"Life Goes On" (1989) TV series 1989-1993

Creator:

Michael Braverman

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

12 September 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A TV-series about the life of the Thachers, especially "Corky", that has Down syndrome but goes to ordinary school ("mainstreaming)...

Plot Keywords:

Down Syndrome | AIDS | Special Needs Child | Brother Sister Relationship | Family Relationships

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 8 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Bill Smitrovich	...	Andrew 'Drew' Thacher (83 episodes, 1989-1993)
Patti LuPone	...	Elizabeth 'Libby' Thacher (83 episodes, 1989-1993)
Chris Burke	...	Charles 'Corky' Thacher (83 episodes, 1989-1993)
Kellie Martin	...	Rebecca 'Becca' Thacher (83 episodes, 1989-1993)
Tracey Needham	...	Paige Thacher (40 episodes, 1990-1993)
Chad Lowe	...	Jesse McKenna (35 episodes, 1991-1993)

Also Known As:

Glenbrook (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

60 min | 60 min (83 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Dijon Street, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Toots Productions

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Family Guy: Believe It or Not, Joe's Walking on Air (#6.3)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

ABC's best-kept secret on Sunday nights!

This show ran entirely on Sunday evenings at 7:00pm(6:00 pm CST)and while its ratings always kept it on the cutting block--in fact,it seemed like the show wasn't even going to make it to a fourth season,with the network opting to let it run almost in mid-cancellation--the show's fan base and the general reaction to it was almost always positive. As a sibling to someone with a developmental disability(though not Down's Syndrome),I found it quite edifying that a warm,realistic television show that could be best described as a "dramedy" could be made around a person with a disability. The Thatchers have done well raising down syndromed Corky(the wonderful Chris Burke)into a bright,well-meaning and responsible young man. His struggles are actually often in tandem with the struggles of the parents(Bill Smitrovich and Patti Lupone)and the non-disabled but highly different daughters(Kellie MArtin and Paige Needham),rather than the central focus of. Three strong(maybe more like two-and-half)seasons,followed by a forced last season or so may've diluted the full quality of this show,but it was still a pleasure to follow this story and would be intrigued to see these shows again,probably on cable.