A working-class couple in Chicago tries to instill good values in their three kids, Brian (Taylor Ball), Lauren (Renee Olstead), and Tina (Soleil Borda), but their own past experiences often conflict with the lessons they teach their children. Judy Miller (Jami Gertz) is the attractive wife, who was wooed by Bill (Mark Addy). Judy's sister Linda (Jennifer Irwin) continuously butts heads with Bill.
Cast and characters
Main
William "Bill" Miller (Mark Addy): The patriarch of the Miller family. He was a former high school football standout, but is now often perceived as overweight and lazy.
Judith "Judy" Miller (née Michaels) (Jami Gertz): The matriarch of the Miller family.
Brian Hops Miller (Taylor Ball): Eldest and only son of the Miller family. Brian is a gifted but relatively unpopular high-school student; widely regarded as a geek.
Lauren Barley Miller (Renee Olstead): The older daughter of the Miller family. Lauren is one of the beautiful, popular girls at school.
Tina Kathleen Miller (Soleil Borda): The youngest child of the Miller family. She is very eccentric and does not fit the mold of a "typical" little girl.
Linda Michaels (Jennifer Irwin): Judy's younger sister. Linda spends much of her time hanging around the Miller house, much to Bill's dismay. In early episodes she is single and portrayed as a "crazy cat lady" until her cat Nathaniel Pawthorne dies in season 3 and she meets her later husband, Perry.
Daniel "Fitz" Fitzsimmons (Joel Murray): Bill's best friend, who works with Bill as a salesman.
Guest and recurring
Perry (James Patrick Stuart): Linda's husband, a musician who performs in Reno. He speaks with a British accent, but it is revealed later that he adopted it because he liked the way it sounded and is not actually British.
Marion Fitzsimmons (Kerri Kenney): Fitz's wife. She is considered controlling by Fitz, and is very much portrayed as not being on the same page, humor-wise, with Fitz, Bill and Judy – one of the factors behind her and Judy not always getting along.
Gene Michaels (Steven Gilborn): Judy and Linda's father. He is an avid collector of model trains.
Helen Michaels (Janet Carroll, seasons 1 and 2; Swoosie Kurtz, seasons 3 and 4): Judy and Linda's mother.
Hakim (Daniel Murillo): Hakim is Brian's good friend, who also attends Jefferson High School
Al Miller (Paul Sorvino): Bill's father, a retired steelworker. When Bill was younger, Al left Bill and his mother, Louise, with little or no money, creating the main dynamic between Bill and Al.
Louise Miller (Sally Struthers): Bill's manipulative mother, who moved to Chicago after her divorce. She manipulates those around her by guilt-tripping them, and her controlling nature with Bill sets her constantly at odds with Judy.
Johnny (Clyde Kusatsu): Louise Miller's new love interest and eventual husband. He is Japanese.
Chris (Sean Marquette/Jared Hillman): Lauren's love interest in several episodes; Shelly and Terry's son.
Kyle Polsky (Todd Stashwick): Bill's neighbor, who has a large collection of toys.
Carl (David Koechner): Bill's best friend during seasons 1 and 2. Works with Bill at the department store.
Maxwell "Mack" McDaniel (John Marshall Jones): Bill and Fitz's friend during seasons 2 and 3 (6 episodes). Mack works with Bill and Fitz at the department store.
Jeff Hackman (Chris Elliott): Also works with Bill. Sometimes called Jeff Hackman "Never-Pay-Ya-Backman".
Each of the episode titles begins with the word "Still", with the exception of the pilot.
Syndication
Reruns of Still Standing aired on Lifetime from 2006 until 2009,[1] and ABC Family from 2010 until 2014.[2]
Reception
Critical reception
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A 2002 Entertainment Weekly review gave Still Standing a "D" grade.[3] Michael Speier of Variety gave the series a negative review, commenting "yet another sitcom about dumb men and the women who love them, CBS' "Still Standing" gains little mileage out of a collection of punchlines that have turned up on every other half-hour since the dawn of time."[4] In a more favorable review from new website SFGate, Tim Goodman said ""Still Standing" is a funny show. It's funny the way "King of Queens" is funny. It's "Becker" funny. Meaning, if you fit into a certain demographic and like your comedy a certain way—bingo—it's a smash hit for you."[5] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 44% of 9 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 3.1/10.[6]
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