Eight Is Enough 

This comedy drama focused on a family with eight very independent children.

Creator:

William Blinn

Stars:

Dick Van Patten, Lani O'Grady, Connie Needham

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 6 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Dick Van Patten	...	Tom Bradford 112 episodes, 1977-1981
Lani O'Grady	...	Mary Bradford 112 episodes, 1977-1981
Connie Needham	...	Elizabeth Bradford 112 episodes, 1977-1981
Susan Richardson	...	Susan Bradford / ... 112 episodes, 1977-1981
Adam Rich	...	Nicholas Bradford 112 episodes, 1977-1981
Laurie Walters	...	Joannie Bradford 112 episodes, 1977-1981
Grant Goodeve	...	David Bradford 111 episodes, 1977-1981
Dianne Kay	...	Nancy Bradford 111 episodes, 1977-1981
Willie Aames	...	Tommy Bradford 109 episodes, 1977-1981
Betty Buckley	...	Abby Bradford / ... 102 episodes, 1977-1981

Storyline

The sometimes-comic, sometimes-dramatic exploits of the Bradford family, father Tom (a columnist for a Sacramento, California newspaper), mother Joan and their eight children: Mary, David, Joanie, Nancy, Elizabeth, Susan, Tommy, and Nicholas. After Joan's death, Tom met teacher Abby, and they were married to make the family feel complete again. The kids all had friends and relationships as well, turning the Bradford Bunch into a free-for-all of loved ones and family members.

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Plot Keywords:

three sons | five daughters | laugh track | family relationships | sitcom | 

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Taglines:

Warm New Family Comedy! From the Producers of "The Waltons"

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

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Certificate:

TV-G

Did You Know?

Trivia

As of 2020, one of only four television shows that was an hour long and had a laugh track.

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Alternate Versions

Originally, Diana Hyland was credited for appearing in ALL 9 shows from season 1. She missed half of them, due to her illness, which eventually claimed her life. In half of those shows, there were originally scenes where they explained her absence, and even voice-overs from Hyland as Joan on the phone with Tom Bradford. During the summer reruns, Lorimar aired only the shows she did not appear in. Lorimar decided to go back and reedit the shows she did not appear in, remove her credit, and all scenes featuring said phone calls and voice-overs. These are the versions of those season 1 shows that have been in use ever since.

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Connections

Spoofed in Family Guy: Brian: Portrait of a Dog (1999)

User Reviews

One of the best shows from the late 1970's

Eight is Enough was one of the best shows from the late 1970's and early 1980's. It was considered a dramedy. It had drama because the show could be serious at times but it also had comedy because the show was funny and it had a laugh track. Eight is Enough is now seen in reruns on CTS up here in Canada and I am happy about that. I had a major crush on Willie Aames (Tommy Bradford) when I was younger. Too bad there aren't many T.V. shows on now like this. Those were the good old days of television!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 March 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Eight Is Enough

Filming Locations:

10703 Chiquita Street, North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lorimar Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1