When you think of New York City what comes to your mind? Maybe it’s the strong, abrasive accents, or perhaps you think of the pushy people on the subway or the endless amount of pizza shops. All of the stereotypes you think about the “real” New York City can be found in The King of Queens. The hit series follows the blue collar couple Doug and Carrie and their friends and family in the tough-as-nails borough of Queens. Kevin James plays the lazy and unambitious Doug. He loves only a few things but mostly his passion is for his wife, Carrie, played with brazen and sass by Leah Remini. Together they live with Arthur, Carrie’s bawdy father, and are friends with a number of idiosyncratic characters. The hilarious show earned an Emmy nomination for Kevin James’s performance in its final season and continues to do well in syndication, nearly 12 years after it wrapped.
Creators Michael J. Weithorn and David Litt based Doug and Carrie on the Kramdens from the hit ‘50s sitcom The Honeymooners. Both feature the same deadpan reactions and distinctive characterizations. The show debuted to modest ratings and mediocre reviews but CBS believed in what they had. Their instincts were correct and the show hit its highest point in its fourth season in 2001, ranking at 19th most watched show in the country. It went up to bat with other hit series including the mega-hit drama series 7th Heaven. Fans couldn’t wait to tune in each week to find out what their favorite primetime New York City couple were up to next.
While the critics were split on the sitcom, one thing remained consistent: the chemistry between stars Kevin James and Leah Remini. The two fast-talkers went head to head for the laughs and always delivered. Fans could feel the true connection between the two actors. In fact, the chemistry was so igniting that they recently teamed up again for James’s sitcom Kevin Can Wait. She plays the tenacious ex-partner Vanessa to James’s wacky patriarch cop Kevin. “It just felt like we walked off the set of King of Queens and then right back on [to the set],” she told Entertainment Tonight. “I’m so blessed and grateful that I get to experience it again.” While you enjoy the gang getting back together on Kevin Can Wait, take a look back at where it all started. These are your favorite characters from The King of Queens and what they’ve been up to since the show went off the air.
[post_page_title]Holly Shumpert (Nicole Sullivan)[/post_page_title]
Holly is the quirky, lovable, yet slightly insecure dog-walker that takes care of Carrie and Doug’s dog Arthur. The off-the-wall character is one heavy drinking woman who searches for love in all the wrong places. She oftentimes overextends herself to the new men in her life: paying for their meals, letting them crash at her place, being available 24/7. Overall, Holly is sweet and loving and would do anything for her friends at the end of the day.
