steven weber

Description

Wilfred is an American sitcom television series which debuted on June 23, 2011, and is based on the Australian SBS One series of the same name. It stars Elijah Wood and series co-creator Jason Gann, reprising his role of the eponymous dog Wilfred. The series was adapted for the American television channel FX by Family Guy veteran David Zuckerman. Plot The show follows a young man named Ryan (Elijah Wood) and his neighbor's dog Wilfred (Jason Gann). In the opening episode, Ryan concocts a drug cocktail in order to commit suicide. After this failed attempt, Ryan's neighbor, Jenna (Fiona Gubelmann), knocks on his door to ask him to look after Wilfred, whom only Ryan sees and hears as anthropomorphic. Cast Main cast Elijah Wood as Ryan Newman, the depressed and looking-for-more-in-life protagonist. Originally a washed-up lawyer, Ryan was suicidal and lost until he met Wilfred, who advises him to live life his way. Fiona Gubelmann as Jenna Mueller, Ryan's perky, attractive neighbor and Wilfred's owner. Jason Gann as Wilfred Fazio Mueller, Jenna's seven-year-old dog. He is protective of his owner and manipulative toward Ryan, to whom he becomes a mentor. He smokes cigarettes and copious amounts of marijuana, drinks beer, eats mainly junk food, and is prone to various vices. While Ryan and the viewers see Wilfred as a man in a dog suit, he is a normal dog through everyone else's eyes. Dorian Brown as Kristen Newman, Ryan's older and controlling sister. Recurring cast Ethan Suplee as Spencer, the rude and loud neighbor. Chris Klein as Drew, Jenna's husband, whom Wilfred dislikes. Gerry Bednob as Mr. Patel, the grumpy and cheap Indian neighbor. J.P. Manoux as Leo, Kristen's husband. Allison Mack as Amanda, a biochemist and former love interest for Ryan. Steven Weber as Jeremy, Ryan's new boss at a medical firm. Rob Riggle as Kevin Jesquire, Ryan's co-worker. Nestor Carbonell as Dr. Arturo Ramos, Kristen's boss and lover. Dwight Yoakam as Bruce, a mysterious man from Wilfred's past, who appears to be the only other person who views Wilfred the way Ryan does. Mary Steenburgen as Catherine Newman, Ryan and Kristen's institutionalized mother who has a similar relationship with her pet cat (played by Rhea Perlman). John Michael Higgins as Catherine's doctor. Production Development Wilfred is based on the critically acclaimed Australian series of the same name and was adapted for FX by Family Guy veteran David Zuckerman. Wilfred is produced by FX Productions while the executive producers include: Zuckerman; Rich and Paul Frank; Jeff Kwatinetz; and Joe and Ken Connor from the original Australian series. Wilfred co-creator Jason Gann and Randall Einhorn serve as co-executive producers. Einhorn directed 10 episodes of the first season and Victor Nelli, Jr. directed three. The pilot episode was filmed in summer 2010, written by Zuckerman, and directed by Einhorn. Unlike the Australian version—which concentrated equally on Wilfred, his owner, and her boyfriend—the American version is presented as a buddy comedy between Wilfred and Ryan. Casting The casting of Elijah Wood as Ryan was announced on June 29, 2010. Ryan is described as "an introverted and troubled young man struggling unsuccessfully to make his way in the world until he forms a unique friendship with Wilfred, his neighbor's canine pet." Series co-creator Jason Gann also reprises his role of the eponymous dog Wilfred, a character described by Zuckerman as being a mixed breed dog who is "part Labrador Retriever and part Russell Crowe on a bender". Fiona Gubelmann stars as Jenna, Wilfred's owner and Ryan's next-door neighbor, who works as a local news producer. Dorian Brown was then cast as Kristen, Ryan's controlling and condescending older sister. Filming "Wilfred" is unique in that the entire series was shot using a DSLR, the Canon 7D, using a three camera setup. Reception Critical reception of the US adaptation of Wilfred was comparable to that of th...