Suddenly Susan

In highly publicized trouble before it ever aired, Suddenly Susan had to switch formats from a bookstore (shades of Ellen) to a magazine workplace setting - sort of Mary Richards going to work for Lou Grant at the Trib. Despite some bright writing and reasonably funny performances (especially from Brooke Shields, who got surprising mileage out of the problems inherent in being very tall and attractive), the show never quite jelled, perhaps because the characters were never even remotely credible as functioning journalists. Susan was put on hiatus to make room for NBC's retooling of The Naked Truth. It later returned to the NBC schedule in late February 1997 and subsequently did well enough to be renewed for the Fall 1997 television season. In Germany the show is known simply as Susan.moreless