The Hogan Family

Last updated

The Hogan Family
Valeriecast.jpg
Original cast from 1986-87
Also known asValerie (1986–1987)
Valerie's Family: The Hogans (1987–1988)
Genre Sitcom
Created by Charlie Hauck
Starring
Theme music composer Charles Fox
Stephen Geyer
Opening theme"Together Through the Years",
performed by Roberta Flack
ComposerBruce Miller
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons6
No. of episodes110 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Ronny Hallin (1986, 1990–1991)
  • Linda Marsh (1986)
  • Margie Peters (1986)
  • Richard Correll (1985–1988)
  • Judy Pioli (1986–1990)
  • Chip Keyes (1986–1990)
  • Doug Keyes (1986–1990)
  • Laura Schrock (1986–1987)
  • Steven Pritzker (1986–1987)
  • Deborah Oppenheimer (1988–1990)
  • Bob Keyes (1988–1990)
  • Shari Hearn (1990–1991)
  • Michael Loman (1990–1991)
  • Larry Spencer (1990–1991)
Camera setup Film; Multi-camera
Running time22–24 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network NBC
ReleaseMarch 1, 1986 (1986-03-01) 
May 7, 1990 (1990-05-07)
Network CBS
ReleaseSeptember 15, 1990 (1990-09-15) 
July 20, 1991 (1991-07-20)

The Hogan Family (originally titled Valerie and later Valerie's Family: The Hogans) is an American sitcom television series that began airing on NBC on March 1, 1986, and finished its run on CBS on July 20, 1991, for a total of six seasons. It was produced in association with Lorimar Productions (1986), Lorimar-Telepictures (1986–88), and Lorimar Television (1988–91).

Contents

Under the title Valerie, the show centered around Valerie Harper in the title role as a mother trying to juggle her career and raising three sons with an absent airline pilot husband. After the first two seasons, Harper was fired. Her character was killed off at the start of season three and Sandy Duncan joined the cast as Valerie's sister-in-law and the boys' aunt. The series was retitled Valerie's Family: The Hogans, and for the rest of the series, it was retitled The Hogan Family.

Cast

Episodes

SeasonTitleEpisodesOriginally airedRankRating
First airedLast airedNetwork
1 Valerie10March 1, 1986 (1986-03-01)May 19, 1986 (1986-05-19) NBC #2418.1
(tied with Moonlighting and Falcon Crest )
2 22September 28, 1986 (1986-09-28)May 4, 1987 (1987-05-04)#3914.8
(tied with The ABC Sunday Night Movie ) [1]
3 Valerie's Family: The Hogans21September 21, 1987 (1987-09-21)May 2, 1988 (1988-05-02)#2016.9
(tied with My Two Dads )
4 The Hogan Family21October 3, 1988 (1988-10-03)May 8, 1989 (1989-05-08)#2216.3
(tied with NBC Sunday Night Movie and The Wonder Years )
5 23September 18, 1989 (1989-09-18)May 7, 1990 (1990-05-07)#3214.2 [2]
6 13September 15, 1990 (1990-09-15)July 20, 1991 (1991-07-20) CBS #856.5
(tied with Cop Rock ) [3]

Early seasons

Like most American sitcoms in the 1980s, the series sometimes dealt with moral conflicts, but not in a heavy-handed fashion. In the very special episode "Bad Timing", which first aired February 7, 1987, David and a former girlfriend debate whether to have sex. [4] [5] The episode featured the first use of the word condom on a prime time television program. [6]

After a modest start in the ratings that was countered by critical success, Valerie had begun to show growth in the Nielsens by the end of the 1986–87 season. Its most significant ratings jump occurred after its moving to Mondays at 8:30/7:30c in March 1987, following ALF . NBC renewed the series for a third season in May. In light of the show's success, Harper and her husband, Tony Cacciotti, approached their producers and NBC about per-episode salary increases and a larger cut of future syndication revenue. [7] When all of the couple's requests were refused, Harper and Cacciotti walked out on Valerie. Harper had prior history in this situation, as she staged a walkout in 1975 following the first season of her hit series Rhoda (and its parent series, The Mary Tyler Moore Show ) which successfully resulted in a pay increase. [7]

The couple continued to negotiate with Miller-Boyett Productions, Lorimar-Telepictures and NBC during the next few months as the behind-the-scenes struggle became well publicized. NBC programming chief Brandon Tartikoff, who was unhappy with the feud, publicly stated that he would replace Harper with another actress if the fighting did not cease. Tartikoff suggested Sandy Duncan as a replacement to Miller and Boyett, who both sided with the network chief in this possible casting decision. Duncan had recently signed a contract with NBC for a starring vehicle, and Tartikoff felt that this would be the best opportunity for her to make use of it. [7] Though the NBC case was dismissed, Harper and Cacciotti won their trial against Lorimar on September 16, 1988, and were awarded $1.82 million in damages; which they both later donated to various charities. Harper left the show and was replaced by Duncan as the female lead. [7] [8]

Network switch

The cast of The Hogan Family with the inclusion of Sandy Duncan The Hogan Family (cast picture from season 3 onward).jpg
The cast of The Hogan Family with the inclusion of Sandy Duncan

In 1990, after spending three of the last four years on Monday nights at 8:30/7:30 (having been on Sundays before that), NBC opted not to respond to an agreement made with Lorimar insisting that the network had to exercise renewal options on the series before April 1. Despite the series still sporting decent ratings, NBC stated that it chose not to renew The Hogan Family "because of the strength of our current development." [9] The show was then picked up by CBS for the sixth and final season.

Production

Theme music and presentation

The theme song, "Together Through the Years", was performed by Roberta Flack and composed by Charles Fox. The lyrics were written by Stephen Geyer.

Syndication

The Hogan Family aired in U.S. syndication on local television stations, from September 1990 until Summer 1998. From August 1998 until August 1999, startup broadcast network PAX TV aired reruns of the series weekdays at 4/3c.

ABC Family previously held the U.S. syndication rights to the program and had aired episodes twice daily for five weeks from September 25 (2005?) until October 27, 2006. It had discontinued running the show since then.

In Canada, the Crossroads Television System held the Canadian syndication rights and began airing the show Wednesday nights. It discontinued airing the show in 2011.

The Hogan Family title was used for syndicated showings of almost all episodes, including those broadcast as Valerie or Valerie's Family. Also, the theme was shortened in the opening credits when the show was in syndication. During the Valerie seasons, the title sequence becomes slow motion at the scene where Mike and the boys begin to tackle Valerie in their football game. For the third-season episodes, the title shot from seasons four and five is used for reruns, where The Hogan Family is displayed over the Hogans carrying their picnic items through the park. This deleted the scene where Sandy runs out to the baseball diamond to try and get the bases unloaded. The latter was where the Valerie's Family title was shown on NBC airings, with The Hogans appearing over the park-walking scene.

Initially the only episode to retain the Valerie title in syndication was "Bad Timing" (February 8, 1987), which also kept the original parental advisory disclaimer from NBC. But by 2016 the first two seasons went back to their Valerie title. Season three however stayed as The Hogan Family but did not include the Jason Bateman Hockey sequence of season four.

In 2016, Antenna TV announced that they would air the series in 2017. [10] [11] The Christmas episode was the first to air on the network on December 16, during a marathon of holiday-themed episodes from Antenna TV programs throughout the month, [12] before the show officially joined the lineup on January 2, 2018. [13]

The series began airing on Rewind TV on September 1, 2021, after leaving Antenna TV.

In the United Kingdom, the series was shown on BBC1 from 1987 to 1992. [14]

In New Zealand, the series was shown on TVNZ.

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Full House</i> American television sitcom (1987–1995)

Full House is an American television sitcom created by Jeff Franklin for ABC. The show is about widowed father Danny Tanner who enlists his brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis and childhood best friend Joey Gladstone to help raise his three daughters, eldest Donna Jo Margaret, middle child Stephanie and youngest Michelle in his San Francisco home. It originally aired from September 22, 1987 to May 23, 1995, with a total of eight seasons consisting of 192 episodes.

<i>Rhoda</i> American television sitcom (1974–1978)

Rhoda is an American sitcom television series created by James L. Brooks and Allan Burns starring Valerie Harper that originally aired on CBS for five seasons from September 9, 1974, to May 18, 1979. It was the first spin-off of The Mary Tyler Moore Show in which Harper reprised her role as Rhoda Morgenstern, a spunky and flamboyantly fashioned young woman seen as unconventional by the standards of her Jewish family from New York City. The series was originally distributed by Viacom Enterprises.

Josh Taylor is an American actor. He is known for playing Chris Kositchek and Roman Brady on the American dramatic serial Days of Our Lives, Jack McKay on the teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210 and as Michael Hogan, the father on the situation comedy The Hogan Family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valerie Harper</span> American actress (1939–2019)

Valerie Kathryn Harper was an American actress. She began her career as a dancer on Broadway, making her debut as a replacement in the musical Li'l Abner. She is best remembered for her role as Rhoda Morgenstern on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1977) and its spinoff Rhoda (1974–1978). For her work on Mary Tyler Moore, she thrice received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, and later received the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Rhoda.

<i>The Facts of Life</i> (TV series) American sitcom

The Facts of Life is an American television sitcom created by Dick Clair and Jenna McMahon and a spin-off of Diff'rent Strokes that originally aired on NBC from August 24, 1979, to May 7, 1988, making it one of the longest-running sitcoms of the 1980s. The series focuses on Edna Garrett, as she becomes a housemother at the fictional Eastland School, an all-girls boarding school in Peekskill, New York.

Who's the Boss? is an American sitcom television series created by Martin Cohan and Blake Hunter, that aired on ABC from September 20, 1984, to April 25, 1992, with a total of 196 half-hour episodes spanning eight seasons. It was produced by Hunter-Cohan Productions in association with Embassy Television and Columbia Pictures Television and stars Tony Danza as Tony Micelli, a former Major League Baseball athlete who strives to raise his daughter, Samantha Micelli, outside of the hectic nature of New York City and relocates her to Fairfield, Connecticut, where he works as a live-in housekeeper for a single advertising executive named Angela Bower. The series' cast also includes Katherine Helmond as Angela's mother, Mona Robinson, and Danny Pintauro as Angela's young son, Jonathan Bower.

<i>227</i> (TV series) American sitcom

227 is an American sitcom television series that originally aired on NBC from September 14, 1985, to May 6, 1990. The series stars Marla Gibbs as Mary Jenkins, a sharp-tongued, city resident gossip and housewife. Other main characters include her husband Lester, their daughter Brenda, landlady Rose Holloway, and neighbors Sandra Clark and Pearl Shay.

<i>Mamas Family</i> American sitcom (1983–1990)

Mama's Family is an American sitcom television series starring Vicki Lawrence as Mama. The series is a spin-off of a recurring series of comedy sketches called "The Family" featured on The Carol Burnett Show (1967–78) and Carol Burnett & Company (1979). The sketches led to the television film Eunice, and finally the television series.

<i>Step by Step</i> (TV series) American television sitcom (1991–1998)

Step by Step is an American television sitcom created by William Bickley and Michael Warren that ran on ABC as part of its TGIF Friday night lineup from September 20, 1991, to August 15, 1997, then moved to CBS, where it aired from September 19, 1997, to June 26, 1998, with a total of 160 half-hour episodes spanning seven seasons. The series follows Patrick Duffy and Suzanne Somers who star as single parents Frank and Carol, respectively, each with three children, who wed and form a blended family.

<i>The Ropers</i> American TV series or program

The Ropers is an American sitcom television series that aired on ABC from March 13, 1979, to May 15, 1980. It is a spin-off of Three's Company and loosely based on the British sitcom George and Mildred, which was itself a spin-off of Man About the House, on which Three's Company was based.

<i>Threes a Crowd</i> Television series

Three's a Crowd is an American sitcom television series produced as a spin-off and continuation of Three's Company that aired on ABC from September 25, 1984 until April 9, 1985, with reruns airing until September 10, 1985. It is loosely based on the British sitcom Robin's Nest, which was itself a spin-off of Man About the House, upon which Three's Company was based.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sandy Duncan</span> American actress and singer (born 1946)

Sandra Kay Duncan is an American actress, comedian, dancer and singer. She is known for her performances in the Broadway revival of Peter Pan, the sitcom The Hogan Family, and the Disney films The Million Dollar Duck and The Cat from Outer Space. Duncan has been nominated for three Tony Awards, two Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards.

<i>Its a Living</i> American television sitcom (1980–1982, 1985–1989)

It's a Living is an American ensemble sitcom television series set in a restaurant at the top of the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles. The show aired on ABC from October 30, 1980 until June 11, 1982. After the series was canceled by ABC, new episodes aired in first-run syndication from September 28, 1985 to April 8, 1989. The series was created by Stu Silver, Dick Clair and Jenna McMahon and produced by Witt/Thomas Productions, later in association with Golden West Television (1985–86) and Lorimar-Telepictures (1986–89). The series is now distributed by Paul Brownstein Productions and Warner Bros. Television Distribution.

<i>Eight Is Enough</i> American comedy-drama television series (1977–1981)

Eight Is Enough is an American comedy-drama television series that aired on ABC from March 15, 1977, to May 23, 1981. The show was modeled on the life of syndicated newspaper columnist Tom Bradford, a real-life parent with eight children, who wrote a book by the same title.

Jesse Frederick James Conaway is an American film and television composer and singer. He wrote and performed the themes to TGIF television shows such as Perfect Strangers, Full House, Family Matters, and Step by Step for ABC.

Lorimar-Telepictures Corporation, Inc. was an entertainment company established in 1985 with the merger of Lorimar Productions, Inc. and Telepictures Corporation. Headquartered at the former Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios in Culver City, California, its assets included television production and syndication, feature films, home video, and broadcasting.

<i>The Family Man</i> (American TV series) American comedy television series

The Family Man is an American sitcom that aired on CBS from September 11, 1990, to July 17, 1991. The series, starring Gregory Harrison, was created by William Bickley and Michael Warren, who also served as executive producers with Thomas L. Miller and Robert L. Boyett. Martha Williamson served as supervising producer, with Ross Brown as co-executive producer. In addition to being produced by Lorimar Television and Miller-Boyett Productions, the show was also under the Catalina Television marque.

City is an American sitcom television series aired on CBS from January 29 to June 8, 1990. It was a new starring vehicle for Valerie Harper, which went into development not long after she and husband Tony Cacciotti won their lawsuit against Lorimar-Telepictures over her dismissal from her NBC sitcom Valerie. City was created by Paul Haggis, and like the previous series was produced by Cacciotti.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antenna TV</span> American television network

Antenna TV is an American digital television network owned by Nexstar Media Group. The network's programming consists of classic television series, primarily sitcoms, from the 1950s to the 1990s. Antenna TV's programming and advertising operations are headquartered in the WGN-TV studios in Chicago. The network's operations are overseen by Sean Compton, who serves as the president of networks for Nexstar.

Charlie Hauck was an American comedy writer, producer and screenwriter. He is best known as producer of the classic Norman Lear-created sitcom Maude and as the creator of the American family sitcom television series The Hogan Family. He is also one the co-creators of the short-lived sitcom television series The Associates, which he created with James L. Brooks, Stan Daniels, Ed. Weinberger and Michael Leeson.

References

  1. "1986-87 Ratings History".
  2. "1989-90 Ratings History".
  3. "1990-91 Ratings History".
  4. "Albany TV station cancels NBC show over condom issue". The New York Times . Associated Press. February 8, 1987. Retrieved August 14, 2008.
  5. Lewin, Tamar (March 8, 1987). "New sex mores are chilling TV ardor". The New York Times . Retrieved August 14, 2008.
  6. Rettenmund, Matthew (October 15, 1996). Totally Awesome 80s: A Lexicon of the Music, Videos, Movies, TV Shows, Stars, and Trends of that Decadent Decade. Macmillan. ISBN   9780312144364 via Google Books.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Weinman, Jaime (November 28, 2008). "The 20th Anniversary Of the Most Awesomest TV Contract Dispute Ever". Maclean's . Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  8. Freeman, Patricia (October 3, 1988). "Valerie Harper Gets Her Day in Court, And, Umm, It's Sweet". People . Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  9. Haithman, Diane (April 19, 1990). "'Hogan Family' Jump to CBS Called an Exception : Television: The NBC sitcom's switch to a rival network won't inspire similar moves, a Lorimar executive says". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  10. "Tribune Media – Antenna TV Adds 9 New Programs In 2017". Tribune Media .
  11. "Antenna TV to Add 9 Sitcoms for Fall 2017; MeTV and Decades Remembers Martin Landau – SitcomsOnline.com News Blog". blog.sitcomsonline.com.
  12. "Antenna TV Holiday 2017 Schedule, Includes Christmas; HBO Returns Two Comedies in January – SitcomsOnline.com News Blog". blog.sitcomsonline.com.
  13. "Antenna TV January 2018 Schedule Includes Gimme a Break! and Coach; Pop Launches Wednesday Comedies in January – SitcomsOnline.com News Blog". blog.sitcomsonline.com.
  14. "BBC - Comedy - Guide - Valerie / Valerie's Family / The Hogan Family". March 7, 2005. Archived from the original on March 7, 2005.