Web series are still in their infancy—and a web series created by a well-known (and personal favorite) television writer like Jane Espenson (Once Upon a Time, Torchwood: Miracle Day, Buffy) would be a rare treat, indeed. So, needless to say, I was excited to discover Husbands, an 11-episode comedy about the foibles of marriage.
Clocking in at two minutes per episode, Husbands is directed by Emmy Award winning producer/writer Jeff Greenstein (Dream On, Friends, Will & Grace, Parenthood, Desperate Housewives). It stars the multitalented Cheeks (also known as Brad Bell), who created the series with Espenson (his moniker was bestowed by Paris Hilton!), as well as Sean Hemeon (True Blood) and Alessandra Torresani (Caprica).
Husbands begins as boyfriends Cheeks and Brady awaken after a drunken night in a Las Vegas hotel. So what else is new? It is Las Vegas, after all! The pair are shocked to learn that they’ve gotten married. Oops!
Although they’ve been dating each other, the very much out of the closet actor Cheeks and the just-barely-out-of-the-close star athlete Brady aren’t quite sure at first just what to do. And then of course, there’s Haley (Toresani), Cheeks’ best friend. But they decide to make a go of it, encountering all the comic twists and turns to a newlywed marriage with a twist of its own. Called by the creators, a “marriage equality comedy,” the series finale airs tomorrow morning around 10 a.m.
I had the pleasure of catching up with series co-creators Espenson and Cheeks via phone while they were promoting the series at Comic Con New York.
Tell me about Husbands. It’s been a really short time from concept to execution. I think it must be a record for television comedy.
Jane Espenson: Yeah. I think making [the series] for the web gave us that ability, but we were actually talking originally to get this series done by May. And then it turned into this, like, huge, much bigger thing that we had even thought it was.
Cheeks: Yeah. It got bigger in what was going on and we realized it was going to take actually, I think I originally wanted it to get out by, like, July or August.
JE: Maybe that’s what it was.
C: Yeah. We realized that we were going to really take the time to get it bigger and better than we initially planned. And we did, and I’m really glad we did because, yeah. It’s still a relatively short amount of time, and that really allowed for momentum to build, and for buzz, and it’s really taken off.
Article comments
1 - xof1013
What do I think of the series? Instant LOVE!!! I synced in with the humor, the story, the couple, all of it - faster than even I expected. I have recommended it six ways from Sunday to everyone I know, and will again. :)
Thank you Barbara for the interview. I loved reading it. And I look forward to seeing the video follow-up soon!
2 - Barbara Barnett
I love the series. It's great. Thanks for stopping by!
3 - needacoke
A great interview. You asked some great questions. Thanks so much!
"It’s really resonating for the demographics from 13-year-olds all the way to 54-year-olds"
Cheeks: what about us 65 year olds! :D
4 - Quinn_Art
Thqnks for the interview, I love this series!
5 - Nina
I ADORE this series. It's my "Go To" link for instant happiness. Wonderfully written, and the cast has impeccable comic timing. Just wish each episode was longer.
6 - ziam
LOVED LOVED LOVED it! I haven't laughed so much at scripted comedies in years. It is quick witted and rapid fire, like 'mad-cap' 'screw-ball' comedies of the 1930s, but updated for the 21st century. And that is the best part - the way it assumes a reality as part of the premise (a reality in fact we have shared in this Canadian Province for 10 years), that is just so refreshing and new and relevant - I don't see how American TV Networks with any creativity wouldn't want to pick it up. But then again, I am bored with 99% or the rehashed drivel on American TV Networks, so what would I know?
7 - murly
Husbands is so funny! There are literally as many laughs (if not more) in two minutes of Husbands than in some sitcoms currently on TV. And it's a smart comedy. The humor comes across as a natural expression of the characters' personalities; it doesn't seem written. I love this show and want to spend more time with these characters.
8 - karen
I'm with @needacoke on this one Cheeks....many of us baby boomers are now in our 60's and we also love Husbands! Don't limit that age range so much! ;D
9 - Sherrie Richey MD
This is a groundbreaking series; hilarious, timely, well-acted, thoughtful. Everyone should go watch it, and recommend it to others. I would love to see this on television.
10 - Sandra
This series is so much fun - it just makes me smile. Sad that the final episode is this week; I need more Brady and Cheeks!
11 - Lisa
Thank you for a great interview. This series isn't a niche comedy for people who are gay. It is a great show for anyone who enjoys good comedy, gay, straight, alien. The series is well acted and well written. There are little things going on around both with scene and in body language beyond the dialog. Check out the series. It reminds me of an update of a classic comedy you would see on TVLand. I don't see two men when I watch. I see two people in love, but not having a clue about relationships.
12 - Barbara Barnett
Lisa--I agree with that assessment. I'm looking forward to talking with Cheeks (and possibly the other cast members--and Jane) Wednesday. The video of the interview will go up on Thursday.
13 - fan
Hey babe I know you're so young you can't even imagine very old, but I'm 62 and love your show.
14 - Ghazal
Thank you so much for the interview. I've loved this show since the very first episode. It's funny and clever. The writing is fantastic, the characters are believable and the storyline is anything but cliché; all the right elements for a great webisode. :)
15 - Maya
I love Husbands, it's so funny and new.. I've never watched anything like it. And the big thing about it is that I can watch it with my mother. She's 60, learned English when she was 55, is usually skeptical about US series but likes this particular story. The episodes are short enough that she can follow and rewatch each episodes as many times as she needs to understand.