6 season sitcom that aired on CBS for a good chunk of the 1980s. The legendary Jane Curtin (SNL,Third Rock From The Sun) and Susan St.James (McMillan & Wife) played two moms who raise their kids in a New York Apartment. It was a top 30 hit for its first 4 seasons but it decreased in popularity for the last two.
Thanks for the memories Dave and later Stephen.
Bill Bixby had a remarkable television career (3 hit shows to his belt,plus directing everything from Sledge Hammer! To Blossom).
Peggy Lipton rose to fame and became a 1960s teen heartthrob as Julie Barnes on “The Mod Squad”. Lipton was nominated for 4 Emmy award and won a Golden Globe as Barnes. Later in her career,she landed a memorable role as Norma Jennings on David Lynch’s Twin Peaks. Lipton was married to music legend Quincy Jones and has two daughters (you may know one of them from “Parks And Rec”). She sadly passed away 7 years ago in 2019 at age 72 due to colon cancer.
Short lived NBC sitcom that centered around 3 brothers who live in an apartment overlooking Wrigley Field. A post “Hogan Family” Jason Bateman played the oldest brother. Sitcom legend James Burrows directed 3 episodes.
2 season follow up vehicle to The Waltons for Ralph Waite. It did an ok first season but the ratings crumbled when put against Mr T.
I should mention that family friendly sitcoms exclude shows like Cheers,Roseanne,Golden Girls,Simpsons,Married With Children,All In The Family,Mary Tyler Moore,Newhart,Kate & Allie and Night Court as those are sitcoms aimed at an adult audience.
Somewhat forgotten 3 season ABC sitcom that starred Inger Stevens and William Windom. It had a brief syndicated run in the 1980s on Pat Robertson’s channel.
While some actors like a Tom Hanks or a Claire Danes can get their start appearing in a cult classic show,others can get their start in a show that isn’t remembered all too well except possibly by the fans who remember it years later. Which stars do you remember appearing in a short lived/forgotten tv show.
Short lived comeback attempt for the Hollywood legend. With the success of shows like “Cosby” & “Golden Girls”,ABC decided it be a cool idea to bring back Lucille Ball for a sitcom. Problem was it felt like a 1960s sitcom instead of an 80s one. It was cancelled after 8 episodes of the 13 aired (the 5 would later emerge on dvd). This was the last role Lucille Ball did before she died in 1989.
Short lived spinoff of Happy Days in which comic Jimmy Brogan plays an angel/advisor who helps out a widowed mom with her kids. The show was retooled for the last episodes without the mom (dark) however they never made it air.
Some of these lasted for 2 seasons,some only for a few episodes. Some were about family,others were about science fiction. But all of them were dramas like that aired on the peacock network in the 1980s.
NBC Crime Drama that ran for 7 seasons. Former Football Player Fred Dwyer played the lead role alongside Stephanie Kramer (who had just come off an NBC sitcom flop).
5 season NBC drama that starred a pre Bond Pierce Brosnan,a pre ELR Debra Roberts and the daughter of Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since we lost many of these beloved talents. Many of them had an impact that went from music to the film world to even sports and journalism. Many of them left us too soon,others had a life worth celebrating. Do you have a favorite memory/moment of any of the stars/public figures we lost in 2016 and which ones did I leave out from this memorial tribute.