Bosom Buddies

Bosom Buddies is a popular American sitcom that aired from 1980 to 1982, starring Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari as two advertising executives who disguise themselves as women to live in a low-cost, female-only apartment building, similar to the Hollywood setting of Mel Brooks' The Producers. The show was created by Robert L. Boyett and developed by Thomas L. Miller and Robert W. Peterson, who also worked on Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley. The series was produced by Paramount Television and aired on ABC, competing with other popular sitcoms like The Jeffersons and Three's Company. The show's premise was inspired by the Billy Wilder film Some Like It Hot, starring Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon.

Introduction

Bosom Buddies premiered on November 27, 1980, and ran for two seasons, with a total of 37 episodes, featuring guest stars like Telma Hopkins and Holland Taylor. The show's title is a reference to the Alexander Pope poem The Rape of the Lock, which features the phrase "Bosom Buddies" to describe close friends, similar to the Shakespearean concept of Bromance. The series was set in New York City, with the main characters working at an advertising agency, similar to the setting of Mad Men, created by Matthew Weiner. The show's themes of friendship and disguise were influenced by the works of William Shakespeare, particularly Twelfth Night and As You Like It, which feature cross-dressing characters like Viola and Rosalind.

Production

The production team of Bosom Buddies included Garry Marshall, who directed several episodes, and Pamela Fryman, who worked as a producer on the show, later going on to direct episodes of How I Met Your Mother and Frasier. The series was filmed at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, with some location shooting in New York City, featuring iconic landmarks like Times Square and Central Park. The show's theme song was written by Michael Skloff and David Kurtz, who also composed music for The Golden Girls and Family Ties. The production design was influenced by the works of Blake Edwards, who directed films like The Pink Panther and 10, featuring comedic characters and situations.

Cast_and_Characters

The main cast of Bosom Buddies included Tom Hanks as Kip Wilson, Peter Scolari as Henry Desmond, Telma Hopkins as Isabelle Hammond, and Holland Taylor as Ruth Dunbar, who later appeared in The Practice and Two and a Half Men. The show also featured recurring characters like Lucille Benson as Mrs. Munson and Ralph Seymour as Mr. Johnson, who appeared in episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Bob Newhart Show. The characters of Kip and Henry were inspired by the Laurel and Hardy comedies, featuring a similar dynamic of a thin, straight-man character and a heavier, more comedic character, similar to the Abbott and Costello duo.

Episodes

The 37 episodes of Bosom Buddies featured a range of storylines, from Kip and Henry's misadventures in their female disguises to their relationships with their coworkers and neighbors, including episodes like "What a Fine Mess We're In" and "The Reunion", which featured guest stars like Don Knotts and Barbara Feldon. The show's episodes were influenced by the works of P.G. Wodehouse, featuring comedic characters and situations, similar to the Jeeves and Wooster stories. The series also tackled more serious issues, like sexism and discrimination, in episodes like "The Hospital" and "The Audition", which featured Susan Ruttan and Michael McKean.

Reception

Bosom Buddies received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the chemistry between Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari, who later appeared together in The Polar Express and That Thing You Do!. The show was also notable for its portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and themes, featuring episodes like "The Boyfriend" and "The Wedding", which included guest stars like Paul Lynde and Charles Nelson Reilly. The series was nominated for several awards, including Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards, competing with other popular sitcoms like Taxi and Cheers. Despite its short run, Bosom Buddies remains a beloved and influential sitcom, with its blend of physical comedy and witty writing, similar to the Monty Python series and The Muppet Show. Category:American television sitcoms