LADYDRAGON.COM - Patricia Heaton and Jeff Daniels Star in the TNT Original Film Neil Simon's THE GOODBYE GIRL

Monday January 04, 2004

Patricia Heaton and Jeff Daniels Star in the TNT Original Film Neil Simon's THE GOODBYE GIRL TNT Will Premiere Neil Simon's THE GOODBYE GIRL as a Three-Play Weekend on

Friday, Jan. 16, Saturday, Jan. 17 and Sunday, Jan.18, 2004

Two-time Emmy winner Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond) and Golden Globe nominee Jeff Daniels (The Hours) star in the Turner Network Television (TNT) Original film Neil Simon's THE GOODBYE GIRL, a contemporary turn on Academy Award®-nominated Neil Simon's classic film about a dumped-on divorcee and an aspiring actor who become unwilling roommates in a New York City apartment. Hallie Kate Eisenberg (The Insider) and Alan Cumming (X2, Titus) also star. Neil Simon's THE GOODBYE GIRL will air as a TNT Three-Play World Premiere Weekend on Friday, January 16 at 8 p.m., Saturday, January 17 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, January 18 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).

Simon wrote the screenplay and serves as executive producer, along with Ron Ziskin (Stealing Sinatra) and Dave Collins (Stealing Sinatra). Don Safran (The Night of the Iguana - 2003) is the co-executive producer and Richard Benjamin (My Favorite Year, Mermaids, Made in America) is the director. Neil Simon's THE GOODBYE GIRL is a co-production between Warner Bros. Television and TNT. Neil Simon's THE GOODBYE GIRL opens with former Broadway dancer Paula McFadden (Heaton) and her daughter, Lucy (Hallie Kate Eisenberg), returning home to discover Paula's actor boyfriend has abandoned them. What's worse, he has subleased their apartment to another actor, Elliot Garfield (Daniels).

This is shocking news to Paula, who thought the apartment had been prepaid for the next several months. Finding no other solution, Paula and Elliot decide to temporarily share the apartment, but the tension between the two remains palpable as Elliot's habits of playing the guitar at night, sleeping in the nude and meditating every morning begin to grate on Paula's nerves. As Paula desperately searches for a job, she finds only disappointment as she is told she is too old or too out of practice to return to dancing at this stage in her life. Meanwhile, Elliot rehearses for the title role in an off-off Broadway production of Richard III, being directed by a wacky revisionist (Cumming) who insists Elliot play Richard as a flamboyant gay man. Opening night proves to be a disaster with both audience and critics, and the show closes after only one performance. As Paula consoles the despondent actor, she begins developing feelings for him, and he for her. Just as sparks begin to fly between the two, Lucy worries that she and her mother will once again be left in the lurch.

That worry is compounded when a film director (Benjamin) offers Elliot a role in a movie being shot in Seattle, a role he gladly accepts. Paula immediately assumes that this is the end of yet another relationship and that she will once again be left as a "goodbye girl." But Elliot still has one more romantic trick up his sleeve to win her trust and her love.

Grammy Award-winning artists Hootie and the Blowfish have recorded a re-make of David Gates' 1977 hit single "Goodbye Girl" to accompany the film.

Turner Network Television (TNT), the destination for drama, is a Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. 24-hour advertiser-supported service. TNT, basic cable's reigning 2002 and current 2003 demo king in prime for adults 18-49 and 25-54, is cable's only network combining award-winning original films; broadcast premieres; powerful one-hour dramas, such as Law & Order, ER, NYPD Blue, The X-Files, Charmed, Judging Amy and Angel; and championship sports coverage including NASCAR, the PGA and the British Open and the NBA. Turner Network Television (TNT), the destination for drama, is a Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. 24-hour advertiser-supported service. TNT, basic cable's reigning 2002 demo king in prime for adults 18-49 and 25-54, is cable's only network combining award-winning original films; broadcast premieres; powerful one-hour dramas, such as Law & Order, ER, NYPD Blue, The X-Files and Charmed, with Judging Amy and Angel joining in 2003; and championship sports coverage including NASCAR, the PGA and the British Open and the NBA.

TOP 10 Tips for Finding an Apartment in New York City

Brought to you by TNT’s Neil Simon’s THE GOODBYE GIRL

10.) Lower your standards

9.) Sleep with a Broker

8.) Spam everyone you know with email pleas: friends, colleagues, relatives, one night stands, that guy at the deli, etc.

7.) Stake out construction sites. Call the landlord before they’ve even built the building.

6.) Email alumni from college, high school, elementary school, preschool & the maternity ward.

5.) Hang out at local U-Haul stores to see who's moving out

4.) Read the obituaries

3.) Find someone who is about to move in with their sex mate and take over their lease. This way, you won't have a Broker’s fee.

2.) Make a Bulletin Board post on Friendster:

“I’m looking for a mate… ANY mate: soul mate, roommate, Coffee-mate – whatever is cheapest and will DO THE GOSHDARN DISHES!”

1.) Gather up all the lost souls who post in Craig’s List “Missed Connections” list and start your own commune.

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Watch Neil Simon’s THE GOODBYE GIRL on TNT

Starring Patricia Heaton and Jeff Daniels

World Premiere Weekend. One Movie. Three Chances to Watch.

Friday, January 16^th@ 8pm

Saturday, January 17^th@ 8pm

Sunday, January 18^th @ 8pm