Series synopsis
Family is an American drama television series that premiered on ABC on March 9, 1976. It ended on June 25, 1980. It was created by Jay Presson Allen. It stars Sada Thompson, James Broderick, Elayne Heilveil and Meredith Baxter.
The lives of the middle-class Lawrence family in Pasadena, California.
Premise
The lives of the middle-class Lawrence family in Pasadena, California.
Premise: A MOVING, COMPASSIONATE GLIMPSE INTO THE PRIVATE LIVES OF THE LAWRENCES.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Sada Thompson as Kate Lawrence
- James Broderick as Doug Lawrence
- Elayne Heilveil as Nancy Lawrence
- Meredith Baxter as Nancy Lawrence
- Gary Frank as Willie Lawrence
- Kristy McNichol as Letitia "Buddy" Lawrence
- Quinn Cummings as Annie Cooper
- Jimmy Weldon
Supporting cast
- Mary Grace Canfield as Mrs. Hanley
- Season Hubley as Salina Magee
- Neva Patterson
- Willie Aames
- David Birney
- Brooke Adams
- Charlotte Rae
- Hallie Todd
- Samantha Eggar
- Joseph Bottoms
- Alice Ghostley
- Karen Austin
Guest cast
Episodes
This series spans 6 seasons with 88 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 2 | ||
| Season 1 | 6 | March 9, 1976 | April 13, 1976 |
| Season 2 | 22 | October 6, 1976 | May 3, 1977 |
| Season 3 | 23 | September 13, 1977 | May 16, 1978 |
| Season 4 | 22 | September 21, 1978 | May 17, 1979 |
| Season 5 | 13 | November 20, 1979 | June 25, 1980 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Home Movies | |
| 2 | Laingholm |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Pilot (a.k.a. The Best Years) Buddy hears Kate say something about her, and isn't happy. Also, Nancy walks in on Jeff with another woman. |
March 9, 1976 |
| 2 |
Monday is Forever Kate has to wait until Monday to find out whether she has cancer; Buddy and her friend Laura Richardson have until Monday, when the latter's family is scheduled to move to Detroit. |
March 16, 1976 |
| 3 |
A Special Kind of Loving Willie meets, and starts spending lots of time with, Salina -- leading to a tiff with Buddy, right when she needs him to help conquer her fear of diving. |
March 23, 1976 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Coming Apart Buddy gets a job at a bakery, and introduces Willie to her boss, ""Big Al""; Nancy gets involved with Peter, while she's finalizing her divorce from Jeff -- despite the latter's pleas for a reconciliation. |
October 6, 1976 |
| 2 |
Such Sweet Sorrow Salina drops by, at a time when Willie is having problems with Alex; Doug is offered a great job in New York. |
October 19, 1976 |
| 3 |
Home Movie Willie drives everyone crazy by following them around and filming them; Buddy has difficulty with a school assignment -- writing a speech on the topic of ""How I intend to leave my mark on the world""; Kate runs into a former roommate, who has become a successful author. |
October 26, 1976 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Acts of Love (1) While Nancy and Buddy prepare for their parents' 25th wedding-anniversary party, Willie meets, and falls in love with, a physics student named Lizzy -- who, as he soon finds out, has radiation sickness. |
September 13, 1977 |
| 2 |
Acts of Love (2) Lizzy dies, but not before Willie convinces her to marry him first. |
September 20, 1977 |
| 3 |
The First Time Kate unhappily contemplates her 49th birthday; T.J. asks Buddy to go steady with him, but she's not sure. |
September 27, 1977 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Starting Over Annie's sole surviving relative dumps her into the Lawrences' lap -- where she doesn't feel quite comfortable, at first. |
September 21, 1978 |
| 2 |
All For Love Zack tells Buddy that unless she sleeps with him, he will have to satisfy his manly needs with another girl; Doug thinks of buying a flashy sports car. |
September 28, 1978 |
| 3 |
Changes Nancy is all set to re-marry Jeff; Annie, heretofore known as ""Annie Cooper,"" decides to add ""Lawrence"" to her name; Buddy, ever the traditionalist, is bothered by it all. |
October 12, 1978 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Thanksgiving Doug's father starts showing his age. |
November 20, 1979 |
| 2 |
'Tis the Season A pre-Christmas argument with Willie nearly gives Doug a heart attack; Buddy invites her school's janitor to her house, where he quickly endears himself to everyone but Kate. |
December 24, 1979 |
| 3 |
Jack of Hearts Buddy and Nancy find themselves in a love triangle; Annie dabbles in the occult. |
January 14, 1980 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ABC |
|---|---|
| First aired | March 9, 1976 |
| Last aired | June 25, 1980 |
| Runtime | 49 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Wednesday at 21:00:00 |