Christie's Problems

The AVB Channel

Real Friends

Christie's Problems

2

Created by: Joey Henderson

Distribution company: JWH Productions

Season: 1

Episode number: 2

Airdate: May 9, 1998

Airtime: 21:30 P.M. Pacific Time Zone

Production dates: August 4 to August 8, 1997

Filmed: August 8, 1997

Filming location: AVB Studios, Los Angeles, USA

Directed by: Joey Henderson

Written by: Joey Henderson

Produced by: Adam Weiss

Edited by: Joey Henderson, Adam Weiss and Bryan Boyd

Production code: 102

Length: 22:23

U.S. viewers: 38.2 million

Plot

With so many taxes and bills to pay, plus a report due, Christie struggles with problems and attempts to find a solution. Meanwhile, the others attempt to find a solution to help their good friend when she really needs it.

Synopsis

The episode starts with Christie writing on a piece of paper, she then moves her head to camera and talks to the viewers that she's writing on the bills that she has to pay, she states that it's her turn to pay the taxes and house bills and that every time that it's time do to the responsibilities of the place, they take turns so that one doesn't do it all; adding the fact that last week it was Ryan's turn to pay the bills. She then proceeds with staying that they try as much as possible to not overuse electricity in the house, as well as to save money, then, flashbacks of things that occurred previously are shown, they normally make lists of what they need and what they don't, however, she later states that they can go crazy over things and that their bills can get as high as nearly a million dollars. Afterwards, she states that with the money that they earn, they distribute the salaries, and that they do a variety of things with what's left, they typically go to trips, or make donations to charity with that money, and other stuff. Christie states that she doesn't really mind, but considering that lately she's had a number of problems, she's unsure on whether she can pay all those aforementioned things by the day after. The others main characters then enter the Room with Ryan handing out another bill, this time being the water bill, Christie complains that she didn't overuse the water, Kevin then apologizes for accidentally spilling the water, Christie accepts his apology but claims that because of that he will be the one to wash the car. She then explains that when the 4 employees were hired, she suggested getting a car for the group, as having to many could cause problems, a flashback of the 4 bosses discussing the topics is shown, later she states that it was her suggestion buying a Black Ford and a flashback is shown, with the 8 of them heading to buy the car, only to find out that the one they were looking for was not there, and that they had to far east to get it, also, when whey there heading home, the car run out of fuel, because Ryan had forgotten to pump the gas, Christie completes the comment saying that they stayed at a motel and that they were able to get home, she then returns to talking about the topics she'd been talking about, and that she will be able to find a solution. Kevin asks Jessie how well she was with her project, she responds that she's been going well adding the fact that they were all distributed good tutors, some of which were new, Ryan adds that the tutor was gold, but had an intolerable way of talking, Charlie and Jo comment on the fact that they've had tutors that have unbelievable manners, with Luke then proceeding to say that he doesn't really have anything to say about his tutors, Ryan adds that he finds that fact surprising since Luke usually points out full opinions on topics, the others then argue on the fact that Ryan sometimes gives out unnecessary comments, with Christie telling that she's leaving to eat.

After the theme song, Christie is shown at Rosso's, where she is given a sandwich to eat, she thanks the waiter and proceeds to finish the bills, the other bosses then surprise her by appearing in front of the table and approach her asking questions on how they can help her, Christie appreciates the requests for help but would like to try this alone, Luke then asks if she's trying to get away from them, with Christie answering no, saying that she just needs some time alone, Ryan state that oftentimes, when she has problems, she just want to be alone, away from her friends, Jessie adds the fact that this could lead her to eventually becoming alone, Christie calmly replies that she's able to handle herself without help, and that they'll always stay tuned on when they need, additionally point out that they're really good friends, the others agree with her on that comment, Christie then leaves to continue her work and eat her food and the others then go somewhere else.

At the house Kevin is writing some notes on a notebook thinking of some ideas to motivate Christie, so that she doesn't go into a deep depression, Charlie asks if he knows someone who's gone through that and Kevin responds saying that a number of his family members have, and that he was one very close to going through one as well, Charlie comments that none of the people he knows that have had depression have gone through such a deep one, claiming that the majority of the people he'd heard of recovered in just a few weeks, Kevin says that the fairly low amount of time is impressive, Charlie adds the facts that they had very effective that he doesn't want to know, with Kevin showing a face of surprise. Kim comes in and talks to them about a few ideas she came up to motivate Christie, Charlie asks if her ideas involved food, Kim responds saying that they don't, and that not everything that she has in mind when it comes to solutions involves with cooking or food. Kevin comments that he doesn't remember a single problem solved by Kim that did not involve food, flashbacks are then shown with Kim solving problems with food, Kim later says that he is right, but there will be a moment where she's solve one of his problems and that the solution won't involve food. Jo comes in excitedly saying that she got the right person to help Christie.and introduces them to Howard Mordaunt (Hal Sparks), who is a really funny person, Kim, Charlie and Kevin are left impressed, and Jo talks about how he got in touch with him, he then states some funny things and makes the others laugh. Ryan, Jessie and Luke come in saying that they couldn't help wanting to know what they were talking about, the others proceed on introducing Howard, with Luke then saying that he might have seen him somewhere before and Howard also claiming the same thing. Jo explains to them that he is the right person to help Christie get through her problems and that with the help she'll get, she'll realize how supportive they are to her. Howard makes some Jokes later and the others laugh, with Ryan suggesting that he should start a comedy act, Howard responds with saying that he already has one, and makes plenty of money from his performances, he then shows some funny tricks and leaves the others laughing.

After the first break, we are shown with Christie starting work on a report she'd been asked to deliver on the day after, she proceeds to start writing, only to then realize that what she wrote was meaningless. She then begins to feel sad and cries, but then Harold and her friends come towards her, and give her motivation, Christie realizes, after being comforted, that they really have been trying to help her with her problems, Ryan points out that they'll always support her, even when it doesn't really look like it. Christie then hugs them and continues to be grateful for what they've done, and Harold gives out some smart advice. Christie promises to analyse when she is wrong and that she'll also try to always show her support in some way, Jessie affirms that she will do what she say because she almost always does what she plans to do, Christie laughing, agrees on what Jessie says.

After the second break the group and Howard are shown at Pennie's where they wait for Christie to pay all the house bills, Howard states that  he used to be afraid of paying at one point, but got over it after watching a movie, with the others commenting on how good the movie was. Christie then approaches them and confirms that she paid all the bills, then they are shown at Gov's where they wait for her to pay the taxes, and then she approaches them like she did at Gov's. The group is shown at Lanidon University where Christie approaches them with good approval on the report that she worked on and the others happily celebrate.

During the credits the group hangs out in the living room of the house, commenting on how good the results came to be, Harold then asks before leaving on everyone's full names, after Christie states hers, Jessie notes that her initials form the word cad, and that for fun they should call her like that, the others except for Christie are shown laughing, with Christie telling the viewers that this will be a hard topic.

Starring:

Brian Ray as Luke Wilson

Mandy Morrison as Christie Daniels

John Raymond as Ryan Johnson

Alison Stevens as Jessie Gomez

Marvin Mendez as Kevin Eriksson

Rose Thompson as Jo Carlson

Brad Williams as Charlie Carrey

Ann Lee and Kim Bush

Guest star:

Hal Sparks as Howard Mordaunt

Trivia:

• This was the first episode of the show that focuses mainly on a female character, in this case, Christie.
• Mandy Morrison was not able to attend the table reading but sent a tape of her lines, which Ann Lee brought to the studio when she arrived, she had asked a friend to send it to her. Alison Stevens, Rose Thompson, Brian Ray and Brad Williams also weren't able to attend, although Brian arrived late to record the last few lines, John Raymond had recorded most of his lines. Everyone, however, went to rehearsal and filming.
• It was Rose Thompson's idea to offer Hal Sparks the role of Howard Mordaunt, she had met him a few months before the making of the episode and thought that he would be good for the role, during the table reading Marvin Mendez recorded Howard's lines, for rehearsal, Hal Sparks was able to confirm his interest, stating that he liked how the character was.
• This is one of Mandy Morrison and Rose Thompson's favourite episodes of the season, it is also one of Ann Lee and Mandy Morrison' favourite episodes of the series.
• Marvin Mendez stated that it was fun having to fill in for other people during the table reading.
• John Raymond and Brad Williams wore the same clothes during filming of the episode that they had worn during rehearsal, the others all wore different clothes.
• Joey Henderson admitted that writing a female perspective was pretty hard and rough.
• Brad Williams confirmed that during rehearsal and filming he hard difficulty keeping a hard face because of how funny the final scene was.
• Christie's full name is revealed, which is, Christine Anastasia Daniels. Her birthdate, April 8, 1975, is also revealed, the data are shown in one of Christie's documents.
• In this episode, the running gag of Christie jokingly being called cad begins.
• This was the first episode where a unviersity (Lanidon University) is shown.