''The Wedding Bells'' is an American comedy-drama television series that aired on Fox from March 2 to April 6, 2007. The series was greenlighted after the network became interested in a series centered on wedding planners. The network approached

David E. Kelley David Edward Kelley (born April 4, 1956) is an American television writer, producer, and former attorney, known as the creator of '' Doogie Howser, M.D.'', '' Picket Fences'', ''Chicago Hope'', ''The Practice'', '' Ally McBeal'', ''Boston Publi ...

to create the show, and he essentially remade a rejected pilot he created for ABC in 2004 entitled ''DeMarco Affairs'' which starred

Selma Blair Selma Blair Beitner (born June 23, 1972) is an American actress. She played a number of roles in films and on television before obtaining recognition for her leading role in the film '' Brown's Requiem'' (1998). Her breakthrough came when she s ...

Lindsay Sloane Lindsay Sloane Leikin-Rollins (born August 8, 1977) is an American actress. She is known for playing Valerie Birkhead on ''Sabrina the Teenage Witch'' (1997–99) and Emily in '' The Odd Couple'' (2015–17). She has also starred in films such ...

, and

Sabrina Lloyd Sabrina Anne Lloyd (born November 20, 1970) is an American retired film and television actress. She is known for portraying Wade Welles in the science fiction series '' Sliders'', Natalie Hurley in the ABC sitcom '' Sports Night'' and Kelly in '' ...

as three sisters who inherit a wedding planner service. Though the show had a moderately strong premiere, it faded in the ratings and was cancelled after seven episodes had been produced and five episodes were aired.

Plot

The Bell sisters, Annie (

KaDee Strickland Katherine Dee Strickland (born December 14, 1975) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Charlotte King on the ABC drama '' Private Practice'' (2007–2013). Strickland began acting during high school. She studied acting in ...

), Jane ( Teri Polo) and Sammy Bell ( Sarah Jones), inherited ''"The Wedding Palace"'' after their parents' divorce. David Conlon (

Michael Landes Michael Christopher Landes (born September 18, 1972) is an American actor of television and film. Personal life Michael Christopher Landes was born to Patricia and Bernard Landes on September 18, 1972 in The Bronx, New York (state), New York. ...

), photographer for ''The Wedding Palace'' and ex-boyfriend of Annie's whose tension-filled dealings with her are clearly the result of pent-up sexual chemistry; and Russell Hawkins (Benjamin King), Jane's husband and the company COO; round off the cast. Then there's wedding singer Ralph Snow ( Chris Williams), who always aspired to be the next Lenny Kravitz, but instead is stuck crooning endless cover songs and retro medleys for unappreciative wedding guests. Amanda Pontell (

Missi Pyle Missi Pyle (born November 16, 1972) is an American actress and singer. She has appeared in a number of successful films, including ''Galaxy Quest'' (1999), '' Big Fish'' (2003), ''Bringing Down the House'' (2003), '' Dodgeball: A True Underdog ...

) adds to the frenzied scene as a former

bridezilla A bridezilla is a bride whose behavior is seen as demanding or unreasonable. The word comes from bride + -zilla. * ''Bridezillas ''Bridezillas'' is an American reality television series that airs on WE tv and debuted on June 1, 2004. It chronicl ...

client who becomes a board member of The Wedding Palace.

B-plots through the brief run of the series

* The relationship between Wedding Palace assistant Debbie (

Sherri Shepherd Sherri Shepherd (born April 22, 1967) is an American actress, comedian, author, broadcaster, and television personality. She currently hosts the daily syndicated daytime talk show, '' Sherri''. From 2007 to 2014, Shepherd was a co-host of the da ...

) and another wedding singer ( Cleavant Derricks in a recurring role). Her biological clock is ticking and he is cautious about getting married again, as his first marriage ended badly. * The very rich (but socially awkward) Amanda Pontell's efforts to fit in with the three Bell sisters. * Sammy Bell's ( Sarah Jones) efforts to be seen as a whole woman, not just as a sexy woman. * Sibling rivalry between Jane ( Teri Polo) and Annie (

) -- there is a history of Jane's boyfriends becoming attracted to Annie—and Jane and Sammy—Sammy has read in Jane's diary that Jane is jealous of Sammy's breasts. * Had the series gone on, another secondary plot might have been about Russell's efforts to franchise the Wedding Palace. Christopher Rich played a potential investor with Las Vegas connections in the last aired episode. * A couple of episodes had

Heather Tom Heather Marie Tom (born November 4, 1975) is an American actress and television director. She is best known for her acting work on various soap operas. Her best known roles are Victoria Newman on ''The Young and the Restless,'' Kelly Cramer on ' ...

and

Nicholle Tom Nicholle Marie Tom is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Ryce Newton in ''Beethoven'' (1992), '' Beethoven's 2nd'' (1993), ''Beethoven'' (1994–1995), and as Maggie Sheffield on '' The Nanny''. She is also known for voicing ...

as buxom blonde sisters who would crash weddings. Debbie would inevitably throw them out.

Cast

as Annie Bell * Teri Polo as Jane Bell * Sarah Jones as Sammy Bell *

as David Conlon * Benjamin King as Russell Hawkins * Chris Williams as Ralph Snow *

as Amanda Pontell * Costas Mandylor as Ernesto *

as Debbie Quill

Episodes

Reception

The first two episodes of ''The Wedding Bells'' garnered poor reviews and low ratings. Critics cited the superficial relationships between the sisters as a weakness. Some claim that Kelley lacked the flair to write for women, after his successful run with '' Ally McBeal''.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Wedding Bells, The 2000s American comedy-drama television series 2007 American television series debuts 2007 American television series endings English-language television shows Fox Broadcasting Company original programming Television series by 20th Century Fox Television Wedding television shows Television series created by David E. Kelley