"Out of the Blue" (1979) TV series

Directors:

Peter Baldwin
Jeff Chambers

Writer:

Barry Kemp (multiple episodes)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

9 September 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy

Plot:

Random was an angel out to earn his wings by doing good deeds. He went to work as a high-school teacher...

Plot Keywords:

Angel | Magic | High School | Sitcom | Family Relationships

Cast

 (Series Cast [10])

Shane Keller	...	Shane Richards (8 episodes, 1979)
Olivia Barash	...	Laura Richards (8 episodes, 1979)
Clark Brandon	...	Chris Richards (8 episodes, 1979)
Jimmy Brogan	...	Random (8 episodes, 1979)
Dixie Carter	...	Marion Richards (8 episodes, 1979)
Jason D. Keller	...	Jason Richards (8 episodes, 1979)
Tammy Lauren	...	Stacey Richards (8 episodes, 1979)
Hannah Dean	...	Gladys (7 episodes, 1979)
Eileen Heckart	...	The Boss Angel (6 episodes, 1979)
Ethan Tudor W.	...	Marc (6 episodes, 1979)

Runtime:

30 min (9 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Paramount Television

Trivia:

Thirteen episodes were filmed but the show was canceled after nine episodes aired.

Movie Connections:

Spin off from "Happy Days" (1974)

Holy Smokes!

Here's the setup - a stranger tries to help a family solve their problems. See, right there that covers nearly every family sitcom idea for the past fifty years (and beyond).

And here, right at the end of the '70s, comes "Out of the Blue" - another variation on a theme. This time out, an angel (Brogan) is sent to Earth to live with the prerequisite precocious suburban family and help them with their troubles. Sort of like a sitcom of "It's a Wonderful Life" - except it ain't that wonderful.

Did this even last the season? No, and no wonder; due to the zillions of these type of shows already out there (especially on ABC) it just wasn't (pardon the expression) heaven-sent, as such drivel would have to be. The jokes were blah, the people were blah and as for Brogan himself...blah.

SOLE MERIT - Eileen Heckart as Brogan's supervising angel. How could she be in anything and NOT be good? Even this?

I do remember Brogan's character popping up once (before his premiere, I think) on "Happy Days" as a very minor character in an episode. Well, at least he was seen in syndication SOMEWHERE.

No stars for "Out of the Blue".

By the way, Brogan's character name was Random - if that gives you any hint to how they did the casting.