Teen Angel is an American fantasy sitcom that aired as part of ABC's TGIF Friday night lineup from September 26, 1997, to February 13, 1998. It stars Corbin Allred as a high school student whose recently deceased best friend, played by Mike Damus, returns to earth as his guardian angel. The series was written and produced by Al Jean and Mike Reiss, who are mostly known for their work on The Simpsons.
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Synopsis
Teen Angel follows a high school boy, Steve Beauchamp (Corbin Allred), and his recently deceased best friend, Marty DePolo (Mike Damus), who dies from a foodborne illness after eating a six-month-old hamburger from under Steve's bed on a dare and is then sent back to Earth as Steve's guardian angel by Rod (Ron Glass), who identifies himself as God's cousin and acts as Marty's guide. Rod is portrayed as a large disembodied head, and is mistaken for God himself numerous times in the series.
Marty, as a supernatural being, frequently breaks the fourth wall. For instance, prior to the opening credits of the episode "Grumpy Young Men", Marty explains the absence of Steve's mother and the return of his father to the viewers.
Recast, reception and cancellation
In the show's original pilot, Jordan Brower played the role of Steve. Corbin Allred was ultimately given the part, and Brower was reduced to portraying cool classmate Jordan Lubell, but retained star billing. Although his part was drastically scaled back, Brower was frequently featured in the show's advertising, and ABC even released numerous promotional stills from the original pilot episode, which featured Jordan Brower as Steve.
The series was created and placed in the TGIF lineup by ABC in an attempt to capitalize on the success of another ABC supernatural series, Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Along with Sabrina and the also-new You Wish, Teen Angel was one of three supernatural-themed sitcoms on the TGIF block that season.
At the time of the series airing, TGIF had already begun to decline (as a result of direct competition against the CBS Block Party during that season and the new Disney ownership). You Wish was canceled after only 13 episodes, and while Teen Angel lasted more or less a full season, it was also canceled after 17 episodes.
Cast
Mike Damus as Marty DePolo
Jordan Brower as Jorden Lubell
Corbin Allred as Steve Beauchamp
Conchata Ferrell as Aunt Pam
Katie Volding as Katie Beauchamp
Maureen McCormick as Judy Beauchamp (episodes 1–11)
Ron Glass as Rod, God's Cousin
Tommy Hinkley as Casey Beauchamp (episodes 12–17)
Jerry Van Dyke as Grandpa Jerry Beauchamp (episodes 12–17)