Family Ties

[Bada0Bing]

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Though it emerged during the Reagan era, Family Ties remains as relevant as ever. Most children find their parents a little embarrassing, but what sets this sitcom apart is that former hippies Steven (Michael Gross) and Elyse (Meredith Baxter-Birney) Keaton have three children, Alex (three-time Emmy winner Michael J. Fox), Mallory (Justine Bateman), and Jennifer (Tina Yothers), yet they haven't lost their youthful idealism. The ambitious Alex and materialistic Mallory, however, don't share it. Poster children for the go-go 1980s, they'd rather rake in the cash than change the world. As Alex quips in the pilot, "The '60s are over, Dad." If the writing were more cynical, it's unlikely the ABC show would've become a seven-season hit. It works because the Keatons obviously love each other--foibles and all.

There doesn't seem to be much on TV anymore that the whole family can sit down and enjoy together, so I decided to resurrect a TV show from the past.

I scoured the 80's and decided on this one. They explore deep subject matter in every episode that makes for great family discussions.

We're really enjoying this show, but I can't wait for Steven to grow in his beard. He looks really weird without it.

 

[Dr. Jones]

Great Show.

I still remember the show where alex is dreaming and tells someone that he can tell you the exact dollar amount of change when it's dropped on a table. Hilarious.

Also, gets very heavy sometimes. Love shows that can go both ways. The cheating angle and when Alex loses his girl come to mind.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

One of my favorite shows ever.

 

[Mulli]

It was really good in the beginning, jumped the shark when they brought in Malerie's long-hair boyfriend.

 

[Bada0Bing]

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Season two is now in the books. I was glad to see steven back in the beard. As a kid I never realized what a great character he is. He's by far my favorite now.

I also never realized that the intro when it shows alex scooting around in his chair while studying is from the episode when he dabbles in speed.

I remembered elyse had a brother with a drinking problem, but I never knew it was tom hanks. He was so young! Those were some heavy episodes that you normally don't see on this type of sitcom.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Yeah, it was a great show for awhile. I remember two especially funny episodes. I loved the birthday episode (we're attacking Canada in the morning) and the one where Alex clashes with an arrogant teacher and his non-violent parents take turns decking the guy (she's primal!). Great stuff.

Steve

 

[Dr. Jones]

Great Show.

I still remember the show where alex is dreaming and tells someone that he can tell you the exact dollar amount of change when it's dropped on a table. Hilarious.

Also, gets very heavy sometimes. Love shows that can go both ways. The cheating angle and when Alex loses his girl come to mind.

I was gonna post this then I scrolled up and saw that I did two years ago... Loved this show.

 

[Stout]

"My diamond in the rough from Buffalo!"

 

[NJCardFan]

It was really good in the beginning, jumped the shark when they brought in Malerie's long-hair boyfriend.

Ugh, Nick. Horrible character and an even more horrible actor playing him.

 

[Mulli]

Ugh, Nick. Horrible character and an even more horrible actor playing him.

I seem to recall growing to hate everyone but Alex and his girlfriend.

 

[Bada0Bing]

I seem to recall growing to hate everyone but Alex and his girlfriend.

How the heck could hate Steven?

 

[Mulli]

How the heck could hate Steven?

Yucky, milquetoast.

 

[Jersey Girl]

I had that exact same red sweater that Mallory is wearing in the Season 2 photo, lol.

I loved the show.

 

[Gaddabout]

How the heck could hate Steven?

He was the exact stereotype of someone you would expect to work for PBS. How can that NOT annoy you?

This show was AWESOME, but when they got down to preaching political correctness, it would get unbearable.

 

[Jersey Girl]

This show was AWESOME, but when they got down to preaching political correctness, it would get unbearable.

Pretty much like every other show in the 80s ... and 90s for that matter.

 

[jf-08]

Tracy Pollan - mmmmm.

Courtney Cox was Alex's girlfriend towards the end - Lauren I think?.

"Skippy" Handelman - what the heck ever happened to him?

 

[Bada0Bing]

He was the exact stereotype of someone you would expect to work for PBS. How can that NOT annoy you?

This show was AWESOME, but when they got down to preaching political correctness, it would get unbearable.

Nah, it's all the parenting stuff that cracks me up. Specifically the contrast to Alex.

 

[Gaddabout]

Pretty much like every other show in the 80s ... and 90s for that matter.

90210 set a pretty high bar for "afterschool special-ish" preaching, but I think this show maybe set it first.

 

[AzStevenCal]

90210 set a pretty high bar for "afterschool special-ish" preaching, but I think this show maybe set it first.

Sure it did but it was in keeping with the story line most of the time. It was almost always played for humor and it highlighted the absurdities of hippie parents trying to raise a committed junior republican.

Steve

 

[Passepartout]

Loved Family Ties. A great show! Oh my childhood.

 

[Jersey Girl]

90210 set a pretty high bar for "afterschool special-ish" preaching, but I think this show maybe set it first.

Oh yeah it did. Drugs, pregnancy, not living in the district you say you live in, domestic abuse, eating disorders, racism, stalkers, rape ... I think I could go on forever. But really, does any group of people ever have THAT many problems? I would hope not.

I don't remember them covering homosexuality though.

 

[Bada0Bing]

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We recently finished season 3. Welcome Andrew!

More deep stuff, like the suicide hotline episode and Steven dealing with his mom & brother after his father's death.

Geena Davis was in a few episodes as a housekeeper.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

I've been watching the first season on Hulu lately...I can't believe how every episode tackles such a big issue. This is wild.

Great show, of course.

 

[Mulli]

I've been watching the first season on Hulu lately...I can't believe how every episode tackles such a big issue. This is wild.

Great show, of course.

I hope you are not taking diet pills so you can watch them all in one sitting.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

I hope you are not taking diet pills so you can watch them all in one sitting.

No, but what I have noticed is that when you watch these older shows, they are a bit longer than the current ones. Family Ties is usually 24 minutes, but the modern ones are about 21. Gotta make room for all those commercials, eh?

I also watched a He-Man and a MacGyver this weekend. It's bizarre to watch these shows and think about the memories they bring back. Quantum Leap is up next.