Ed

After his wife leaves him and he's fired from his job at a high-profile New York city law firm, Ed Stevens moves back to his small hometown of Stuckeyville where he buys the local bowling alley and attempts to win the heart of his high school crush.

Ed (2000-2004) is an American network comedy-drama created by Rob Burnett and Jon Beckerman for NBC. Tom Cavanagh plays Ed Stevens, a New York big city attorney whose marriage collapses and whose career unravels after he is fired from a high-profile law firm. He retreats to his small hometown of Stuckeyville, where he buys the local bowling alley and becomes a self-described bowling alley lawyer. His central pursuit is winning back the heart of his high school crush, Carol Vessey, played by Julie Bowen, while navigating the eccentric regulars who hang around the lanes, including Michael Ian Black as Phil Stubbs. Each episode mixes small town mishaps, quirky local business troubles and romantic misfires, giving the series a case-by-case rhythm across four seasons and 83 episodes. The tone is gentle, wry and warmly absurd, with an affectionate view of hometown life and the messy comedy of starting over. Fans of Northern Exposure, Newhart and Doc Martin will find a similar blend of small town eccentricity and romantic longing. The show ran on NBC and remains a light, comforting watch with a distinctly early two thousands network sitcom feel.

Audience reception is positive overall, with viewers warmly enjoying its quirky small-town comedy and the charm of its lead.

• Northern Exposuresmall town quirky comedy, romantic pursuit of a hometown love interest, offbeat ensemble of locals
• Newhartfish out of water professional turned hometown misfit, lighthearted workplace comedy with romantic undertone
• Doc Martinquirky small town ensemble comedy with an ex-professional protagonist and gentle romance
• Ally McBeallighthearted romantic comedy about a flawed man chasing a former crush, warm and wry tone

Created by

Rob Burnett, Jon Beckerman

Release Date

2000-10-08

Episode runtime

42 min

Rating

7.5 / 10 (54)

What is Ed about?

A disgraced New York lawyer moves back to his small hometown, buys a bowling alley, and tries to win back his high school crush.

What is Ed like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Ed as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is Ed violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Ed.

What did critics think of Ed?

Audience reception is positive overall, with viewers warmly enjoying its quirky small-town comedy and the charm of its lead.

Which shows are like Ed?

Shows with a similar feel include Northern Exposure, Newhart, Doc Martin, and Ally McBeal.

How long is Ed?

Ed: 4 seasons, 83 episodes.

Is Ed still running?

No, Ed has ended.