"Family Ties" (1982) TV series 1982-1989

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Creator:

Gary David Goldberg

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Release Date:

22 September 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family

Plot:

A couple who were ardently leftwing political activists in the sixties face the problems of raising...

Plot Keywords:

Young Republican | Father Daughter Relationship | Sitcom | Male Female Relationship | Columbus Ohio

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 20 wins & 38 nominations

Cast

Michael Gross	...	Steven Keaton (176 episodes, 1982-1989)
Michael J. Fox	...	Alex P. Keaton (176 episodes, 1982-1989)
Justine Bateman	...	Mallory Keaton (176 episodes, 1982-1989)
Tina Yothers	...	Jennifer Keaton (176 episodes, 1982-1989)
Meredith Baxter	...	Elyse Keaton (171 episodes, 1982-1989)
Brian Bonsall	...	Andrew 'Andy' Keaton (78 episodes, 1986-1989)

Runtime:

30 min (180 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG (some episodes) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | USA:TV-G

Filming Locations:

Metromedia Square - 5746 W. Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Television

Trivia:

Michael J. Fox's first audition was deemed terrible by 'Gary Goldberg' because Fox came off too smart-aleck. Casting director 'Judith Wiener' really liked Fox and begged Goldberg to see him a second time. Fox took a different approach, the audition went great, and Fox was offered the part.

Quotes:

Alex P. Keaton: It's just like taking candy from a baby.
Jennifer Keaton: Brings back memories.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "TV Land Confidential: Movies (#2.2)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Without Us

For 7 seasons,this was the best!

This was the ultimate show of the 1980's when it ran for several seasons on NBC-TV(from 1982-1989). What more could you expect for one of the best hippiest/political families of that era which was mixed in which started in the middle of the Reagan era,and with the series ending at the beginning of the Bush administration. Besides,it was part "All In The Family" without the bigotry or the downside of it. In all,one great series.The series when it aired sprunged two made for TV movies,and also one of the most intense final episodes ever aired(the death of Steven Keaton where Mike Gross' character has a massive heart attack during an argument with Alex over some issue,but it was a thriller of way to end the series)when the show ended its run in the spring of 1989. Here you have Michael Gross(as Steven Keaton),Meredith Baxter-Birney(as Elsie Keaton),and there three adorable children;the design shopping boy hungry Mallory(Justine Bateman),the baby girl of the family who wanted to go her own way but wanted to grow up and be a kid Tina(played by Tina Yothers),and the political and conservative son Alex(played by Michael J. Fox) who was a Republican and was a fan of both Presidents Reagan and Nixon.

This sitcom became the launching pod for Micheal J. Fox,who during this series had several hit feature films that were box-office giants(the "Back To The Future" series,and the films "Teen Wolf",and "The Secret Of My Success"),as well as for his co-star on the show Justine Bateman who also had a hit film out too during her status on the series.

The show's theme song,"What About Us",was done by legendary musical artists Johnny Mathis and Deniece Willams which was a top 10 hit on Billboard's charts during the 80's.

I'm surprised that these episodes are not out on video but if they are the ones that were very good were the one where Tom Hanks plays an alcoholic(in a brillant performance),and the one where the Keaton's go to Paris and Alex ends up in great danger involving a beautiful model.

I would love to see a TV reunion movie with the entire cast. Catch the reruns on Superstation TBS!