Diane Haithman contributes to Deadline’s TV coverage.
One of the first questions at today’s TCA panel on the new ABC comedy How To Live With Your Parents (For The Rest Of Your Life) was: Why is the title so long? Not exactly Twitter-friendly, according to the questioner. Is there a line between long, and too long?
“This. This is the line”, joked writer/executive producer Claudia Lonow, who appeared on the panel
with series stars Brad Garrett, Elizabeth Perkins, Sarah Chalke and executive producer Francie Calfo (executive producer Brian Grazer did not attend). Added Lonow: “I’m sorry, I like it. Do you like it”?
The questioner didn’t like it. But Lonow likes it because the show is the story of her life. Just like the lead character Polly (Chalke), Lonow moved back in with her parents after a divorce with a young daughter in tow. Her daughter is now a young woman of college age, but Lonow is still living with her parents and in fact bought a house with them when her daughter was old enough for school.
Like Polly in the first episode, Lonow said she really did show up on her parents’ doorstep with her child and say: “Is hope this isn’t a bad time for you because it’s a really bad time for me”. In hindsight, Lonow said, it was a great decision because it was a good arrangement for her daughter, but admitted that it sometimes made dating difficult: “Being a divorced woman with a child who lives with her parents is not a selling point”, she quipped.
Speaking of returning home, star Elizabeth Perkins was asked if she is going to return to Weeds: “No, they can’t afford me anymore”, she deadpanned. “No, it wasn’t really up to me anyway”.
Before turning writer-producer, Lonow was an actress with a role on Knots Landing. Because there is now a new TNT Dallas series featuring some of the former stars, she was asked if she’s up for a Knots reunion. “No, my days in front of the camera are behind me, though I have a loyal following of about 20 followers on Twitter”.


A ” mother funny daughter” this woman is!!! The parents must be wonderful people. And if you are willing to tell this story, hopefully, to millions of people use any title you want.
bettheduck
this pilot was terrific and the cast is great. the shows that are the best seem to come from people’s real lives so i have high hopes for this one.
As the said Mother of Claudia Lonow: This is all true, and Mark Lonow and I are extravangantly proud of our Brilliant daughter.
And as for Elizabeth Perkins playing me, “If there is greater
compliment, I can not think of it.”
“The Claud” – who knew the little girl (I remember from hanging out with you guys in Sheridan Square) would turn out to be so successful. Outstanding!
Ladies and Gentlemen… my mom.
Haven’t seen the show, but so nice to see Jo Anne mentioned in print. I remember some ever so silly evenings when, newly hatched from NY, I was a struggling stand up at the Improv, hanging out with and encouraged by her and Mark, and hearing them kvell about the ever so clever Claudia Lonow. Congrats!
It’s a shame Jenji Kohan didn’t invite Elizabeth Perkins back for Weeds. She was terrific in that role.
Just saw Stephanie Hunt has been added to the cast. I’ve really been wanting to see her more in shows.
It wasn’t up to her, it’s up to Lionsgate which owns the show, so it’s the studio that can’t afford her…Jenji told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview she would love to see Elizabeth back. I guess Lionsgate said no.
I’m so excited that another show by Claudia Lonow will be on tv. I did a fun role on Rude Awakenings with her, years ago. I played an Ob-Gyn Nurse.
And, this week, I auditioned for this show.
Hopefully, I’ll get to go it.
Hi Claudia! Your show looks great and very relatable! Good luck with it!