Family Ties (TV series)
"Family Ties" is a notable American sitcom that aired on NBC from September 22, 1982, to May 14, 1989, spanning seven seasons. Set in Columbus, Ohio, the series explores the comedic tensions between its liberal parents, Elyse and Steven Keaton, and their conservative children, particularly the ambitious Alex P. Keaton, played by Michael J. Fox. Initially struggling with ratings, the show found success by being sandwiched between popular series like "The Cosby Show" and "Cheers," becoming a top contender in Nielsen ratings during its peak years from 1985 to 1987.
The series adeptly tackled various societal issues of the 1980s, such as consumerism, political ideologies, and family dynamics, often using humor to address more serious topics like addiction and mental health. "Family Ties" is distinguished by its portrayal of generational conflict, reflecting the shifting values of American society during that era. The show also became a launching pad for several actors, with notable guest appearances from future stars like Tom Hanks and Courtney Cox. Overall, "Family Ties" remains a culturally significant series that resonates with viewers for its exploration of familial relationships against the backdrop of changing societal norms.
Family Ties (TV series)
Identification Television comedy series
Date Aired from September 22, 1982, to May 14, 1989
A successful long-lived situation comedy, Family Ties tackled family issues, social ideologies, and politics and helped make a star of Michael J. Fox.
A distinctively 1980’s situation comedy, Family Ties was a long-running series that fused personal issues affecting the family with the societal conventions and politics particular to the decade. The show ran for seven seasons on the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), debuting on September 22, 1982, and ending on May 14, 1989. Its initial ratings were disappointing, but the show’s popularity skyrocketed by its second season, when it was strategically placed between the number-one-rated The Cosby Show and another popular sitcom, Cheers, on NBC’s dominant Thursday-night lineup. At the height of its popularity, from 1985 through 1987, Family Ties was number two in the Nielsen ratings, receiving a 33 percent share of the U.S. viewing audience.
Set in Columbus, Ohio, the show was based on a unique spin on traditional family sitcoms: hip, liberal parents rebelling against their conservative, consumerist children. Flower children of the 1960’s Elyse (Meredith Baxter-Birney) and Steven Keaton (Michael Gross) were the parents of Alex P. (Michael J. Fox), Mallory (Justine Bateman), Jennifer (Tina Yothers), and a mid-series new addition, baby Andrew (Brian Bonsall). Steven ran public television station WKS, and Elyse was an architect. The couple tried to instill their liberal, democratic views along with their sense of civic duty and humanitarianism in their children. These views existed in humorous tension with Alex’s conservatism, love of Ronald Regan, and idolization of Richard M. Nixon and with Mallory’s obsession with shopping and superficial appearances. Young Jennifer and Andy were caught in the middle of the two factions and often provided a voice of reason. The ideological battle provided a comedic break when the show tackled difficult and emotional issues, such as running away from home, addiction, suicide, teen pregnancy, and mental illness. In addition to launching Michael J. Fox’s career, Family Ties featured an impressive cast of secondary characters and cameo appearances, including Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, and Courtney Cox, who all appeared on the show prior to becoming superstars.
Impact
Family Ties experienced incredible popularity because the show’s premise was well-suited to audiences of the 1980’s. The show depicted a conflict in the values of successive generations that was very much in the mind of many Americans. By juxtaposing Steven and Elyse’s commitment to their 1960’s community-oriented principles against the self-centered allegiance to Reaganomics held by Alex and Mallory’s commitment to spending money, Family Ties offered a humorous but recognizable account of the radically diverse—and at times diametrically opposed—political, social, and economic views held by Americans during the 1980’s.
Bibliography
Dalton, Mary M., and Laura L. Linder. The Sitcom Reader: America Viewed and Skewed. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2005.
Marc, David. Comic Visions: Television Comedy and American Culture. Malden, Mass.: Blackwell, 1998.
Mills, Brett. Television Sitcom. London: British Film Institute, 2005.