The made-for-TV
Guide for the Married Woman was conceived by screenwriter
Frank Tarloff as an "answer" to his frolicsome 1968 theatrical feature
Guide for the Married Man. If the sequel isn't quite as much fun as the original, it may be because what was deemed "risque" in 1968 was kid's stuff in 1978. In her TV-movie debut,
Cybill Shepherd plays a bored housewife who yearns for romance and excitement. With the help of a steady stream of celebrity guest stars,
Shepherd is able to fantasize about extramarital hijinks to her heart's content. The supporting cast includes such luminaries as
Peter Marshall,
Eve Arden,
John Beradino,
John Byner,
Bill Dana,
Bonnie Franklin,
George Gobel,
Tom Poston,
Barbara Feldon and
Chuck Woolery (the guest-star list of the original
Guide for the Married Man included
Art Carney,
Jack Benny,
Lucille Ball,
Carl Reiner,
Terry-Thomas,
Joey Bishop and
Jayne Mansfield: guess which film had the bigger budget?)
Guide for the Married Woman originally aired October 13, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide