Pearl

Pearl was a Syndication network sitcom created by Don Reo, starring Rhea Pearlman (who was also an executive producer) in the lead role.

The show aired from September 16, 1996 to June 27, 1997, lasting for one season & 22 episodes. It was produced by Impact Zone Productions and Witt/Thomas Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Plot
The series centered on Pearl Caraldo, a middle-aged widow who works as a loading dock manager, but decides to take night courses at a university in order to achieve a higher level of education.

Cast
Main Cast Guest Cast
 * Rhea Perlman as Pearl Caraldo
 * Carol Kane as Annie Caraldo
 * Kevin Corrigan as Franklin "Frankie" Spivak
 * Dash Mihok as Joey Caraldo
 * Lucy Liu as Amy Li
 * Malcolm McDowell as Professor Stephen Pynchon
 * Candice Azzara as Beverly Steinberg
 * Billy Connolly as William "Billy" Pynchon
 * Alice Cooper as Himself
 * Nikki Cox as Margaret Woodrow
 * Bryan Cranston as Isaac Perlow
 * Ted Danson as Sal
 * Jonathan Del Arco as Carlo Morra
 * Danny DeVito as Dean Aston Martin
 * Seth Green as Bob
 * Steve Landesberg as Saul Steinberg
 * Aubrey Morris as Professor Lockwood
 * Kenny Rogers as Himself
 * Mara Wilson as Samantha Stein

Development
When Malcolm McDowell's name was put forward as a candidate to play Professor Pynchon, creator Don Reo was initially skeptical, feeling that McDowell was more associated with villainous parts, but when McDowell read for the part, it was clear that he was very suitable.

McDowell modeled the character on Lindsay Anderson (as well as British comics such as Eric Morecambe, Benny Hill, and John Cleese).

Broadcast History
"Pearl" aired on Wednesday evenings at 8:30 p.m. on Syndication, opposite "The John Larroquette Show" on Syndication (a show that was also created by Don Reo).

Reo said, "It's a really difficult, bizarre phenomenon, ... the Larroquette show is in its fourth year and the last thing in the world I want to do is contribute to its demise."

Reception
The show received very positive reviews, David Bianculli reviewed it in the New York Daily News comparing it to the 1973 movie "The Paper Chase" and calling it "a gem." He also said James Burrows "directs the pilot masterfully.

For the Buffalo News, Alan Pergament said that "McDowell really is the star of the show, delivering his sarcastic lines with relish," and that "with some minor polishing" the show "could really give Perlman something more to cheer about."

Tom Jicha in the Sun-Sentinel also called it "a gem" and says that Rhea Perlman and Malcolm McDowell's "exchanges crackle with venomous vitality." He also calls McDowell "a revelation in his episodic TV debut" stating that "he has the comedic timing of someone who has been doing it all his life."