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Gimme a Break! (1981–1987)Carl Kanisky is chief of police in Glenlawn, California. After the death of his wife, Margaret, he asks her friend, Nell Harper, to come in to keep house and take care of his children, ... See full summary » |
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Title: Gimme a Break! (1981–1987)
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Cast
| Complete series cast summary: | |||
| Nell Carter | ... |
Nellie Ruth 'Nell' Harper
(137 episodes, 1981-1987)
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| Lara Jill Miller | ... |
Samantha 'Sam' Kanisky
(107 episodes, 1981-1987)
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| Lauri Hendler | ... |
Julie Kanisky
(97 episodes, 1981-1986)
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Kari Michaelsen | ... |
Katie Kanisky
(96 episodes, 1981-1986)
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Dolph Sweet | ... |
Chief Carl Kanisky
(83 episodes, 1981-1985)
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| John Hoyt | ... |
Grandpa Stanley Kanisky
(78 episodes, 1982-1987)
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| Joseph Lawrence | ... |
Joey Donovan
(77 episodes, 1983-1987)
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| Telma Hopkins | ... |
Addy Wilson
(68 episodes, 1983-1987)
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Howard Morton | ... |
Officer Ralph Simpson
(50 episodes, 1981-1986)
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Carl Kanisky is chief of police in Glenlawn, California. After the death of his wife, Margaret, he asks her friend, Nell Harper, to come in to keep house and take care of his children, Katie, Julie, and Samantha, in short, be like a mother to them. Later, Carl's father, Stanley, moves in. Around the same time, Nell takes in young Joey Donovan as her foster son. Written by Anonymous
Genres:
ComedyParents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
29 October 1981 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Allo Nelly Bobo See more »Filming Locations:
Metromedia Square - 5746 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USACompany Credits
Production Co:
Alan Landsburg Productions, Mort Lachman & Associates, Reeves Entertainment Group See more »
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company contact information
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (137 episodes)Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1
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Nell: [serving breakfast] A black woman serving pancakes to a white kid.
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Music by Jay Graydon
Lyrics by Richard Page
Performed by Nell Carter
(Second theme song)
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Nell and the Kanisky family lived at 2938 Wells Drive. See more »Goofs
The front door of the set has a brass mail slot, but exterior shots are of a door with no slot. See more »Quotes
Samantha: What's a cliché?Nell: [serving breakfast] A black woman serving pancakes to a white kid.
See more »
Soundtracks
"Gimme a Break"Music by Jay Graydon
Lyrics by Richard Page
Performed by Nell Carter
(Second theme song)
See more »
Nell Carter will always be known as Nell from Gimme a Break than her Broadway background which included singing and dancing. Sadly, she died in her fifties. She plays a beloved housekeeper in a Caucasian American home led by the wonderful Dolph Sweet who passed away during the show's run. The cast also included three teenage daughters. The show had an extended family of regular cast members like Telma Hopkins who played Nell's best friend. Sweet's character was a police chief of Glenlawn, California. Over the years during it's run, Nell welcomed Joey and Matthew Laurence and other cast members. The show dealt with sensitive topics like depression, suicide, teenage angst, death, loss, racism, etc., without being preachy or dumb. It was never a critical favorite but you felt at home with Nell and the gang.