Family Ties (1982–1989)

A couple who were ardently leftwing political activists in the sixties face the problems of raising a family with children who have strongly conservative views.

Creator:

Gary David Goldberg

Stars:

Meredith Baxter, Michael Gross, Michael J. Fox

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 21 wins & 41 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Meredith Baxter	...	Elyse Keaton (176 episodes, 1982-1989)
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)
Brian Bonsall	...	Andrew 'Andy' Keaton (78 episodes, 1986-1989)

Storyline

A couple who were ardently leftwing political activists in the sixties face the problems of raising a family with children who have strongly conservative views.

---

Plot Keywords:

columbus ohio | young republican | advice | politics | sitcom | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Family

---

Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 September 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Enredos de familia

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Television, Ubu Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (180 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

In one of his autobiographies, Michael J. Fox said that for at least ten years after his marriage to Tracy Pollan, the two couldn't get on a dance floor anywhere in the country without someone starting to play the 1981 song "At This Moment" by Billy Vera & The Beaters because of its strong association with the romance storyline between Fox's and Pollan's characters Alex and Ellen.

---

Quotes

Alex P. Keaton: Mallory, someone stupid called... sometime today... about something trivial.
Mallory Keaton: Alex you know that could be any one of my friends.

---

Connections

Spin-off Family Ties Vacation (1985)

---

Soundtracks

"Without Us"
(Theme song)
Lyrics by Jeff Barry
Music by Tom Scott
Performed by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams

User Reviews

Always funny and memorable to watch

I get nostalgic about television shows like Family Ties. It was based around two parents who graduated University of California at Berkeley in the sixties. It was wise to have their eldest son, Alex P., to be on the opposite fence of politics. ALex with his tie and pictures of Ronald Reagan and Nixon. His younger sister, Mallory, played well by Justine Bateman cares more about fashion than grades or Alex's politics. It's great watching these two in action. The younger sister, Jennifer, develops from a young girl to an independent adolescent. There were always two story lines going on in every episode. Marc Price's SKippy is priceless for a thankless job. Scott valentine plays Mallory's boyfriend, Nick, a painter who never finished high school. Some of the best moments in this series happens after Nick enters the Keatons lives and his relationship with them. The mixture of great characters with witty dialogue. You can't stop laughing when Mr. Keaton tries to apologize to Nick in a ladies' shoe store. He comes across as a former gay lover than the father of Mallory but it's full of laughs. Despite the witty dialogues, this was a believable family who introduced Andrew, the youngest and fourth child. What do the children think when they find out. "I was talking about closet space" Mallory says to Alex. Oh, this is truly a family show for everybody. I can't say how I miss a family centered show on such a wonderful family like the Keatons.