Center of the Universe

Center of the Universe

Center of the Universe is a television series on CBS, which ran from October 27, 2004, until January 19, 2005. The sitcom was canceled after just 10 episodes aired. It was set in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. John Goodman starred as John Barnett, a good-natured and successful operator of a security company. The series involved the dependency of his entire family on John for everything -- money, jobs, housing, and personal guidance in every decision. Tagline: "The world doesn't revolve around John...but his family does." A total of 15 episodes were produced.

ComedyFamily

Seasons

1. Pilot

Air Date: 2004-10-27

Thanks to the relatives, John's and Kate's attempt to renew their wedding vows does not go over as smoothly as planned.

2. The Lake House

Air Date: 2004-11-03

Everyone but Tommy is disgusted when Lily's ex invites her and her family to a lake house party that's being thrown by him and his bride-to-be.

3. Alarmed and Dangerous

Air Date: 2004-11-10

A panic-stricken widow pesters Barnett Security constantly, but when Tommy is assigned to the case, he sees a little more of the woman than her alarm system.

4. Good Parent, Bad Parent

Air Date: 2004-11-24

For Thanksgiving, John has little to be thankful for when he assumes that Sara is sleeping with her boyfriend, but his meddling doesn't sit well with Lily. Meanwhile, Tommy and Kevin take Art on a road trip to a turkey ranch Art was taken to years ago.

5. Art's Heart

Air Date: 2004-12-01

Art hurrying out of his Sunday brunches with Miles exposes the elder Barnett's heart problems. Meanwhile, Tommy treats Marge to a belated Mother's Day gift.

6. And the Silver Medal Goes To...

Air Date: 2004-12-08

It's Murphy's Law when Kate grudgingly agrees to fix Tommy up with a fellow teacher. Meanwhile, Miles looks for a date to take to a homecoming dance.

7. Lily's Boyfriend

Air Date: 2004-12-15

Everyone seems to love Lily's new boyfriend... everyone except Lily, that is. Meanwhile, when Tommy looks for someone to take his extra Bulls ticket -- that Lily's new boyfriend gave him -- he's a little imperceptive to his co-worker's love of the game.

8. The Work of Art

Air Date: 2005-01-05

At Marge's urging, John brings Art out of retirement in hopes of curing his depression -- which sets off a domino effect where nothing is as it seems.

9. If You Love Something Leave It Alone

Air Date: 2005-01-12

John and Kate go a little overboard on Miles' extracurricular activities, and struggle to find something he's good at.

10. The New Neighbors

Air Date: 2005-01-19

For Miles' sake, John and Kate spend time with their new neighbors -- whom they have nothing in common with -- because Miles and their son seem to like each other. Meanwhile, Tommy's anger towards Art reaches a boiling point.

11. It's the Principal of the Thing

Air Date:

Kate won't stop complaining about the new principal she has to answer to, but when John meets the guy, he believes the other side of the story.

12. Oh, Brother, What the Hell Were You Thinking?

Air Date:

John is upset when Kevin starts turning to Tommy for advice instead of him -- especially after Tommy convinces Kevin to break up with his hometown girlfriend.

13. The Break-In

Air Date:

Because they were ""protected"" by Barnett Security, Art blames John after his and Marge's house is robbed, and decides to take matters into his own hands.

14. Marathon Woman

Air Date:

When the relatives surprise Art and Marge with a down payment on a retirement condo for old people, Art is delighted, but Marge is insulted.

15. Independence Day

Air Date:

Tommy seeks independence after John accuses him of being a mooch, but John has problems with Independent Tommy, too.

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Rating

7.0/10

Release Date

2004-10-27

Episodes

15 (1 seasons)

Status

Ended

Cast

John Goodman

John Goodman

John Barnett

Jean Smart

Jean Smart

Kate Barnett

Diedrich Bader

Diedrich Bader

Tommy Barnett

Melinda McGraw

Melinda McGraw

Lily Barnett

Spencer Breslin

Spencer Breslin

Miles Barnett

Ed Asner

Ed Asner

Art Barnett

Olympia Dukakis

Olympia Dukakis

Marge Barnett

Production Companies

Warner Bros. Television

Warner Bros. Television

The Tannenbaum Company