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

Creator:

Gary David Goldberg

Seasons:

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

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:

Family | Sitcom | Brother Sister Relationship | Columbus Ohio | Ex Hippie

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 19 wins & 38 nominations

Cast

Michael J. Fox	...	Alex P. Keaton (164 episodes, 1982-1989)
Michael Gross	...	Steven Keaton / ... (164 episodes, 1982-1989)
Tina Yothers	...	Jennifer Keaton (160 episodes, 1982-1989)
Justine Bateman	...	Mallory Keaton (159 episodes, 1982-1989)
Meredith Baxter	...	Elyse Keaton (158 episodes, 1982-1989)
Brian Bonsall	...	Andrew 'Andy' Keaton (71 episodes, 1986-1989)

Runtime:

30 min (180 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | USA:TV-G

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Paramount Television

Trivia:

One year before playing Michael J. Fox's father in Back to the Future (1985), Crispin Glover played Alex P. Keaton's friend in the episode Birthday Boy.

Quotes:

Mallory Keaton: Dad, Alex, this is Jamie Carter.
Alex P. Keaton: Aaaaah!
[jumps into his father's arms]
Steven Keaton: It's okay, Alex. She said Jamie, not Jimmy.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Growing Pains: Family Ties: Part 1 (#4.3)" (1988)

Soundtrack:

Without Us

Dear Mallory...

"Family Ties" is a classic sitcom. It is more than just a TV series. I grew up with it and it is not only one of the best TV shows from the 80's, but also one of the finest sitcoms ever made. This is pure classic humor: it is very entertaining, great fun and endlessly comical. Without a doubt, it is an endless fountain of good laughters.

This show focus on the coolest and funniest family of the cinema: the Keatons. The Keatons are the perfect example of how a family should be: friendly, united and humorous.

The Keatons are all great characters: Steven, Elyse, Alex, Mallory (our "Dear Mallory"), Jennifer, Andy, Skippy, Nick and Lauren. All of them are brilliantly portrayed by the actors and their chemistry is just perfect.

All of them are hilarious. However, the funniest of all are Alex, Skippy and Steven. The reasons? Alex because of his love for money, conservative Republican attitude, hilarious sense of humor and the way how he teaches his Republican ideas to his brother Andy. Skippy because he's so goofy, so shy and so nervous that every scene when he goes to the extreme is a full plate. Steven because of his genial sense of humor and sarcastic comments towards Nick.

Mallory... what can I say about our "Dear Mallory"? Not the smartest girl in the world, but beautiful, adorable, sweet and charming. Her boyfriend Nick, despite being eccentric and a Rambo-like artist, is a nice guy.

I also like Lauren (Alex's charming and pretty girlfriend). And, of course, Andy (a cute little boy and often as funny as his brother Alex).

By the way, in 1985 the great Noah Hathaway appeared on this TV show. Too bad that it was only in 1 episode.

I love the song "Without Us" (performed by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams). It really captures the essence of this show and it is a very romantic and beautiful ballad, with that "nostalgia" feeling.

Overall, "Family Ties" is a timeless classic TV series and it brings back very good memories from the past. TV series like this are something they just don't do nowadays anymore.

Oh yes, just one more thing: I always loved Ubu Roi, the black Labrador retriever which appears at the end with a frisbee in his mouth and the famous line "Sit, Ubu, sit! Good dog!" told by a man's voice and then the dog barks.