Series synopsis
Growing Pains is an American comedy television series that premiered on ABC on September 24, 1985. It ended on April 25, 1992. It was created by Neal Marlens. It stars Alan Thicke, Joanna Kerns, Kirk Cameron and Tracey Gold.
Fatherhood has taken on a whole new meaning for Jason Seaver, who has assumed the chores of cooking, cleaning and minding the kids so that his wife, Maggie, can pursue a career in journalism after spending 15 years as a housewife.
Premise
Fatherhood has taken on a whole new meaning for Jason Seaver, who has assumed the chores of cooking, cleaning and minding the kids so that his wife, Maggie, can pursue a career in journalism after spending 15 years as a housewife.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Alan Thicke as Jason Seaver
- Joanna Kerns as Maggie Seaver
- Kirk Cameron as Mike Seaver
- Tracey Gold as Carol Seaver
- Jeremy Miller as Ben Seaver
- Ashley Johnson as Chrissy Seaver
- Leonardo DiCaprio as Luke Brower
- Candace Cameron Bure as Jenny Foster
Supporting cast
- Brian Peck as Pizza Man
- Matthew Perry as Sandy
- Biff McGuire as Simmons
- Ami Dolenz as Linda
- Cathy Podewell as Lydia Shayne
- Deborah Harmon as Elizabeth Lubbock
- Julie McCullough as Julie Costello
- Carmen Filpi as Fred
- K.C. Martel as Eddie
- Hilary Swank as Sasha Serotsky
- Jenny Lewis as Judy Jones
- Tricia Leigh Fisher as C.J. Powell
Guest cast
- Candace Cameron Bure as Jenny Foster
- Brian Peck as Pizza Man
- Matthew Perry as Sandy
- Biff McGuire as Simmons
- Ami Dolenz as Linda
- Cathy Podewell as Lydia Shayne
- Deborah Harmon as Elizabeth Lubbock
- Julie McCullough as Julie Costello
- Carmen Filpi as Fred
- K.C. Martel as Eddie
- Hilary Swank as Sasha Serotsky
- Jenny Lewis as Judy Jones
Episodes
This series spans 8 seasons with 165 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 3 | June 6, 2006 | June 6, 2006 |
| Season 1 | 22 | September 24, 1985 | May 13, 1986 |
| Season 2 | 22 | September 30, 1986 | May 19, 1987 |
| Season 3 | 24 | September 18, 1987 | May 4, 1988 |
| Season 4 | 22 | October 19, 1988 | May 3, 1989 |
| Season 5 | 26 | September 20, 1989 | May 2, 1990 |
| Season 6 | 23 | September 19, 1990 | April 24, 1991 |
| Season 7 | 23 | September 18, 1991 | April 25, 1992 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Unaired Pilot Scenes Scenes from the Growing Pains original unaired pilot, which featured Elizabeth Ward as Carol Seaver, prior to the role being recast and given to Tracey Gold. |
June 6, 2006 |
| 2 |
Gag Reel Gag Reel |
June 6, 2006 |
| 3 |
Seaver Family Reunion: S'mores and More Created just for the Season One DVD, "Seaver Family Reunion: S'mores and More" brings together the first-season main cast with writer/producer Tim O'Donnell for a half-hour backyard campfire chat about the show, while they toast marshmallows and make s'mores. |
June 6, 2006 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Pilot Maggie goes back to work as a journalist, prompting psychologist Jason to move his office into their home so he can keep his eye on the kids. Things don't get off to a great start: the first night he gets a call from the police that Mike has been picked up for illegally driving a car. |
September 24, 1985 |
| 2 |
Springsteen Jason embarrasses Mike at a Bruce Springsteen concert when they are interviewed together. |
October 1, 1985 |
| 3 |
Jealousy Jason fumes when Maggie spends long hours on a toxic waste story with handsome co-worker Fred. |
October 8, 1985 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Jason and the Cruisers Maggie plans a surprise reunion for Jason's college rock band. |
September 30, 1986 |
| 2 |
Fast Times at Dewey High A new school year brings boredom, bullies, and romantic mix-ups. |
October 21, 1986 |
| 3 |
Long Day's Journey Into Night A cheerleader befriends Carol solely to meet Mike. |
October 28, 1986 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Aloha The family is stranded in Maui. Ben videotapes Mike and Carol's Hawaiian romances. |
September 18, 1987 |
| 2 |
Taking Care of Business Mike uses double talk to sell stereos. |
September 22, 1987 |
| 3 |
Not Necessarily the News The family scrambles to help find an out-of-work Maggie a job after she turns into Super Mom, preparing oversize meals and assigning new chores. |
September 29, 1987 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Fool for Love Ben gets spooked at the prospect of asking a girl to a Halloween party; Jason becomes a disruptive force at Lamaze class. |
October 19, 1988 |
| 2 |
Birth of a Seaver Maggie goes into labor on Ben's 12th birthday and Ben confesses to a patient at the hospital that he's already feeling crowded. |
October 26, 1988 |
| 3 |
Family Ties (1) Mike has a showdown with Jason over his rights as an 18-year-old college student, and declares his freedom from parental rule. |
November 2, 1988 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Anger With Love Maggie opposes Mike and Julie's wedding plans. |
September 20, 1989 |
| 2 |
Mike and Julie's Wedding Julie and Mike suffer prenuptial jitters. |
September 27, 1989 |
| 3 |
Carol Meets the Real World Jason tells Carol to get a job. |
October 4, 1989 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Mike's Choice When Mike lands a role in an off-Broadway play, he leaves college to pursue acting full-time in New York City. |
September 19, 1990 |
| 2 |
Midnight Cowboy Mike is broke and homeless in New York City. |
September 26, 1990 |
| 3 |
Roommates Mike becomes roommates with sister Carol, now a Columbia University student. |
October 3, 1990 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Back to School Mike teaches at an urban high school. |
September 18, 1991 |
| 2 |
Stop, Luke, and Listen Mike gets involved when he learns his prize pupil Luke is homeless. |
September 25, 1991 |
| 3 |
In Vino Veritas Mike persuades Jason and Maggie to let Luke stay with them temporarily; then Jason's wine cellar goes missing. |
September 28, 1991 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ABC |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 24, 1985 |
| Last aired | April 25, 1992 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Saturday |