Bored to Death

Network: HBO
Episodes: 24 (half-hour)
Seasons: Three

TV show dates: September 24, 2009 – November 28, 2011
Series status: Cancelled

Performers include: Jason Schwartzman, Ted Danson, Zach Galifianakis, Olivia Thirlby, and Heather Burns.

TV show description:
This comedy focuses on a Brooklyn writer, Jonathan Ames (Jason Schwarzman), who is working on his second novel and does occasional pieces for Edition magazine. Because of a need to be heroic and adventurous, he’s begun to lead a double life as an unlicensed private detective to live out his fantasies. His other interests include playing Internet backgammon, drinking white wine, and smoking marijuana.

Jonathan’s girlfriend, Suzanne (Olivia Thirlby), leaves him because of his penchant for procrastination and his carousing ways so he seeks solace from his best friend Ray and his magazine editor boss George.

As Jonathan’s sometimes boss and mentor, George Christopher (Ted Danson) has been a man about town for years. Having been through three marriages and countless lovers, he’s probably not the best person for Jonathan to look up to. He’s become hardened to life, yet was also the subject of a Chuck Close portrait. His time spent with young Jonathan is a way for him to reconnect with his youth and avoid boredom, as Jonathan hooks him up with marijuana.

As a balance, Jonathan has best friend Ray Heston (Zach Galifianakis) on his side. He’s cantankerous and stubborn, and challenges Jonathan on his bad decisions. Ray has a girlfriend, Leah (Heather Burns), but the relationship is often strained because he can’t stop thinking about sex while she has two young daughters to think about.