McKenna

1 9 9 4 (USA)
5 x 60 minute episodes

Jack McKenna (Chad Everett) was the rugged owner of McKenna Wilderness Outfitters – a ranch and outdoor tour business in Bend, Oregon – where he dispensed wisdom and trail hints to visiting city slickers – and to his family.

He was helped with his ailing business by the return of his estranged son Brick (Eric Close) who arrived back on the scene to help his father get back on track after the death of Jack’s eldest son, Guy, who was killed in a fall into a gorge.

Looking on were Brick’s rebellious sister, Cass (an early role for Jennifer Love Hewitt), his sensible sister-in-law (Guy’s widow), Leigh (Shawn Huff) who helped run the place, and Leigh’s cute young kids, Harry (Jacob Loyst) and Rose (Ashlee Lauren).

Deputy Sheriff Dale Goodwin (Rick Peters) was Brick’s old high school buddy, who hung around Leigh a lot, and Walter Maddock (Jack Kehler) was the eccentric mountain man/hired hand, who provided comic relief (as did many of the inept visitors).

Despite gorgeous scenery and the return of the handsomely aged Everett in a Landonesque role, this short-lived ABC series suffered from sappy writing and never really caught on. It didn’t help that it was up against the Thursday night lineup of Mad About You/Friends/Seinfeld over on NBC.

While 13 episodes were made, only five of them were aired.

Jack McKenna
Chad Everett
Brick McKenna
Eric Close
Cassidy McKenna
Jennifer Love Hewitt
Leigh McKenna
Shawn Huff
Harry McKenna
Jacob Loyst
Rose McKenna
Ashlee Lauren
Deputy Sheriff Dale Goodwin
Rick Peters
Walter Maddock
Jack Kehler