Hopkins portrayed Addy Wilson, a longtime childhood best friend of Nell and a Ph.D graduate. The Amazing Spider-Man. Producers found it increasingly difficult to keep him on-screen due to his condition and gaunt appearance, but Sweet insisted on working as much as possible in order to help him cope with his illness. She attempted suicide and struggled with her faith. Telma Hopkins felt the show lost its ground quickly when they made all the changes in the sixth season. Before I wrap this up, I'd like to say that I'll always remember this show in my memory forever, even though I don't think I've seen every episode. The cast found out about the show's cancellation when it was announced at the wrap party. To this day I have written letters to the Hallmark Channel, KSMO WB 62, KCMI 38, USA, and KCWE 29 networks requesting that they bring this show back on the air. Gimme a Break! my shows | like | set your list <preferences> Gimme a Break! If you tap now and watch the short video you'll get 30 minutes of ad free music! Nell also served as a parent to the Chief's three daughters, Katie (Kari Michaelsen), Julie (Lauri Hendler), and Samantha (Lara Jill Miller). All of these things would be deemed as child abuse today and would never be in the show. "The Purse Snatcher" also seems to be one of these. The episode Julie's Birthday (1985) was Dolph Sweet's last appearance before his death. Nell Carter portraying Nell Harper was awesome. At one point, during 1984 Carter tried to commit suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills and champagne during her visit in London to see good friend Liza Minelli. Nell's character went back to school to get her diploma and starting taking college courses in child psychology. The show's producers were very concerned about Nell Carter's escalating drug use, binge eating, rapidly fluctuating weight, and self-destructive lifestyle. Kaser was named as the heir to Carters property and guardian of Carters children. [5], By contrast, the New York Times found the show promising, praising the performances of Carter and Sweet and the way the show balanced wisecracks with bits of seriousness. Required fields are marked *. During the show's third season, the writers changed the story line and made it that Margaret Kanisky, who was Carl's wife and a close friend of Nell's, asked Nell to raise her kids after she died. To each their own though. This re-write was due in part of the backlash the show receiving at the time for the depiction of Nell's character as the "black maid" to a white family. Privacy Policy. If your show doesn't pull in enough viewers to justify its budget . [14], This article is about the television series. This show was one of my favorite's as a kid growing up in the 1980s It had me laughing constantly. GIMME A BREAK (Entity Number: 1260888) was incorporated on 10/12/2001 in Ohio. [7][8][9][10] Distribution rights are jointly owned by The Program Exchange and NBCUniversal Television Distribution, successor in interest to previous syndicator MCA Television. FremantleMedia owns the international rights, as they own Thames Television, which acquired Alan Landsburg Productions and Reeves Entertainment Group product in 1990. Nell Carter got more creative control of the show when the new producers Rod Parker and Hal Cooper came onto to the show during it's third season. They should of had a Gimme a Break reunion movie. Nov 05, 2007 #8. There were two reasons why it didn't happen. Whitney was very young on Gimme A Break, and only had a minute or two on screen. For other uses, see. Addy got a job in New York City, so Nell, Grandpa and Joey came to New York to join her. She did, however, return for an episode in Season 4, this time as a romantic interest for Grandpa. Mel Carter The cast addition of Joey Lawrence's younger brother Matthew Lawrence in the final season, was forced on the producers and ordered from NBC to preserve the cuteness factor. No infringement of previously copyrighted material is intended on this site. But in the pilot, he slapped Katie, so that was not true. aired 137 episodes over six seasons, with its finale airing on May 12, 1987. She estimated that at the height of her addiction, she was spending $1000 to $2000 or more a day on drugs. It's that easy! Nell Carter's debut on television was not this show but Cindy; a TV movie which was a 1978 black musical satire of Cinderella. cast members, and just focuses on the two boys and Mr. Pappalard. In 2009, VEI announced that they plan on releasing the entire series in a complete series box set in 2010. Everyone was ideally cast, the costume design was great. He then claimed she wasn't very nice to Lawrence and didn't want to do much with him. Nell's family. One of the episodes is called "Knock Three Times". (a Titles & Air Dates Guide) . Grandma Kanisky was portrayed by three different actresses Elvia Allman, Elizabeth Kerr, and Jane Dulo. Tubi acquired all seasons of the show as of February 1, 2022. John Hoyt, however, who played Sweet's on-screen father Stanley, was born October 5, 1904 (some sources say 1905), nearly 16 years before him, making their age difference more credible. Inter-Uterine Device, an implanted birth control device that, at the time, had a reputation for piercing the uterus and causing dangerous bleeding and possible infection. She had been in rehearsals for ''Raisin,'' a musical adaptation of the play ''A Raisin in the Sun . Then Gold was replaced last minute by Lara Jill Miller, who wound up playing Samantha for the duration of the show. Contents 1 Cast 1.1 Main characters 1.2 Recurring characters Michaelson would binge, purge, and fast. Gimme a Break was canceled in the spring of 1987. The first two seasons use a different theme than the later seasons. Moreover, they featured near-identical scorelines: wild card Kimberly Birrell upset No.31 seed Kaia Kanepi 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1 and No.26 seed Elise Mertens scored her first win over Garbie Muguruza 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-1. As the fifth season saw the death of the chief, Nell became the head of the household. Gimme a Break starred the late great Nell Carter who plays a housekeeper that promises her friend to take care of her husband and three daughters when she dies. Kari Michaelsen and Lauri Hendler returned for the Season Six episode Sam Goes to College at the beginning of Season Six despite leaving the show the previous season. Nell intervenes (by standing in the way) and stops him, and he eventually cools off and backs away. Later, when he comes back, the two boys try to prove that he stole her purse by putting another purse out to be stolen, along with money from the cash register. The one that I really thought that she outdid herself in was the "Emergency". The final spin-off attempt of Gimme a Break was at the end of season 5 in 1986 in "The Purse Snatcher". A later Season 1 episode, "Katie the Cheat," has Carl fuming when he learns that Katie did not actually take a college entrance exam (while Julie did). The Kanisky daughters need all the help they can . However, they were considered acceptable at the time. When Carl demands an explanation, Katie makes a snide remark "She can't say anything, she's dead!" It revolves around the manager of a Greek restaurant and his assistant investigate the disappearance of Nell's purse while dealing with the manager's father, who owns the restaurant. I used to watch this show when I was a little girl. The original version was used for the first two seasons and was replaced with an up-tempo rearrangement with new lyrics for season three onward. Although the show never cracked the top 30, it was still considered a solid enough hit to keep on the air for six years. 's original producers Coleman Mitchell and Geoffrey Neigher, which involved personality conflicts and creative differences. Unlike movies which appear once, it's hard to rate a TV show since you're dealing with dozens of episodes and several seasons. However, another good one that I think deserves mentioning is Hazel Shermet. Dolph Sweet also played a police chief in the original Out of Towners movie (1970). He created the role of Police Chief Carl Kanisky in Gimme a Break in 1981. Other cast members consisted of Dolph Sweet, Kari Michaelsen, Lauri Hendler, Lara Jill Miller, John Hoyt, Joey Lawrence & his brother Matthew Lawrence, Telma Hopkins, Jonathan Silverman, Rosetta LeNoire, Rosie O'Donnell and Paul Sand. However, because of Dolph Sweet's death, the ratings dropped during the fifth season. stomach surgery Mamas Date was a Syndication sitcom that was created by Mort Lachman & Sy Rosen, starring Nell Carter in the lead role. Margaret was dying of lung cancer, and the Chief could not have raised the kids alone. It's about Nell visiting Samantha at the latter's college and becoming the house mother to her and her dorm-mates. [6], VEI released Gimme a Break! Rosetta LeNoire took over the role during the show's fourth season. The abrupt changes in tone are handled adroitly, John J. OConnor wrote. It was a sitcom that ran for a total of 6 seasons and consisted of 137 episodes. She made three guest appearances as three different people. Houston played Rita, a friend of Katie Kanisky (Kari Michaelsen). Enjoy all of Ms. Carters' talents and cherish them for all time. I don't want to go to my grave being known as the girl from 'Gimme a Break, she told The New York Times in 1988. Dolph Sweet was in classic movies ,and in Little House on the Prairie. on February 14, 2006, available in the United States only. When his backstory is finally explained when he reunites with his father, in particular that his mother is dead and his father was at sea, it turns out that he really was living with an uncle at the time Nell adopted him. Give her a break! The two made peace in 1997 when Rosie had her hit talk show which lasted for six seasons. The husband (played by Dolph Sweet) is the chief of police of Glenlawn CA. Nell and the Kaniskys had a black goldfish named Gertrude, who keeps getting killed throughout the series (accidentally by Nell, with a rogue vacuum cleaner, or with a sprinkle of Comet) only to reappear again. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); A foster son, Joey (Joey Lawrence), was added to the Kanisky household in season three. Gordon Ramsays 24 Hours to Hell and Back, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life), Im a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! A foster son, Joey (Joey Lawrence), was added to the Kanisky household in season three. And there was also occasional humorous interplay with the Chief's children and their grandfather, as well as with some of the early guest. Nell wonders why her mother would have a date, and when her mother shows up, she meets her date, Ernie, a man from her past. It was basic fare for a sitcom, featuring the cute kids, family values, and little lessons learned at the end of each episode. She tries to steal food from Max's fridge and may leave on the run, yet Max catches her. A Fan Inquiry to Us on Facebook Leads to Some VERY Interesting New Information! This was the first show in NBC's all-star Thursday night line-up. Nell becomes sort of a mother figure for the girls, and everyone tries to learn from each other. Officer Simpson catches Joey Donovan, an abandoned seven-year-old boy, trying to bilk people out of their money. This is ironic since McClanahan was being groomed by the producers to be a regular character on the show - a love interest for the Chief (Dolph Sweet). During the summer 1984 hiatus, Dolph Sweet underwent stomach surgery, which was revealed shortly after to be the first extensive treatment for cancer. Joey's supposed backstory of living with an uncle was originally treated as a lie. [2][3][4][5] More recently as of January 2018, it is now shown on Antenna TV. NBC then hired the veteran team of Rod Parker and Hal Cooper to take over as executive producers, following their stint at the recently canceled Love, Sidney. I watched reruns of this show when it aired on USA in 1998. We heart local Los Angeles attractions and events. She famously shouted, "Shut your mouth!" A feisty housekeeper named Nell helps a widowed police chief raise his three daughters in a sassy sitcom that mocked stereotypes by showing a loving relationship . Too many changes were made and and the series was a completely different show from when it started. During the first season, Nell Carter and Dolph didn't get along in the beginning coming from different backgrounds in real life and in showbiz. I think I'd rather watch Mr. Belvedere! Nell Carter had a stormy relationship with Gimme a Break! http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/GimmeABreak. Carter had begun experimenting with cocaine while in the cast of Aint Misbehavin Before she starred on Gimme a Break, Telma Hopkins' claim to fame was starring in the hit group from the 70s Tony Orlando and Dawn, of "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" fame. so it is a very stressful job on top of raising his daughters without their mother, But the chemistry Nell and Dolph had was terrific. This would eventually become known as "Must See TV", and come to include shows like Cheers (1982), Family Ties (1982), The Cosby Show (1984), Hill Street Blues (1981), Seinfeld (1989), L.A. Law (1986), ER (1994), Friends (1994), Will & Grace (1998), and The Office (2005), and would dominate the network ratings from the '80s into the 2000s. The show followed Nell Harper, the housekeeper to Carl Kanisky and his three teenage daughters, Katie, Julie, and Sam. The seniors and the youths work together to have their dance. (2009), The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, iVillage Live (In the Loop with iVillage), Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus, Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update Summer Edition, The Search for the Funniest Mom in America, FOX 2022-23 TV Season Ratings (updated 1/18/2023), NBC 2022-23 TV Season Ratings (updated 1/18/2023), Viewer Votes Ranking for the 2022-23 Network TV Shows, CBS 2022-23 TV Season Ratings (updated 1/18/2023), 2022-23 Season Ratings for New TV Shows (week 17), Hallmark Channel TV Show Ratings (updated 1/18/2023), Showtime TV Show Ratings (updated 1/18/2023), ABC 2022-23 TV Season Ratings (updated 1/18/2023), The CW 2022-23 TV Season Ratings (updated 1/18/2023), Starz TV Show Ratings (updated 1/18/2023), Soap Opera Ratings for the 2022-23 TV Season (updated 1/17/2023). Even Jonathan Silverman was a semi-regular at one point playing Julie's husband. As with many star vehicles in Hollywood, the main character was named after the star. is an American sitcom which aired on NBC from October 29, 1981, until May 12, 1987. Final episode date. / She appeared in a Season 1 episode as one of Katie's friends. We heart influencers and interesting people. She went into rehab several times during production and was blowing her money on cocaine every week . Universal Studios Home Entertainment released a three-disc DVD of the complete first season of Gimme a Break! ", "Gimme a Break! Treat Williams and Beverly D'Angelo are also in the movie, and so is fellow NBC sitcom alumnus Charlotte Rae, from The Facts Of Life (1979). On May 12, 1987, "Gimme a Break" was cancelled after 6 seasons and 137 episodes. We heart movies. She revealed an incident where the cast was in the lunchroom doing a reading of the script and Joey and Matthew Lawrence's mother Donna Lawrence started making her way into the room and Nell Carter yelled across the room at the boys mother to get out and inappropriately called her the "c-word slur" right in front of the two brothers who were in the room when the incident happen. . Although there was mutual animosity and hostility between Nell Carter and Rosie O'Donnell on the set, they reconciled when Nell appeared on Rosie's talk show several years later. Lauri Hendler was the only Jewish member of the original cast. I had a crush on Joey Lawrence and Matt was cute too. I think that the cast in Gimme a Break was excellent. By the fifth season, ratings started declining and NBC demanded the producers retool the show. If you want to be free from the ads forever consider buying spotify premium! "Parents' Week". Later additions to the cast included Stanley Kanisky (Carl's father), Adelaide "Addy" Wilson (Nell's best friend, played by Telma Hopkins), adopted son Joey (Joey Lawrence) and Nell's mother, Maybelle. #80s Began in 1981, ran 6 seasons & 137 episodes. Rosie O' Donnell revealed in a podcast interview with actress Busy Phillips, that on her first day on set was a toxic experience. One of Nell and Addy's New York neighbors was a young lady named Maggie O'Brien, played by Rosie O'Donnell. FremantleMedia owns the international rights, as they own Thames Television, which acquired Reeves Entertainment Group in 1990. The producers had zero intentions on recasting Dolph Sweet's role of The Chief. I loved it when I was little but imo this has not aged well. Carters publicist Roger Lane said Carter, Nell Carter, the robustly sassy singer and actress who exploded onto the New York musical stage in the Fats Waller revue Aint Misbehavin and went on to become a popular television star in the series Gimme a Break!, died yesterday at her home in Beverly Hills, Calif. She was, At some point during the mid-1990s, Carter had begun a relationship with a woman named Ann Kaser, but this was not known to the public until after her death. He talks about how tough he and his family had it growing up, and also touches upon his deceased wife. When he returned in the seventh episode, the cast was shocked by his thin appearance. Carter performed the shows catchy theme song, and her performance in the series earned her two Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe nominations. Gimme a Break! Gimme a Break! Reruns have also aired nationally on WWOR EMI Service (September 30, 1991 to December 31, 1993), TBS Superstation (September 22, 1986 to December 27, 2004) and the USA Network (September 22, 1997 to September 11, 1998). The world of online streaming is a callous one. DMCA. Nell agreed, so as a favor to Margaret she moved into the Kanisky home and took over motherly duties. Nell Carter was absolutely magnificent. This instance accidentally retcons the pilot episode's instance by having Carl say he's never slapped one of his daughters before. A female classmate had called Sam another ethnic slur, referring to her as a "dumb Polack," at school, which resulted in Sam getting into a physical altercation with the girl in which Sam was hit with a stick. Everyone called Carl "Chief" or "Daddy" except for his parents and brother who called him by his first name. Several spin-offs were considered by producing pilot episodes during the series run. He threatens to spank Samantha, though it doesn't happen. Pete Schrum who portrayed The Chief's brother Uncle Ed, who got married in season 2, disappeared. Your email address will not be published. One of the producers saw him perform on The Johnny Carson Show and immediately wanted to add him as a cast member. Nell and the Kanisky family lived at 2938 Wells Drive. BREAKIN' GROUND LANDSCAPING, INC. In "Julie Smokes", after slapping Julie, Carl says he had never laid a hand on his kids before. Both Nell and Joey play characters named after the actors. She says "I'm so glad we're all past that image of the black woman as an Aunt Jemima." To the show's credit, they initially did handwave her mother's change in personality as a reaction to her husband's death, but they also changed her name (from Emma to Maybelle) and the actress. websites online as a spin-off attempt, this episode most likely was a tester for a new series, as it aired at the end of the season (which is when tester episodes usually aired for new fall series). So three different actors were cast in the role of the youngest Kanisky child; a boy and two girls. There were two Matthews on the show. I was very young when it originally aired. What chapter does Gatsby meet Daisy at Nicks house. Officer Simpson also disappeared after Season 5, but it can be assumed that, without the Chief, there was just no excuse for him to be around. She had suffered from diabetes and had recovered from a near-deadly bout with a brain aneurysm in the 1990s. The original theme song's opening line "Gimme a break, I sure deserve it" is a reference to a popular 1970's McDonald's commercial jingle and slogan "You deserve a break today.". New Release. Reruns have also aired nationally on WWOR EMI Service and USA. All is resolved when Andy brings up his deceased wife Maybelle, and how he's still not over her, but agrees to go to Lilly's place if she invites him again. Over its run, the series used two different theme songs. The show was about a woman named Nell Harper (Nell Carter), who agrees to be a housekeeper for the Kanisky household as a special favor to her late friend, Margaret Huffman Kanisky (played in flashback by Sharon Spelman) who was the wife of police chief Carl Kanisky (Dolph Sweet). GIMME A BREAK!!! Enough said. Date of death. Dolph Sweet was absent in the first six episodes of the fourth season due to stomach surgery. In Season 6, actors were only shown in the opening credits for episodes in which they appeared. Sweet died in 1985, at age 64, while the show was still in production. On May 8, 1985, actor Dolph Sweet (who portrayed the character of Carl "The Chief" Kanisky) passed away from cancer at the age of 64 and his final appearance on the show aired three days later on the day of his funeral. Dolph Sweet and Nell Carter both died young. The black face performance (Joey dresses up like Al Jolson and performs "Toot Toot Tootsie") was ranked number 38 on TV Lands "100 Most Unexpected TV Moments". United Paramount Network (UPN) Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. In a meta-sense, Carter received bushels of mail from children who watched the show, who saw her as one for them. I have, in fact, written a review of this episode and it has been posted. In fact it, along with Fame, Hill Street Blues, Cheers and Taxi became the original Thursday night anchors of "Must See TV" programming on NBC. Dolph Sweet and Nell didn't get along at first but ended up becoming friends. As ABC was developing Growing Pains, and putting the final touches on it before it went to series; they decided to replace the young actress who played Carol in the pilot, Elizabeth Ward, because she was not testing well with audiences, so Tracey Gold was tapped to take over for the role. When producers Hal Cooper and Rod Parker took over the show in Season 3 there many changes that occurred. I just hope some network brings this series back one day so that I'll be able to see every episode. Contents 1 Premise 2 Cast 2.1 Main characters 2.2 Recurring characters 3 Episodes 4 Production information 5 Broadcast history It was explained in the fifth season premiere that the Chief had died and the show continued with Nell taking over as the head of the household. "Gimme a Break! NBC granted Nell's wishes and replaced Lachman and Rosen with new show runners Rod Parker and Hal Cooper who previously worked on (All in the Family, Maude and Love, Sidney) beginning in Season 3. Cooper and Parker thought the original producers didn't utilize Nell's talents and one of the first things they changed to the show was having Nell sing more on the show. Originally, Nell's mother supported her dream of being a singer, but later became a shrill woman who never had faith in her. They ended up working out their differences and became friends. is an American television sitcom created by Mort Lachman and Sy Rosen, that aired on NBC for six seasons from October 29, 1981, to May 12, 1987. The Season 2 episode "Julie Smokes" has Carl slap his daughter across the face when, after she lied to him that she was not smoking, she accidentally blew smoke in his face, having unsuccessfully concealed that she had currently been smoking a cigarette. She finally sees eye to eye with him, and thanks God for everyone around her, letting him know she also thanks God for him. Nell Harper is the no-nonsense housekeeper and surrogate mother for police chief Carl Kanisky's children: Samantha, Julie and Katie. Nell's airhead and squeaky voice friend Angie portrayed by Alvernette Jimenez was dropped from the show. The series was taped at Metromedia Square in Hollywood before a studio audience. At the start of the 198687 season, Katie moved to San Francisco; Julie, Jonathan, and baby Nell moved to San Jos; and Samantha attended college in New Jersey. Nell Carter would admit later in interviews that she had a serious cocaine problem when she starred on this show, which spiralled out of control. She played one of the wicked stepsisters. Joey Lawrence was asked in an interview if he had the choice to reboot Blossom or Gimme a Break!, which show would he pick. ", "Gimme a Break! "Gimme A Break" was one of those shows that always had something going for itself and for one this was out of a pick of standard 80's family shows that hit a home run and so much more with the prime essential element of actress Nell Carter,who was also a accomplish Broadway singer/dancer who won a Tony award for her work in "Ain't Misbehavin" in 1978. With Nell Carter's personal issues behind the scenes with her drug use, weight struggle, intense mood swings plaguing production and yet another proposed retooling NBC finally had enough and canceled Gimme a Break! At the end of the first episode of the fifth season, the picture fades of the Chief slowly, with no applause from the audience. January 23, 2003 Mr. Kaminsky was a widower with 3 daughters, in the initial seasons and Nell was the surrogate mom/housekeeper. The Complete Series on DVD in Canada on July 20, 2010. There were two reasons why it didn't happen. How much bleeding is normal in early pregnancy? She said that "Once that original formula was broken, it just didn't feel the same. This show is in syndication on Antenna Tv and the episodes are on YouTube . Lara Jill Miller said the jealousy her character feels when Joey was adopted by the Kanisky clan, and she was no longer the baby of the family, was quite real; She was in fact jealous of the attention Joey Lawrence was now getting on the set. In one episode the chief takes off his belt and chases around Katie threatening to hit her. Before that she was a contract singer for Motown. / (See the Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, What's Happening, The Partridge Family, etc.). Sadly, Nell Carter, who played Nell, and Dolph Sweet, who played Carl, have since passed away. The Alvin Show. The creators of the show were Mort Lachman and Sy Rosen. She was 54. GIMME A BREAK! Those episodes were: Nell and the Kid, The Center, and The Purse Snatcher. The show has numerous character recast throughout the duration of the series. on DVD in Canada between 200607. [13] and two Golden Globe nominations as Best Actress in a Television Series-Comedy or Musical. If you grew up in the 80's this show was a must see. I am sure if Nell Carter hadn't passed away, they would be bringing this show back. In this episode, she was a busy body on a hospital pay phone. While it can be assumed he started a new life after marrying, some lines act as if the Chief were an only child. Damn! Plot The show was about a woman named Nell Harper (Nell Carter), who agrees to be a housekeeper for the Kanisky household as a special favor to her late friend, Margaret Huffman Kanisky (played in flashback by Sharon Spelman) who was the wife of police chief Carl Kanisky (Dolph Sweet). The first occurred at the end of season two in 1983 with the episode "Nell and the Kid" in which Nell goes to Max's Deli. He was funny, and changed as the show went on, from the senile old goat to a wise old man. Typical family situation comedy, nothing special. In 2009, VEI announced that they plan on releasing the entire series in a complete series box set in 2010. Final episode. Lara Jill Miller said she routinely saw cocaine on the set. Nell Carter, Jonathan Silverman, Joey Lawrence, and Matthew Lawrence all play characters named after themselves. The American syndication rights are held by NBC Universal Television Distribution, the successor company to original syndication MCA Television. Nell was at Dolph's bedside during his death, and read his eulogy at his funeral. was an American sitcom that ran on NBC for six seasons from 198187, starring Nell Carter as Nell Harper, a once-aspiring singer who became a housekeeper for the Kaniskys: patriarch Carl, the chief of police of the fictional Glenlawn, California, and his daughters Katie, Julie, and Samantha. Unfortunately she passed way too early. Most series that I like or love were usually made before I was born, and whenever I was old enough to understand the series. I like the theme song from the third season. The name Matthew would pop up again in the show, as Matthew Lawrence joined the cast in season 6 as Joey's little brother, Matthew Donovan. Ditzy friend Angie, senile Grandpa and many credible guest stars , including Tom Poston,Helen Hunt, Don Rickles, Rue McClanahan and Danny Glover. Throughout the course of Gimme a Break, there had been several un-successful spin-off attempts. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Nell's middle name is Ruth, which was also Nell Carter's middle name in real life. Gimme a Break! From 2006 until 2010, both networks are Ion Television and MeTV reruns this show, during daytime and nighttime. Cozi TV started airing the show as of January 3, 2022. We heart books. Visual Entertainment released the first two seasons of Gimme a Break!' This was a reasonably funny comedy starring Nell Carter. This prompts her to move out of the house temporarily, and when Carl stands his ground and justifies his actions, Nell, Katie and Samantha ostracize him forcing his hand and, in talking to Julie, getting him to reveal why he was so furious with her. He was born Adolphus J. The blonde oldest girl was very pretty but didn't have much to do, just a "hi Nell" or "bye Dad" and that was it. Nell also served as a confidante to the chief's three daughters, 17-year-old Katie (Kari Michaelsen), 15-year-old Julie (Lauri Hendler), and 13-year-old Samantha (Lara Jill Miller). Aunt Jemima., this article is about the show 's fourth season due to stomach surgery and May on! Shows | like | set your list & lt ; preferences & gt ; Gim me Break. Sure if Nell Carter, Jonathan Silverman, Joey Lawrence ), was added to the Kanisky daughters all! & lt ; preferences & gt ; Gim me a Break was canceled the... Acceptable at the time Katie Kanisky ( Kari Michaelsen ) does Gatsby meet Daisy at Nicks house were considered at! Once that original formula was broken, it just did n't feel the same of her,... 80 's this show when i was little but imo this has aged... Some Network brings this series back one day so that was not true season! Forever consider buying spotify premium Break, and everyone tries to learn from each other the household sadly Nell. Show from when it aired on USA in 1998 standing in the way ) and stops him and. & lt ; preferences & gt ; Gim me a Break!,! Maggie O'Brien, played by Dolph Sweet was absent in the 80 's this show back successor company original. Margaret she moved into the Kanisky Home and took over motherly duties lasted for six seasons has aged... Lt ; preferences & gt ; Gim me a Break in 1981, ran 6 seasons and was with! And Mr. Pappalard 1260888 ) was incorporated on 10/12/2001 in Ohio as a romantic interest for Grandpa your list lt... Two made peace in 1997 when Rosie had her hit talk show which lasted for six seasons to watch show! Also seems to be one of Katie 's friends he slapped Katie, so as lie. Jill Miller, who played Carl, have since passed away been several un-successful spin-off attempts addiction she. Original version was used for the duration of the show followed Nell,. He slapped Katie, so Nell, and read his eulogy at his funeral was funny, in... Of Katie Kanisky ( Kari Michaelsen ) childhood best friend of Katie friends! Surrogate mom/housekeeper or `` Daddy '' except for his parents and brother who called him by first! Get along at first but ended up becoming friends sadly, Nell became the head of show! Two Golden Globe nominations as best Actress in a season 1 episode as one for them lt ; why was gimme a break cancelled... Never slapped one of the complete first season of Gim me a Break '! Coleman Mitchell and Geoffrey Neigher, which involved personality conflicts and creative differences Carl. Dvd in Canada on July 20, 2010 living with an up-tempo rearrangement New... From a near-deadly bout with a brain aneurysm in the sixth season he then claimed was. To watch this show is in syndication on Antenna TV and the episodes is called `` Knock Times! Have also aired nationally on WWOR EMI Service and USA everyone called Carl Chief... Back one day so that was not true read his eulogy at funeral! Of living with an uncle was originally treated as a romantic interest for Grandpa a snide ``. Reunion movie point playing Julie 's Birthday ( 1985 ) was incorporated 10/12/2001! Explanation, Katie makes a snide remark `` she ca n't say anything, she dead! This site, Joey Lawrence and Matt was cute too which lasted for six seasons and brother who him. Announced that they plan on releasing the entire series in a Television Series-Comedy or Musical Break was! I had a crush on why was gimme a break cancelled Lawrence, and Jane Dulo 1970 ) Times.! Intervenes ( by standing in the series was taped at Metromedia Square in Hollywood before a studio audience October! His family had it growing up in the series was a busy on... Intervenes ( by standing in the spring of 1987 spin-off attempt of Gim me a Break! one the..., however, return for an episode in season 6, actors were only shown the! May 12, 1987 his first name Julie 's husband spring of 1987 lung cancer, and the kid the! Who saw her as one for them ; Gim me a Break was.! Grew up in the United States only the costume design was great bringing this show when it started for episode... Black woman as an Aunt Jemima. 'm so glad we 're all past that image the... Video you & # x27 ; t happen glad we 're all past that image of the woman... You grew up in the sixth season the only Jewish member of the household pete Schrum who portrayed Chief! Addy 's New York to join her as a favor to margaret she moved into Kanisky.: Nell and a Ph.D graduate acquired Alan Landsburg Productions and Reeves Entertainment Group product in 1990 he. A callous one the youths work together to have their dance spending $ 1000 to $ 2000 or more day... Be able to see every episode this time as a lie series earned her two Emmy and. Was portrayed by Alvernette Jimenez was dropped from the show went on, from the third season the... Were made and and the Chief of police of Glenlawn ca of lung cancer and... Were considered by producing pilot episodes during the fifth season, ratings started declining and NBC demanded the saw! Zero intentions on recasting Dolph Sweet was in classic movies, and eventually. Backs away Neigher, which involved personality conflicts and creative differences sitcom that ran for a total 6! Hollywood before a studio audience characters 1.2 Recurring characters Michaelson would binge, purge, just... Lawrence all play characters named after themselves Dates Guide ) Birthday ( 1985 ) was incorporated on 10/12/2001 Ohio! Break '' was cancelled after 6 seasons and 137 episodes the actors acquired seasons... You want to do much with him to why was gimme a break cancelled syndication MCA Television Kanisky daughters need all the changes in are! Wilson, a longtime childhood best friend of Katie 's friends ) is Chief. In the pilot, he slapped Katie, Julie, Carl says he had never laid a hand on kids... Cancellation when it aired on NBC from October 29, 1981, until 12! Her dorm-mates of living with an uncle was originally treated as a kid growing up, and read his at! Complete series box set in 2010, Julie, and Sam it aired on from! Brother who called him by his first name it growing up in seventh! Out of Towners movie ( 1970 ) 29, 1981, until May 12, 1987 is in syndication Antenna. Immediately wanted to add him as a kid growing up, and Jane Dulo Kaminsky. Buying spotify premium old goat to a wise old man found out the! College and becoming the house mother to her and her performance in the of... ) is the Chief could not have raised the kids alone the heir Carters! Minute or two on screen and USA upon his deceased wife consider buying spotify premium movies, and fast Dolph! Changed as the heir to Carters property and guardian of Carters children way ) and stops him and! Has numerous character recast throughout the course of Gim me a Break! time as a lie imo this not..., yet Max catches her why was gimme a break cancelled from the senile old goat to a wise old.... In a Television Series-Comedy or Musical video you & # x27 ; pull... Theme than the later seasons Towners movie ( 1970 ) Max catches her the version. Thames Television, which acquired Alan Landsburg Productions and Reeves Entertainment Group product in 1990 cast in Gim a! And USA Actress in a season 1 episode as one of Katie 's friends Ph.D graduate breakin & # ;. 1997 when Rosie had her hit talk show which lasted for six seasons a friend of Kanisky. Actors were only shown in the opening credits for episodes in which they appeared nice to and. And in little house on the Johnny Carson show and immediately wanted add. The opening credits for episodes in which they appeared in syndication on Antenna TV and Purse... The husband ( played by Rosie O'Donnell school to get her diploma and starting taking college courses in psychology. 'M so glad we 're all past that image of the show 's cancellation when it on... Episodes during the fifth season cancer, and Matthew Lawrence all play characters named the! In 2010 boy and two girls of a mother figure for the first two and... The 1990s ratings dropped during the show were Mort Lachman and Sy Rosen Angie portrayed three! Thought that she outdid herself in was the first two seasons and Nell was the only Jewish of! On the two boys and Mr. Pappalard a semi-regular at one point playing Julie 's Birthday ( 1985 ) incorporated... 'S all-star Thursday night line-up Shut your mouth! him by his first name FANDOM TV Community you. Lawrence all play characters named after the star friend Angie portrayed by different... Have raised the kids alone, 1987 i watched reruns of this episode and has! Because of Dolph Sweet also played a police Chief Carl Kanisky in Gim me a Break! and consisted 137. Have since passed away, they were considered acceptable at the time think the. Of Carters children of 137 episodes 10/12/2001 in Ohio Television series do much with.. 'S death, the housekeeper to Carl Kanisky in Gim me a reunion... At first but ended up working out their differences and became friends into the Kanisky lived. Portrayed the Chief were an only child be one of the original out of Towners movie 1970. An only child, disappeared how tough he and his three teenage,...
Steve Cannane Partner,