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Jesse aired from September 1998 until March 2000 on NBC.
Jesse ( Christina Applegate), was a 26 year old single mom in Buffalo, New York, juggling her job, her dreams, and the many men in her life in this romantic comedy. The men came in all shapes and ages. Little John ( Eric Lloyd), was her adorable and supportive young son, who ran up to guys who were trying to hit on his mom, hugging them and shouting " Daddy"-which was usually enough to make them flee in terror. John Sr. ( George Dzundza) was her grouchy dad, who ran Der Biergarten, the German themed restaurant and bar where Jesse worked as a waitress, dressed in a dirndl. Also hanging around were her brothers: eccentric, long-haired John Jr. ( John Lehr), who as the series began, had been mute for a year because he was looking for a better way to communicate ( not finding it, he later opened up); and Darren ( David DeLuise), an unemployed "entrepreneur" who always had a get rich quick scheme. The man who made Jesse's heart go pitter-patter, however, was Diego ( Bruno Campos), a considerate, suavely handsone Chilian artist who had moved in next door. She fought the attraction, but it was undeniable. Stories revolved around their mating dance, and Jesse's dreams of becoming a nurse.
Carrie and Linda ( Jennifer Milmore, Liza Snyder), were Jesse's friends and fellow waitresses at Der Biergarten.
In February 1999 John Sr. left for Alaska leaving the restaurant to Jesse and her brothers. As the season ended Diego faced deportation because his visa had run out, but at the last minute he accepted a possition at UCLA that allowed him to stay. Before leaving he proposed to Jesse who turned him down.
The second season brought major changes. Both brothers disappeared from the cast and Jesse enrolled in a nursing school, taking a job as a nurse's assistant at the University Medical Center to pay the bills. Her new foils were Kurt ( Darryl Theirse), the prissy and arrogant chief nurse ( " you're taking my precious time"), and Danny ( Kevin Rahm), a boyish, somewhat distracted doctor, and much of the action took place in the University's Infirmary. Diego was back from the West Coast, resuming his teaching possition in Buffalo. He proposed again,and was turned down again. In the series finale he forced deportation again, proposed again, was turned down again and married Linda instead. Afterward Jesse had second thoughts but it was too late.
Although the series ended it's regular run in March 2000, two additional episodes, including the finale were seen on May 25, 2000.
A Review from The New York Times
New TV Season in Review
By ANITA GATES
Published: September 24, 1998
'Jesse'
NBC, tonight at 8:30
(Channel 4 in New York)
Can Christina Applegate, former adolescent boys' fantasy as the trampy blond daughter in Fox's ''Married . . . With Children,'' change her image and find happiness with her own sitcom? She's surprisingly not detestable in ''Jesse,'' about a Buffalo barmaid and single mom too pretty not to be hit on by customers constantly. The family is deliberately wacky (bigoted father, one brother who doesn't speak, another with stupid business schemes). The bachelor next door isn't. In case you don't notice the resemblance of Diego (Bruno Campos) to Antonio Banderas, the script points it out. He also has great comic timing.
ANITA GATES
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