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Even XXXXX, XXXXX XX, 2013 | TAB NAME Odd 2 TV ENCORE By Shona Dustan TV Media F riendship has been the crux of many a successful comedy series. From legendary classics such as "Laverne & Shirley" to mod- ern favorites such as "Friends" and "How I Met Your Mother," friendship has been the back- bone of so many sitcom success- es. USA Network hopes to cash in on this long-term trend this year with the launch of the new comedy, "Playing House." Catch the premiere episode Tuesday, April 29, on USA. This spring marks the first time in more than 15 years that the cable network has launched a new half-hour comedy series. In March, "Sirens" — based on a 2011 British series of the same name about a group of off-beat paramedics, and both penned and produced by Dennis Leary ("Rescue Me") — premiered as USA's first foray back into the world of sitcoms, and "Playing House" is set to premiere hot on its heels. Regarding these shows, net- work co-president Jeff Wachtel said: "Our new series come from some of the best comedic talent in the business, and reflect USA's style — with great characters, strong execution and compelling storytelling." Execs are confident Graybeals Carpet 2 x 3" Young's Culligan 3 x 3" Harrison- Merzger 2 x 2" On the Cover that "Playing House" will hook viewers quickly and become yet another USA Network success story. The minds behind the program are incredibly qualified to be writing about best-friendship. In fact, the single-camera comedy is inspired by the real-life relation- ship between its co-creators, Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair. The pair have been close friends and writing partners for ages (they even have a shared Tumblr account) and describe their friendship as "ultra-close." They previously penned a sitcom for NBC, "Best Friends Forever," which, unfortunately, only lasted one season, but both they and USA executives believe their writing style and chemistry is better suited for cable than net- work television. Not content to create, write and produce the series, Parham and St. Clair also star as best friends Maggie Caruso and Emma Crawford, respectively. In a promotional video for the show's premiere, the ladies explain the premise of the show: "Our new show, 'Playing House,' is the story of a newly single pregnant lady whose friend moves in to help her raise her baby. It's a comedy about two best friends," says St. Clair. "Exactly," Parham responds. "It's going to be just like 'Thelma and Louise.' " "But without the dying," St. Clair quickly adds. Parham stars as the eight- month-pregnant Maggie, a woman who's fallen on hard times but is determined to pull herself together and provide a happy, stable home for her child. When she discovers that her hus- band is having a scandalous, online affair with a strangely muscular German lady, Maggie kicks him to the curb and sets out on her own. Well, not quite "her own," as she convinces her best friend to embark on her newest adventure with her. Parham has had lots of impressive experience in the comedy world. Besides having starred in the previously men- tioned, short-lived "Best Friends Forever," she's guest-starred in hit sitcoms such as "Parks and Recreation," "Arrested Development" and "How I Met Your Mother," and appeared in feature films such as "Hysterical Psycho" (2009) and "Confessions of a Shopaholic" (2009). Her resume also boasts some impres- sive stage appearances — after spending years in the New York offshoot of revered comedy troupe The Second City, she later moved on to the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, later starring in her own one-woman show called "She Tried to Be Normal," which Through thick and thin: Lifelong friends at center of USA's new comedy ran in Los Angeles, New York and Montreal. St. Clair spent time performing with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater along with Parham and has certainly done well for her- self in the comedy world. She can frequently be seen on the HBO comedy "Veep" in a recur- ring role and has had major roles in comedy films such as "The Dictator" (2012), "Wanderlust" (2012), "She's Out of My League" (2010) and "Bridesmaids" (2011). Besides the short run of "Best Friends Forever," she's also guest-starred in other television sitcoms such as "Weeds," "United States of Tara," "Parks and Recreation" and "The Office." In "Playing House," St. Clair stars as Emma Crawford, a competitive, career- driven woman who values her relationship with best friend, Maggie, above everything else. When she gets Maggie's call, she comes running, leaving her hard- earned business career in China behind and moving back to Pinebrook, their hometown, to help Maggie raise the baby. Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair in a scene from "Playing House" D&J Liquors 3 x 2" MAROCCO-RANS FUNERAL CHAPEL 119 E. Market St. | Logansport, IN • 574.753.6282 www.ransfuneralhomes.com HARRISON-METZGER & RANS FUNERAL HOMES 304 S. Chicago St. | Royal Center, IN • 574.643.2265 123 E. Main Street | Kewanna, IN • 574.653.2265 • Funeral & Cremation Services • • Preplanning Options • Monument Sales • Professional Installation Available 500 E. Broadway • Downtown Logansport (574) 732-0678 • Fax: (574) 722-6367 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 9AM-6PM; Fri. 9AM-7PM; Sat. 9AM-5PM r r s TM CARPET $ 999 3 Completely installed w/ 1/2 6 lb. pad 360 sq ft. 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