CBS, 1995-1996

When Jean Smart left Designing Women to spend time with her newborn son, she had no intention of ever doing another TV sitcom. But then her agent sent over the pilot script for High Society. "I called him on Monday and cursed him out. I said, 'Oh, why did you do this to me? You're torturing me.' I said, 'I don't think I can pass this up.' "

Jean just thought "it was the funniest thing for television" she'd ever read. "I howled," says Smart. "It had the brittleness and fast pace of screwball comedies."

Coming off a period where sitcoms had been very family oriented and touching female friendships were all over the television, High Society was a complete turnaround. Every line of dialogue was strewn with innuendo, double entendre, or insult. Nothing and no one was sacred. What's more, the brash language was enough to send network censors to their graves.

These women are dramatic, shallow, and vain. Yes, the ladies share a deep and lasting friendship (bordering on co-dependency), but they aren't Mary and Rhoda. Trashy romance novelist Ellie Walker -- played by Jean Smart -- is a socially elite, spoiled, self-centered, drugged-out, alcoholic nymphomaniac. Mary McDonnell portrayed her ever-loyal best friend, publishing mogul Dott Emerson -- the only person who understands and accepts Ellie as she is.

Originally from the "wrong side of the tracks", the pill-popping alcoholic Ellie scratched her way to the top writing trashy, yet somehow popular romance novels under the publishing house owned by Dott. Ellie lives her entire life in the fast lane and considers any attention positive. Public scenes are her specialty -- the more dramatic the better, even in the best restaurants and shops.

Then of course there is Ellie's never-satisfied libido. She has no sexual inhibitions, and no man is off limits. One object of her lust is Dott's 17 year-old son, who is forever rebuffing her with his defamatory remarks. In reality, almost any man in her presence will divert her attention and train of thought.

"It's fun to play someone who just has no checks on their behavior," Smart said. "She's like a child, like a large 6-year-old with a big bank account just sort of wreaking havoc through New York City."

Hopelessly dependent on each other for emotional support, Dott and Ellie's bond includes mutual shallowness, gossip sessions, and shopping sprees. Ellie is also a fashion statement in her own right -- always in eye-popping designing outfits. She loves big hair and hats and prides herself on her stunning appearance at all times -- assuming, of course, she isn't passed out somewhere.

Critics and audiences had mixed reactions to the brittle sniping, but rather than give the series time to find its fan base, CBS asked that the dialogue be softened to appeal to a broader audience.

Smart thinks that was a mistake. "It's important to let the audience know that we're saying, 'Come on, this is a romp, don't take it seriously.' The broader we do it, the less offensive it will be."

Ultimately, the creative team opted not to continue rather than ruin the concept. The show, Smart says in hindsight, was "probably a bit much for the network -- at least at the time."