"Family Ties" (1982) TV series 1982-1989

Creator:

Gary David Goldberg

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Release Date:

22 September 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family

Plot:

A couple who were ardently leftwing political activists in the sixties face the problems of raising...

Plot Keywords:

Young Republican | Ex Hippie | Husband Wife Relationship | Father Daughter Relationship | Mother Son Relationship

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 20 wins & 38 nominations

Cast

Michael Gross	...	Steven Keaton (176 episodes, 1982-1989)
Michael J. Fox	...	Alex P. Keaton (176 episodes, 1982-1989)
Justine Bateman	...	Mallory Keaton (176 episodes, 1982-1989)
Tina Yothers	...	Jennifer Keaton (176 episodes, 1982-1989)
Meredith Baxter	...	Elyse Keaton (171 episodes, 1982-1989)
Brian Bonsall	...	Andrew 'Andy' Keaton (78 episodes, 1986-1989)

Runtime:

30 min (180 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG (some episodes) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | USA:TV-G

Filming Locations:

Metromedia Square - 5746 W. Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Television

Trivia:

Michael J. Fox's first audition was deemed terrible by 'Gary Goldberg' because Fox came off too smart-aleck. Casting director 'Judith Wiener' really liked Fox and begged Goldberg to see him a second time. Fox took a different approach, the audition went great, and Fox was offered the part.

Quotes:

Steven Keaton: [walks into the kitchen] What's this?
Elyse Keaton: Andrew drew it. It's a picture of a dog. I told him that he couldn't have a dog because Malory is allergic to dogs.
Steven Keaton: What's this?
Elyse Keaton: It's a picture of Malory moving away.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Greatest Canadian" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Without Us

Doesn't get any better

Re-watching it on DVD I was amazed that Family Ties really stood the test of time. What makes it stand out is the constant high quality of the writing. On the one hand Family Ties always tackles serious issues on a personal level (death, trust, love, sexual harassment) but also on a social/ political level. I find it absolutely amazing that the writers always manage to avoid the trap of becoming sentimental or moralizing but always keep a healthy distance. Politically Family Ties is the great liberal voice of 80s television and from that point of view plays in a different league from its arch rival at the time, The Cosby show. What I also find amazing is that they manage to pack a satisfying story in the fairly short format of less then 30 minutes. The cast of course is perfect. Michael Gross stands out for me because he has the best one-liners in the show and his delivery as naive Steve Keaton is incredibly funny. Michael Fox is Michael Fox (as always) but Meredith Baxter is a great and underrated comedienne (and actually hellishly attractive...). Pity Tina Yothers stopped acting as it is amazing what a quantity and quality of dialogue she delivered at a very young age (though the jury is still out on her real age). And let's not forget Justine Bateman as airhead Mallory but who can act a fine line between comedy and drama (see Give uncle Arthur a kiss.)