Open House (1989–1990)

Creators:

Ruth Bennett, Susan Seeger

Stars:

Alison La Placa, Philip Charles MacKenzie, Chris Lemmon

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Alison La Placa	...	Linda Phillips (24 episodes, 1989-1990)
Philip Charles MacKenzie	...	Ted Nichols (24 episodes, 1989-1990)
Chris Lemmon	...	Richard Phillips (24 episodes, 1989-1990)
Danny Gans	...	Scott Babylon (24 episodes, 1989-1990)
Ellen DeGeneres	...	Margo Van Meter (24 episodes, 1989-1990)
Nick Tate	...	Roger McSwain (24 episodes, 1989-1990)
Mary Page Keller	...	Laura Kelly (24 episodes, 1989-1990)

Storyline

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 August 1989 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Television, Ubu Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Spun-off from Duet (1987)

User Reviews

An Overlooked Classic

Despite what another review on this page states, this show was a classic in the making and an overlooked gem that sadly just didn't get the support it needed. Another season and it could have been a CHEERS. True, it was spun-off from DUET, but the two are really related only superficially, despite the fact that the character of Linda transferred more or less intact. I watched this show without KNOWING it was spun-off and I had no problem following or enjoying it; I felt no lack of back-story. (Not that I'm dissing DUET; when I DID discover that show, I loved it just as much--it was just an entirely different KIND of show, and it's not really fair to compare them.) It was well-written, funny, witty, savvy, and, I can say having recently re watched the entire run (thank gods I taped it when I could, since I don't see a DVD release anytime soon!)--it's held up VERY well, far more than a lot of other material from that time (Herman's Head, anyone?). The focus was on the characters and the humour, aided by an amazing cast (including a still-in-the-closet, largely unknown Ellen DeGeneres, and impressionist extraordinaire Danny Gans--who is now a top-dollar draw in Vegas and has done some very high-profile TV movies). Anyway, I can't recommend this show enough to those who are lucky enough to be able to see it, and it'd be really nice to see it acknowledged with a DVD release. (I believe Paramount might have been the studio that produced it...)

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