Are You There, Chelsea?

Watch Are You There, Chelsea?

  • 2012
  • 1 Season
  • 5.0  (4,410)

Are You There, Chelsea? is an American sitcom television series that premiered on NBC on January 11, 2012. The show follows the life of Chelsea Newman, a 20-something bartender who lives in New Jersey and has a reputation for partying hard, drinking a lot and sleeping around. The show's creator, Chelsea Handler, loosely based the main character on her own experiences before she became a successful comedian and talk show host.

Chelsea Newman is portrayed by the wonderful Laura Prepon of "That '70s Show" fame. Jake McDorman, Lauren Lapkus, Lenny Clarke, Ali Wong, Mark Povinelli and Natasha Leggero round out the ensemble cast in a show that tackles topics such as alcoholism, drug use, relationships, and identity. The show derived its name from the book titled “Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea” by Handler.

As previously mentioned, Chelsea Newman is a young bartender who lives with her best friend, Olivia (played by Ali Wong), and begrudgingly attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, often making fun of herself and the people in the group for the lack of self-awareness. Although she doesn’t take her own substance abuse problems seriously, she often lends her ear and wit to others who need someone to listen in the group, including her newly sober sister Sloane (played by Stefanie Black).

Chelsea works at a sports bar as a bartender, and is friends with several of her co-workers including Rick (played by Jake McDorman) and Todd (played by Mark Povinelli), who are always around to drink with her and get into usual bar banter. Chelsea's father, Melvin (played by Lenny Clarke), is a tough, no-nonsense Irish guy who is a constant presence in her life, often filling the role of a father figure, friend and confidant.

Lauren Lapkus plays Dee Dee, Chelsea’s new roommate who is desperate to be her best friend, while Natasha Leggero plays her “fancy” uptight boss who constantly irritates Chelsea with her high expectations and unrealistic demands at work.

The show is known for its raunchy humor and situational comedy. While it is a far cry from the family-friendly shows that dominated network television at that time, it is no less entertaining. If anything, it's a refreshing change of pace from the usual formulaic sitcoms.

Despite the sharp humor and excellent performances by the cast, the show failed to garner a strong audience and was cancelled after one season, with only 12 episodes being aired. There are a few reasons why it failed – some critics thought the show was trying to be edgy and controversial just for the sake of it, while others felt that the writing was weak and that the characters were not fully developed.

Nevertheless, Are You There, Chelsea? is still worth a watch for fans of the cast and fans of Handler’s work. It's a show that finds humor in mistakes and imperfections and manages to do so in a way that is both lighthearted and dark at the same time. The performances are solid, and the writing is clever enough to keep you engaged throughout the short-lived series.

Overall, if you're looking for a fresh comedic take on life's ups and downs, and enjoy a bit of edginess in your humor, then Are You There, Chelsea? might just be the show for you.

Are You There, Chelsea?
Filter by Source
No sources available
Do you have Hulu?
What are you waiting for?
Nice! Browse Hulu with Yidio.
Ad Info - This show may not be available on Hulu
Seasons
Surprise
12. Surprise
March 28, 2012
Chelsea wants to host a surprise party for Sloane, but the girls end up getting sloppy.
Boots
11. Boots
March 21, 2012
Chelsea sees a pair of expensive boots in a store window and she has to have them, but isn't quite sure how she will pay for them.
The Foodie
10. The Foodie
March 14, 2012
When Sloane treats everyone to a fancy French restaurant to express her gratitude for their support during her pregnancy, Chelsea meets the gorgeous and talented chef Robert, who begins courting her with sumptuous meals.
Fired
9. Fired
March 7, 2012
At the sports bar, Rick talks Jerry into letting him be manager. Everyone is supportive but then things start to go down hill. Nikki and Dee Dee start a cleanse to get rid of negativity. Nikki, the one who suggested the cleanse, eats in secret, while Dee Dee sticks to the cleanse and is basically starving.
Those Damn Yankees
8. Those Damn Yankees
February 29, 2012
Chelsea's new love interest, Tommy Martinez, is a minor league baseball player who ends up being traded and called up to the dreaded Yankees. As part of a die-hard Red Sox family, Chelsea must face her father's wrath and her own misgivings.
Dee Dee's Pillow
7. Dee Dee's Pillow
February 22, 2012
When Dee Dee reveals she has a pillow named "Mario Lopez", Chelsea can't keep it a secret. Feeling badly for betraying her confidence, Chelsea attempts to make it up to Dee Dee by arranging a meeting with the real Mario Lopez.
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Crying
6. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Crying
February 15, 2012
Chelsea discovers her customer, Tim, is a marketing executive so she starts dating him to get Olivia an interview at his firm.
The Gynecologist
5. The Gynecologist
February 8, 2012
Chelsea goes on a deep sea fishing trip with her doctor.
Strays
4. Strays
February 1, 2012
When Nikki's fiance starts getting cold feet, Chelsea, Olivia, and Dee Dee hatch a plan to beautify her for him. When things go south, Chelsea realizes she's going to be stuck with Nikki longer than she anticipated. Later, Chelsea adopts another stray.
Believe
3. Believe
January 25, 2012
Chelsea is attracted to a band's lead singer but soon discovers his virginal ways and thinks he would be perfect for Dee Dee.
Sloane's Ex
2. Sloane's Ex
January 18, 2012
Sloane's old high school boyfriend appears at the bar and Chelsea can't help wishing she could go out with him.
Pilot
1. Pilot
January 11, 2012
In the series premiere, meet Chelsea, a bartender who gets a D.U.I. She decides to make major changes in her life, including moving closer to where she works. Meanwhile, Sloane, whose military husband is currently stationed overseas, is due to give birth any day and is not convinced she can count on the freewheeling Chelsea to be there for her at the delivery.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    January 11, 2012
  • IMDB Rating
    5.0  (4,410)
Watch all of
Do you have Hulu?
Ad Info - This show may not be available on Hulu
No thanks, I'm not interested in Hulu