Year At The Top, A

1 9 7 7 (USA)
5 x 30 minute episodes

This short-lived series aired for only five Friday night episodes on CBS between 5 August 1977 and 4 September 1977.

Paul Shaffer (who would later gain fame working on The David Letterman Show) co-starred with Greg Evigan (BJ and the Bear) as two wide-eyed and struggling songwriters who leave their home in Boise, Idaho and head for Hollywood for their “big break”.

There they make a deal with the devil’s son, Frederick J. Hanover (Gabriel Dell) – who heads up Paragon Records – to have a year of success.

Hanover keeps in close touch with “Daddy” – also called “Daddums” and “Big D” – via a red phone with a direct line to you-know-where.

Co-stars included Nedra Volz, Priscilla Morrill, and Julie Cobb.

Mickey Rooney starred in the pilot episode only as the kids’ uncle Mickey.

The series was created by Norman Lear and featured music by Don Kirshner. It was originally meant to air in January but Lear pulled the plug, swapped out most of the cast and did a complete overhaul.

Greg
Greg Evigan
Paul
Paul Shaffer
Frederick J. Hanover
Gabriel Dell
Trish
Julie Cobb
Miss Worley
Priscilla Morrill
Grandma Belle Durbin
Nedra Volz
Uncle Mickey Durbin
Mickey Rooney

Episodes

The Big Deal | The Handshake | Identity Crisis | Love Story | The Sun Also Rises