Grandpa Goes to Washington

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Grandpa Goes to Washington
Grandpa Goes to Washington.jpg
Genre Comedy drama
Starring Jack Albertson
Larry Linville
Sparky Marcus
Patti Deutsch
Composer Artie Butler
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes11
Production
Executive producersRichard P. Rosetti
Leonora Thuna
ProducerRobert Stambler
Running time45 minutes
Production company Paramount Television
Original release
Network NBC
ReleaseSeptember 7, 1978 (1978-09-07) 
January 16, 1979 (1979-01-16)

Grandpa Goes to Washington is an American comedy-drama television series that aired on NBC on Tuesday nights from September 7, 1978, to January 16, 1979. [1] The series was cancelled after a run of 11 episodes.

Contents

Plot

The series centered on Joe Kelley, a political science teacher who was forced to retire when he turned 66, who then got himself elected to the U.S. senate in spite of his not having any political experience. He won the election when the other candidates for office were tarnished by scandal. Kelley's style was unusual. He drove himself in an old Volkswagen (as opposed to being driven in a limousine), for relaxation he played the drums, and his earnest pledge was "Honesty in Government". He received his political information from former students, whom he considered his "friends in low places". His aim was to make the country a better place to live.

The senator lived with his son, Air Force General Kevin Kelley; Kevin's wife, Rosie; and their two children, Kathleen and Kevin, Jr. Joe thought Kevin was dull, bland and empty-headed (he called him, "My son, the Fathead'). Kevin tried to interfere with his father's position as a Senator, increasing the tension between them. Also seen was Madge, Joe's secretary, and Tony, Joe's aide. Another character was Patti who was played by comedian Patti Deutsch.

Cast

Episode list

  1. Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (2003). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946–Present (8th ed.). New York: Ballantine. p. 482. ISBN   0-345-45542-8.
  2. The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present . Ballantine Books. 2003. p. 1418. ISBN   0-345-45542-8.
Series #Episode titleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Pilot" Richard Crenna Lane Slate & Noel Baldwin September 7, 1978 (1978-09-07)
Retired college professor Joe Kelley is drafted to run for the U.S. Senate after the incumbent withdraws following the exposure of his affair with a stripper
2"Birthday Party" Michael Caffey Richard Freiman September 19, 1978 (1978-09-19)
Kelley introduces a motion to investigate the spending of $27,000 for the President's birthday party at the same time his granddaughter is set to date the President's son.