Family Ties(NBC)
Premiere: September 22, 1982
End: May 14, 1989
Family Ties was a sitcom about a 1980s family with different political values. Liberal 1960s flower-children parents Steven and Elyse Keaton clashed with their eldest son Alex(in a role that made Michael J. Fox a household name), a staunch Republican and ambitious wannabe millionaire. The couple also had two daughters, fashion-conscious Mallory and precocious tomboy Jennifer. A second son, Andrew, would be added in 1985, played as a pre-schooler by Brian Bonsall. Other people that came and went included Alex's best friend and next-door neighbor Skippy(Marc Price), Alex's girlfriends, Ellen Reed(Tracy Pollan, who Michael J. Fox would later marry) and Lauren Miller(played by a pre-Friends Courteney Cox); and Mallory's artist boyfriend Nick Moore(Scott Valentine).
End: May 14, 1989
Family Ties was a sitcom about a 1980s family with different political values. Liberal 1960s flower-children parents Steven and Elyse Keaton clashed with their eldest son Alex(in a role that made Michael J. Fox a household name), a staunch Republican and ambitious wannabe millionaire. The couple also had two daughters, fashion-conscious Mallory and precocious tomboy Jennifer. A second son, Andrew, would be added in 1985, played as a pre-schooler by Brian Bonsall. Other people that came and went included Alex's best friend and next-door neighbor Skippy(Marc Price), Alex's girlfriends, Ellen Reed(Tracy Pollan, who Michael J. Fox would later marry) and Lauren Miller(played by a pre-Friends Courteney Cox); and Mallory's artist boyfriend Nick Moore(Scott Valentine).
From left to right: Tina Yothers(Jennifer Keaton), Brian Bonsall(Andrew Keaton), Michael Gross(Steven Keaton), Meredith Baxter(Elyse Keaton), Michael J. Fox(Alex P. Keaton), and Justine Bateman(Mallory Keaton).
Best Episodes:
Season 1, Episode 21 "Stage Fright"
When someone drops out of Alex's quiz bowl team, in desperation, he tries to turn Mallory into the perfect teammate so she can compete. But on competition night, it is Alex who freezes up, while Mallory answers the questions perfectly. The team loses anyway.
When someone drops out of Alex's quiz bowl team, in desperation, he tries to turn Mallory into the perfect teammate so she can compete. But on competition night, it is Alex who freezes up, while Mallory answers the questions perfectly. The team loses anyway.
Season 2, Episode 14 "Say Uncle"
Alex's favorite uncle, Elyse's brother Ned, comes to town. But he bring with him his problems, as Alex discovers something that the rest of the family doesn't-Uncle Ned is an alcoholic. Steven tries to get him a job at his TV station, but he shows up drunk. Finally, the family confronts him, but it is only after he hits Alex in his rage that he picks up the phone and calls AA.
Alex's favorite uncle, Elyse's brother Ned, comes to town. But he bring with him his problems, as Alex discovers something that the rest of the family doesn't-Uncle Ned is an alcoholic. Steven tries to get him a job at his TV station, but he shows up drunk. Finally, the family confronts him, but it is only after he hits Alex in his rage that he picks up the phone and calls AA.
Season 5, Episode 1 "Be True To Your Preschool"
Andy starts preschool, but Alex balks at the school's progressive teaching style and pulls him out, determined for Andy to learn things his way. But Alex ends up taking him back to school and gets involved with the class, teaching the ways of economics, advertising, and free market.
Andy starts preschool, but Alex balks at the school's progressive teaching style and pulls him out, determined for Andy to learn things his way. But Alex ends up taking him back to school and gets involved with the class, teaching the ways of economics, advertising, and free market.
Season 5, Episode 23-24 "A, My Name is Alex"
Alex's friend Greg dies in a car accident, and Alex has trouble dealing with the loss. Steven and Elyse send him to a therapist, where he recounts his life and the issues he has resulting from his friend's death. Alex ends up reassessing his whole life.
Alex's friend Greg dies in a car accident, and Alex has trouble dealing with the loss. Steven and Elyse send him to a therapist, where he recounts his life and the issues he has resulting from his friend's death. Alex ends up reassessing his whole life.
Season 7, Episodes 5-7 "Heartstrings"
In Part 1 of this episode, Steven has a heart attack and undergoes bypass surgery, but complications ensue. In part 2, the family sits and waits in the waiting room, while supporting another woman whose husband just had a heart attack but seems to be doing better. However, they get a scary reminder of what could happen when the woman's husband dies suddenly. Elyse panics about losing Steven. In part 3, Steven's surgery is a success and he returns home, but is plagued with fears about what his life will be like.
In Part 1 of this episode, Steven has a heart attack and undergoes bypass surgery, but complications ensue. In part 2, the family sits and waits in the waiting room, while supporting another woman whose husband just had a heart attack but seems to be doing better. However, they get a scary reminder of what could happen when the woman's husband dies suddenly. Elyse panics about losing Steven. In part 3, Steven's surgery is a success and he returns home, but is plagued with fears about what his life will be like.