"Evening Shade" (1990) TV series 1990-1994

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Writers:

Paul Clay (writer)
Steve Roth (freelance writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

21 September 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

In this laid-back comedy, Wood Newton is a former pro American Football player who has retired and returned to his childhood home...

Plot Keywords:

Football | Small Town | Coach | Beautiful Woman | Sitcom

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 8 wins & 24 nominations

Cast

Burt Reynolds	...	Wood Newton / ... (80 episodes, 1990-1994)
Marilu Henner	...	Ava Evans Newton (80 episodes, 1990-1994)
Michael Jeter	...	Herman Stiles (79 episodes, 1990-1994)
Elizabeth Ashley	...	Freida Evans (78 episodes, 1990-1994)
Ossie Davis	...	Ponder Blue / ... (77 episodes, 1990-1994)
Charles Durning	...	Dr. Harlan Elldridge (77 episodes, 1990-1994)
Jacob Parker	...	Will Newton (77 episodes, 1990-1994)
Charlie Dell	...	Nub Oliver (76 episodes, 1990-1994)
Jay R. Ferguson	...	Taylor Newton (76 episodes, 1990-1994)
Hal Holbrook	...	Evan Evans (74 episodes, 1990-1994)
Ann Wedgeworth	...	Merleen Eldridge (73 episodes, 1990-1994)
Burton Gilliam	...	Virgil (72 episodes, 1990-1994)
Candace Hutson	...	Molly Newton #2 / ... (55 episodes, 1991-1994)

Runtime:

30 min (100 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Biltmore Hotel - 506 S. Grand Avenue, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Burt Reynolds Productions

Trivia:

"Harlan & Merleen" an unsold hour long pilot for an "Evening Shade" spin-off aired as a 2 part special on 7/13 and 7/20/93. It starred Charles Durning and Ann Wedgeworth in their "Evening Shade" roles and was written by 'James Hampton' and 'Burt Reynolds' [who also directed].

Quotes:

Dr. Harlan Elldridge: He had a splinter, in his butt, the size of a Louisville Slugger.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Father of the Pride: Larry's Debut, and Sweet Darryl Hannah Too (#1.2)" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Evening Shade Theme

This gentle sitcom has apparently been forgotten by most people

....which is such a shame because it really was very well acted and the writing was excellent, very witty and sharp and it will be difficult to repeat that kind of standard these days. I notice that there was a recent show out called 'A minute with Stan Hooper' which tried to emulate 'Evening Shade', and it did the job very well...but still didn't match up in my opinion.

Burt Reynolds was surrounded by a wonderful cast but he barely had to speak, because they did the work for him! Still,it wouldn't have been the same without him - he was perfect in the role and Marilu Henner was perfect as his wife.

The much missed Michael Jeter was the highlight of the show for me. He was so funny...a classic character actor with so much talent. But he wasn't alone, this show was full of fantastic actors; Ossie Davis, Charles Durning, Marilu Henner & Hal Holbrook are the actors that I remember...but I was just looking at the IMDb list of actors I see that Hilary Swank and Leah Rimini were in the show too - its fabulous to see that such quality stars started offin this great little, much respected show.

I really wish they'd repeat it on one of the comedy channels, it would be such a waste if it wasn't shown again.