Bridget Loves Bernie 

The daily struggles of two newlyweds: rich Catholic Bridget and Jewish cabbie Bernie.

Creator:

Bernard Slade

Stars:

David Birney, Meredith Baxter, Harold J. Stone

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
David Birney	...	Bernie Steinberg 24 episodes, 1972-1973
Meredith Baxter	...	Bridget Fitzgerald Steinberg 24 episodes, 1972-1973
Harold J. Stone	...	Sam Steinberg 24 episodes, 1972-1973
Bibi Osterwald	...	Sophie Steinberg 24 episodes, 1972-1973
David Doyle	...	Walter Fitzgerald 24 episodes, 1972-1973
Audra Lindley	...	Amy Fitzgerald 24 episodes, 1972-1973
Ned Glass	...	Uncle 'Moe' Plotnick 24 episodes, 1972-1973
Robert Sampson	...	Father Mike Fitzgerald 24 episodes, 1972-1973
William Elliott	...	Otis Foster 24 episodes, 1972-1973
Ivor Barry	...	Charles 7 episodes, 1972-1973

Storyline

Wealthy white-bread Bridget Fitzgerald and lower-class cabdriver Bernie Steinberg meet, fall in love and marry. Even though their love for each other is never in doubt, both are constantly forced to deal with their parents, who are uncomfortable with their kids' differences in social status and religion.

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Plot Keywords:

wife | husband | husband wife relationship | character names in title | forenames in series title | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 September 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bridget und Bernie

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Screen Gems Television, Thornhill Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min (24 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Despite excellent ratings (it was the highest-rated new show of the 1972-73 season) this show was cancelled after only one season. The "official" reason for its cancellation was that it was scheduled between two mega-hits, All in the Family and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and its ratings weren't strong enough considering its choice position in the line-up. Even series star David Birney conceded that, "They probably could have run rat races in that time slot and people would've tuned in." (This idea was debunked in 1974 when "Paul Sands in Friends and Lovers" debut in that position and was cancelled after five shows.)

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Connections

Featured in Brilliant But Cancelled (2002)

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Soundtracks

Love is Crazy
(Theme Song)
Music by Jerry Fielding
Lyrics by Diane Hildebrand

User Reviews

A Standard Situation Comedy

A standard 70s sitcom, in most ways. I remember it as having the standard "wacky" plots and few, if any, real surprises. It was a cute show. I was prompted to look it up today because of the parallel nature of the plot with the more current "Dharma and Greg". Just replace Catholic with Hippie and Jewish with Staunch Republican.

I'm surprised that CBS actually caved-in to cancel a popular show, just due to hate mail. I didn't know anybody at the time that even remotely considered this fluffy, light entertainment program to be controversial, or shocking. If CBS had any sense, they would have played up the controversy to boost the ratings. No apologies!

It was simply a "feel good" show about a couple who lived in an apartment over a delicatessen who had nosy, annoying parents.