Boys Are Back, The

1 9 9 4 – 1 9 9 5 (USA)
18 x 30 minute episodes

Just as they’re about to enjoy their “golden years”, Fred (Hal Linden) and Jackie (Suzanne Pleshette) Hansen have to deal with the reverse of “empty nest syndrome” when their two adult sons move back in with them, one with his family in tow.

Jackie is thrilled. Fred is bummed.

Hal Linden and Suzanne Pleshette had plenty of fans who still remembered them from Barney Miller (him) and The Bob Newhart Show (her) and the appeal of the show was certainly strongest to older viewers.

But they weren’t the ones in charge of the remote control at 8.00 pm on Wednesday nights and the show did not fare well against Beverly Hills, 90210.

The basic concept of the show also made viewers realise how tired this very 90s situation – kids moving back in with their parents – had already become.

Late in the summer, CBS moved this empty-nest sitcom out of its originally announced place in the much stronger Monday night roster. It didn’t last long.

Fred Hansen
Hal Linden
Jackie Hansen
Suzanne Pleshette
Mike Hansen
George Newbern
Rick Hansen
Kevin Crowley
Judy Hansen
Bess Meyer
Peter Hansen
Ryan O’Donohue
Sarah Hansen
Kelsey Mulrooney
Nicky Hansen
Justin Cooper