document_title: The Secret Life of Pets

question_text: who plays the rabbit on the secret life of pets

text: The Secret Life of Pets

text: Plot[edit]

text: A Jack Russell Terrier named Max lives with his owner Katie in a Manhattan apartment. While she is at work during the day, he hangs out with other pets in the building: tabby cat Chloe, pug Mel, dachshund Buddy, and budgerigar Sweet Pea. One day, Katie adopts Duke, a large mongrel from the pound, leaving Max jealous because of her divided focus on Duke. Enraged by Max's attitude towards him, Duke tries to abandon Max in an alley, but they are both attacked by cats led by Sphynx cat Ozone who removes both dogs' collars and leaves them to be caught by Animal Control. Duke fears that he will be killed if he goes back to the pound. When Gidget, a white Pomeranian who is (not so) secretly in love with Max, discovers that he is missing, she decides to find him.

text: Max and Duke are rescued by a white rabbit named Snowball, the leader of "The Flushed Pets"—a gang of sewer-dwelling animals who hate humans because their owners mistreated them. After Max and Duke pretend to despise humans as much as they do by saying they killed their owners, the Flushed Pets invite them to join. Before they can prove their loyalty by allowing a one-fanged viper to bite them, Snowball learns from the cats that Max and Duke are domesticated. The two dogs escape the sewers and board a ferry to Brooklyn, inadvertently killing the viper in the process. Snowball vows to kill them and leads the Flushed Pets after them.

text: Meanwhile, Gidget recruits a red-tailed hawk named Tiberius to find Max, but he mistakenly locates Ozone, whom Gidget coerces into telling what he knows about the dogs. They then enlist Mel, Buddy, Chloe, guinea pig Norman and Sweet Pea. On the way, they meet Pops, an old Basset Hound who helps Gidget and the pets find Max. Meanwhile, Max and Duke raid a sausage factory for food. Then, Gidget and her team encounter Snowball, who vows to kill them as well, and Norman is captured as the rest of Gidget's team flees.

text: In the meantime, Duke tells Max about his previous owner, Fred, an elderly man who adopted him as a puppy and loved spending time with him. One day, Duke got lost while chasing a butterfly and was caught by Animal Control, but Fred never came to claim him. Max convinces him to visit Fred's house in a nearby neighborhood, confident Fred will still love him and take him back. When they arrive at Fred's house, they learn from the resident cat Reginald that Fred has died. Heartbroken, Duke accuses Max of attempting to get rid of him and barks at the new homeowners who have just returned to the house and called Animal Control. The handlers catch Max, but Duke interferes long enough for Max to escape and ends up being captured instead.

text: While trying to rescue Duke as he follows the Animal Control van, Max is attacked by Snowball who tries to kill him. However, when his gang is captured, Snowball realizes that he and Max must work together to rescue them. They drive a city bus into the van on the Brooklyn Bridge, stopping traffic. The Flushed Pets encircle Max, unaware of his partnership with Snowball, but Gidget and her team save him. Upon seeing Gidget using her kung-fu fighting skills, Max starts to fall in love with her. The van gets stuck in scaffolding and the Flushed Pets escape. As soon as Max gets the keys to Duke's cage, the van plummets into the East River with him inside. Max is unable to free Duke, so Snowball jumps into the river to retrieve the keys, allowing them to escape the sinking van.

text: The entire group returns to the apartment block by pig-driven taxi. Max expresses his love for Gidget, who returns his affection. Snowball and the Flushed Pets then come up with a new plan to annihilate all humans, but a little girl named Molly arrives and adopts Snowball and the remaining Flushed Pets return to the sewers. At first, Snowball resists, but gives in and lets himself become a domesticated pet. The other pets return to their homes and embrace their owners, and Max and Duke finally reunite with Katie, sparking a true friendship. At the film's epilogue, Buddy and Mel show up in costume at a party in poodle Leonard's apartment. Leonard's owner returns and Tattoo crashes to the floor on the chandelier.

text: Cast[edit]

text:
Louis C.K. as Max, a Jack Russell Terrier.[7]
Eric Stonestreet as Duke, a large, brown, shaggy mongrel.[7]
Kevin Hart as Snowball, a white rabbit.[7]
Jenny Slate as Gidget, a white Pomeranian and Max's love interest.
Ellie Kemper as Katie, Max and Duke's friendly owner.[1][8]
Lake Bell as Chloe, an obese and apathetic grey tabby cat who is one of Max's friends.[8]
Dana Carvey as Pops, an elderly Basset Hound who is paralyzed in his back legs.[9]
Hannibal Buress as Buddy, a laid-back dachshund and one of Max's friends.[8][10]
Bobby Moynihan as Mel, a hyperactive pug and one of Max's friends.
Tara Strong as Sweetpea, a green and yellow budgie parakeet.
Steve Coogan as Ozone, a Cockney-accented Sphynx cat.
Coogan also voices Reginald, a Himalayan cat residing in Brooklyn.
Albert Brooks as Tiberius, a curmudgeonly red-tailed hawk.[8][10]
Chris Renaud as Norman, a guinea pig who keeps getting lost trying to find his apartment.
Michael Beattie as Tattoo, a slow-witted tattooed pig who is one of the Flushed Pets.
Sandra Echeverría as Maria, a character from the La Pasión de la Pasión telenovela that Gidget watches.
Jaime Camil as Fernando, a character from the La Pasión de la Pasión telenovela that Gidget watches.
Kiely Renaud as Molly, a little girl who adopts Snowball.

text: Production[edit]

text: Renaud first became involved with the project in 2012, while he was still working on Despicable Me 2.[11] At that time, Illumination's CEO Chris Meledandri pitched him an idea on a film about what pets do when their caretakers are away.[11] While Renaud found the premise interesting he and his team did not know what form the story would take, with them at one point considering making it a murder mystery, before deciding to make something "that was a bit more relatable" [12]

text: The team used Jean-Jacques Sempé as an influence in designing the environment and attention was specifically paid to keep the designs "very vertically oriented"[11] In keeping with the tradition of old WB cartoons, the owners faces are almost never seen.[11] The home of the Flushed Pets was created to "hint at the darker side" of pet ownership "without, hopefully, getting too heavy.[11] as well as to explore "this whole mythology in New York of the world that’s unseen, " while still maintaining the pet theme.[11] The animation was created entirely in France by Illumination Mac Guff.[13]

text: Music and soundtrack[edit]

text:
The Secret Life of Pets (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)Soundtrack album by Alexandre DesplatReleased
July 1, 2016 (2016-07-01)Recorded
2016Genre

Film score
Jazz
Classical
Length
51:31Label
Back Lot MusicProducer
Dominique LemonnierAlexandre Desplat soundtrack chronology

Florence Foster Jenkins(2016)

The Secret Life of Pets (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)(2016)

The Light Between Oceans(2016)

text: The original score for the film was composed by Alexandre Desplat.[14] The soundtrack was released on July 1, 2016 by Back Lot Music.[15]

text: All music composed by Alexandre Desplat, except "We Go Together" by The Sausage Factory Singers.

text: showTrack listingNo.TitleLength1."Meet the Pets"2:372."Katie's Leaving"0:553."Meet Duke"3:364."Fetch Me a Stick"3:095."Telenovela Squirrels"1:246."Hijack!"2:007."Gidget Meets Tiberius"4:568."Initiation Time"1:019."Rooftop Route"1:2710."The Viper"1:4911."You Have an Owner?"3:0412."Good Morning Max"1:2113."Sewer Chase"1:0914."Who's With Me?"1:2115."Me Like What Me See"0:5416."Traveling Bossa"1:5617."Flushed Out To Brooklyn"2:4718."Sausages!"1:1319."Duke's Old House / Captured"3:0320."Brooklyn Bridge Showdown"2:3421."Rescuing Duke"2:4622."Wet But Handsome / Blue Taxi"1:2423."Max and Gidget"1:3624."Welcome Home"1:5725."We Go Together" (originally from Grease)1:24Total length:51:31

text: Release[edit]

text: The film was originally scheduled to be released on February 12, 2016, but was pushed back to July 8, 2016.[2] It was released in 2D, 3D, and IMAX 3D using DMR.[16][better source needed] The Secret Life of Pets premiered at the 2016 Annecy International Animated Film Festival on June 16, 2016, and was screened at VidCon.[17] The film is accompanied by a Despicable Me short film entitled Mower Minions.

text: Home media[edit]

text: The Secret Life of Pets was released on Digital HD on November 22, 2016, and on Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, Ultra HD Blu-ray, and DVD on December 6, 2016. In addition to the short film Mower Minions which was released theatrically with the feature film, the releases also include two short films: Norman Television and Weenie.[18]

text: Reception[edit]

text: Box office[edit]

text: The Secret Life of Pets grossed $368.4 million in Canada and the U.S. and $507.1 million in other countries for a worldwide total of $875.5 million against a production budget of $75 million.[4] Its international takings helped push Universal Pictures [International] past $1 billion for the tenth consecutive year[19] and aided Illumination Entertainment to pass the $4 billion mark for the first time since 2010.[20]

text: It is the fifth-highest-grossing original worldwide film of all time (behind Avatar, Zootopia, The Lion King, and Finding Nemo),[21] the sixth-highest-grossing film of 2016,[22] the twelfth-highest-grossing animated film of all time, and the 51st-highest-grossing film of all time. Deadline Hollywood calculated the net profit of the film to be $374.6 million when factoring together all expenses and revenues for the film, making it the most profitable release of 2016.[23]

text: North America[edit]

text: In Canada and the United States, the film was projected to gross around $70 million in its opening weekend with some predictions going as high as $100 million.[24][25][26] It received the widest release for an animated film as well as for a PG-rated film (breaking Shrek Forever After's record) and the seventh-widest of all time overall across 4,370 theaters, the widest release since The Dark Knight Rises.[25][27][28][29] It made $5.3 million from Thursday night previews in 3,009 theaters which is the second-biggest of all time for Illumination behind only Minions ($6.2 million), and the third biggest of all time for an animated film behind Finding Dory ($9.2 million) and Minions.[26][30] This was followed by a record-breaking $38.5 million opening day gross (including previews), the biggest for an original film.[31][32] In its opening weekend, it exceeded expectations and grossed $104.4 million, finishing first at the box office.[33] Its debut is the sixth-biggest for an animated film, the sixth highest weekend debut in July, and the fourth-biggest opening weekend for Universal Pictures.[34] It also set the record for the largest opening for an original film, eclipsing the $90.4 million debut of Inside Out.[35][36]

text: In its second weekend, the film made $50.8 million (-51.3%) while maintaining the top spot, despite facing stiff competition with newcomer Ghostbusters.[37] Although it slipped into second place when overtaken by Star Trek Beyond in its third weekend, it was still able to fend off the two other new releases—Lights Out and Ice Age: Collision Course—by earning another $29.6 million.[38] It passed $300 million on its twenty-sixth day—the same day it crossed $400 million worldwide[39]—becoming the seventh film of 2016,[40] the seventh Universal Pictures film (the first for the year),[41] and the twelfth animated film overall to reach the benchmark.[42]

text: Outside North America[edit]

text: Internationally, The Secret Life of Pets received a scattered release from June to September in a total of 69 markets, and faced competition from other animated films such as Finding Dory and Ice Age: Collision Course in the course of its release.[43][44][45] In total, it had number-one openings in 45 markets and recorded the biggest opening for an original animated film in 17 territories, and the No. 1 animated film of 2016 to date in 13 markets.[20][46] It topped the international box office in its ninth weekend after earning $43.8 million in 53 markets (dethroning Suicide Squad).[47] However, this wasn't the film's biggest single weekend gross. Its biggest weekend gross was actually in its seventh weekend when it grossed $69.3 million. It opened at No. 3 behind Suicide Squad ($133.3 million) and the Chinese film Time Raiders ($64.6 million) that weekend.[48]

text: It was released in the United Kingdom and Norway two weeks ahead of its U.S. release, where it grossed a combined total of $14.1 million in the two markets.[43] Prior to its official debut in the UK and the Republic of Ireland on June 24, the film had two days' worth of previews on June 18 and 19 from which it made £3.63 million ($5.2 million) in two days. This figure was later counted in the film's official opening weekend.[49] It went on to score the fourth-biggest original animation opening weekend ever there, with £9.58 million ($13.4 million) from 592 theaters, trailing behind Inside Out, Monsters, Inc., and Up. Excluding previews, its total three-day opening was $8.1 million.[50][51] This was amidst Brexit and despite facing competition from Independence Day: Resurgence.[43][52] The film held off extremely well in its second and third weekend falling just 20% and 24%, earning £4.47 million ($6.1 million) and £3.62 million ($4.8 million) respectively despite facing some competitions.[53][54] It has topped the box office for three consecutive weekends and has grossed total of $41 million there.[55] In Norway, it took the number one spot as well, with $778,000.[43] It scored the biggest animation opening of 2016 and the second-biggest of all time overall in both Taiwan ($2 million)—behind Madagascar, and Hong Kong ($1.9 million)—behind Inside Out.[44]

text: In Argentina, the film had a record-breaking number-one debut with $4 million from 195 screens—the biggest opening weekend ever for an animated film and the second-biggest opening ever for any film (behind Furious 7). Similarly, Chile also recorded the second-biggest animated opening ever with $1.7 million (behind Minions). Colombia also opened at No. 1 with a huge $1.5 million.[56] In Mexico, other than opening at No. 1, it posted the biggest original animated opening of all time with $7.6 million, surpassing the studio's own previous record holder Inside Out.[45] Also in Russia, it scored the biggest original animated opening and the second-biggest ever for an animated film behind Minions with $16.3 million, although this included $6.4 million five days' worth of previews.[47] It went on to become the highest-grossing film of the summer that year.[57] In Japan, the film opened on August 11—the date of Japan's first Mountain Day national holiday—with Toho-Towa distributing, and earned $4.6 million on 370,000 admissions for its two-day opening weekend dethroning Shin Godzilla off the top spot. The cumulative total for the four-day holiday (August 11–14) was $9.7 million.[19][58] Similarly, it had number-one debuts in Germany ($7.1 million), France ($5.9 million), Australia ($5.6 million), Italy ($5.1 million), Brazil ($4.4 million), Spain ($4.5 million), Poland ($1.7 million), Singapore ($1.3 million), Belgium ($1.2 million), Denmark ($1.2 million), Indonesia ($1.1 million), the Philippines ($1 million), and South Africa ($463,000). In Germany, it scored the best animation opening since Minions.[45][59][60][61][62][63][64][65] It topped the box office in Israel for five straight weekends and in Australia, Russia and Spain for three weekends.[45][47][61][63] In Japan, the film was the highest-grossing foreign release of the weekend, holding the top spot for four consecutive weekends.[60]

text: In China—the world's second-biggest film market—the film opened on a Tuesday, earning a modest $5.2 million on its opening day. To Sunday, it achieved a six-day opening of $29.3 million and $15.5 million for the weekend alone (Friday to Sunday), with per screen averages over $500 per screen per day. In both instances, it was behind the local film Time Raiders.[59][66][67] In South Korea, despite debuting in fifth place, it had an opening of $6.9 million.[59] Elsewhere, it grossed $2.7 million in the Netherlands, $1.2 million in Sweden and in Hungary, it scored the biggest opening of the year with $738,000,[59] and also in Portugal ($965,000), Latvia ($224,000),[47] and South Africa.[64]

text: In terms of total earnings, its biggest markets are China ($58 million), United Kingdom and Ireland ($47.2 million), Japan ($41.6 million) and Russia ($34.2 million).[19][47][68] It became the third-highest-grossing film of all time in Russia (behind Avatar and Zootopia)[61] and the highest-grossing film of 2016 in Spain.[20][62]

text: Critical response[edit]

text: On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 74% based on 213 reviews with an average rating of 6.2/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Fast-paced, funny, and blessed with a talented voice cast, The Secret Life of Pets offers a beautifully animated, cheerfully undemanding family-friendly diversion."[69] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 61 out of 100 based on 39 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews."[70] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A–" on an A+ to F scale.[71]

text: Peter Travers of Rolling Stone gave the film three out of four stars and called it "an animated fluffball—a sort of Toy Story with pets does everything to drive you crazy and ends up being totally irresistible."[72] Scott Tobias, writing for NPR, characterized the film's concept as "Toy Story but with house pets," highlighting the film's "thinly distinguished characters" and "gloppy sentimentality."[73] Steven Rea of The Philadelphia Inquirer gave the film three out of four stars and said "In much the same way that the smash Zootopia demonstrated that creatures of different culture and class and species are better off when they come together, The Secret Life of Pets is a testament to teamwork and friendship and fixing the rifts that divide us. Let the fur—and the warm, fuzzy feelings—fly."[74]

text: However, some critics disliked the film's unexpected similarities with Pixar's Toy Story.[75] Matthew Parkinson of The Escapist compared the plots of both films and wrote that "The Secret Life of Pets feels like one of those hour-long ripoffs you'd see on a children's television network."[76] Ethan Anderton of the website /Film criticised the film's characterisation, and noted that the relationship between Max and Duke was akin to "Woody and Buzz Lightyear all over again."[77]

text: Accolades[edit]

text:
List of awards and nominations

Award

Date of ceremony

Category

Recipient(s)

Result

Ref(s)

Annie Awards

February 4, 2017

Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated Feature Production

Eric Guillon

Nominated

[78]

Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated Feature Production

Alexandre Desplat

British Academy Children's Awards

November 20, 2016

BAFTA Kids' Vote

The Secret Life of Pets

[79][80]

Cinema Audio Society

February 18, 2017

Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Motion Picture – Animated

David Acord, Jason Butler, Gary A. Rizzo, Carlos Sotolongo and Frank Wolf

[81]

Hollywood Music in Media Awards

November 17, 2016

Best Original Score – Animated Film

Alexandre Desplat

Won

[82][83]

International Film Music Critics Association

21 February 2017

Best Original Score for a Comedy Film

Nominated

[84]

2017 Kids' Choice Awards

March 11, 2017

Favorite Animated Movie

The Secret Life of Pets

[85]

Favorite Voice From an Animated Movie

Kevin Hart

Favorite Villain

Won

Most Wanted Pet

NAACP Image Awards

February 11, 2017

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance

Nominated

[86]

People's Choice Awards

January 18, 2017

Favorite Family Movie

The Secret Life of Pets

[87]

Favorite Animated Movie Voice

Kevin Hart

Producers Guild of America

January 28, 2017

Best Animated Motion Picture

Janet Healy and Chris Meledandri

[88]

text: Sequel[edit]

text: In August 2016, it was announced that there would be a sequel with director Chris Renaud, producers Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy, and writer Brian Lynch, with a release date of July 13, 2018.[89] On January 25, 2017, its release date was pushed back to July 3, 2019.[90] On August 15, 2017, its release date was moved forward to June 7, 2019.[6] On November 10, 2017, it was announced that Louis C.K. would not be reprising his role as Max after being accused of, and having admitted to, inappropriate sexual conduct with five women.[91] In April 2018, it was announced that Patton Oswalt will replace C.K. as Max while Hart, Stonestreet, Slate, Kemper, Bell, Carvey, Buress and Moynihan will return. Additional casting includes Tiffany Haddish, Nick Kroll, Harrison Ford and Pete Holmes.[92]


document_title: The Little Couple

question_text: where did the little couple adopt zoey from

root

text: The Little Couple

text: Production[edit]

text: The show begins with the couple having just moved to Houston, Texas, where the series has documented the customized building of their home and attempts to have a child. Arnold is a neonatologist[2] who works at the Texas Children's Hospital, and Klein is a medical supplies and telemarketing businessman.[3][4]

tag: p

text: They were originally introduced in a one-hour TLC special, Little People: Just Married. Season 1 of the show premiered on May 26, 2009. Season 2 premiered on October 27, 2009. On February 22, 2010, TLC renewed The Little Couple for a third season consisting of 20 episodes.[5] The mid-season finale aired after 9 episodes on July 27, 2010, and season 3 returned on October 12, 2010. It was announced on Facebook that the show would be returning for its 4th season on May 31, 2011.[6] Again, the season was split, with the second half of season 4 premiering on September 27, 2011.

text: In February 2012, Klein opened Rocky&Maggie in Rice Village Houston.[7][8][9][10] named after their pets Chihuahua Rocky and rescue mutt terrier Maggie. Arnold's mother Judy manages the store.[11] Season 5 began on March 20, 2012, and follows Klein and Arnold as they move into their custom-built dream home and launch a brand-new business.[12][13] In March 2013, they adopted their son, Will, from Hohhot, China. The adoption of their son, who also has dwarfism, is featured in Season 5.[14] On October 15, 2013, they adopted a daughter, Zoey, also a little person, from Delhi, India. The series went into an hiatus on June 4, 2013,[15] and returned on August 13, 2013.[16]

text: In December 2013, Arnold revealed that she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, stage 4 choriocarcinoma, due to a non-viable pregnancy she had suffered in September 2013. She allowed the cameras to document her struggle.[17][18]

text: Season 6 premiered on March 4, 2014.[19] It features Zoey's adoption, Arnold's cancer treatment, Will's fourth birthday, baptisms, the holiday season, and Arnold's 40th birthday.[19]

text: The new season of The Little Couple premiered on September 19, 2017.

text: Television appearances[edit]

text:
The Oprah Winfrey Show (March 9, 2009)
The Today Show (July 7, 2009)
The Dr. Oz Show (October 1, 2009)
Good Day L.A. (December 16, 2009)
The Wendy Williams Show (May 25, 2010)
ABC News (May 25, 2010)
KHOU Great Day Houston (August 19, 2010)
The Doctors (2008 TV series) (October 6, 2010)
ABC 13 (November 18, 2010)
Good Day L.A. (August 2, 2011)
KHOU: Great Day Houston (August 2, 2011)
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (October 16, 2011)
KHOU: Great Day Houston (November 23, 2011)
KHOU: Great Day Houston (February 2, 2012)
Fox News (March 19, 2012)
Anderson (March 20, 2012)

tag: ul

text: Episodes[edit]

text:
Season
Episodes
Originally aired

First aired
Last aired

1
14
May 26, 2009
August 4, 2009

2
18
October 27, 2009
February 23, 2010

3
19
June 1, 2010
December 7, 2010

4
24
May 31, 2011
November 1, 2011

5
35
March 20, 2012
October 15, 2013

6
16
March 4, 2014
June 17, 2014

7
12
December 2, 2014
June 30, 2015

8
10
January 5, 2016
March 8, 2016

tag: table

text: Season 1 (2009)[edit]

text:
No. in
series
No. in
season
Title
Original air date

0
0
"Little People: Just Married"
January 19, 2009 (2009-01-19)

Bill Klein and Jennifer Arnold are introduced in this one-hour special following them before, during, and after their wedding.

1
1
"Bill Moves to Houston"
May 26, 2009 (2009-05-26)

Jen has started her new job in Houston, and Bill is ready to move to Texas from New York. They take a road trip, with a stop in New Orleans on the way.

2
2
"Jen's Birthday"
May 26, 2009 (2009-05-26)

Bill wants to make Jen's birthday special, giving her flowers and jewelry and going to pick up her new specially-modified car.

3
3
"Gym, Spa, Shop 'Til Bill Drops"
June 2, 2009 (2009-06-02)

Bill is finally in Houston. He decides to spend a Saturday morning at the gym, while Jen opts for a spa day with friends.

4
4
"Work & Play in Galveston"
June 2, 2009 (2009-06-02)

Jen gives a presentation at a conference in Galveston. Bill goes along, hoping to spend some time with his wife.

5
5
"House Hunting"
June 9, 2009 (2009-06-09)

Bill and Jen start house hunting, but they want very different things. Jen wants to be near the city, and Bill wants to be in the suburbs.

6
6
"One Year Anniversary"
June 9, 2009 (2009-06-09)

Bill and Jen spend their first anniversary together, but they worry about the medical bills from Bill's recent surgery.

7
7
"Leavin' on a Jet Plane"
June 16, 2009 (2009-06-16)

Jen is left alone in Houston while Bill goes on a business trip to Baltimore.

8
8
"While the Cat's Away"
June 23, 2009 (2009-06-23)

While Bill goes to Las Vegas for his brother's bachelor party, Jen's mother visits her daughter in Houston and Jen deals with critically ill patients at the hospital.

9
9
"Bill's Honey-Do List"
June 30, 2009 (2009-06-30)

Jen makes Bill a honey-do list of home chores. Later, they learn about parenthood when they visit a teenager with dwarfism.

10
10
"Hawaii Here We Come: Part 1"
July 7, 2009 (2009-07-07)

Bill and Jen are off to Hawaii for vacation. To be continued...

11
11
"Hawaii Here We Come: Part 2"
July 14, 2009 (2009-07-14)

Bill and Jen continue to enjoy their vacation in Hawaii and participate in hula lessons, attend a luau and do lots of shopping.

12
12
"The Big Bang Theory"
July 21, 2009 (2009-07-21)

Jen and Bill decide to work on their personal security after a break-in in their apartment complex. Jen takes a self-defense class, while Bill goes to the shooting range.

13
13
"Wedding Bells Are Ringing"
July 28, 2009 (2009-07-28)

Bill and Jen go to Walt Disney World for Bill's brother's wedding.

14
14
"Maybe a Baby?"
August 4, 2009 (2009-08-04)

Bill and Jen want to have children someday, so they head to the doctor to discuss the health concerns about Jen having a baby.

text: Season 2 (2009–10)[edit]

text:
No. in
series
No. in
season
Title
Original air date

1
15
"Waiting to Exhale"
October 27, 2009 (2009-10-27)

Jen goes to the doctor to determine her lung capacity, but Bill decides to go to a football game which may keep him from being with Jen when the results come in.

2
16
"Take Me Out to the Ball Game"
October 27, 2009 (2009-10-27)

Jen and Bill get invited to throw out the first pitch at a Houston Astros game, so Jen practices her pitching at a picnic with new friends.

3
17
"Rocky's Revenge"
November 3, 2009 (2009-11-03)

Bill is fed up with Rocky's antics, and wants him to get some training, while Jen plans on adopting a new dog.

4
18
"Fish Tales"
November 10, 2009 (2009-11-10)

While in Orlando for a bridesmaid dress-fitting, Jen and Bill decide to have a contest to see who can catch the bigger fish.

5
19
"Off to See Dr. Oz"
November 17, 2009 (2009-11-17)

Jen and Bill go to New York City to discuss skeletal dysplasia on The Dr. Oz Show, but their nerves start to get the best of them as they get closer to going before the cameras.

6
20
"New York State of Mind"
November 24, 2009 (2009-11-24)

Jen and Bill pay tribute to New York City firefighters killed September 11, 2001, including Bill's own uncle Dennis. Things get emotional when Bill and Jen visit her close friend Manju, who just had a baby.

7
21
"Boston Bound"
December 1, 2009 (2009-12-01)

Jen has to take a business trip to Boston, and enlists Bill to come with her, but they lose track of time and things turn chaotic.

8
22
"All Work and Some Play"
December 8, 2009 (2009-12-08)

While still in Boston, Jen attends a medical simulation training while Bill visits one of his company's call centers in Albany, New York.

9
23
"To Build or Buy?"
December 15, 2009 (2009-12-15)

Bill and Jen are looking to buy a house, but they are having difficulty deciding whether to buy an existing structure, or build a new one. They enlist Jen's mother for help in the decision.

10
24
"On Track for Bill's Birthday"
December 22, 2009 (2009-12-22)

Jen has a big surprise in store for Bill's 35th birthday.

11
25
"Honey, Are You Wearing That?"
January 5, 2010 (2010-01-05)

Jen is asked to emcee a Texas Children's Hospital charity golf tournament of doctors and patients who don their worst pants. The hospital CEO invites Bill to join his golf foursome.

12
26
"The Grand Opening"
January 12, 2010 (2010-01-12)

Jen prepares her staff for the grand opening of the Simulation Center at Texas Children's Hospital. Bill heads to New York City to work on re-branding his company.

13
27
"Now We're Cooking"
January 19, 2010 (2010-01-19)

Bill and Jen take a gourmet cooking class at Well Done Cooking Classes. Jen and Bill meet with their builder to sign the final paperwork on their new home.

14
28
"Houston, We Have a Problem"
January 26, 2010 (2010-01-26)

Rain clouds threaten to ruin Bill and Jen's plans for a fun-filled weekend with their friends.

15
29
"Baby Steps"
February 2, 2010 (2010-02-02)

Jen and Bill head to Los Angeles to learn the genetic risks of having a baby and explore the possibility of finding a surrogate mother.

16
30
"Three Shops and a Baby Doc"
February 9, 2010 (2010-02-09)

When Jen and Bill go shopping, he finds a store that caters to men of his stature. Jen awaits results from a fertility specialist.

17
31
"Family Matters"
February 16, 2010 (2010-02-16)

Bill and Jen prepare to spend some special time with both their families. Jen makes an emotional visit to a patient undergoing chemotherapy.

18
32
"Before We Build, We Rent"
February 23, 2010 (2010-02-23)

Things get crazy when Jen and Bill move into their temporary rental. Bill loses the watch that Jen gave him on their anniversary. Rocky sneaks under the fence of the new backyard.

text: Season 3 (2010)[edit]

text:
No. in
series
No. in
season
Title
Original air date
U.S. viewers
(millions)

1
33
"Breaking New Ground"
June 1, 2010 (2010-06-01)
N/A

Bill and Jen each get a new look for summer. The couple must choose windows and plumbing fixtures for their new home.

2
34
"Testing, Testing"
June 8, 2010 (2010-06-08)
N/A

Miguel pours the foundation for Jen and Bill's future home. The couple has tests to determine if they can have a baby.

3
35
"There's an Art to It"
June 15, 2010 (2010-06-15)
N/A

The couple celebrates their second wedding anniversary. In honor of being together for two years, Bill gives Jen two of everything, including flowers and cards.

4
36
"Runway Dreams"
June 22, 2010 (2010-06-22)
N/A

The couple goes to their first fashion show, which features spring dresses celebrity designer, Chloe Dao. Chloe also surprises Jen by showing how she will make a dress for her.

5
37
"Spotlight on Jen"
June 29, 2010 (2010-06-29)
N/A

Jen is asked to speak at a pediatric conference in Atlanta. Jen gets to show off her custom-made gown at the gala reception.

6
38
"It's Comedy Tonight!"
July 13, 2010 (2010-07-13)
N/A

While Bill and Jen are in New York City for a celebration, Bill takes a comedy class and performs on stage.

7
39
"A House Taking Shape"
July 20, 2010 (2010-07-20)
N/A

Bill and Jen can feel what their new house is going to look like. Bill goes to his brother's bachelor party while Jen does another overnight at TCH.

8
40
"Just the Facts, Please"
July 27, 2010 (2010-07-27)
N/A

Bill heads off to a sales conference in Waterloo, Iowa. Bill and Jen finish their on-line profile. Jen spends a long day at the NICU.

9
41
"A Little FAQ"
July 27, 2010 (2010-07-27)
N/A

Bill and Jen field viewer questions.

10
42
"New House, New Hormones!"
October 12, 2010 (2010-10-12)
N/A

Jen and Bill check up on the construction of their new home. And later on, it's time for Jen's first fertility medication.

11
43
"Cruisin' to the Caribbean"
October 12, 2010 (2010-10-12)
N/A

Bill, Jen, and the entire family are invited by Bill's brother to go on a cruise to the Bahamas.

12
44
"We Have a Project"
October 19, 2010 (2010-10-19)
1.14[20]

Jen's parents consider moving to Houston with the prospect of Jen and Bill giving them a grandchild.

13
45
"Rocky's Companion"
October 26, 2010 (2010-10-26)
1.15[21]

Jen's hip pain keeps her from helping on chore day. Also, Bill steps up while Jen scopes out dog adoption sites online.

14
46
"What's Up Doctors?"
November 2, 2010 (2010-11-02)
1.29[22]

Bill and Jen are headed to Los Angeles for Jen's appearance on the talk show, The Doctors.

15
47
"Great Egg-Spectations"
November 9, 2010 (2010-11-09)
1.14[23]

Jen and Bill are in Los Angeles for their first attempt to retrieve some of Jen's eggs.

16
48
"Las Vegas Tails"
November 16, 2010 (2010-11-16)
N/A

Jen, Bill and the pets are in Las Vegas to meet Jen's parents. Bill and Dave attend the PetZoo convention to start making contacts for their pet boutique.

17
49
"24 Hours in the NICU"
November 23, 2010 (2010-11-23)
1.14[24]

Jen is in the NICU for a 24-hour on call service.

18
50
"Pushing the House Forward"
November 30, 2010 (2010-11-30)
1.59[25]

Jen is needed on a case at the hospital leaving Bill to communicate her visions for the look of the house.

19
51
"This Changes Everything"
December 7, 2010 (2010-12-07)
N/A

A big week for the couple; Bill's parents are in town, and a big conversation with Dr. Boostanfar is on the horizon. The couple learn that Jen's hormone shots are not doing as well as they first expected.

text: Season 4 (2011)[edit]

text:
No. in
series
No. in
season
Title
Original air date
U.S. viewers
(millions)

1
52
"Third Time's a Charm?"
May 31, 2011 (2011-05-31)
1.19[26]

The discovery of two fertile eggs leave Bill and Jen to wonder if there will be a reason to celebrate.

2
53
"Any Way We Want It"
May 31, 2011 (2011-05-31)
1.23[26]

Bill and Jen travel to Atlanta to speak about adapting and customizing things in a life with special needs; they prove life can be less of a struggle and more of a joy ride.

3
54
"Yee Haw!"
June 7, 2011 (2011-06-07)
N/A

Jen and her parents check out the legendary Houston Rodeo.

4
55
"Off the Deep End"
June 7, 2011 (2011-06-07)
N/A

Jen is on a 24-hour call for work. Bill checks out the pool.

5
56
"Home Stretch"
June 14, 2011 (2011-06-14)
1.09[27]

Jen's mom is in town for her birthday. Bill makes a surprise birthday cake in the shape of a horse.

6
57
"Dr. Arnold Goes to Washington"
June 14, 2011 (2011-06-14)
1.01[27]

Jen is asked to give a keynote speech at a simulation conference.

7
58
"Hooray for Hollywood!"
June 21, 2011 (2011-06-21)
1.40[28]

Jen and Bill fly to Los Angeles for a quick procedure that turns into a waiting game.

8
59
"It's Valentine's Day?"
June 28, 2011 (2011-06-28)
1.22[29]

Tension is high as Jen and Bill wait for Jen's eggs to grow large enough for extraction.

9
60
"In-Laws! Incoming!"
July 5, 2011 (2011-07-05)
1.01[30]

Jen's parents are moving to Houston but need to find a place to stay until they settle.

10
61
"Another Egg-Cellent Attempt"
July 12, 2011 (2011-07-12)
1.12[31]

After a long day in the NICU, Jen and Bill are off to Los Angeles for another attempt at extracting eggs.

11
62
"Big Apple Anniversary"
July 19, 2011 (2011-07-19)
1.08[32]

Jen and Bill are celebrating their third anniversary in New York City

12
63
"New House Delays"
July 26, 2011 (2011-07-26)
1.07[33]

There are several weeks before Jen and Bill can move into their new house.

13
64
"The Match Game"
August 2, 2011 (2011-08-02)
1.20[34]

Bill and Jen are asked to speak to kids about bullying at a local school. It's time for Bill and Jen to meet their potential surrogate face-to-face.

14
65
"Will You Be My Surrogate?"
September 27, 2011 (2011-09-27)
1.31[35]

The Little Couple meet Cindy and James, the couple that may be their surrogate family.

15
66
"See You Later, Alligator?"
September 27, 2011 (2011-09-27)
1.01[35]

While Bill goes camping, Jen works with a local interior designer.

16
67
"Uncle Bill"
October 4, 2011 (2011-10-04)
1.09[36]

The couple heads to Florida to meet the newest member of the Klein family. The baby reinforces Bill and Jen's desire that they are ready to become parents.

17
68
"Mother Knows Best"
October 4, 2011 (2011-10-04)
1.04[36]

Jen's mom is in town to help the couple pack up their rental house. The interior designer shows them his design plans for the new house.

18
69
"There's No Place Called Home"
October 11, 2011 (2011-10-11)
1.14[37]

Bill and Jen are desperately trying to find a suitable temporary living situation while their custom home nears completion. Dave and Judy, Jen's parents, are arriving from Florida.

19
70
"You Bowl Me Over"
October 11, 2011 (2011-10-11)
1.21[37]

Jen, Bill, Judy, Dave and their five dogs are still living in a rental apartment. To blow off steam, the family goes bowling.

20
71
"Home at Last"
October 18, 2011 (2011-10-18)
1.15[38]

The Little Couple is just days away from owning a custom-built dream home.

21
72
"It's All by Design!"
October 18, 2011 (2011-10-18)
1.25[38]

The Little Couple is on the verge of moving into their new home and getting pregnant at the same time.

22
73
"The Start of Something Big"
October 25, 2011 (2011-10-25)
1.12[39]

Bill and Jen' must decide if they are willing to have their two embryos go through genetic testing.

23
74
"A Little More Q & A"
October 25, 2011 (2011-10-25)
1.14[39]

Bill and Jen take viewer questions and an inside view of the past four seasons.

24
75
"Are We Pregnant?"
November 1, 2011 (2011-11-01)
1.50[40]

Bill and Jen's embryos have thawed and now it's time to transfer them to their surrogate.

text: Season 5 (2012–13)[edit]

text:
No. in
series
No. in
season
Title
Original air date
U.S. viewers
(millions)

1
76
"Getting Back on Track"
March 20, 2012 (2012-03-20)
1.11[41]

Bill and Jen are ready to move forward following their surrogate's miscarriage.

2
77
"A Little Thanks"
March 20, 2012 (2012-03-20)
1.01[41]

Bill and Jen celebrate the first Thanksgiving in their new home by hosting a dinner for friends.

3
78
"Can We Deck the Halls?"
March 27, 2012 (2012-03-27)
1.28[42]

Jen hires a decorating service to come out and transform their new house into a Texas-sized holiday display.

4
79
"Man Cave; Woman Cave"
March 27, 2012 (2012-03-27)
1.21[42]

Bill and Jen find that there's a few more details that can use a personal touch in their new home. Bill refinished the floor of the garage and Jen decorates her closet.

5
80
"Four Little Embryos"
April 3, 2012 (2012-04-03)
0.80[43]

Bill and Jen head back to California for another procedure to transfer embryos to their surrogate, Cindy.

6
81
"A Store is Born"
April 3, 2012 (2012-04-03)
0.82[43]

Bill needs to renovate his new pet store and hire employees. Judy helps Bill interview potential employees and Jen gives her opinion on the design.

7
82
"A Very Klein Christmas"
April 10, 2012 (2012-04-10)
0.87[44]

Bill and Jen are having a big holiday celebration with both their families in their new house.

8
83
"Ready, Set, Relax!"
April 10, 2012 (2012-04-10)
0.84[44]

Between their recent surrogacy attempt and the busy holidays, life has become very stressful for Bill and Jen. Bill takes Jen to Galveston for a surprise weekend at the beach.

9
84
"Grand Opening Weekend"
April 17, 2012 (2012-04-17)
0.68[45]

It's Grand Opening Weekend for Bill's new pet store. Jen finds out she needs to get to Los Angeles for an egg extraction during the celebration.

10
85
"New Leash on Life"
April 17, 2012 (2012-04-17)
0.87[45]

Jen and Bill put the recent egg retrieval behind them and focus on their crazy work schedules. Jen is inspecting a new addition to the hospital. Bill brings a pet psychic to the pet store.

11
86
"The Cocktail Party"
April 24, 2012 (2012-04-24)
0.76[46]

Jen and Bill host a cocktail reception in their home to celebrate the hospital and fire department coming together.

12
87
"A Little Bit Country"
May 1, 2012 (2012-05-01)
0.81[47]

Bill decides to go with Jen to Nashville where she is the keynote speaker at a health care conference.

13
88
"A Little State Pride"
May 8, 2012 (2012-05-08)
0.72[48]

Jen and Bill take a road trip from Houston to San Antonio. The couple reminisces about their first year in Houston and plans for a family.

14
89
"Adopting a New Approach"
May 15, 2012 (2012-05-15)
0.77[49]

Jen and Bill have set up a meeting with an organization dedicated to finding parents for children with handicaps.

15
90
"The Golden Son"
April 30, 2013 (2013-04-30)
1.48[50]

Jen and Bill meet with the founder of the adoption agency Rainbow Kids, in the interest of pursuing international adoption.

16
91
"And His Name Is..."
April 30, 2013 (2013-04-30)
1.55[50]

Jen and Bill are officially matched with a little boy from China.

17
92
"An Adoption Twist"
May 7, 2013 (2013-05-07)
1.55[51]

Jen and Bill baby-proof the home. Jen gets some adoption news that could change everything.

18
93
"Baby Proofing"
May 7, 2013 (2013-05-07)
1.79[51]

Bill and Jen receive final approval from the Chinese government to adopt their son and decide upon the name for the daughter they are in the process of adopting from India.

19
94
"Countdown to China"
May 14, 2013 (2013-05-14)
1.49[52]

Bill and Jen are just days away from picking up their son in China.

20
95
"Road to Parenthood"
May 14, 2013 (2013-05-14)
1.52[52]

Jen and Bill reflect on their journey as they leave for China to pick up their adopted son.

21
96
"William, Here We Come!"
May 21, 2013 (2013-05-21)
2.01[53]

Jen and Bill fly to China to meet their adopted son.

22
97
"Best Day Yet!"
May 28, 2013 (2013-05-28)
1.20[53]

Jen and Bill nervously wait to meet their son William for the first time.

23
98
"Finally a Family"
June 4, 2013 (2013-06-04)
2.01[54]

Before the couple can leave China with newly-adopted son, they must fly to Guangzhou, where William undergoes a medical examination and receives his U.S. citizenship documents.

24
99
"Welcome Home, Will!"
August 13, 2013 (2013-08-13)
2.50[55]

Jen and Bill return to the states as new parents, and experience family firsts.

25
100
"Family Fun in Florida"
August 20, 2013 (2013-08-20)
1.92[56]

Jen and Bill bring Will to meet the Klein family in Florida. Bill's brother shares surprise news.

26
101
"Our Five Year Anniversary"
August 20, 2013 (2013-08-20)
1.86[56]

The couple celebrates a five-year anniversary in St. Petersburg, Florida. Will has his first visit at the beach. Note: This picks up from the previous episode.

27
102
"Back to Work!"
August 27, 2013 (2013-08-27)
2.13[57]

Jen and Bill have been parents for several weeks and Jen returns to work. Bill faces his first day alone with Will.

28
103
"Check-Up Time"
August 27, 2013 (2013-08-27)
2.18[57]

Will goes to see the experts on his skeletal condition. Jen and Bill hope he won't have to endure the numerous surgeries they have experienced.

29
104
"A Mother's Day Surprise"
September 3, 2013 (2013-09-03)
1.80[58]

Jen is stuck working at the hospital on her first Mother's Day. Bill and Will make some special handmade and homemade surprises for her.

30
105
"Will on Wheels"
September 10, 2013 (2013-09-10)
1.69[59]

Jen decides to surprise Will with a new tricycle. Bill and Jen consider vehicle options for when they have two children.

31
106
"Bill's First Father's Day"
September 17, 2013 (2013-09-17)
2.18[60]

Jen has some surprises planned for Bill's first Father's Day. Will is scheduled for medical procedures and Bill is surprised when they celebrate early.

32
107
"Will's First Surgery"
September 24, 2013 (2013-09-24)
2.22[61]

Bill and Jen knew Will would be faced with various medical challenges and procedures; they are quickly learning that being a patient and being a parent of the patient feel very different.

33
108
"Time Out for Will"
October 1, 2013 (2013-10-01)
2.07[62]

The couple receives promising news from India about their pending adoption; Jen wants to get in more bonding time with Will before they add to their family.

34
109
"Making a Splash"
October 8, 2013 (2013-10-08)
2.01[63]

Will navigates his new home with confidence; with the hazards of a pool Bill and Jen decide its time for him to learn to swim.

35
110
"Countdown to India"
October 15, 2013 (2013-10-15)
2.19[64]

Bill and Jen prepare for the trip to India to adopt their daughter, Zoey.

text: Season 6 (2014)[edit]

text:
No. in
season
No. in
series
Title
Original air date
U.S. viewers
(millions)

1
111
"Zoey Makes 4"
March 4, 2014 (2014-03-04)
3.89[65]

Jen and Bill go on a trip to India to pick up their adopted daughter, Zoey, but they wonder how Will will react upon meeting his new baby sister.

2
112
"The Unexpected"
March 11, 2014 (2014-03-11)
3.16[66]

Jen begins to feel ill on the way to New Delhi while she and Bill are in India to pick up their daughter, Zoey. She must make a difficult decision in which she has to leave New Delhi and return to the U.S, affecting the whole family.

3
113
"We're in This Together"
March 18, 2014 (2014-03-18)
3.21[67]

Jen finds out she has cancer and must go through treatment. Afterwards, the family decorates for Christmas.

4
114
"Our First Christmas"
March 25, 2014 (2014-03-25)
3.28[68]

Jen and Bill celebrates their first Christmas as parents.

5
115
"Our New Normal"
April 1, 2014 (2014-04-01)
3.27[69]

Bill and Jen's household has changed dramatically and they balance between family time and medical necessity.

6
116
"Ring the Bell!"
April 8, 2014 (2014-04-08)
2.83[70]

The Couple looks back at the challenges they faced with their new family, all while battling a rare cancer. Jen receives news from her oncologist.

7
117
"San Fran, Here We Come!"
April 15, 2014 (2014-04-15)
2.76[71]

Jen goes to San Francisco to give a speech at a conference, but it turns into a family vacation when Bill, Will and Zoey tag along to make sure she follows her doctor's orders to take it easy.

8
118
"Tea Time with Zoey"
April 22, 2014 (2014-04-22)
2.65[72]

Bill takes Will to work so that Jen can spend some quality time with Zoey.

9
119
"Will's Birthday Party"
April 29, 2014 (2014-04-29)
2.28[73]

Will turns 4, and Jen and Bill plan a safari-theme party at the zoo, being it is his first time celebrating his birthday in the U.S.

10
120
"Just What the Doctor Ordered"
May 6, 2014 (2014-05-06)
2.54[74]

Health and well-being checkups for the Kleins include Will's weekly speech therapy; Zoey's basic screenings; and physical therapy for Jen to improve her strength.

11
121
"A Grand Time with Grandma"
May 13, 2014 (2014-05-13)
2.79[75]

Jen goes back to work and helps organize a press conference to announce her illness and discuss her treatment. Later, she and Bill head to New York so his mother can meet Zoey.

12
122
"Back to Business"
May 20, 2014 (2014-05-20)
2.06[76]

Bill goes to Orlando for a Pet Expo with his mother-in-law, while Jen catches up on meetings and projects at the hospital, but also has to watch the kids and care for her mother's three dogs.

13
123
"All You Wanted to Know"
May 27, 2014 (2014-05-27)
2.53[77]

The Little Couple looks back on how their lives have changed, answering questions and sharing insight into parenting with rare behind the scene moments.

14
124
"First Easter Together"
June 3, 2014 (2014-06-03)
2.85[78]

Bill teaches the kids the art of dyeing eggs while Jen does rounds at the hospital; the kids get dressed up and the family heads to a farm.

15
125
"Jen's Big 4-0"
June 10, 2014 (2014-06-10)
2.90[79]

Jen gets ready to turn 40 and thinks the family are going to the beach in Galveston, Texas, but Bill has a surprise in store for her milestone birthday.

16
126
"I Do...Again"
June 17, 2014 (2014-06-17)
3.06[80]

Bill reveals the vow renewal he has been planning and high winds put the ceremony in jeopardy.

text: Season 7 (2014–15)[edit]

text:
No. in
season
No. in
series
Title
Original air date
U.S. viewers
(million)

1
127
"Have a Little Faith"
December 2, 2014 (2014-12-02)
2.61[81]

Will and Zoey are baptized in Florida. Later, the family takes a trip to Washington, D.C.

2
128
"Device Free Day"
December 9, 2014 (2014-12-09)
2.09[82]

The family goes to the beach in Galveston, Texas, for some time away from their electronic gadgets. Bill and Will head to the pier to try to catch some fish for supper. Later, Jen goes for her six-month oncology checkup.

3
129
"First Week of School"
December 16, 2014 (2014-12-16)
2.00[83]

The first day of preschool gives Jen a chance to take some memorable photos. Later the kids take swim lessons, but Zoey is quite apprehensive.

4
130
"Zoey's Birthday Party"
December 23, 2014 (2014-12-23)
1.65[84]

Zoey's about to turn 3, so Jen plans a birthday party with a farm theme in honor of her daughter's favorite song, "Old MacDonald Had a Farm." Also: a family trip to Delaware for the kids' annual checkups.

5
131
"Bill's Birthday Surprise"
December 30, 2014 (2014-12-30)
2.48[85]

A trip to a pumpkin patch helps Will and Zoey learn about Halloween before Bill has to leave for back surgery. Later, Bill gets a surprise from Jen and the kids for his 40th birthday.

6
132
"Bill's Surgery"
January 6, 2015 (2015-01-06)
2.46[86]

Bill has surgery on his back. Will and Zoey go trick-or-treating for the first time on Halloween.

7
133
"Lift Off!"
May 26, 2015 (2015-05-26)
2.17[87]

Will and Zoey help Bill recover. Bill and Jen enjoy some time for themselves. Visiting Johnson's Space Center.

8
134
"A Little Holiday Spirit"
June 2, 2015 (2015-06-02)
1.70[88]

Bill and Jen spend time with Will and Zoey for Christmas time.

9
135
"New Adventures"
June 9, 2015 (2015-06-09)
1.64[89]

The kids try extracurricular activities. Will learns karate and Zoey learns ballet.

10
136
"Will's 5th Birthday!"
June 16, 2015 (2015-06-16)
1.59[90]

Bill works on getting his strength back. Celebrating Will's 5th birthday.

11
137
"An Open Book"
June 23, 2015 (2015-06-23)
1.66[91]

The family heads to NYC to introduce their new book, have some fun, and attend some doctor appointments.

12
138
"A Little Q&A"
June 30, 2015 (2015-06-30)
1.44[92]

Jen and Bill answer questions from their fans about their lives and feelings.

text: Season 8 (2016)[edit]

text:
No. in
season
No. in
series
Title
Original air date
U.S. viewers
(million)

1
127
"Zoey's 4th Birthday"
January 5, 2016 (2016-01-05)
2.61[81]

In the Season 10 premiere, Zoey's about to turn 4, and Jen decides on a princess tea party theme for her celebration, but Bill worries that her planning is a bit over the top.

2
128
"Back to School"
January 12, 2016 (2016-01-12)
2.09[82]

The kids get haircuts as the new school year approaches. Also: Bill takes Will grocery shopping for his lunches; and Jen and Zoey go for a mani-pedi.

3
129
"Safety First!"
January 19, 2016 (2016-01-19)
N/A

A visit to a fire station gives Will the thrill of meeting firefighters and riding in a fire truck. Meanwhile, Will and Zoey take a swimming lesson.

4
130
"A Fashion Show"
January 26, 2016 (2016-01-26)
N/A

A fashion show for dogs is an ambitious undertaking for Bill's pet store, but he worries that the attendance could be sparse. Also: The family visit the Children's Museum of Houston.

5
131
"Big Family Changes"
February 2, 2016 (2016-02-02)
N/A

Jen's parents are moving to Florida, the family helps with their garage sale, where Will and Zoey provide cold beverages with a lemonade stand.

6
132
"A Little Trip to the Big Easy"
February 9, 2016 (2016-02-09)
N/A

A photo shoot for the cover of Jen and Bill's new book is harder than it looks when they need the kids to pose for the picture. Later, the family takes a trip to New Orleans, where Jen is slated to deliver a speech.

7
133
"All Aboard!"
February 16, 2016 (2016-02-16)
N/A

Jen tackles a huge project at the hospital, so Bill takes the kids to a mini-bowling alley while she's working overtime.

8
134
"Mr. Mom"
February 23, 2016 (2016-02-23)
N/A

Jen's filmed by "Jeopardy!" at the hospital as a guest clue presenter. Later, she goes to San Diego on a business trip, leaving Bill to take care of the kids, so he plans to make pizzas, play games, visit the community garden and get tattoos.

9
135
"New Challenges"
March 1, 2016 (2016-03-01)
N/A

Jen and Bill have a night out just for adults at a local escape room. Meanwhile, Zoey has her first Indian dance lesson; and the family attends a Chinese lantern festival in Houston.

10
136
"A Little 4-1-1"
March 8, 2016 (2016-03-08)
N/A

Bill and Jen answer questions and go over topics like parenting, issues from being little people, and having their own television show.


document_title: Werner von Strucker

question_text: who plays alex von strucker in agents of shield

text: Werner von Strucker

text: Publication history[edit]

text: Werner von Strucker first appeared in Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Vol. 2 #1 and was created by Bob Harras.

text: Fictional character biography[edit]

text: Werner von Strucker is the oldest son of Baron Wolfgang von Strucker and the half-brother of twins Fenris (Andrea von Strucker and Andreas von Strucker).

text: Werner briefly takes over Hydra during one of his father's supposed deaths.[volume & issue needed] Later Wolfgang returns from the dead via the Death Spore virus.[volume & issue needed] Werner uses his influence to try to gain part of the territory of the Kingpin after he falls from power. The conference that would divide up the Kingpin's territory is set in Las Vegas.[1]

text: At first, Werner's forces detain two spies, who were in reality Microchip and Mickey Fondozzi, two associates of the Punisher. They claim to be Four and Eight, members of the organization called the Secret Empire, one of Werner's fellow conference attendees. Not wanting to risk a rift with the Empire, Werner thus declines to kill them. Via a spy, the Empire learns of the two prisoners. Coincidentally, the real Four and Eight had not shown up for the Kingpin division meeting. The Secret Empire becomes convinced that Four and Eight have turned traitor. They send Chainsaw and his Praetorians, a motorcycle gang, to attack the entire group.[2]

text: Werner survives the attack. He attends a later meeting of the criminal organizations, assisted by a brown-haired man. This assistant is really his father Baron Strucker. The meeting descends into violence, part of it resulting from Werner's siblings believing that he is not a worthy successor to their father. After the meeting breaks up, Baron Strucker slays Werner via the Death Spore virus and steps into power once again.[3] Werner's corpse is found by a super-powered vigilante named Terror. The vigilante steals one of Werner's eyes in order to gain information about the recent criminal meetings.[4]

text: In other media[edit]

text:
Werner von Strucker made an appearance in the 1998 film Nick Fury: Agent of Shield, played by Scott Heindl.
Werner von Strucker appears throughout the third and fifth seasons of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark.[5] Following his father's death at the hands of Ultron in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Werner changes his name to Alexander Braun and uses his inheritance to host lavish parties. He is greeted by Grant Ward who convinces him to join Hydra and continue his father's legacy.[6] Strucker confronts Andrew Garner in order to kill him, but is unable to after Garner transforms into the Inhuman Lash and kills the Hydra operatives with him.[7] For his failure to kill Garner, Ward has Kebo beat Strucker until he is left in a comatose state.[8] Eventually S.H.I.E.L.D. acquires Strucker's body, whose condition had gone from comatose to vegetative, in order for Phil Coulson to use the Theta Brain-Wave Frequency Machine on him in order to get information regarding the location of Gideon Malick.[9]


document_title: List of stadiums in India

question_text: which is the biggest stadium in the india

text: List of stadiums in India

text: Current Grounds[edit]

text:
Stadium
Capacity
Game(s)
City
State
Home Team(s)

Buddh International Circuit
120,000
Auto Racing
Greater Noida
Uttar Pradesh
Formula One

Salt Lake Stadium
85,000[1]
 Athletics,  Football (soccer)
Kolkata
West Bengal
Indian Football Team, Mohun Began A.C, East Bengal C., Mohammedan S.C, ATK some Chirag United Sports Club matches

Eden Gardens
66,000 [2]
 Cricket
Kolkata
West Bengal
Indian Cricket Team, Bengal Cricket Team, Kolkata Knight Riders

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium
60,000
 Cricket
Hyderabad
Telangana
Indian Cricket Team
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Hyderabad Cricket Association

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
60,000[3]
 Cricket,  football (soccer)
Kochi
Kerala
Indian Football Team (1997–present)
Indian Cricket Team (1998-2014)
Chirag United Club Kerala (2007-2012)
Kochi Tuskers Kerala (2010-2011)
Kerala Strikers (2011-Present)
Kerala Blasters FC (2014–present)

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
60,000
 Athletics,  football (soccer)
Delhi
Delhi NCR
Indian Football Team (2011–present)
Delhi Dynamos FC (2014–present)

DY Patil Stadium
55,000
 Cricket,  football (soccer)
Navi Mumbai
Maharashtra
Mumbai City FC

EMS Stadium
53,000[4]
 Football (soccer)
Kozhikode
Kerala
India national football team(2012-present)
Viva Kerala FC (2007-2011)
Quartz S.C. (2012–present)
Gokulam Kerala FC (2017–present)

The Sports Hub
50,000[5]
 Sports complex
Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala
Indian Football Team (2016–present)
Indian Cricket Team (2017–present)

Ekana International Cricket Stadium
50,000
 Cricket
Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh cricket team

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium
50,000[6]
 Cricket
Ahmedabad
Gujarat
Gujarat cricket team

Kalinga Stadium
50,000
Multi Purpose Stadium
Bhubaneswar
Odisha
Odisha Field Hockey Team (2010-present)
Odisha Football Team (2010-present)
Odisha Women's Football Team(2010-present)
Kalinga Lancers (2014-present)

Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium
50,000
 Cricket
Raipur
Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh cricket team

Barabati Stadium
45,000
 Cricket
Cuttack
Odisha
Odisha Cricket Team (1958-present)
Odisha Women's Cricket Team (1958-present)
Odisha Football Team (1958-present)
Odisha Women's Football Team (1958-present)

Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium
45,000[7]
 Cricket
Nagpur
Maharashtra
Vidarbha cricket team

International Cricket Stadium, Saifai
43,000
 Cricket
Saifai
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh cricket team, Major Dhyan Chand Sports College, Saifai

Feroz Shah Kotla
41,820[8]
 Cricket
Delhi
Delhi NCR
Delhi cricket team, Delhi Daredevils

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium
40,000
 Cricket
Guwahati
Assam
Assam cricket team

Chennai Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
40,000
 Athletics,  Football (soccer)
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Indian Bank Recreational Club, Chennaiyin F.C.

KIIT Stadium
40,000[9]
 Cricket
Bhubaneswar
Orissa
Odisha cricket team

JSCA International Cricket Stadium
39,133
 Cricket
Ranchi
Jharkhand
Jharkhand cricket team

M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
38,000
 Cricket
Bangalore
Karnataka
Karnataka cricket team, Royal Challengers Bangalore

M. A. Chidambaram Stadium
38,000
 Cricket
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu cricket team, Chennai Super Kings

Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium
37,406
 Cricket
Gahunje, Pune district
Maharashtra
Pune Warriors India

CB Patel International Cricket Stadium
35,000
 Cricket
Surat
Gujarat
Gujarat cricket team

Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium
35,000
 Athletics
Ranchi
Jharkhand

JRD Tata Sports Complex
35,000
 Athletics,  Football (soccer)
Jamshedpur
Jharkhand

Wankhede Stadium
33,108[10]
 Cricket
Mumbai
Maharashtra
Mumbai cricket team, Mumbai Indians

Green Park Stadium
33,000[11]
 Cricket
Kanpur
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh cricket team, Kanpur Cricket Association

Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium
33,000
 Cricket
Rajkot
Gujarat
Saurashtra cricket team

Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium
30,737
 Athletics,  football (soccer)
Guwahati
Assam
NorthEast United FC, local football teams and athletics

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
30,000
 Cricket
Coimbatore
Tamil Nadu
Coimbatore District cricket association

G. M. C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium
30,000
 Athletics,  Cricket
Hyderabad
Telangana
Local cricket teams and athletics

Kanchenjunga Stadium
30,000
 Football (soccer)
Siliguri
West Bengal
local football teams

Khuman Lampak Main Stadium
30,000[citation needed]
 Football (soccer)
Imphal
Manipur
local football teams and athletics

Maharaja Bir Bikram College Stadium
30,000
 Cricket
Agartala
Tripura
Tripura cricket team

Barkatullah Khan Stadium
30,000
 Cricket
Jodhpur
Rajasthan
Rajasthan cricket team

Dadaji Kondadev Stadium
30,000
 Football (soccer)
Thane
Maharashtra
local football teams

Holkar Cricket Stadium
30,000
 Cricket
Indore
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh cricket team

Indira Gandhi Stadium
30,000
 Cricket
Solapur
Maharashtra

International Hockey Stadium
30,000
 Hockey
Rajnandgaon
Chhattisgarh

Sector 42 Stadium
30,000
 Hockey
Chandigarh
Punjab
Chandigarh Comets

War Heroes Stadium
30,000
 Hockey
Sangrur
Punjab
Sangrur hockey team

Baichung Stadium
30,000
 Football (soccer)
Namchi
Sikkim

Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium
30,000
 Athletics,  football (soccer)
Kollam
Kerala

Bakhshi Stadium
30,000
 Football (soccer)
Srinagar
Jammu and Kashmir
JK XI

Guru Gobind Singh Stadium
30,000
 Cricket
Nanded
Maharashtra
Maharashtra cricket team

Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium
26,736
 Cricket
Visakhapatnam
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh cricket team, Deccan Chargers

Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium
26,000[12]
 Cricket
Mohali
Punjab
Punjab cricket team, Kings XI Punjab

HPCA Cricket Stadium
25,000
 Cricket
Dharamshala
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh cricket team

Nehru Stadium
25,000
 Cricket
Indore
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh

Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium
25,000
 Cricket
Hyderabad
Telangana
Hyderabad cricket team, Hyderabad Heroes, Andhra Pradesh cricket team

Moin-ul-Haq Stadium
25,000
 Cricket
Patna
Bihar
Bihar cricket team

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
25,000
 Cricket
Pune
Maharashtra
local cricket teams

Mahabir Stadium
25,000
 Sports complex
Hisar
Haryana
multi-purpose stadium

K. D. Singh Babu Stadium
25,000[13]
 Cricket
Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh cricket team

Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium
25,000
 Cricket
Dehradun
Uttarakhand
Uttar Pradesh cricket team

Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium
25,000
 Athletics,  Football (soccer)
Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala

Sree Kanteerava Stadium
24,000
 Athletics, Football (soccer)
Bengaluru
Karnataka
Bengaluru FC

East Bengal Ground
23,500
 Football (soccer)
Kolkata
West Bengal
East Bengal

Sawai Mansingh Stadium
23,185
 Cricket
Jaipur
Rajasthan
Rajasthan Royals, Rajasthan

Mohun Bagan Ground
22,000
 Football (soccer)
Kolkata
West Bengal
Mohun Bagan

Guru Gobind Singh Stadium
22,000
 Football (soccer)
Jalandhar
Punjab
local football teams

Satindra Mohan Dev Stadium
22,000
 Football (soccer)
Silchar
Assam
local football team

The Arena
20,000[14]
multi-purpose stadium
Ahmedabad
Gujarat

Mangala Stadium
20,000
 Football (soccer)
Mangalore
Karnataka
Mangalore United

Dhyan Chand National Stadium
20,000
 Hockey
Delhi
Delhi NCR
International field hockey, Delhi Wizards

Sector 42 Stadium
20,000
 Hockey
Chandigarh
Chandigarh
Chandigarh Comets

Ambedkar Stadium
20,000
 Football (soccer)
Delhi
Delhi NCR
ONGC Football Club

Lajwanti Stadium
20,000
 Football (soccer)
Hoshiarpur
Punjab

TT Nagar Stadium
20,000
 Football (soccer)
Bhopal
Madhya Pradesh

Visvesvaraya Stadium
20,000
 Football (soccer)
Mandya
Karnataka

Dr. Akhilesh Das Stadium
20,000
 Cricket
Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh cricket team

Veer Surendra Sai Stadium
20,000
 Cricket
Sambalpur
Odisha
Odisha cricket team

Patliputra Sports Complex
20,000
 Football (soccer)
Patna
Bihar
local football teams

NTR Stadium
20,000[15]

Gudivada
multi-purpose stadium

Paljor Stadium
20,000
 Football (soccer)
Gangtok
Sikkim
United Sikkim F.C.

Keenan Stadium
19,000
 Cricket
Jamshedpur
Jharkhand
Jharkhand cricket team, Bihar cricket team

Fatorda Stadium
19,000
 Football (soccer)
Margao
Goa
Dempo Sports Club, Salgaocar Sports Club, Sporting Clube de Goa

Rabindra Sarobar Stadium
18,000
 Athletics,  Football (soccer)
Kolkata
West Bengal
Tollygunge Agragami

Moti Bagh Stadium
18,000
 Cricket
Baroda
Gujarat
Baroda cricket team

Captain Roop Singh Stadium
18,000[16]
 Cricket
Gwalior
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh cricket team

Chhatrasal Stadium
16,000
 Sports complex
Delhi
Delhi NCR

Biju Patnaik Hockey Stadium
15,000
 Sports complex
Bhubaneswar
Odisha
Samaleswari Sports Club, Kalinga Lancers

IPCL Sports Complex Ground
15,000
 Cricket
Baroda
Gujarat
Baroda cricket team

Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Ground
15,000
 Cricket
Rajkot
Gujarat
Saurashtra cricket team

Ravi Shankar Shukla Stadium
15,000
 Football (soccer)
Jabalpur
Madhya Pradesh
local football teams

Thrissur Municipal Corporation Stadium
15,000
 Football (soccer)
Thrissur
Kerala
local football team

Mohammedan Sporting Ground
15,000
 Football (soccer)
Kolkata
West Bengal
Mohammedan Sporting Club

YS Raja Reddy Stadium
15,000
 Cricket
Kadapa
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra cricket team

Rajendra Stadium
15,000
Football
Siwan
Bihar

Guru Nanak Stadium
15,000
 Football (soccer)
Ludhiana
Punjab
JCT FC

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
15,000
 Sports complex
Guwahati
Assam
multi-purpose stadium

Gangotri Glades Cricket Ground
15,000
 Cricket
Mysore
Karnataka
Karnataka cricket team

Indira Gandhi Arena
14,348
 Sports complex
Delhi
NCR
local football teams

International Hockey Stadium
13,648
 Hockey
Ajitgarh
Punjab
Punjab Warriors

Jadavpur Stadium
12,000
 Football (soccer)
Kolkata
West Bengal
local football teams

Tilak Maidan Stadium
12,000
 Football (soccer)
Vasco da Gama
Goa
local football team

Tau Devi Lal Stadium
12,000 (Football), 7,000 (Cricket)
 Cricket,  football (soccer)
Gurgaon
Haryana
Haryana cricket team, Amity United Football Club

Netaji Indoor Stadium
12,000
 Indoor sports
Kolkata
West Bengal
Bengal Warriors

Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium
12,000[17]
 Cricket
Sri Nagar
Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir cricket team

Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium
10,000
Multi-purpose
Kochi
Kerala

Bhausaheb Bandodkar Ground
10,000
 Cricket
panaji
goa
Goa cricket team

Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium
10,000
 Gymnastics
Cuttack
Odisha
Odisha Olympic Association

Aishbagh Stadium
10,000
 Hockey
Bhopal
Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal Badshahs

Nagaland Cricket Association Stadium
10,000
 Cricket
Dimapur
Nagaland
Nagaland cricket team

MGR Race Course Stadium
10,000[18]
 Horse racing, Kabaddi
Madurai
Tamil Nadu
Madurai District Sports association

Chaudhary Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium
10,000
 Cricket
Rohtak
Haryana

Birsa Munda Football Stadium
10,000
 Cricket
Ranchi
Jharkhand

Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium, Lucknow
10,000
 Hockey
Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh Wizards, Guru Gobind Singh Sports College

Dhruv Pandove Cricket Stadium
10,000
 Cricket
Patiala
Punjab

Dr. Rajendra Prasad Football Stadium
10,000
 Association football
Neemuch
Madhya Pradesh

Dr Sampurnanda Stadium
10,000
Cricket, field hockey, football
Varanasi
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh cricket team

Gandhi Ground
10,000
Multi-purpose
Udaipur
Rajastan

Guru Nanak Stadium
10,000
 Field hockey
KapurthalaU
Punjab

Fort Maidan
10,000
 Football (soccer)
Palakkad
Kerala

Jorethang Ground
10,000
 Football
Jorethang
Sikkim

Mela Ground
10,000
 Football
Kalimpong
West Bengal
East Bengal F.C, United S.C, West Bengal football team, local football teams

East Coast Railway Stadium
1,720
 Cricket
Bhubaneswar
Odisha

text: Future Projects[edit]

text: This list includes stadiums that are currently under construction or those still in planning stages. A few grounds from this list may be removed or scrapped completely in the planning stage itself.

text:
Stadium
Capacity
Game(s)
City
State
Home Team(s)

Sardar Patel Stadium
110,000
 Cricket
Ahmedabad
Gujarat
Gujarat cricket team

Gwalior International Cricket Stadium
60,000
 Cricket
Gwalior
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh cricket team

Indore Sports Complex
50,000
 Sports complex
Indore
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh cricket team
Madhya Pradesh football team

Barkatullah University Stadium
50,000
 Cricket
Bhopal
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh cricket team

Mangalagiri International Cricket Stadium
40,000
 Cricket
Mangalagiri
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra cricket team

Faizabad Sports Complex
30,000
 Sports complex
Faizabad
Uttar Pradesh
TBA

Malappuram District Sports Complex & Football Academy Stadium
28,000[19]
 Football (soccer)
Malappuram
Kerala
Federation Cup 2014 venue, local football teams

International Cricket stadium
25,000[20]
 Cricket
Narsingarh
Tripura
Tripura cricket team

New Bangalore Football Stadium
25,000
 Football (soccer)
Bangalore
Karnataka
Bengaluru FC

Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Mualpui
20,000
 Athletics,  football (soccer)
Aizawl
Mizoram
athletics, local football team


document_title: The Beggar's Opera

question_text: who gives macheath up to peachum and the constables

text: The Beggar's Opera

text: Origin and analysis[edit]

text: The original idea of the opera came from Jonathan Swift, who wrote to Alexander Pope on 30 August 1716 asking "...what think you, of a Newgate pastoral among the thieves and whores there?" Their friend, Gay, decided that it would be a satire rather than a pastoral opera. For his original production in 1728, Gay intended all the songs to be sung without any accompaniment, adding to the shocking and gritty atmosphere of his conception.[8] However, a week or so before the opening night, John Rich, the theatre director, insisted on having Johann Christoph Pepusch, a composer associated with his theatre, write a formal French overture (based on two of the songs in the opera, including a fugue based on Lucy's 3rd act song "I'm Like A Skiff on the Ocean Toss'd") and also to arrange the 69 songs. Although there is no external evidence of who the arranger was, inspection of the original 1729 score, formally published by Dover Books, demonstrates that Pepusch was the arranger.[9]

text: The work took satiric aim at the passionate interest of the upper classes in Italian opera, and simultaneously set out to lampoon the notable Whig statesman Robert Walpole, and politicians in general, as well as such notorious criminals as Jonathan Wild, the thief-taker, Claude Duval, the highwayman, and Jack Sheppard, the prison-breaker. It also deals with social inequity on a broad scale, primarily through the comparison of low-class thieves and whores with their aristocratic and bourgeois "betters."

text: Gay used Scottish folk melodies mostly taken from the poet Allan Ramsay's hugely popular collection The Gentle Shepherd (1725) plus two French tunes (including the carol "Bergers, écoutez la musique!" for his song "Fill Every Glass"), to serve his hilariously pointed and irreverent texts. Pepusch composed an overture and arranged all the tunes shortly before the opening night at Lincoln's Inn Fields on 28 January 1728. However, all that remains of Pepusch's score are the overture (with complete instrumentation) and the melodies of the songs with unfigured basses. Various reconstructions have been attempted, and a 1990 reconstruction of the score by American composer Jonathan Dobin has been used in a number of modern productions.[6]

text: Gay uses the operatic norm of three acts (as opposed to the standard in spoken drama of the time of five acts), and tightly controls the dialogue and plot so that there are surprises in each of the forty-five fast-paced scenes and 69 short songs. The success of the opera was accompanied by a public desire for keepsakes and mementos, ranging from images of Polly on fans and clothing, playing cards and fire-screens, broadsides featuring all the characters, and the rapidly published musical score of the opera.

text: The play is sometimes seen to be a reactionary call for libertarian values in response to the growing power of the conservative Whig party. It may also have been influenced by the then-popular ideology of Locke that men should be allowed their natural liberties; these democratic strains of thought influenced the populist movements of the time, of which The Beggar's Opera was a part.[10]

text: The character of Macheath has been considered by critics as both a hero and an anti-hero. Harold Gene Moss, arguing that Macheath is a noble character, has written, "[one] whose drives are toward love and the vital passions, Macheath becomes an almost Christ-like victim of the decadence surrounding him." Contrarily, John Richardson in the peer-reviewed journal Eighteenth-Century Life has argued that Macheath is powerful as a literary figure precisely because he stands against any interpretation, "against expectation and illusion."[10] He is now thought to have been modeled on the gentleman highwayman, Claude Duval,[11][12] although interest in criminals had recently been raised by Jack Sheppard's escapes from Newgate.[13]

text: The Beggar's Opera has had an influence on all later British stage comedies, especially on nineteenth century British comic opera and the modern musical.

text: Roles[edit]

text:
Mr Peachum – powerful leader of criminals who betrays or discards his thieves, highwaymen, and prostitutes when they are no longer useful to him

Lockit – jail keeper

Macheath – captain of gang of robbers; a womanizer who professes to love both Polly and Lucy

Filch – the Peachums' loyal but squeamish servant

Jemmy Twitcher
Macheath's Gang

Crook-Finger'd Jack

Wat Dreary

Robin of Bagshot

Nimming Ned – ("Nimming" meaning thieving)

Harry Padington

Finger Dan

Matt of the Mint

Ben Budge

Beggar (serves as Narrator)

Player

Mrs Peachum

Polly Peachum

Lucy Lockit

Mrs Diana Trapes

Mrs Coaxer
Women of the Town

Dolly Trull – ("Trull" meaning prostitute)

Mrs Vixen

Betty Doxy – ("Doxy" meaning slut)

Jenny Diver

Mrs Slammekin – ("Slammerkin" meaning slut)

Suky Tawdry

Molly Brazen

Jailor

Drawer

Constables

text: Synopsis[edit]

text: Peachum, a fence and thief-catcher, justifies his actions.[14] Mrs Peachum, overhearing her husband's blacklisting of unproductive thieves, protests regarding one of them: Bob Booty (the nickname of Robert Walpole). The Peachums discover that Polly, their daughter, has secretly married Macheath, the famous highwayman, who is Peachum's principal client. Upset to learn they will no longer be able to use Polly in their business, Peachum and his wife ask how Polly will support such a husband "in Gaming, Drinking and Whoring." Nevertheless, they conclude that the match may be more profitable to the Peachums if the husband can be killed for his money. They leave to carry out this errand. However, Polly has hidden Macheath.

text: Macheath goes to a tavern where he is surrounded by women of dubious virtue who, despite their class, compete in displaying perfect drawing-room manners, although the subject of their conversation is their success in picking pockets and shoplifting. Macheath discovers, too late, that two of them (Jenny Diver, Suky Tawdry) have contracted with Peachum to capture him, and he becomes a prisoner in Newgate prison. The prison is run by Peachum's associate, the corrupt jailer Lockit. His daughter, Lucy Lockit, has the opportunity to scold Macheath for having agreed to marry her and then broken this promise. She tells him that to see him tortured would give her pleasure. Macheath pacifies her, but Polly arrives and claims him as her husband. Macheath tells Lucy that Polly is crazy. Lucy helps Macheath to escape by stealing her father's keys. Her father learns of Macheath's promise to marry her and worries that if Macheath is recaptured and hanged, his fortune might be subject to Peachum's claims. Lockit and Peachum discover Macheath's hiding place. They decide to split his fortune.

text: Meanwhile, Polly visits Lucy to try to reach an agreement, but Lucy tries to poison her. Polly narrowly avoids the poisoned drink, and the two girls find out that Macheath has been recaptured owing to the inebriated Mrs Diana Trapes. They plead with their fathers for Macheath's life. However, Macheath now finds that four more pregnant women each claim him as their husband. He declares that he is ready to be hanged. The narrator (the Beggar), notes that although in a properly moral ending Macheath and the other villains would be hanged, the audience demands a happy ending, and so Macheath is reprieved, and all are invited to a dance of celebration, to celebrate his wedding to Polly.

text: Selected musical numbers[edit]

text:
Can Love be control'd by Advice? (Polly, act 1)
Let us take the Road (Chorus of Highwaymen, act 2)
When Gold is at hand (Jenny Diver)[citation needed]
At the Tree I shall suffer (Macheath, act 2)
How cruel are the Traitors (Lucy, act 2)
How happy could I be with either (Macheath, act 2)
In the Days of my Youth (Mrs Diana Trapes, act 3)
The Charge is prepar'd (Macheath, act 3)

text: Reaction[edit]

text: The Beggar's Opera was met with widely varying reactions. Its popularity was documented in The Craftsman with the following entries:

text: "This Week a Dramatick Entertainment has been exhibited at the Theatre in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, entitled The Beggar's Opera, which has met with a general Applause, insomuch that the Waggs say it has made Rich very Gay, and probably will make Gay very Rich." (3 February 1728)

text: "We hear that the British Opera, commonly called The Beggar's Opera, continues to be acted, at the Theatre in Lincoln's-Inn Fields with general Applause, to the great Mortification of the Performers and Admirers of the Outlandish Opera in the Haymarket." (17 February 1728)[15]

text: Two weeks after opening night, an article appeared in The Craftsman, the leading opposition newspaper, ostensibly protesting at Gay's work as libellous and ironically assisting him in satirising the Walpole establishment by taking the government's side:

text: The commentator notes the Beggar's last remark: "That the lower People have their Vices in a Degree as well as the Rich, and are punished for them," implying that rich People are not so punished.[17]

text: Criticism of Gay's opera continued long after its publication. In 1776, John Hawkins wrote in his History of Music that due to the opera's popularity, "Rapine and violence have been gradually increasing" solely because the rising generation of young men desired to imitate the character Macheath. Hawkins blamed Gay for tempting these men with "the charms of idleness and criminal pleasure," which Hawkins saw Macheath as representing and glorifying.[18]

text: Sequel[edit]

text: In 1729, Gay wrote a sequel, Polly, set in the West Indies: Macheath, sentenced to transportation, has escaped and become a pirate, while Mrs Trapes has set up in white-slaving and shanghais Polly to sell her to the wealthy planter Mr Ducat. Polly escapes dressed as a boy, and after many adventures marries the son of a Carib chief.

text: The political satire, however, was even more pointed in Polly than in The Beggar's Opera, with the result that Prime Minister Robert Walpole leaned on the Lord Chamberlain to have it banned, and it was not performed until fifty years later.[19]

text: Adaptations[edit]

text: As was typical practice of the time in London, a commemorative "score" of the entire opera was assembled and published quickly. As was common, this consisted of the fully arranged overture followed by the melodies of the 69 songs, supported by only the simplest bass accompaniments. There are no indications of dance music, accompanying instrumental figures or the like, except in three instances: Lucy's "Is Then His Fate Decree'd Sir" – one measure of descending scale marked "Viol." –; Trape's "In the Days of My Youth", in which the "fa la la chorus is written as "viol."; and the final reprieve dance, Macheath's "Thus I Stand Like A Turk", which includes two sections of 16 measures of "dance" marked "viol." (See the 1729 score, formerly published by Dover).

text: The absence of the original performing parts has allowed producers and arrangers free rein. The tradition of personalised arrangements, dating back at least as far as Thomas Arne's later 18th century arrangements, continues today, running the gamut of musical styles from Romantic to Baroque: Austin, Britten, Sargent, Bonynge, Dobin and other conductors have each imbued the songs with a personal stamp, highlighting different aspects of characterisation. Following is a list of some of the most highly regarded 20th-century arrangements and settings of the opera.

text:
In 1920, the baritone Frederic Austin newly arranged the music (and also sang the role of Peachum) for the long-running production (1,463 performances) at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. The Irish baritone Frederick Ranalow sang the role of Captain Macheath in every performance. In 1955 this version was recorded by conductor Sir Malcolm Sargent with John Cameron as Macheath and Monica Sinclair as Lucy.
In 1928, on the 200th anniversary of the original production, Bertolt Brecht (words) and Kurt Weill (music) created a popular new musical adaptation of the work in Germany entitled Die Dreigroschenoper (The Threepenny Opera). In this work, the original plot is followed fairly closely (although the time is brought forward over a hundred years) but the music is almost all new.
In 1946, John La Touche (book and lyrics) and Duke Ellington (music) created another musical adaptation of the work for Broadway entitled Beggar's Holiday. An updated rendition of the story focused on a corrupt world inhabited by rakish Mobsters, raffish Madams and their dissolute whores, panhandlers and street people.
In 1948, Benjamin Britten created an adaptation with new harmonisations and arrangements of pre-existing tunes. Additional dialogue was written by the producer, Tyrone Guthrie. Peter Pears was the first singer of Macheath.[20] It was dedicated to James Haldane Lawrie,[21] who would go on to chair the English Opera Group.[22]
The opera was made into a film version in 1953, and starred Laurence Olivier as Captain Macheath.
In 1975, Czech playwright (and future president) Václav Havel created a non-musical adaptation.
In 1977, the Nigerian Nobel Prize-winning playwright and dramatist Wole Soyinka wrote, produced and directed Opera Wonyosi (publ. 1981), an adaptation of both John Gay's The Beggar's Opera and Bertolt Brecht's The Threepenny Opera; most of his characters as well as some of the arias are from the two earlier plays.
In 1978, the Brazilian singer-songwriter Chico Buarque wrote Ópera do Malandro (1978), an adaptation of both John Gay's The Beggar's Opera and Bertolt Brecht's The Threepenny Opera, with new songs and set in 1940's Rio de Janeiro,which was later adapted as a film by director Ruy Guerra.
In 1981 Richard Bonynge and Douglas Gamley arranged a new edition for The Australian Opera (now Opera Australia). It was recorded the same year with Joan Sutherland, Kiri Te Kanawa, James Morris and Angela Lansbury.
The opera was adapted for BBC television in 1983. This production was directed by Jonathan Miller and starred Roger Daltrey in the role of Macheath, Stratford Johns as Peachum, Gary Tibbs as Filch, and Bob Hoskins as the Beggar. The "happy" ending was changed so that Macheath is hanged instead of being reprieved.
In 1984 in the play (and later film) A Chorus of Disapproval by Alan Ayckbourn, an amateur production of The Beggar's Opera is a major plot driver and excerpts are performed.
In 1990 Jonathan Dobin created his period-styled performing edition for the Ten Ten Players (now Theatre 2020) and it has since been performed at a venues throughout the United States. This edition is based on the 1728 printed edition and includes the full overture as detailed by Pepusch and fleshes out all of the remaining 69 airs and dances of the original 18th century production.[6]
In 1998, the all female Japanese troupe, Takarazuka Revue, produced an adaptation titled Speakeasy.[23] The play was Maya Miki's retirement play.
In 2008 the Sydney Theatre Company of Australia and Out of Joint Theatre Company co-produced a version entitled The Convict's Opera written by Stephen Jeffreys and directed by Max Stafford-Clark. This version is set aboard a convict ship bound for New South Wales, where convicts are putting on a version of The Beggar's Opera. The lives of the convicts partly mirror their characters in The Beggars' Opera, and modern popular songs are performed throughout the piece. The Convict's Opera began touring the UK in early 2009.[24]
The theatre company Vanishing Point created a modern production of The Beggar's Opera in 2009 for The Royal Lyceum Theatre and Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, set in a near-future apocalypse world. It features music from A Band Called Quinn.[25]
The original opera was performed in an 18th-century setting at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in summer 2011 in a production directed by Lucy Bailey.[26]