413 Hope St.

Did You Know?

• The series was named for the address of a New York City crisis center.
• The center's founder, Phil Thomas, started it at the site where his teenage son was gunned down after refusing to relinquish his sneakers to a street thug.
• Topics addressed included drug addiction and recovery, HIV and AIDS, foster care, re-integration after incarceration, and homelessness.

Production

Damon Wayans initially wrote a draft of the show three years before it aired, but he felt it was too melodramatic and wasn't happy with it. He then developed the concept further, weaving in more humor and layered characters, and presented the drama to Fox at the same time as a half-hour sitcom that eventually became Damon. Fox officially added 413 Hope St. to its fall schedule in May 1997. The series lasted only ten episodes before being canceled due to poor viewership, with its last episode broadcast on New Year's Day 1998. Its time slot, which put it up against Seinfeld on NBC, was seen as a major reason for the low ratings. After the cancellation, Wayans voiced his disappointment over what he saw as Fox's insufficient backing and minimal promotion.

Reception

The show was praised for its diverse representation, featuring a largely African-American cast and gay characters. A BBDO survey ranked it the top drama among African-American households. Variety's Julio Martinez found it gritty yet formulaic, urging more character-driven, less predictable episodes. John Martin of The New York Times noted a likable cast but called for more imaginative writing. Associated Press's Frazier Moore was harsher, deeming the show hopelessly predictable and contrived.