A deadly 1950s sitcom
Murder is on the Air
“The Lizzie Show,” a sitcom starring Lizzie Bell, was the number one rated program on the airwaves in 1957. The show aired live in front of an enthusiastic studio audience. On this particular night, a murder took place while Lizzie was in the process of creating the comedy that had made her famous.
About the Script
Setting: TV Studio at WHAK-TV in 1957
- Cast of 8 actors: 5 men and 3 women
- Number of Acts: 3
- Time including interaction: approx. 90 min.
The Plot
It is 1957. Poodle skirts and Elvis are all the rage and Dwight Eisenhower has just started his second term as President of the United States. TV is replacing radio as the entertainment medium of choice, and the top-rated show on the air is The Lizzie Show, a weekly sitcom starring Lizzie Bell, and co-starring Macie Dixon. The show puts Lizzie and Macie in awkward situations resulting in predictable, but amusing outcomes.
This is Lizzie's second hit sitcom. She and ex-husband, musician Dizzy Gomez, were once the darlings of the airwaves when they starred in I Love Lizzie. But, they split last year after rumors of Dizzy's roving eye were reported in the tabloids. The object of Dizzy's fickle affections remained up for speculation until today's edition of the esteemed trade paper, Veracity, revealed the entire story.
The show's antics are fast-paced and ridiculous, with Lizzie personally handling the commercials for the show's continuing sponsor, Vegitol, the tonic that boosts fatigued corpuscles. Each week, a guest star appears on the show - it's usually someone with a book or a new movie to promote. This week, volatile Mexican heartthrob Ricardo Montelato will join Lizzie and Macie in an episode entitled "All's Fair in Love and Yahtzee."
Tempers are ready to erupt as the cast prepares for the live broadcast at network flagship station, WHAK. Who would guess that murder is in the script? Before the show comes to an unceremonious end, someone will die, the victim of the behind-the-scenes intrigues that some say are just a normal part of show biz.
The Cast
- CASTING NOTE: Since Norman Sneer and Zack LaPaine never appear on the stage at the same time, they can be played by the same actor.
LIZZIE BELL – Comedienne and Sitcom Star
She and her ex-husband Dizzy Gomez, a Mexican musician, used to have a hit TV show, I Love Lizzie, but they have since split and gone their separate ways. Lizzie has a loyal following of fans and the TV show is #1 in the ratings.
MACIE DIXON – Comedienne and Sitcom Co-Star
She was a bit player in I Love Lizzie until Dizzy insisted that she have a bigger role, and her career took off. Macie pretends to be ditsy, but is really very conniving, and doesn’t really care for Lizzie even though she fawns over her when the two of them are together.
NORMAN SNEER– Network Owner
He purchased the network and runs the flagship station with a tight fist. He’s known for his hysterical tantrums when things don’t go right, and constantly verbally abuses his employees. He loves power and hates it when anyone talks back to him. He always has a huge cigar in his mouth.
FRED FINKELMEYER – Floor Director
He’s been at the network since it was founded. On the surface, he’s a “yes” man, but inside he’s a boiling caldron of resentment. He was on the crew of I Love Lizzie , and his lips are sealed as to what took place behind the scenes.
RICARDO MONTELANTO – Guest Star
He’s a movie actor and heartthrob who makes women swoon and men furious. He only agreed to appear on the show so that he could promote his new movie, One Angry Man, which premieres in theaters tomorrow. He’s good at swashbuckling, but horrible at comedy.
SAMANTHA STARR – Starlet
She’s a budding B-movie actress who's been pestering Sneer to give her a network show, but he’s procrastinated. Now, she wants him to fire Lizzie and make her the star of the sitcom. She won’t take “no” for an answer, and has an up close and personal way of getting what she wants.
ZACK LAPAINE – Health Guru and Sponsor
His product, “Vegitol, the tonic that boosts fatigued corpuscles,” sponsors The Lizzie Show. He is a health nut and exercise aficionado. He loves the ratings that the show receives, but hates the fact that Sneer is grossly out of shape.
DETECTIVE JACK THURSDAY
He is an experienced cop who takes charge of the investigation and won't leave until the case is solved. He's not worried about protecting the innocent.
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