FORGOTTEN TV: M.Y.O.B. (2000)

In 1998, writer / director Don Roos made a very funny film called THE OPPOSITE OF SEX. The film starred Christina Ricci as a snarky teenager, telling her story quite often in voiceover. The film was acclaimed by critics.

That film was essentially reworked by Roos into a very short lived sitcom called M.Y.O.B. It aired on NBC in June of 2000.

Katherine Towne took over what was essentially the Ricci role as Riley, a runaway searching for her mother. She goes to stay with her aunt Opal, who works at a high school. Opal was played by Lauren Graham.

The show was very funny, with Towne, whose character also provides a very snarky commentary on each episode, giving a star making performance. Critics loved the show. Sadly, not enough people were watching and it aired for only four episodes.

I first heard of the cancellation of the show when I read that Graham had signed on to a new show on the WB. It would be a little show called THE GILMORE GIRLS. As much as I would go on to love GILMORE, which made me a Lauren Graham fan for life, I was more disappointed that there wasn’t going to be more of M.Y.O.B.

As for Towne (who is the daughter of CHINATOWN screenwriter Robert Towne and granddaughter of STELLA DALLAS star Anne Shirley) she is one of those actresses I keep waiting to have a break through role. She is still out there but hasn’t been in anything as good as M.Y.O.B. since.

Someone posted episode four on Youtube



Part 1



Part 2



Part 3