You Again?

1 9 8 6 – 1 9 8 7 (USA)
28 x 30 minute episodes

This NBC sitcom was created by Eric Chappell and was based on the UK sitcom Home To Roost. It starred Jack Klugman in the John Thaw role of middle-aged divorcee Henry Willows.

Henry works as the assistant buyer for Global Markets where his secretary is Wendy (Valorie Armstrong) and later Pam (Valerie Landsburg), Jim Berry (Armin Shimerman) is the accountant, Maggie Davis (Barbara Rhoades) is Henry’s boss (Executive Vice President of Market Products) and Mr Beals (Joseph Cameron) is the President of Market Products.

Ten years after a bitter divorce from ex-wife, Sue (Anita Gillette), Henry is put out when his 17-year old son Matthew (John Stamos) turns up at his Long Island home and moves in with him (because he can no longer get on with his stepfather).

Henry’s quiet life is thrown into turmoil. Matt is a girl-chasing borderline juvenile delinquent, and more than his conservative father can deal with.

Henry’s sarcastic British housekeeper, Enid, (Elizabeth Bennett) frequently tossed in a few wisecracks from the woman’s point of view.

British actress Elizabeth Bennett played the part of Enid in both the US and UK shows simultaneously, requiring her to regularly commute between London and Los Angeles.

There was much yelling and a lot of difficult adjustments to make on both sides but underneath it all – as in all sitcoms – genuine affection.

Produced by Rick Mitz, a sitcom enthusiast and author of a history of the genre, You Again? was remarkably faithful to its British progenitor, even managing to capture some of the homely charms of the Yorkshire TV model. There was nothing exceptional here, however, just a modest attempt to amuse – though none the worse for that.

A dozen years after airing in America, the series was bought for late-night British screening by Channel 5.

Henry Willows 
Jack Klugman
Matthew Willows 
John Stamos
Enid Tompkins 
Elizabeth Bennett
Pam
Valerie Landsburg
Wendy
Valorie Armstrong
Maggie Davis
Barbara Rhoades
Jim Berry
Armin Shimerman
Louis Robles
Luis Avalos
Harry
Guy Marks
Sue
Anita Gillette
Mr Beals
Joseph Cameron