Bob Patterson (ABC Series)

Bob Patterson was an American television sitcom starring Jason Alexander, produced by Ira Steven Behr. It was directed by Robby Benson and Barnet Kellman. The show debuted on ABC: American Broadcasting Company (GoAnimate in Real Life) on October 2, 2001 and the final episode aired December 11 of that year. The show was cancelled after eleven episodes aired.

Production Companies
Angel Ark Productions 20th Century Fox Television Touchstone Television

Distributors
20th Television Disney ABC Domestic Television

Length
30 minutes

GoAnimate in Real Life Channel
ABC: American Broadcasting Company

Synopsis
The show revolves around fictitious motivational speaker Bob Patterson, "America's #3 Self Help Guru," who is popular with millions of people across America, thanks to his books I Know More Than You, I Still Know More Than You and the To the Top! franchise. Friction between his job and family occurs due in part to Bob's self-absorbed but insecure nature and complete lack of self-awareness, ironic qualities for someone whose job is supposed to be selflessly motivating others to improve their lives.

After the show's cancellation, Alexander used the concept behind Patterson to create a similar fictional character named Donny Clay, "America's #4 Self Help Guru." Alexander has toured the United States in character as Clay.

Cast

 * Jason Alexander (Bob Patterson)
 * Robert Klein (Landau)
 * Phil Buckman (Vic)
 * Jennifer Aspen (Janet Patterson)
 * Chandra Wilson (Claudia)
 * James Guidice (Jeffrey Patterson)

Response
The show received poor reviews and ratings were disappointing. A New York Times critic wrote that "the series may be the season's biggest disappointment...Robert Klein yells while Mr. Alexander screeches."

In a one-and-a-half-star review for USA Today, Robert Bianco called Chandra Wilson "the only person in the show you can imagine wanting to see again."

A Los Angeles Times reviewer wrote: "The only character here that's amusingly written is Bob's new assistant, Claudia (Chandra Wilson)."

Episodes

 * 1) "Pilot" (10/2/01)
 * 2) "Honest Bob" (10/9/01)
 * 3) "Naked Bob" (10/16/01)
 * 4) "Awards Bob" (10/23/01)
 * 5) "Bathroom Bob" (10/30/01)
 * 6) "Family Bob" (11/06/01)
 * 7) "Paranoid Bob" (11/13/01)
 * 8) "Clown Bob" (11/20/01)
 * 9) "Mentor Bob" (11/27/01)
 * 10) "Wheelchair Bob" (12/04/01)
 * 11) "End of Bob" (12/11/01)

Catchphrases

 * "No is only yes to a different question."
 * "The only thing between you and your goals is you.......and your goals."
 * "You are the U in the Universe."
 * "To the top!"