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      Season 1 – Family Ties

      1982 Comedy List
      74% Tomatometer 31 Reviews 76% Audience Score Fewer than 50 Ratings Steven and Elyse Keaton, once 1960s radicals, now find themselves in Reagan-era American trying to raise a traditional suburban family. Son Alex P. Keaton is an ambitious young Republican, and his sister Mallory is a shallow victim of the corporate culture, obsessed with music, clothes and boys. Their only normal kid is young Jennifer, a bit of a tomboy. In later seasons, the Keatons add a fourth child, Andrew. Most of the comedy arose from the conflict between the liberal parents and the conservative children. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

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      Family Ties — Season 1

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      Family Ties — Season 1

      What to Know

      Critics Consensus

      Family Ties' subversion of the generation gap is initially more strained than inspired, but the warmth shared between the Keaton clan makes for an inviting sitcom -- with Michael J. Fox an immediate standout as the conservative upstart.

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      Critics Reviews

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      Richard Zoglin Atlanta Journal-Constitution The grown-up '60s generation may well be facing a new kind of rebellion from their kids. But Family Ties exaggerates the conflict to the point of absurdity. Sep 14, 2021 Full Review John J. O'Connor New York Times The cast is pleasant enough. The rest depends on how cleverly Gary David Goldberg, the creator and producer of the series, can bring a sense of freshness to an overworked device. Jun 8, 2021 Full Review Tom Shales Washington Post This program treats the situation with some intelligence and a lack of coarseness that could pass for warmth. Jun 8, 2021 Full Review Win Fanning Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Meredith Baxter Birney and Michael Gross do a splendid job as modern-day parents with an attractive brood of convincingly "now" youngsters. Aug 12, 2021 Full Review Michael Dougan San Francisco Examiner Are left-wing parents and right-wing kids funny? Sort of. But the youngsters are infected with a strained precociousness that's difficult to accept, the direction is rubbery, and the ending is soft. This one probably won't last. Jun 8, 2021 Full Review Owen McNally Hartford Courant Can a generation gap like this ever be breached? Probably not. But attempts to find some middle ground might strike pay dirt for this comedy. Jun 8, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (5) audience reviews
      Marco A Great wholesome family show that shows the trials and tribulations of a typical midwestern American family in the 80s that is still true today. 2 protesting left wing parents bringing up an ultra conservative son, a ditzy older daughter and funny younger daughter make for fun watching. Always one of my favorite shows. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/24 Full Review Api Decent enough sitcom from the Eighties about a couple of Baby Boomer Hippie-turned Yuppies; the Keatons; who are raising four kids in suburban Ohio; and the various struggles they all face growing up during the rough and tumble 80s Reagan Administration. The pitch to the network on this show was "Hip Parents, Square kids". And indeed that little slogan sums up the Eighties quite succinctly in many ways! And indeed in many ways this show's many focus was to highlight and pivoted on all the fights that occured between the idealistic Berkeley hippies Steven and Elise; and their showdowns with conservative kids Neocon Alex and materialistic valley girl-mall princess Mallory. The show was meant to reflect the very real culture clash between Generation X and the Baby Boomers; who have always been at odds with each other, both onscreen and off. Family Ties is a dramedy; equal parts funny and serious; and numerous hilarious and heartrending situations played out over the years...Like when Alex, Mallory and Jennifer turned the Keaton House into a hotel for an upcoming weekend football game, in the "4 Rms Ocn Vu" episode; and the whole thing spirals way out of control... Or in "Read it And Weep"; an uncommonly edgy and serious episode for any television show of that era; when Jennifer inspires the wrath of Principal Hewitt by doing her book report on Huckleberry Finn, a book which has been banned by the school board. The show was a hit with critics and audiences during its run; staying ensconced in the Nielson's top ten for most of its 7 year duration; as well as being nominated for several Emmys, and winning three. (1 for its topical writing; and two for Michael J. Fox's classic performance as the loveable but conservative little creep Alex P Keaton; who was a neo-con Gen X resurrection of Archie Bunker!) Family Ties was a staple of NBCs burgeoning but legendary Must See TV lineup on Thursday Nights; one of the most successful programming blocks ever; which included the Cosby Show, Night Court, Cheers, Hill Street Blues and LA Law. Through the passage of years the show is still remembered fondly by most of America; as is the rest of NBC's all star Thursday Night lineup. This night of TV has been lauded as one of the best nights of television ever by TV historians; and if you watch these shows you can clearly see why!! And while Family Ties wasn't the paragon of that line-up, (that would be Hill Street Blues, LA Law and Cheers); it was the very definition of SOLID: a reliable show; always delivering quality writing; funny one liners and touching moments and a brilliant performance by Fox as the Conservative stooge Alex. VERDICT: Thumbs up 👍 for this 80s family classic from Gary David Goldberg Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/25/23 Full Review isa e Good show, I miss sitcoms that were funny and did not have to be crude or radical. Well acted and relatable characters Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review unknown 1 nothing special really just decent the actors are decent especially Mcfly surprised his back ain't broken from carrying this show not sure if its worth watching season II Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the best family friendly shows that you no longer find with cable television. The acting is top notch by the entire cast, however, everyone is outshines by future legendary actor who is Michael J. Fox. After watching the first episode anyone could determine he would outshine everyone else and the television show would be focused on him because of his natural talent. It's a shame such a great series was cut short because of technicalities. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

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      Episodes

      Episode 1 Aired Sep 22, 1982 Pilot Elyse and Steven (Meredith Baxter Birney, Michael Gross) are shocked when Alex (Michael J. Fox) attends a dance at a restricted country club. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 29, 1982 Not With My Sister You Don't Alex plays overprotective brother when Mallory goes out with the school's sports hero. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 6, 1982 I Know Jennifer's Boyfriend Peer pressure causes Jennifer to give up a male pal, but her mom helps them reunite. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 27, 1982 Summer of '82 A college coed seduces teenage Alex when he meets her delivering groceries. Details Episode 5 Aired Nov 3, 1982 I Never Killed for My Father Steven and his father realize they may be able to iron out their long-lasting differences. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 10, 1982 Give Uncle Arthur a Kiss Mallory's frightened when a close family friend makes a pass at her. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 17, 1982 Big Brother Is Watching As the new editor, Alex names cheating pupils in the school paper. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 24, 1982 No Nukes Is Good Nukes Elyse and Steven's participation in an anti-nuke rally on Thanksgiving lands them in jail. Details Episode 9 Aired Dec 1, 1982 Death of a Grocer Alex leaves his job at a small grocery store for an ultramodern supermarket. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 8, 1982 Have Gun, Will Unravel Steven and Elyse wonder if they should buy a gun for protection after their home is burglarized. Details Episode 11 Aired Dec 15, 1982 A Christmas Story On a snowy Christmas Day, the Keaton family looks back on the births of Alex, Mallory and Jennifer. Details Episode 12 Aired Dec 22, 1982 Oops Elyse's advice to Mallory's pregnant friend backfires when she decided to help talk with mom. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 12, 1983 Sherry Baby A popular sorority girl befriends Mallory with hopes of getting close to Alex. Details Episode 14 Aired Jan 19, 1983 The Fugitive Elyse's brother (Tom Hanks) arrives for a visit and surprises everyone with his cloak-and-dagger behavior. Details Episode 15 Aired Feb 9, 1983 Margin of Error Alex gets in trouble when he secretly invests Steven's money in stock. Details Episode 16 Aired Feb 16, 1983 French Lessons A shy french tutor asks Alex's advice on winning over Mallory. Details Episode 17 Aired Feb 23, 1983 I Gotta Be Ming Alex learns an unforgettable lesson when he becomes Big Brother to a 10-year-old boy. Details Episode 18 Aired Mar 9, 1983 Suzanne Takes You Down Elyse hires an underqualified friend to handle secretarial chores. Details Episode 19 Aired Mar 28, 1983 The Fifth Wheel Unhappy Jennifer wanders away from babysitter Alex when he takes her to a poker game. Details Episode 20 Aired Apr 4, 1983 Stage Fright Alex recruits Mallory to take an ill contestant's place on a TV quiz show for high-school students. Details Episode 21 Aired Apr 11, 1983 Elyse D'Arc Steven feels shortchanged when Elyse becomes preoccupied with volunteer work. Details

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      Family Ties — Season 1

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      Season Info

      Director
      Will Mackenzie, Tony Mordente, Alan Bergmann, Sam Weisman, Michael Zinberg, A. Kelada, Alan McCullough
      Executive Producer
      Gary David Goldberg
      Network
      NBC
      Rating
      TV-PG
      Genre
      Comedy
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date
      Sep 22, 1982