Series synopsis
Lou Grant is an American comedy drama television series that premiered on CBS on September 20, 1977. It ended on September 13, 1982. It was created by Gene Reynolds, Allan Burns, James L. Brooks. It stars Ed Asner, Robert Walden, Linda Kelsey and Mason Adams.
The trials of a former television station manager turned newspaper city editor, and his journalist staff.
Premise
The trials of a former television station manager turned newspaper city editor, and his journalist staff.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Ed Asner as Lou Grant
- Robert Walden as Joe Rossi
- Linda Kelsey as Billie Newman
- Mason Adams as Charlie Hume
- Jack Bannon as Art Donovan
- Daryl Anderson as Dennis Price
- Nancy Marchand as Margaret Pynchon
- Allen Williams as Adam Wilson
Supporting cast
- Paul Stolarsky as Hammer
- Laurence Haddon
- Lynne Moody
- Clyde Kusatsu
- Belita Moreno
- Uta Hagen
- Marcia Rodd
- Mary Louise Wilson
- Carl Franklin
- Terri Nunn
- Cliff Norton as Herb Bronner
- Paula Shaw
Guest cast
Episodes
This series spans 5 seasons with 114 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 22 | September 20, 1977 | March 20, 1978 |
| Season 2 | 24 | September 25, 1978 | May 7, 1979 |
| Season 3 | 24 | September 17, 1979 | March 24, 1980 |
| Season 4 | 20 | September 22, 1980 | May 4, 1981 |
| Season 5 | 24 | November 2, 1981 | September 13, 1982 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cophouse | September 20, 1977 |
| 2 | Hostages | September 27, 1977 |
| 3 | Hoax | October 4, 1977 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pills | September 25, 1978 |
| 2 | Prisoner | October 2, 1978 |
| 3 |
Hooker After a homicide occurs in the city, Billie finds out that the victim was a prostitute who worked at a "spa" business. While investigating, she strikes up an unlikely friendship with the victim's co-worker who does not seem to fit the stereotypical profile of a hooker. |
October 16, 1978 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Cop Lou is the only witness to a neighborhood murder and is mystified by the way the police handle the case, thereby discovering a touchy area of crime. At the same time, a fatal fire in a gay bar poses a tough question for Lou: should the newspaper publish the names of the victims, knowing people will be hurt by the story. Lou is also puzzled to see a uniformed cop working a homicide case and sends Rossi to find out why, with disturbing results. |
September 17, 1979 |
| 2 |
Expose The hard drinking husband of a popular female politician makes headlines while the Trib staff makes news itself in a gossip magazine. The Trib learns a hard lesson about what happens when private lives become public from Rossi's tough coverage of elected official, Bonita Worth, and Lou's firing of a resentful reporter. |
September 24, 1979 |
| 3 | Slammer | October 1, 1979 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nightside | September 22, 1980 |
| 2 | Harassment | September 29, 1980 |
| 3 | Pack | October 27, 1980 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wedding | November 2, 1981 |
| 2 |
Execution Kitty Larsen, a young woman on death row, picks Rossi to tell her story. Although hesitant at first, he soon begins to like her. But Lou has personal feelings against her because she killed a reporter from the Trib. |
November 9, 1981 |
| 3 | Reckless | November 16, 1981 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | CBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 20, 1977 |
| Last aired | September 13, 1982 |
| Runtime | 50 minutes |
| Status | ended |