Debra Messing Stars in The Starter Wife

"The Starter Wife" has been heavily promoted on Cable TV lately. If the comedy/drama is as smart and funny as the previews clips , it should be a lot of fun to watch.

"The Starter Wife" will start airing on cable's USA network on May 31. Debra Messing, who finished her eight year run with hit television show "Will and Grace: will be starring as the wife of a Hollywood studio head. Her husband shocks her when he call her on the telephone and tells her that he is divorcing her.

The comedy /drama also stars Judy Davis, Joe Mantegna, Miranda Otto and Anika Noni Rose. The story is based on a New York Times best seller, of the same name, by Gigi Levanagie Grazer.

According to the USA network website (subnetwork.com) The story is about the wife of a Hollywood studio head who lives the life of one of the elite of Hollywood. She has all the perks and privileges of the rich and famous that come with the status of being the "Wife of" a powerful man.

Just short of their ten year anniversary, her husband calls her and tells her he wants a divorce. This announcement is just short of the start of their prenuptial agreement. This phone call instantly transforms her from "Wife of" to a "Starter Wife", a definitely step down in status conscious Hollywood.

Since bad news travels fast in her L.A. social circle, Molly finds herself a social pariah who gets shunned by the other "Wives of" almost instantly. She soon learns that her soon-to-be ex is dating a pop tartlet half his age.

The situation seems hopeless, until a friend invites Molly to a posh beach house in Malibu. Molly decides that she has a chance for a "do-over" and decides to make the most of it. She gets some help from her friends along the way.

Debra Messing was interviewed by Sarah Schoolcraft of "Channel Guide Magazine". In the interview she said that she had planned to take several months off after the end of "Will and Grace". Her first reading of the adaptation of the best selling novel drew her in and she wanted to do the part. Debra Messing said one of her favorite lines in the book came about after Molly's husband of nearly ten years tells her he wants a divorce. The prenup kicks in after ten years, cutting her out of the prenup. Molly realizes in horror, "I've been Cruised", a reference to the divorce of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.

Mentions of Tom Cruise, O.J. Simpson and Britney Spears are peppered throughout the story of Hollywood and power. Messing was quoted in Channel guide,: I was very concerned that we weren't going to be able to capture the tone of the novel. The novel is funny, but it is also a little subversive, and shines a light on Hollywood and Beverly Hills. It had wry wit and sophistication - and undertone of mocking, almost."

Debra Messing plays Molly Kagen who is smart, beautiful, savvy and funny. when her husband unexpectedly drops the bomb that he is divorcing her, her life is turned upside down and she suddenly becomes a social outcast.

Joe Mantegna plays Lou Manahan, the boss of Molly's ex husband. He shirks Hollywood social protocol and befriends Molly. They enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship.

Kenny Kagan plays Peter Jacobson. Molly's ex-husband to be. He has ambitions to to take his boss's spot. What he doesn't realize is that she helped him get to the top, and now things are going to change.

Judy Davis plays Joan McAllister, who is Molly's oldest friend. Joan is married to an older many whom she refers to as "Pappy" Joan invites Molly to her beach house, which helps Molly to start her life over.

Miranda Otto: Plays Cricket, one of Molly's best friends. She is "Wife of" big director Jorge Stewart, who asks her to to sacrifice her friendship to Molly, as Molly is no longer a "Wife of".

Anika Noni Rose plays Lavender, a security guard in Malibu who befriends Molly.

Aden Yound plays Jorge Steward, a big time director who is friends with Molly's ex and is the husband of Miranda.

Chris Diamontopoulos plays Rodney, who is Molly's dashing loyal gay friend.

Stephen Moyer plays Sam, a mysterious loner who lives in Malibu.

"The Starter Wife" will start airing on Thursdays, starting May 31, on the USA Network. The mini-series event runs for a total of six hours.

Resources
usanetwork.com
Comcast Channel Guide Magazine