A
working-class couple in
Chicago tries to instill good values in their three kids, Brian (
Taylor Ball), Lauren (
Renee Olstead), and Tina (Soleil Borda), but their own past experiences often conflict with the lessons they teach their children. Judy Miller (
Jami Gertz) is the attractive wife, who was wooed by Bill (
Mark Addy). Judy's sister Linda (
Jennifer Irwin) continuously butts heads with Bill.
Cast and characters
Main
William "Bill" Miller (
Mark Addy): The patriarch of the Miller family. He was a former high school football standout, but is now often perceived as overweight and lazy.
Judith "Judy" Miller (née Michaels) (
Jami Gertz): The matriarch of the Miller family.
Brian Hops Miller (
Taylor Ball): Eldest and only son of the Miller family. Brian is a gifted but relatively unpopular high-school student; widely regarded as a geek.
Lauren Barley Miller (
Renee Olstead): The older daughter of the Miller family. Lauren is one of the beautiful, popular girls at school.
Tina Kathleen Miller (Soleil Borda): The youngest child of the Miller family. She is very eccentric and does not fit the mold of a "typical" little girl.
Linda Michaels (
Jennifer Irwin): Judy's younger sister. Linda spends much of her time hanging around the Miller house, much to Bill's dismay. In early episodes she is single and portrayed as a "crazy cat lady" until her cat Nathaniel Pawthorne dies in season 3 and she meets her later husband, Perry.
Daniel "Fitz" Fitzsimmons (
Joel Murray): Bill's best friend, who works with Bill as a salesman.
Guest and recurring
Perry (
James Patrick Stuart): Linda's husband, a musician who performs in
Reno. He speaks with a British accent, but it is revealed later that he adopted it because he liked the way it sounded and is not actually British.
Marion Fitzsimmons (
Kerri Kenney): Fitz's wife. She is considered controlling by Fitz, and is very much portrayed as not being on the same page, humor-wise, with Fitz, Bill and Judy – one of the factors behind her and Judy not always getting along.
Gene Michaels (
Steven Gilborn): Judy and Linda's father. He is an avid collector of model trains.
Helen Michaels (
Janet Carroll, seasons 1 and 2;
Swoosie Kurtz, seasons 3 and 4): Judy and Linda's mother.
Hakim (Daniel Murillo): Hakim is Brian's good friend, who also attends Jefferson High School
Al Miller (
Paul Sorvino): Bill's father, a retired steelworker. When Bill was younger, Al left Bill and his mother, Louise, with little or no money, creating the main dynamic between Bill and Al.
Louise Miller (
Sally Struthers): Bill's manipulative mother, who moved to
Chicago after her divorce. She manipulates those around her by guilt-tripping them, and her controlling nature with Bill sets her constantly at odds with Judy.
Johnny (
Clyde Kusatsu): Louise Miller's new love interest and eventual husband. He is
Japanese.
Chris (
Sean Marquette/Jared Hillman): Lauren's love interest in several episodes; Shelly and Terry's son.
Kyle Polsky (
Todd Stashwick): Bill's neighbor, who has a large collection of toys.
Carl (
David Koechner): Bill's best friend during seasons 1 and 2. Works with Bill at the department store.
Maxwell "Mack" McDaniel (
John Marshall Jones): Bill and Fitz's friend during seasons 2 and 3 (6 episodes). Mack works with Bill and Fitz at the department store.
Jeff Hackman (
Chris Elliott): Also works with Bill. Sometimes called Jeff Hackman "Never-Pay-Ya-Backman".
Each of the episode titles begins with the word "Still", with the exception of the pilot.
Syndication
Reruns of Still Standing aired on
Lifetime from 2006 until 2009,[1] and
ABC Family from 2010 until 2014.[2]
Reception
Critical reception
This section needs expansion. You can help by
adding to it. (January 2024)
A 2002 Entertainment Weekly review gave Still Standing a "D" grade.[3] Michael Speier of Variety gave the series a negative review, commenting "yet another sitcom about dumb men and the women who love them, CBS' "Still Standing" gains little mileage out of a collection of punchlines that have turned up on every other half-hour since the dawn of time."[4] In a more favorable review from new website SFGate, Tim Goodman said ""Still Standing" is a funny show. It's funny the way "King of Queens" is funny. It's "Becker" funny. Meaning, if you fit into a certain demographic and like your comedy a certain way—bingo—it's a smash hit for you."[5] On the
review aggregator website
Rotten Tomatoes, 44% of 9 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 3.1/10.[6]