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Cybil is an American sitcom television series created by Chuck Lorre, starring Cybill Sheppard in her lead role.

It was produced by Jay Daniel Productions (1995–1996), Chuck Lorre Productions (1995), River Siren Productions, Carsey-Werner Production and Paramount Television, also distributed by Carsey-Werner Distribution.

The series was aired on January 2, 1995 and concluded on July 13, 1998, lasting four season and 87 episodes.

Plot[]

Set in Los Angeles, California, the series centers on Cybill Sheridan, a struggling, middle-aged actress trying to make a career in Hollywood, all while surrounded by her hard-drinking best friend Maryann, her two ex-husbands, Ira & Jeff, and her two daughters, Rachel & Zoey.

Cast[]

  • Cybill Shepard as Cybill Sheridan
  • Christine Baranski as Maryann Thorpe
  • Alicia Witt as Zoey Woodbine
  • Dedee Pfeiffer as Rachel Robbins Manning
  • Tom Wopat as Jeff Robbins
  • Alan Rosenberg as Ira Woodbine

Reception[]

"Cybill" got respectable (but never spectacular) ratings throughout most of its run, but it was abruptly canceled by CBS at the end of the 1997-98 season after a noticeable decline in ratings.

The show was actually pulled from the CBS schedule after the April 8, 1998 episode had aired; the remaining new episodes that had already been produced were aired over the summer.

Shepherd much later alleged that the cancellation occurred because the network was uncomfortable with Cybill's feminist leanings and frank depiction of female sexuality.

The show's cancellation was not expected by the show's staff, as the series ends with a cliffhanger and the words "To Be Continued..." on the screen.

At the time of its cancellation, the ratings for "Cybill" were higher than "Nash Bridges" and "Chicago Hope."

Accolades[]

"Cybill was nominated for twelve Emmy Awards throughout its entire run, winning three of them.

Nominated for her performance in each season, Christine Baranski was the only cast member to win an Emmy. She also received an American Comedy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Viewers for Quality Television Award for her portrayal while Cybill Shepherd was won the 1996 Golden Globe Award for "Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy."

During that same year, the sitcom also won the Golden Globe Award for "Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy", making its only win for both the crew and the cast.

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