"Eight Is Enough" (1977) TV series 1977-1981

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

15 March 1977 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Family

Plot:

This comedy drama focused on a family with eight very independent children.

Plot Keywords:

Sacramento California | Family Relationships | Large Family | Widower | Loss Of Wife

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 6 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Dick Van Patten	...	Tom Bradford (112 episodes, 1977-1981)
Lani O'Grady	...	Mary Bradford (112 episodes, 1977-1981)
Susan Richardson	...	Susan Bradford Stockwell (112 episodes, 1977-1981)
Laurie Walters	...	Joannie Bradford (112 episodes, 1977-1981)
Connie Needham	...	Elizabeth Bradford (112 episodes, 1977-1981)
Adam Rich	...	Nicholas Bradford (112 episodes, 1977-1981)
Grant Goodeve	...	David Bradford (111 episodes, 1977-1981)
Dianne Kay	...	Nancy Bradford (111 episodes, 1977-1981)
Willie Aames	...	Tommy Bradford (111 episodes, 1977-1981)
Betty Buckley	...	Sandra Sue 'Abby' Abbott Bradford (102 episodes, 1977-1981)
Brian Patrick Clarke	...	Merle 'The Pearl' Stockwell (44 episodes, 1979-1981)

Series Directed by
Harry Harris		(27 episodes, 1977-1981)
Irving J. Moore		(15 episodes, 1977-1981)
Jack Bender		(11 episodes, 1979-1981)
Vincent McEveety		(8 episodes, 1977-1981)
Stan Lathan		(7 episodes, 1978-1981)
Philip Leacock		(6 episodes, 1977-1978)
Arnold Laven		(5 episodes, 1978-1979)
Harvey S. Laidman		(4 episodes, 1977-1978)
Leslie H. Martinson		(3 episodes, 1979-1980)
David Moessinger		(2 episodes, 1977-1979)
Ray Marsh		(2 episodes, 1977-1978)
David Swift		(2 episodes, 1977)
Earl Bellamy		(2 episodes, 1978-1979)
Bernard McEveety		(2 episodes, 1980)
Rowe Wallerstein		(2 episodes, 1981)

Series Writing credits
William Blinn		(112 episodes, 1977-1981)
Thomas Braden		(112 episodes, 1977-1981)
Bruce Shelly		(14 episodes, 1977-1981)
Gil Grant		(12 episodes, 1979-1981)
David Braff		(10 episodes, 1978-1980)
Nick Thiel		(10 episodes, 1978-1980)
Greg Strangis		(9 episodes, 1977-1979)
Gary Adelson		(9 episodes, 1978-1981)
Hindi Brooks		(8 episodes, 1977-1980)
Peter Lefcourt		(8 episodes, 1977-1978)
Sandra Kay Siegel		(6 episodes, 1978-1981)
J. Miyoko Hensley		(6 episodes, 1978-1980)
Steven Hensley		(6 episodes, 1978-1980)
Patricia Green		(6 episodes, 1979-1981)
Dusty Kay		(5 episodes, 1977-1979)
Chris Manheim		(5 episodes, 1979-1980)
Karen Hall		(5 episodes, 1980-1981)
Parke Perine		(4 episodes, 1977-1980)
Gwen Bagni		(3 episodes, 1977-1978)
Paul Dubov		(3 episodes, 1977-1978)
Robert McCullough		(3 episodes, 1977-1978)
Bill Nuss		(3 episodes, 1977-1978)
Larry Arnstein		(3 episodes, 1978-1979)
David Hurwitz		(3 episodes, 1978-1979)
Rod Peterson		(2 episodes, 1977)
Claire Whitaker		(2 episodes, 1977)
Bob Shayne		(2 episodes, 1980-1981)
Channing Gibson		(2 episodes, 1980)
Stephanie Garman		(2 episodes, 1981)
Hollace White		(2 episodes, 1981)

Series Produced by
Philip Capice	....	executive producer (112 episodes, 1977-1981)
Lee Rich	....	executive producer (112 episodes, 1977-1981)
Gary Adelson	....	producer / supervising producer / ... (103 episodes, 1977-1981)
Sandra Saxon Brice	....	associate producer (77 episodes, 1978-1981)
Greg Strangis	....	producer (54 episodes, 1977-1979)
Philip D. Fehrle	....	producer (22 episodes, 1980-1981)
Robert L. Jacks	....	producer / supervising producer (9 episodes, 1977-1978)
Peter Dunne	....	supervising producer (4 episodes, 1977)

Series Original Music by
Earle Hagen		(10 episodes, 1977-1980)
Alexander Courage		(2 episodes, 1977)
Fred Werner		(2 episodes, 1977)
John Beal		(unknown episodes)
Miles Goodman		(unknown episodes)

Series Cinematography by
Marvin L. Gunter		(11 episodes, 1979-1981)
Lester Shorr		(4 episodes, 1977-1979)
Richard L. Rawlings		(4 episodes, 1977)
Gene Polito		(3 episodes, 1977)

Series Film Editing by
Marvin Adelson		(7 episodes, 1977-1980)
David Blangsted		(5 episodes, 1977-1979)
Howard Terrill		(4 episodes, 1977)
Michael J. Lynch		(2 episodes, 1979-1981)

Series Casting by
Irene Mariano		(31 episodes, 1978-1979)
Doris Sabbagh		(23 episodes, 1980-1981)
Barbara Miller		(8 episodes, 1977)
Ruth Conforte		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
James Martin Bachman		(9 episodes, 1977-1979)
Al Rohm		(6 episodes, 1980-1981)
Jan Van Tamelen		(4 episodes, 1977)

Series Set Decoration by
Richard J. DeCinces		(13 episodes, 1977-1979)
Sal Blydenburgh		(3 episodes, 1980-1981)

Series Makeup Department
Rod Wilson	....	makeup artist (11 episodes, 1977-1978)
Gus Le Pre	....	hair stylist (9 episodes, 1977-1981)
Darby Hoppin	....	hair stylist (8 episodes, 1977-1978)
Dale Condit	....	makeup artist (6 episodes, 1980-1981)
Gae Clark Butler	....	hair stylist (3 episodes, 1977)

Series Production Management
Mitch Ackerman	....	production supervisor (12 episodes, 1977-1981)
Neil T. Maffeo	....	in charge of production / executive in charge of production (12 episodes, 1977-1978)
Edward O. Denault	....	executive production supervisor (8 episodes, 1979-1981)
Walter Alzmann	....	unit production manager (5 episodes, 1977-1979)
Barry Steinberg	....	unit production manager (5 episodes, 1977-1979)
Rowe Wallerstein	....	unit production manager (4 episodes, 1980-1981)
Jonathan Sanger	....	unit production manager (3 episodes, 1977)
John F. Perry	....	unit production manager (2 episodes, 1980-1981)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Glen Sanford	....	second assistant director / key second assistant director (24 episodes, 1979-1980)
William Holbrook	....	first assistant director (7 episodes, 1980-1981)
Ray Marsh	....	assistant director (5 episodes, 1977)
Richard Peter Schroer	....	second assistant director (5 episodes, 1980-1981)
Gene De Ruelle	....	first assistant director (4 episodes, 1979-1981)
Barry Steinberg	....	assistant director (2 episodes, 1977)
Edward E. Vaughan	....	assistant director (2 episodes, 1977)
Claude Lawrence Jr.	....	second assistant director (2 episodes, 1979)

Series Art Department
David Needham	....	lead set decorator (84 episodes, 1977-1981)
Al Rohm	....	construction coordinator (14 episodes, 1977-1979)
Eric A. Hulett	....	set dresser (12 episodes, 1981)
Gene Wernikoff	....	property master (8 episodes, 1979-1981)
Al Bernay	....	property master (4 episodes, 1977)
J.W. Biggs	....	property master (3 episodes, 1977-1978)
Robert MacKinnon	....	property master (3 episodes, 1977)
Kandy Stern	....	set designer (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
James Bailey	....	foley artist (73 episodes, 1978-1981)
Victor Guarnier	....	sound effects supervisor (20 episodes, 1977-1981)
Duncan McEwan	....	sound technician (18 episodes, 1979-1981)
Arnold Braun	....	production sound mixer (9 episodes, 1977-1979)
Ray Barons	....	production sound mixer (5 episodes, 1980-1981)
Laurence Jacobs	....	sound effects editor (5 episodes, 1980)
Norman Webster	....	production sound mixer (3 episodes, 1977)
Brian L. McCarty	....	boom operator (3 episodes, 1978)
Thomas Burke	....	sound effects editor (3 episodes, 1980)
David D. Caldwell	....	sound effects editor (2 episodes, 1979)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Michael J. Coo	....	dolly grip (27 episodes, 1979)
Michael Frediani	....	first assistant camera (23 episodes, 1979-1980)
Rick Tucker	....	key grip / gaffer (12 episodes, 1977-1979)
Robert Shaw	....	electric gaffer / electrician / ... (5 episodes, 1977-1979)
Marvin L. Gunter	....	camera operator (4 episodes, 1977-1978)
Richard Borland	....	key grip (4 episodes, 1977)
Danny Buck	....	electrical gaffer / electrician (4 episodes, 1977)
Richard M. Rawlings Jr.	....	camera operator (4 episodes, 1977)
Nicholas Ahern	....	camera operator (3 episodes, 1977)
Fred Arney	....	key grip (3 episodes, 1977)
Robert E. Shaw	....	electrical gaffer (3 episodes, 1977)
Rick Fee	....	assistant camera (2 episodes, 1979)

Series Casting Department
Barbara Miller	....	executive in charge of casting / casting (11 episodes, 1977-1981)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jeanne Malone	....	costume supervisor (10 episodes, 1977)
Philip Cozzo	....	costumer (8 episodes, 1979-1981)
Deirdre Naughton	....	costumer (8 episodes, 1979-1981)
Charles Drayman	....	costumer (4 episodes, 1977-1978)
Gail Viola	....	costumer (4 episodes, 1977-1978)
Linda Henrikson	....	costumer / costumes (4 episodes, 1977)
Ed Fincher	....	costumes (3 episodes, 1977)
Jim O'Daniel	....	costumer / costumes (3 episodes, 1977)
Sharlene Williams	....	costumes (3 episodes, 1977)

Series Editorial Department
Gene Fowler Jr.	....	editorial supervisor / editoral supervisor (8 episodes, 1977)
Virgil E. Hammond III	....	post-production (5 episodes, 1977-1978)

Series Music Department
Grant Goodeve	....	singer: theme song (77 episodes, 1978-1981)
Lee Holdridge	....	composer: theme music (77 episodes, 1978-1981)
Molly-Ann Leikin	....	lyricist: theme music (77 episodes, 1978-1981)
Fred Werner	....	composer: theme music (29 episodes, 1977-1978)
Jack Lowry	....	music editor (5 episodes, 1977-1978)
Ken Runyon	....	music editor (5 episodes, 1977)
Gene Feldman	....	music editor (5 episodes, 1980-1981)
Dave Lowry	....	music editor (2 episodes, 1977)
Steve Livingston	....	music editor (2 episodes, 1979)

Series Transportation Department
Gina August	....	driver (12 episodes, 1981)
Steve Bonner	....	driver (3 episodes, 1977)
Chris Haynes	....	driver (2 episodes, 1978)

Series Other crew
William Blinn	....	executive consultant / executive story consultant (15 episodes, 1977-1981)
Peter Lefcourt	....	story editor / program consultant / ... (12 episodes, 1977-1980)
Greg Strangis	....	executive story editor / story editor (10 episodes, 1977)
Denis McCallion	....	location manager (9 episodes, 1977)
Bruce Shelly	....	executive story editor / story editor (8 episodes, 1979-1981)
Wayne Fitzgerald	....	title concept (7 episodes, 1977-1978)
David Lawson	....	location manager (7 episodes, 1977-1978)
Sheila Lynch	....	script supervisor (7 episodes, 1977)
Patricia A. Sonsini	....	production coordinator (7 episodes, 1977)
Faye Brenner	....	script supervisor (4 episodes, 1977-1978)
Sandra Saxon Brice	....	production coordinator (4 episodes, 1977-1978)
Connie Sanchez	....	production coordinator (4 episodes, 1977-1978)
Gary Adelson	....	assistant to producer (4 episodes, 1977)
Gil Grant	....	program consultant / story editor (4 episodes, 1980)
Joyce Heftel	....	script supervisor (3 episodes, 1977)
Bob Shayne	....	story consultant (3 episodes, 1980)
Nancy Zearfoss	....	location manager (2 episodes, 1978)
Trish Kinney	....	script supervisor (2 episodes, 1979)
Victoria LaFortune	....	production coordinator (2 episodes, 1979)
Hindi Brooks	....	story editor (2 episodes, 1981)
Karen Hall	....	story editor (2 episodes, 1981)
Steve Hinton	....	pilot (unknown episodes)
Bill Sheehan	....	first aid nurse (unknown episodes)
Lee Walkling	....	script supervisor (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Lorimar Productions

Distributors

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (original network run)
• Warner Bros. Television
• Warner Home Video (2012) (USA) (DVD) (DVD-R) (complete second season, parts 1 & 2)
• Warner Home Video (2012) (USA) (DVD) (complete first season)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Blondie Street, Columbia/Warner Bros. Ranch - 411 North Hollywood Way, Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Lorimar Productions

Trivia:

Even though Mark Hamill didn't like the more comedic direction the show was heading in, he decided to honor his commitment to the show. However, the night the pilot aired he was involved in a serious auto accident where he sustained serious facial injuries and was forced to quit the show.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The West Wing: Things Fall Apart (#6.21)" (2005)

A Dramatic Brady Bunch

This show pretty much picks up where the "Brady Bunch" left off, but on a more serious tone. This show was definitely one of the first "dramadies", but it still managed to have its lighter moments. Most of them were provided by Willie Aames as the entrepreneur Tommy and Adam Rich as the cute Nicholas. These two young actors helped make this show one of the most loved of the 1970's. I do think that the major flaw in shows of this type though is the conflict of whether or not it was to be a serious drama or whether it was to be a cute domestic comedy along the lines of the aforementioned "Brady Bunch" and another show of that era "The Partridge Family".