Series synopsis
Rude Awakening is an American comedy television series that premiered on Showtime on August 1, 1998. It ended on February 15, 2001. It was created by Claudia Lonow. It stars Sherilyn Fenn, Lynn Redgrave, Jonathan Penner and Rain Pryor.
Unemployed alcoholic ex-soap-opera actress Billie Frank tries to go sober and become a writer but continues to struggle with her self-destructive habits; her relationships with other members of Addictions Anonymous, her neighbor Dave, and her mother Trudy are explored.
Premise
Unemployed alcoholic ex-soap-opera actress Billie Frank tries to go sober and become a writer but continues to struggle with her self-destructive habits; her relationships with other members of Addictions Anonymous, her neighbor Dave, and her mother Trudy are explored.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Sherilyn Fenn as Wilhelmina 'Billie' Frank
- Lynn Redgrave as Trudy Frank
- Jonathan Penner as Dave Parelli
- Rain Pryor as Jackie Garcia
- Mario Van Peebles as Marcus Adams
- Roger E. Mosley as Milton 'Milt' Johnson
- Corinne Bohrer as Tish Frank
- Mark Lonow as Max Frank
Supporting cast
- Jenny Robertson as Haley
- Ana Mercedes as Antonia
- Jason Graae as Chad
- Jack Plotnick as Clark
- David Moreland as Stan
- Salli Richardson-Whitfield as Nancy Adams
- Tom Gallop as Jerry Frank
- Taylor Dayne as Maureen
- Richard Lewis as Harve Schwartz
- Tim Curry as Martin Crisp
- Lisa Lackey as Raquel
- Dan Finnerty as Joe the Bartender
Guest cast
- Roger E. Mosley as Milton 'Milt' Johnson
- Corinne Bohrer as Tish Frank
- Mark Lonow as Max Frank
- Jenny Robertson as Haley
- Ana Mercedes as Antonia
- Jason Graae as Chad
- Jack Plotnick as Clark
- David Moreland as Stan
- Salli Richardson-Whitfield as Nancy Adams
- Tom Gallop as Jerry Frank
- Taylor Dayne as Maureen
- Richard Lewis as Harve Schwartz
Episodes
This series spans 3 seasons with 55 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 13 | August 1, 1998 | November 7, 1998 |
| Season 2 | 22 | June 26, 1999 | March 18, 2000 |
| Season 3 | 20 | June 29, 2000 | February 15, 2001 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Naked Again Soap actress-turned-writer Billie Frank confronts her problems with her addictions. She finds herself in Addictions Anonymous (AA) following a DWI accident and an embarrassing interview on a tabloid TV show. |
August 1, 1998 |
| 2 |
Vagina Trudy's contemptuous nickname for her pregnant daughter-in-law Tish is revealed. Dave drags Billie along to another AA meeting. Tish offers to help Billie by cleaning her apartment but Billie's tales of her past escapades with a woman alienate Tish. |
August 8, 1998 |
| 3 |
Lesbians on the Moon Jackie and her new ex-con girlfriend move in with Billie. |
August 15, 1998 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Grateful Living Billie and Dave almost relapse after meeting Jackie's mom. Meanwhile, Trudy breaks her toe. |
June 26, 1999 |
| 2 |
One Birthday at a Time Dave gives Jackie an ultimatum after she wakes from her coma. |
July 3, 1999 |
| 3 |
And Now a Word from Our Sponsor Billie's sponsor quits. |
July 10, 1999 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
If I Could See Me Now (1) Now unemployed, Billie spends her days drinking and doing cocaine with Maureen. When she finds herself in need of cash to pay her overdue electric bill, no one – not even her mother – will assist unless she seeks help. Meanwhile, Dave invites his friend Marcus to stay with him after his wife kicks him out. |
June 29, 2000 |
| 2 |
If I Could See Me Now (2) Billie is served an eviction notice and Maureen has an idea. But what Maureen has in mind could result in something even worse, which leads Billie to rock bottom and ready to admit she has a problem. |
June 29, 2000 |
| 3 |
To Love and to Serve Billie, now recovering, gets a job with Trudy's lawyer boyfriend. Her first task is to serve Marcus divorce papers. |
July 6, 2000 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Showtime |
|---|---|
| First aired | August 1, 1998 |
| Last aired | February 15, 2001 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Thursday |