Sean is a divorced gay father[3] with a successful, yet demanding, career. When his 14-year-old daughter moves in with him full-time, he is forced to juggle his work life, his pushy mom, and trying to be the best father ever. Determined not to give life a half-hearted attempt, he reads up on parenting and about keeping a vibrant family alongside a thriving career. However, sudden work pressures dampen his grand family plans and skew his work/life balance.
Megan Hilty as Liz, Sean's best friend and co-worker
Echo Kellum as Hunter, Sean's co-worker and friend
Development and production
The series first appeared as part of the NBC development slate in December 2012, with Sean Hayes attached to star.[4] On January 22, 2013, NBC placed a pilot order under the title Happiness.[5] The pilot was written by Victor Fresco and directed by James Burrows. Burrows had previously worked with Hayes on Will & Grace.
Casting announcements for the remaining series regular roles began in February 2013, with Linda Lavin cast in the role of Lorna, Sean's tough and assertive mother.[6]Echo Kellum was the next actor cast in the series, in the role of Hunter, one of Sean's co-workers, who is very passionate about his music, art, photography and poetry.[7]Thomas Lennon then joined the series in the role of Max, the new owner of the online retail company where Sean works.[8] In late-February, Samantha Isler joined the cast as Ellie, Sean's quick-witted daughter.[9] Shortly after, Lindsay Sloane boarded the series as Liz, Sean's co-worker and best friend, a former therapist.[10]Vik Sahay later signed onto the series in the recurring role of Howard, a slightly aggressive IT guy, who works alongside Sean.[11]
On May 9, 2013, NBC placed a series order, under the new title Sean Saves the World.[12] Two days after the series order, Lindsay Sloane exited the role of Liz: Megan Hilty was cast soon after.[13] On November 8, 2013, NBC ordered an additional five episodes for the first season, bringing the total to 18 episodes.[14]
With few exceptions, Sean Saves the World is taped on a closed set with a laugh track added during post-production, a point many critics have derided.[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] Beginning with Episode 12 ("The Wrath of Sean"), a live studio audience was utilized for scenes taking place in Sean's apartment and workplace.[24]
The show has received mixed reviews from critics. Glenn Garvin of the Miami Herald gave the series critical acclaim saying "Sean Saves the World is like a comedy cruise to self-discovery, with both Sean and his daughter learning of strengths and weaknesses they didn't know they had, the process punctuated with keenly funny dialogue and precision timing". David Hinckley of the New York Daily News gave the show 2 out of 5 stars.[38]
