yvonne Hudson and Danitra Vance, and the first woman of color to appear on the series as a full-fledged cast member for longer than a single season.[1] She left to focus on her starring role in her own sitcom, Cleghorne!.[2] In 1995, Cleghorne! was among the first batch of original programming ordered by the newly launched WB network, then run by former Fox executives who had worked on shows like In Living Color, in which Cleghorne had also appeared.[1] The sitcom was also the first time two Saturday Night Live cast members of color (Cleghorne and original SNL cast member Morris) had worked together on a show after appearing on SNL.[1] The series was also the first television acting job for Shepherd,[3] who would later appear again with Morris on another WB sitcom The Jamie Foxx Show,[citation needed] and would eventually be known for her roles in the sitcoms Less Than Perfect and 30 Rock, and as co-host of the ABC talk show The View.[4][5]
Steve Pepoon & David Silverman & Stephen Sustarsic
September 10, 1995 (1995-09-10)
3L01
Ellen reluctantly lets her parents and Victoria move into the apartment next door.
2
"Sister of the Bride"
John Sgueglia
Darryl J. Quarles
September 17, 1995 (1995-09-17)
3L03
Facing deportation, Tyrell proposes to Ellen. She says no, but Victoria offers to marry him instead.
3
"My Daughter Attends the French School of New York (and Yours Doesn't)"
David Grossman
Mark Drop
September 24, 1995 (1995-09-24)
3L04
Ellen enrolls Akeyla in an exclusive private school.
4
"All Grown Up and No Place to Go"
David Grossman
Rob Hanning
October 1, 1995 (1995-10-01)
3L05
Ellen attends Akeyla's school dance and connects with another parent, Jeff.
5
"Adventures in Babysitting"
John Sgueglia
Adam I. Lapidus
October 8, 1995 (1995-10-08)
3L02
Ellen's father will not let Ellen pay her mother babysit Akeyla, but Ellen does not want Lena to do it for free.
6
"The Parent Trap"
David Goldman
Nancylee Myatt
October 15, 1995 (1995-10-15)
3L06
Ellen and Tyrell speak at Career Day at Akeyla's school.
7
"twenty-ninesomething"
Linda Day
Mindy Schneider
October 29, 1995 (1995-10-29)
3L07
Ellen learns she is a year older than she thought.
8
"Losing Faith"
Terri McCoy
Michael Riedel
November 5, 1995 (1995-11-05)
3L08
After the reverend she has encouraged Ellen to date confesses he is already married, a disillusioned Lena casts aside her religious beliefs and decides to live life in the fast lane for a while.
9
"Home Alone"
Terri McCoy
Amy Morland
November 12, 1995 (1995-11-12)
3L09
With their parents out of town, Victoria feels neglected and clings to Ellen, who urges her to enjoy her independence. The advice backfires when Victoria throws a wild party that ends with a burglary.
10
"Girlfriendz"
David Grossman
Nancylee Myatt
November 19, 1995 (1995-11-19)
3L10
Ellen cancels a meeting to tend to a friend who has left her husband, but winds up in a sticky situation when she runs into her client at a restaurant.
11
"This Magic Moment"
David Grossman
Rachel Lipman
November 26, 1995 (1995-11-26)
3L11
Ellen tries to have a night alone with her boyfriend, but the family cannot stay away.
12
"Brother from Another Planet"
Linda Day
Nelson Costello
December 17, 1995 (1995-12-17)
3L12
Ellen's therapist brother Rob comes home for Sidney and Lena's 35th-anniversary party, but his over-analysis of his parents' relationship causes Sidney to move out.
13
"Akeyla Doesn't Live Here Anymore"
TBD
TBD
UNAIRED
3L13
Ellen and Jeff take a ski trip with Akeyla and Jeff's son George, who are not getting along.
14
"Money for Nothing and Your Chicken for Free"
TBD
TBD
UNAIRED
3L14
Tyrell opens a restaurant.
15
"Sidney's Choice"
TBD
TBD
UNAIRED
3L15
Sidney enlists the family to help him win a bowling tournament.
Broadcast
Cleghorne! debuted on The WB on September 10, 1995, but was put on hiatus in December 1995 having aired 12 episodes.[2][6] The show was later cancelled with three episodes left unaired.[2][1] Cleghorne later said, "I don't think I was ready. In terms of being strong and saying, 'I can write, this is what I do,' and feel confident in that. And to be able to say, 'No, this does not work, this works better.'"[1]
Reception
On review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes, Cleghorne! has an approval ratings of 40% based on 5 reviews, with an average score of 0.85/10.[7]Slate called Cleghorne! "part of a chapter in television history, a rare moment when black audience demographics were taken seriously by networks and advertisers. Aside from the 1970s, this period [in the 1990s] featured one of the highest concentrations of black scripted programming ever."[1]
Leszczak, Bob (August 31, 2018). "Cleghorne!". Single Season Sitcoms of the 1990s: A Complete Guide. McFarland. p. 42. ISBN9781476670775. Retrieved June 4, 2020 – via Google Books.
