We heart influencers and interesting people. The producers wanted a foil for Nell to interact with instead of just solving the girls problems. 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. Joey Lawrence portrayed Joey Donovan, a 7 year old orphan who would end up living with the Kaninsky family and becoming Nell's foster son. They kept Lara Jill Miller as Sam. Ironically, Tracey Gold, who was herself replaced last minute before the show went to series; wound up doing this herself to another actress for another family sitcom 4 years later. I like the theme song from the third season. Gimme A Break, was certainly in the same league as any of NBC's other popular comedy shows. Learn how and when to remove these template messages, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Best Actress Television Series Musical or Comedy, "List of Season's Top-Rated TV Shows With PM-Nielsens, Bjt", "Please! This line retcons the events of "Samantha Steals a Squad Car", when she, Season 3s The Way to a Mans Heart has her in Weight Winners, a. Ambitions. GIMME-A-SIGN INC. Cancelled. (TV Series) Julie Smokes (1983) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by Jim Drake Writing Credits Cast (in credits order) Produced by Film Editing by Larry Harris Casting By Randy Stone Art Direction by Peter Clemens Costume Design by Palmer Brown Makeup Department Production Management 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). Given some supportive scripts, Miss Carter and Mr. Sweet could insure a good run for this series.[6]. - The Complete Series - TVShowsOnDVD.com", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gimme_a_Break!&oldid=1105749188, Television series by Alan Landsburg Productions, Television series by Universal Television, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles lacking reliable references from March 2011, Articles that may contain original research from July 2011, All articles that may contain original research, Articles with multiple maintenance issues, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Bob Christianson (first two seasons only), Best Young Actress in a Television Comedy Series, Best Young Supporting Actor in a Television Comedy Series, Best Young Supporting Actress in a Television Comedy Series, Best Young Actor Starring in a Television Series, Mort Lachman and Associates (Entire Series), Lauri Hendler as Julie Kanisky Maxwell (seasons 1-5), This page was last edited on 21 August 2022, at 16:16. I think that the cast in Gimme a Break was excellent. The only other storyline in the episode consisted of the activities director Lilly, a four time widow, having a crush on one of the senior members named Andy, and how he refused to go to her house for dinner many times. Those episodes were: Nell and the Kid, The Center, and The Purse Snatcher. 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. why was gimme a break cancelled Posted on 2022527by Verified Purchase. Nell, first for the girls' mother, and then later after the death of their father. / However, another good one that I think deserves mentioning is Hazel Shermet. Telma Hopkins felt the show lost its ground quickly when they made all the changes in the sixth season. The other cast was great too. She questioned the child stars' morals, and the media for playing into the victim mentality. Originally, Nell's mother supported her dream of being a singer, but later became a shrill woman who never had faith in her. I don't remember the original theme song and after looking up old episodes on YouTube I hate it. John Hoyt died in 1991, six years after his on-screen son died. Alpha House. Nell was at Dolph's bedside during his death, and read his eulogy at his funeral. Two episodes were particularly noteworthy. The Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary is a Jewish cemetery located at 6001 West Centinela Avenue, in Culver City, California. BREAK POINT BOOKS & MORE Cancelled. It came to a natural end with Tom moving away to be in Crossroads, but as we all know, that too has died on its arse so I. She was a mother figure on the set. 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. Joey's father was portrayed by two different actors Fred McCarren and Patrick Collins (I). This is one of many shows I used to watch just because it was on, not because I particularly enjoyed it. She went into rehab several times during production and was blowing her money on cocaine every week . A Fan Inquiry to Us on Facebook Leads to Some VERY Interesting New Information! The first two seasons use a different theme than the later seasons. This episode dealt with a Greek restaurant called "Two Guys From Greece" and the two guys who worked at it, Nicky, and his friend Tyler. Even Jonathan Silverman was a semi-regular at one point playing Julie's husband. We heart all thing in the Entertainment field. 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. It was sad when the actor who played the chief died. Jane Dulo who portrayed Mildred Kanisky, mother of Carl Kanisky (played by Dolph Sweet) was born October 13, 1917 (some sources give 1912 and 1918 as her birth year); and with Sweet being born July 18, 1920, he and Dulo are too close in age to be playing mother and son credibly. This was meant to be a cliffhanger season finale, as the episode ends saying "To Be Continued", but the next season's premiere had to be retooled to have the family deal with the Chief's death instead of his reaction to Julie's sudden marriage. Gimme a Break! At first, everyone hates the idea, but then they all decide to have a dance there consisting of both punk rock and old time music from the early 1900s. Pete Schrum who portrayed The Chief's brother Uncle Ed, who got married in season 2, disappeared. The episode only includes Nell and Grandpa from the main cast, and begins with Nell telling Grandpa to go the senior citizen center because it has a mess of women, to which he agrees. Now, in conclusion, when and if this show is ever brought back on the air, I hope that you catch it one day before it goes off the air for good. He talks about how tough he and his family had it growing up, and also touches upon his deceased wife. Nell's airhead and squeaky voice friend Angie portrayed by Alvernette Jimenez was dropped from the show. Reportedly, Nell's maternal instincts towards the girls and Joey on the show were quite real. Five episodes into the sixth and final season, the show changed locales from Glenlawn to New York City, when Nell, concerned for Joeys welfare after he moved there with his absentee father, traveled there to check on him. She had suffered from diabetes and had recovered from a near-deadly bout with a brain aneurysm in the 1990s. She and Max Green (Don Rickles) catch an orphaned girl named Danny stealing money and food. Later additions to the cast included Stanley Kanisky (Carls father), Adelaide Addy Wilson (Nells best friend, played by Telma Hopkins), Rue McClanahan is listed in the opening credits along with the other regulars even though, She was 54. Nell Carter was absolutely magnificent. The producers took notice Miller's jealousy on set towards Lawrence and that's what inspired them to write the infamously controversial black face episode Baby of the Family. was a Syndication sitcom that was created by Mort Lachman & Sy Rosen, starring Nell Carter in the lead role. Damn! The students suggested that if Culverhouse cared, we would give them a break. Enough said. For the six seasons that in ran on NBC-TV(1981-1987) in the eighties,this was one of those shows that was constantly in the top ten ratings during its run on the Peacock network. Gimme a Break! She says "I'm so glad we're all past that image of the black woman as an Aunt Jemima." Helen Hunt auditioned for the role of Katie Kanisky. Final episode date. We heart movies. Damn!" BREAKIN' GROUND LANDSCAPING, INC. In an interview Carter gave for O'Donnell's E! Marty (Paul Sand) was their landlord who also owned a Mexican restaurant under the name "Esteban." 15 were here. Nov 05, 2007 #8. The Complete Series on DVD in Canada on July 20, 2010. These attributes contributed to the producers decision to drop most of the cast for sixth season except for Nell Carter, Thelma Hopkins, Joey Lawrence and John Hoyt. During the filming of the backdoor pilot Nell and the Kid, Nell and Don Rickles didn't get along and were clashing all over the place. NBC warned the producers that if they wanted a sixth season, drastic changes would have to be made or the series would be canceled. When the show went to New York, it was wasn't the same show anymore.". Over the course of the 198485 season, Sweet's health went into serious decline as the cancer further ravaged his body. And as much as they tried to make it work, there were just things missing. aired 137 episodes over six seasons, with its finale airing on May 12, 1987. Prior to the pilot episode . Sweet on July 18th, 1920 in New York, New York. On May 12, 1987, "Gimme a Break" was cancelled after 6 seasons and 137 episodes. Who was the unluckiest person in the world? Nell's middle name is Ruth, which was also Nell Carter's middle name in real life. When they brought the character back in season 2 she was replaced with actress Bonnie Urseth. While never a powerhouse in the ratings, Gimme a Break! Lara Jill Miller was shown in opening credits as a regular cast member, rather than a guest star, in the episodes where she appeared. One of the producers saw him perform on The Johnny Carson Show and immediately wanted to add him as a cast member. The series starred Nell Carter as the housekeeper for a widowed police chief ( Dolph Sweet) and his three daughters. Nell Carter, Jonathan Silverman, Joey Lawrence, and Matthew Lawrence all play characters named after themselves. But the show belong to Nell Carter who was a joy to watch. And because Joey Lawrence was a big hit with audiences, and seemed to supplicate their need on the show. Kari Michaelson, who portrayed oldest daughter Katie on the show, said she was relieved when she got the call that she, Laurie Hendler, and Lara Jill Miller were getting fired during the 1986-1987 season. FremantleMedia owns the international rights, as they own Thames Television, which acquired Alan Landsburg Productions and Reeves Entertainment Group product in 1990. Most of the show's humor came from the clashes of culture (Nell, the Sassy Black Woman from the South vs. straightlaced second-generation Polish Chief Kanisky) and generation (Nell and Carl vs. the girls) in an otherwise standard 80s Dom Com setting. This does bring up the question of what happened to said uncle this whole time? She believes it was the customer that the two guys had her sit with, and who she took a liking to. 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. Although I don't remember much about it, I must say that it was a pretty good show. Watch Gimme a Break! stomach surgery The network deemed Gimme a Break! In Season 6, actors were only shown in the opening credits for episodes in which they appeared. 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 54. Five episodes into the sixth and final season, the show changed locales from Glenlawn to New York City, when Nell. Although the show never cracked the top 30, it was still considered a solid enough hit to keep on the air for six years. A foster son, Joey (Joey Lawrence) was added in Season 3. The original unaired pilot had the same plot as season one, episode one, "Katie the Crook", but it had a different set for the house, and the third Kanisky child was a redheaded boy named Matthew. Nell also served as a parent to the Chief's three daughters, Katie (Kari Michaelsen), Julie (Lauri Hendler), and Samantha (Lara Jill Miller). Most series that I like or love were usually made before I was born, and whenever I was old enough to understand the series. Logo TV may used to air this show reruns from 2015 until the end of 2017. On May 12, 1987, "Gimme a Break" was cancelled after 6 seasons and 137 episodes. Not a brilliant show by any means, but certainly a show that highlights the great talents of Nell Carter, in basically her only venture in TV. Alphas. 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. GIMME A BREAK!!! 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. The marriage story-line with Lauri Hendler and Jonathan Silverman's characters didn't click with viewers and neither did Silverman's character who was added a series regular. 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. after Carl dies, much in the same way Florida Evans shouts the same thing after her husband James died on Good Times, ten years earlier. It was released as the third and final single from the album on March 3, 2008, by Jive Records.The song was written by Nate "Danja" Hills, Jim Beanz, Keri Hilson and Marcella Araica, while production was handled by Danja and vocal production was handled by Beanz. She tries to steal food from Max's fridge and may leave on the run, yet Max catches her. Gimme a Break! From 2006 until 2010, both networks are Ion Television and MeTV reruns this show, during daytime and nighttime. Unreliable citations may be challenged or deleted. 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. Laurie Hendler on the other hand, was upset and caught by surprise because she had recently purchased a new house. The fish died in the first episode, and kept coming back in subsequent episodes. In the episode he slaps Julie, Carl reveals his regret he never slapped Margaret (his now late wife and daughters' late mother) when he couldn't get her to stop smoking, in what would have been a misguided (to say the least) attempt to wake her up to the fact that she was killing herself with her chronic smoking. Age, 83years (April 22, 1939) As they were redoing it, the boy was replaced by Tracey Gold, who was going to play a tomboy named Samantha. Nell started singing more, Nell's frumpy and unflattering wardrobe, hair and makeup was upgraded to more glamorous and stylish. The seniors and the youths work together to have their dance. At the end of the first episode of the fifth season, the picture fades of the Chief slowly, with no applause from the audience. I love the actress Laurie Hendler,but think this show is soo boring! 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). FremantleMedia owns the international rights, as they own Thames Television, which acquired Reeves Entertainment Group in 1990. Lawrence was added to show to take over the cute kid role with Lara Jill Miller getting older and maturing into a young women. He shared the accountability together with his spouse's buddy, Nell Harper, performed by Tony-winning actor Nell Carter. (a Titles & Air Dates Guide) . With spotify premium, you get ad free music, forever! 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. The "wacky" Swackhammer character, who served as a foil to Nell, disappeared after a few episodes in the second season. 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. episodes. 32. / Nell agreed, so as a favor to Margaret she moved into the Kanisky home and took over motherly duties. is an American sitcom that ran on NBC for six seasons (1981-87), 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 (the last of the kids played by a young Lara Jill Miller). She played one of the wicked stepsisters. Nov 05, 2007 #9. 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. Nell Carter, 54, the Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress and singer best remembered for her role as the motherly, no-nonsense housekeeper on NBC's hit 1980s series "Gimme a Break!," died Thursday at her home in Beverly Hills, the Associated Press reports. Many Jews from the entertainment industry are buried here. I loved grandpa too. The series stars Nell Carter as the housekeeper for a widowed police chief ( Dolph Sweet) and his three daughters. Ironically though Dolph Sweet died in 1985, the actor who played his father (John Hoyt) made appearances til the end of the show. Rosie O' Donnell and Nell didn't get along during the final season and O' Donnell said Nell treated her terribly. ; s buddy, Nell 's frumpy and unflattering wardrobe, hair and makeup was upgraded to glamorous... 1920 in New York own Thames Television, which acquired Alan Landsburg Productions and Reeves Entertainment Group 1990... Of what happened to said Uncle this whole time real life she went into rehab times... 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