Development and production
What was Cheryl Hines' character's name?
Suburgatory
The series first appeared on ABC's development slate in October 2010. On January 14, 2011, ABC placed a pilot order, written by Emily Kapnek and directed by Michael Fresco, who also serve as executive producers. The half-hour comedy is produced by Warner Bros. Television. Casting announcements began in February 2011, with Jane Levy the first actor cast, playing the role of Tessa Altman, a Manhattan teen who has been raised for the last fifteen years by a single father, George. Tessa dreads the idea of living in the suburbs. Next to join the series was Alan Tudyk in the role of Noah Werner, George's college buddy and a dentist who moved to the suburbs some years earlier. Allie Grant then joined the series as Lisa Shay, a socially awkward girl at school who befriends Tessa. Jeremy Sisto and Carly Chaikin followed with Sisto playing George Altman, Tessa's architect father who moves her from Manhattan to the suburbs, and Chaikin playing Dalia Royce, Tessa's neighbor who quickly becomes her nemesis at school. Cheryl Hines was next cast in the role of Dallas Royce, a well-to-do housewife and the mother of Dalia. She tells George that her absentee husband (Jay Mohr) "travels a lot". Rex Lee was the last actor cast, playing Mr. Wolfe, Tessa's clueless high school guidance counselor. He was originally a guest star but was upped to a series regular after the pilot. "Saturday Night Live" ("SNL") alumna Ana Gasteyer plays the Altmans' domineering neighbor, Sheila Shay, whom they vainly try to avoid. Fellow "SNL" alum Chris Parnell plays Fred, her husband, who toes the line. The Shays have two children: Lisa, who is Tessa's closest thing to a friend, and Ryan (Parker Young). On May 13, 2011, ABC ordered the pilot to series, to air in the fall of the 2011–12 United States network television schedule. "Suburgatory" premiered on September 28, 2011 and currently airs on Wednesday nights at 8:30/7:30 central following "The Middle". After initially ordering 11 episodes, ABC picked up "Suburgatory" for a full season on October 13, 2011. On December 16, 2011, it was announced that Alicia Silverstone would have a recurring role as Eden, a potential love interest for single father George. This marked the third time Silverstone and Jeremy Sisto had worked together, since first working on the 1995 American comedy film "Clueless", and the 1995 thriller "Hideaway". On March 23, 2012, ABC announced that the series was renewed for the 2012–2013 television season. It would air after "Modern Family", on 9:30/8:30 central timeslot replacing the new series "The Neighbors" which was originally scheduled to air in that timeslot.