This experimental NBC series presented incidents in the day-to-day lives of married couple, Richard and Libby Chapin (Beau Bridges and Helen Shaver), and their two sons, Dylan (Rossie Harris) and Nicky (Justin Dana).
The show dispensed with the traditional aspects of a sitcom. There was no studio audience, no laugh track, and situations were presented through an exchange of dialogue rather than extended physical encounters.
With topics including money (or the lack of it), divorce, stillbirth, death and infidelity, episodes became a bit dramatic, rather talkative, and seriously lacking the comical aspects needed to sustain a series.
Critics were divided in their opinion. Some hailed the show (created by M*A*S*H veteran Larry Gelbart) as “the best”series ever, while some labelled it the “most pretentious”.
The show was cancelled after just eight episodes aired. The A&E cable network broadcast all 13 episodes in the spring of 1985, including the five that NBC had not shown.
Richard Chapin
Beau Bridges Libby Chapin
Helen Shaver Dylan Chapin
Rossie Harris Nicky Chapin
Justin Dana
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