The Associates (1979–1980)

It revolves around three young law school graduates who had just joined the prestigious firm of Bass and Marshall as associates, beginning their five-to-seven-year trial period. Daughter of... See full summary »

Creators:

James L. Brooks, Stan Daniels, Charlie Hauck, Ed. Weinberger

Stars:

Wilfrid Hyde-White, Martin Short, Alley Mills

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Wilfrid Hyde-White	...	Emerson Marshall (13 episodes, 1979-1980)
Martin Short	...	Tucker Kerwin (13 episodes, 1979-1980)
Alley Mills	...	Leslie Dunn (13 episodes, 1979-1980)
Joe Regalbuto	...	Eliot Streeter (13 episodes, 1979-1980)
Shelley Smith	...	Sara James (13 episodes, 1979-1980)
Tim Thomerson	...	Johnny Danko (13 episodes, 1979-1980)

Storyline

It revolves around three young law school graduates who had just joined the prestigious firm of Bass and Marshall as associates, beginning their five-to-seven-year trial period. Daughter of a poor New York family, Leslie recently graduated from Columbia, and felt for the oppressed. Bass and Marshall did not usually represent the oppressed. Tucker...was a Midwesterner slightly out of step with his Ivy League Colleagues, a little naive but very charming. Sara was a Boston blueblood, bright as well as sexy. They were all at the mercy of a hierarchy including such oddballs as formidable but slightly dotty Senior Partner Emerson Marshall...and dedicated junior partner Eliot Streeter, who had only one goal -- to take over the firm...Counterpointing all this class was Johnny Danko, the 21-year-old mailboy, whose only goal was to make time with beautiful chicks.

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Plot Keywords:

sitcom

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 September 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

I novellini

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

John-Charles-Walters Productions, Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (13 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Battle of the Network Stars VII (1979)

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Soundtracks

"Wall Street Blues"
Written by Albert Brooks
Performed by B.B. King

User Reviews

Hyde-White/Houseman funniest scene

The single funniest scene I have seen in my many years of television viewing took place in an episode of The Associates, a series which died way too soon. The scene featured two magnificent veterans, Wilfred Hyde-White and John Houseman in his Professor Kingsfield persona, alone in a conference room debating the true meaning of the word "crapulence". I will leave the rest to the readers imagination except to volunteer that the word refers to sickness resulting from excessive indulgence or intemperance.

The Associates was a gem featuring a group of very talented up-and-comers, gifted veterans and an impressive array of guest stars. James Burrows directed and the show was written by a staff whose collective resume includes work on many of the elite television comedies including The Mary Tyler Moore Show and spin-offs, The Cosby Show, Taxi, Frasier and many more.

Can anyone tell me why the show ended so soon and so abruptly?