Life Goes On 

A modern All-American family deals with the struggles of life and love in mid-western suburbia.

Creator:

Michael Braverman

Stars:

Kellie Martin, Chris Burke, Patti LuPone

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 9 wins & 19 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Bill Smitrovich	...	Drew Thatcher 83 episodes, 1989-1993
Patti LuPone	...	Libby Thatcher 83 episodes, 1989-1993
Chris Burke	...	Corky Thatcher 83 episodes, 1989-1993
Kellie Martin	...	Becca Thatcher 83 episodes, 1989-1993
Tracey Needham	...	Paige Thatcher 40 episodes, 1990-1993
Chad Lowe	...	Jesse McKenna 35 episodes, 1991-1993

Storyline

A modern All-American family deals with the struggles of life and love in mid-western suburbia.

---

Plot Keywords:

down syndrome | hiv | aids | family relationships | special needs child | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 September 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Glenbrook

Filming Locations:

Blondie Street, Columbia/Warner Bros. Ranch - 411 North Hollywood Way, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Toots Company,Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (83 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the first shows to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its social implications. In its later seasons the show depicted a relationship between Kellie Martin's character Becca Thacher and Chad Lowe's character Jesse McKenna. Becca and Jesse dated, and were often shown kissing. Jesse had HIV/AIDS and Becca did not. The show used this relationship and the character of Jesse to address issues of bigotry and unwarranted hysteria regarding the disease. Moreover, the show helped to inform its audience about the facts and myths surrounding HIV/AIDS (for example: the various ways one could or could not contract HIV/AIDS) and urged people to practice safe sex, avoid drug use involving needles, and to get tested.

---

Alternate Versions

The Season 1 DVD omits the Beatles' "Ob La Di" as the theme song -- replaced with an original song written for the DVD release -- to avoid the high licensing fees. The one exception is the pilot episode.

---

Connections

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

---

Soundtracks

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
(opening theme)
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Performed by Patti LuPone and cast

User Reviews

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.