Ed (TV series)

Ed is an American comedy-drama television series that aired on NBC from October 8, 2000, to February 6, 2004. The series was produced by David Letterman's Worldwide Pants Incorporated, along with Viacom Productions and NBC Studios.

The show stars Tom Cavanagh as Ed Stevens, a New York City lawyer who, after being fired from his job and discovering his wife is cheating on him, returns to his hometown of Stuckeyville, Ohio. He decides to buy a bowling alley and become a lawyer again, working out of the bowling alley's office.

The series focuses on Ed's relationships with the residents of Stuckeyville, particularly his high school crush Carol Vessey (Julie Bowen), who is now a high school English teacher. Other key characters include Ed's quirky best friend Mike Burton (Josh Randall), Mike's wife Nancy (Jana Marie Hupp), and Ed's high school nemesis Phil Stubbs (Michael Ian Black). Lauren Tom played Sparky, a waitress at the bowling alley.

Ed blended elements of romantic comedy and small-town drama. It was known for its quirky characters, feel-good storylines, and focus on community. Recurring themes included second chances, pursuing happiness, and the importance of friendship and connection. The show's humor was often understated and relied on the characters' interactions and reactions to the unusual situations they found themselves in.

The series received generally positive reviews and earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy in 2001. While not a massive ratings success, Ed maintained a loyal following throughout its four seasons. The show was cancelled in 2004 due to declining ratings and increasing production costs.