Jesse was a short lived sitcom on NBC's Thursday Night "Must See TV" that starred Christina Applegate (who also co-produced the series) shortly after MWC had ended. It ran for two seasons from 1998 to 2000.
On the show, she played Jesse Warner, a single mom from Buffalo, New York, raising her 9-year old son while working as a waitress at her father's German-themed bar. She lives with her two brothers and tries to start a new relationship with her neighbor, Diego, while also dealing with her ex-husband, Roy, trying to get back into the picture.
While the show did very well in its first season, even earning Christina Applegate a TV Guide award and People's Choice award, its ratings suffered due to major story and cast changes in the second season. Notably, in the second season, Jesse's brothers and father were removed altogether without explanation and she was now working as a full time nurse.
Even with the popular show, Friends, being its lead in (and also sharing the same executive producers), the ratings continued to plummet and it was eventually cancelled in 2000.
MWC Cast Appearances[]
During the shooting of the third episode of Season 1, "Bees Do It, Birds Do It, But Not in a Car", Ed O'Neill made a surprise appearance, much to her shock. As part of her script in the episode, she rings the doorbell. But to her surprise, he answered the door and said, "Where have you been, young lady?" Applegate responded with a shocked look, before crying and giving him a big hug.
David Faustino appeared in the 11th episode of the first season, "The Best Possible Deal", as Dwyane, a car dealer who helps Jesse and Diego.
Amanda Bearse directed two episodes during season 1, "The Mischievous Elf" and "Cecil, The Angry Postman"
Chip Esten, who played Lonnie Tot in the series finale of MWC, appeared in the 13th episode of the first season "My Casual Friend's Wedding", as Tad, the soon-to-be groom of Jesse's friend, April. Like Lonnie, he is a cheater and attempts to make out with Jesse when she tries to calm him down before April catches them in the coat room and then blames Jesse as the instigator.
Lane Davies, who played Kelly Bundy's much older boyfriend, Alderman Harry Ashland in Season 5's "The Godfather", played Mr. Bergen, the owner of the art gallery that Diego and Jesse visit in the 6th episode of season one "The Methadone Clinic".
Phil Buckman, who played Joe, the gas jockey in Season 6's "The Gas Station Show", played Frank Carbone, a mechanic who goes out on a date with Jesse's friend Linda in the 7th episode of season one, "The Kiss".
James Paradise who played Slick Stick Jackson, the pool hustler who plays against Kelly in Season 6's "Cheese, Cues and Blood" played the man at the piano bar who argues with Jesse, her co-worker and her boyfriend after demanding to hear some show tunes in the 17th episode of season two, "The Dump".