This situation comedy based on the popular 1988 film featured more of the adventures of marketing assistant Tess McGill in the office setting at Trask Industries in Manhattan (165 East 65th Street) with relative newcomer Sandra Bullock replacing Melanie Griffith in the title role.
Tess’ first challenge was to survive working for her antagonistic, uptight immediate boss, Bryn Newhouse (Nana Visitor), the head of marketing – also known as the ‘company witch’.
Secretary Lana (Judy Prescott) was Tess’ best pal, more interested in doing her nails, shooting pool at Nick’s Pool House, and rooting for Tess than in getting ahead herself.
Everett (George Newbern) was a fellow junior executive who was charming but too eager to please, and Libby (Eyde Byrde) was Tess’ worldly-wise, “permanent temporary” secretary, a moonlighting musician.
Back home each night on Staten Island, Tess had to contend with her doting parents Joe (David Schramm) and Fran (B.J. Ward) – who ran McGill’s Deli – and with Sal (Anthony Tyler Quinn), the blue-collar neighbourhood Romeo who constantly pursued her.
Co-star Judy Prescott (who played McGill’s best friend, Lana Peters) recalls that Bullock was always ready to find the fun in a scene;
“I remember one episode in which Sandy consumed more Cheez Whiz than I thought humanly possible. A less devoted actor would have traded in the prop for something a little more palatable. But not Sandy. If the joke worked, she’d keep it.”
Tess McGill
Sandra Bullock Everett Rutledge
George Newbern Sal Pascarella
Anthony Tyler Quinn Lana Peters
Judy Prescott Libby Wentworth
Eyde Byrde Bryn Newhouse
Nana Visitor A.J. Trask
Tom O’Rourke Joe McGill
David Schramm Fran McGill
B.J. Ward
