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USA Network Announces Premiere Date for Original Comedy Series <i>Benched</i> – Updated with Clips and Cast Interviews

[important] UPDATED 10/03/14 – Promo and cast interviews from Benched added. [/important]   

Benched wasn’t on my radar as far as new shows I was eager to see. But, after watching an extended clip from the pilot and learning who is in the cast, as well as some of the upcoming guest stars, I admit I’m looking forward to checking Benched out.

 

In a press release:

 

New Half Hour Series Stars ‘Happy Endings’ Eliza Coupe USA Rolls Out Tuesday Night Comedy Block with ‘Modern Family’ (8-10 p.m. ET/PT), ‘Chrisley Knows Best’ (10 p.m. ET/PT) and ‘Benched’ (10:30 p.m. ET/PT)

UNIVERSAL CITY — September 22, 2014 — Courtroom drama is no laughing matter…until now!  USA Network’s new original half hour comedy BENCHED will premiere Tuesday, October 28th (10:30-11 p.m. ET/PT) immediately following USA’s laugh-out-loud reality hit CHRISLEY KNOWS BEST.

“This is a prime slot on our schedule for BENCHED.  With MODERN FAMILY kicking off the night, followed by our laugh-out-loud hit series, CHRISLEY KNOWS BEST, BENCHED will have a powerful comedic launch pad,” said Chris McCumber, President of USA Network.  “We are excited to cap off the night with this standout comedy from some of the most talented creatives in the business.”

BENCHED, starring Eliza Coupe (“Happy Endings”), is a single-camera comedy about a high-powered corporate lawyer’s fall from grace into the rough-and-tumble world of the public defenders.

BENCHED from ABC Signature Studio, stars Coupe as Nina Whitley, a distinguished corporate lawyer who has given up everything in her climb to the top.  However, when she’s hit with her ex-fiancé’s engagement announcement and learns that she hasn’t made partner at her high power firm, Nina snaps — breaking vases and burning bridges.  Now that Nina is shunned from the corporate world, the only place she can get a job is at the Public Defender’s office: home to the underfunded, understaffed, overworked, “if you can’t afford a lawyer, one will be provided…” lawyers.   In addition to her new clients, Nina must learn to connect with her co-workers, including the roguish Phil (Jay Harrington, “Better Off Ted”), the idealistic Carlos (Oscar Nunez, “The Office”), the useless empathetic Cheryl (Maria Bamford, “Adventure Time”) and the dedicated intern Micah (Jolene Purdy, “Under the Dome”).  If that didn’t sound tough enough for Nina, she’ll also be going head-to-head with her ex-fiancé, Trent, (Carter MacIntyre, “Drop Dead Diva”) the rising star of the District Attorney’s office.

Joining the all-star comedic cast are previously announced guest stars Fred Melamed (“ A Serious Man”),  Molly Shannon (“SNL”), Chris Parnell (“SNL”), Yvette Nicole Brown (“Community”),  Jim Rash (“Community”), Nat Faxon (“Married”), Erinn Hayes (“Childrens Hospital”) and Mechad Brooks (“Necessary Roughness”).

BENCHED is from executive producers and writers Michaela Watkins (“Saturday Night Live,” “Trophy Wife”) and Damon Jones (“Halfway Home”).  John Enbom, co-creator of the critically acclaimed comedy “Party Down,” serves as executive producer and showrunner.  Mark Gordon (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Criminal Minds,” “Ray Donovan”) and Andrea Shay (“Family Tools”) are executive producing for The Mark Gordon Company.  BENCHED is from ABC Signature, a division of ABC Studios.

 

 

Source: © 2014 USA Network, LLC, a division of NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 

Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.

Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.