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Arts & Entertainment

Geneva's Julie Larson Is Lead Writer for New 'Chelsea' Sitcom!

From Geneva to Hollywood, Geneva's Julie Larson is in the showbusiness bigtime with her new NBC sitcom, "Are You There, Chelsea?" which stars Laura Prepon and debuts at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Jan. 11 on NBC.

  • Editor's note: I know, this article doesn't precisely qualify as "Breakiing News," but I sent it out as a breaking news e-mail because the premiere is at 7:30 TONIGHT (Wednesday, Jan. 11) on NBC, and I wanted to make sure Geneva knew about it.

When NBC's newest sitcom debuts at 7:30 tonight (Wednesday, Jan. 11), you can bet that there will be more than a few Genevans huddled around the television—with John and Joan Larson sitting as close to the flat screen as they can get.

That's because the head writer and co-producer of NBC's new series, Are You There, Chelsea?, is their daughter, Julie, from 's class of 1979.

The star of the show is Laura Prepon of That 70's Show fame, but there's also an amazing ensemble cast that includes the person upon whose life (and books) the show is loosely based: Chelsea Handler. 

Find out what's happening in Genevawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

If you don't know Chelsea Handler, you should. She's the hilarious and irreverent host of Chelsea Lately, who had a little fun awhile back when the was a hot topic. She's also has, according to her website, "one of the most exciting careers in entertainment," which is no exaggeration.

She's the bestselling author, talk show host, comedian and actress who was recently named one of Glamour Magazine’s 2011 “Women of the Year.” She's building a "multi-platform media empire," like Oprah, only younger, sassier, sexier and more vulgar.

Find out what's happening in Genevawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Julie says she's worried the show might be too raunchy for the Geneva audience.

"It's really dirty," she told me when we talked on the phone and later met for lunch at in Geneva a few weeks ago. She was in town for the holidays with her daughter, Joan Favretto, to visit the family and get a little R&R.

But the show can't really be all that dirty. It's rated TV-14 and isn't appropriate for everyone, but it should be just fine for most anyone who watches TV. I mean, the time slot if 7:30 p.m., right?

"I understand it's racy as hell," said Joan, Julie's mom, around 4 p.m. today. "They'll probably want to kick us out of town. I told them at Blue Goose—I shop there on Thursdays, and I think I'll go there tomorrow in a hijab and sunglasses."

Mom and dad will be watching at home on Jefferson Street. Jamie, their oldest son, flew to California for the after-show party. Nate and Charlie Larson live in California, as well.

"It's going to be pretty laid back," Joan said. "We have a couple neighbors coming over—believe it or not, they don't have a TV. And I'll be calling Julie right after."

What's "Are You There" About?

Are You There, Chelsea? is what they call a midseason replacement series. It's 12 episodes, with the option for pickup. Julie has sold seven pilots, according to her bio, and produced one at CBS in 2004 called Washington Street. This will be her first to make it into series form.

"It's not based on Chelsea Handler's life," Julie said. "It's like, the characters are interpretations of the characters in her books. We take that persona, and we made her 20 years old living in East Orange, NJ, working in a place—actually like where I worked at in Chicago—it's called Jerry's Ultimate Sports Bar and Grille—you know, it has a boxing ring in it. I think you've been in there.

"You know how in your 20s you can have a crazy, fun life? It's about people who are living in the moment in their 20s, and (about being) a really loyal friend.

"If you read (Handler's) books, she's got stories about Little People and crazy friends. We've got a Little Person in our show. That's something I'm really kind of proud of. He's a barback, he's basically just a character in the show—not a Little Person there for Little Person punchlines. I don't think that's been done.

"We've got a really filthy Asian girl—and you don't usually get that. Usually you get an Asian who plays the violin. So I'm kind of proud of that, our dirty Asian."

How Do You Feel About the Way the Show Depicts Women?

"At the center of comedy is vulnerability and flaws. That's what comedy is: flaws," she said.

"Generally, in comedy, they think a woman is a good role model if she's basically not funny. Women are in this new era, and I think it's important—like, for myself, because I did Whose Line, where I was performing with 10 men and me, I could see where you had to toe a moral line that the men didn't. In different places across the country, it was different, but the expectations for women weren't the same as they were for men. And I think this show tests that."

What Did You Take From Geneva That You Could Apply to the Show and Your Career?

"I feel like Geneva High School was really good in that it accepted different kinds of people. I wasn't a particularly good student. But I didn't feel like I was going to be a loser because of that. I felt really embraced there. And of course, I loved Mr. (Stu) Mansfield as a teacher. He really was, like: 'You probably won't bloom until your mid-30s. Really, seriously, Julie: Don't worry, but you will. You will.'

"And that's kind of what happened."

Joan's (the Daughter's) Review of the Show?

"I think it's fantastic," she said. "I think it's important for women to have an opportunity to be funny in the same way men can be funny."

Joan's (the Mom's) Closing Statement

"I'm just so proud of her," she said. "I'm telling you, someone should hit me in the head with a gong and put me out of my euphoria."

 

Tonight's Show Synopsis

PILOT (TV-14)

INSPIRED BY CHELSEA HANDLER’S BEST-SELLING BOOKS, “ARE YOU THERE, CHELSEA?” PREMIERES STARRING LAURA PREPON AS “CHELSEA” AND CHELSEA HANDLER AS HER SISTER “SLOANE” — When Chelsea (Laura Prepon, That 70’s Show) gets a D.U.I., she realizes she needs to make some big changes in her life, including moving closer to where she works—Jerry’s Ultimate Sports Bar. She and her best pal Olivia (Ali Wong, Breaking In), discover an apartment in the same building as their colleague Rick (Jake McDorman)—just blocks from the bar—and move in immediately with the quirky and good-natured Dee Dee (Lauren Lapkus, The Middle). Meanwhile, Sloane (Chelsea Handler, Chelsea Lately), whose military husband is currently stationed overseas, is due to give birth any day and is not convinced she can count on the freewheeling Chelsea to be there for her at the delivery. Lenny Clarke and Mark Povinelli also star.

 

Julie Larson's Official Media Bio

Julie Larson started as a performer with The Groundlings, Second City and eventually toured as an improviser with Drew Carey, Ryan Stiles, and the cast of Whose Line is it Anyway?

Her writing credits include three years on Dharma and Greg, three years on Drew Carey and several others. She has sold seven pilots and produced one at CBS in 2004 called Washington Street.

She was born and raised in Geneva, IL.

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