Sara (1985 TV series)

Last updated

Sara
Sara (US TV series).JPG
The cast of Sara
GenreSitcom
Created by Gary David Goldberg
Ruth Bennett
Directed by Will Mackenzie
Starring Geena Davis
Alfre Woodard
Bill Maher
Mark Hudson
Bronson Pinchot
Ronnie Claire Edwards
Matthew Lawrence
Composer Tom Scott
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13
Production
Executive producer Gary David Goldberg
Producers Merrill Markoe
Linda Nieber
Camera setup Multi-camera
Running time30 minutes
Production companies Ubu Productions
NBC Productions
Original release
Network NBC
ReleaseJanuary 23 (1985-01-23) 
May 8, 1985 (1985-05-08)

Sara is an American sitcom television series that aired on NBC from January 23 to May 8, 1985. Starring Geena Davis in the title role, the series features early performances from several actors who went on to greater acclaim, including Alfre Woodard, Bronson Pinchot and Bill Maher. Sara featured one of the earliest regular gay characters on an American television series, Dennis Kemper, played by Pinchot. [1] [2]

Contents

Plot

Sara McKenna, a young lawyer living in San Francisco, works at the Legal Aid law office with an eclectic cast of characters.

Cast

Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"David Returns" Will Mackenzie Ruth BennettJanuary 23, 1985 (1985-01-23)
2"Sara's Mom" John Pasquin Merrill Markoe January 30, 1985 (1985-01-30)
3"Dueling Lawyers"Will MackenzieMichael KagenFebruary 13, 1985 (1985-02-13)
4"Helen Steps Out"John PasquinMerrill MarkoeFebruary 20, 1985 (1985-02-20)
5"You Can't Win 'em All"John PasquinRuth BennettFebruary 27, 1985 (1985-02-27)
6"A Date with Keith"John PasquinMerrill MarkoeMarch 13, 1985 (1985-03-13)
7"Rock 'n' Roll Father"Will MackenzieMichael KaganMarch 20, 1985 (1985-03-20)
8"27 Candles"John PasquinRuth BennettMarch 27, 1985 (1985-03-27)
9"Sara's Short Story"Will MackenzieGail HonigbergApril 10, 1985 (1985-04-10)
10"Meet Mr. Cooper"Will MackenzieDouglas WymanApril 17, 1985 (1985-04-17)
11"Girls Just Want to Have Fun"Will MackenzieSusan SeegerApril 24, 1985 (1985-04-24)
12"A Night at the Ballet"UnknownUnknownMay 1, 1985 (1985-05-01)
13"Brief Encounter"Will MackenzieFrederick Weiss & Jeffrey FerroMay 8, 1985 (1985-05-08)

Reception

Because it was scheduled opposite Dynasty , which was then the most popular series on the air, Sara failed to attract an audience and was cancelled after 13 episodes, although NBC did re-air the series in 1988. [3] According to TVTango.com's ratings database, Sara ranked 48th out of 104 programs that aired during the 1984–85 season, with an average household rating of 14.44.

References

  1. Goldstein, Patrick (January 23, 1985). "The Changing Face of Prime Time on the Tube : 'SARA' AT THE STARTING BLOCK". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on June 23, 2025.
  2. Capsuto, Steven (2000). Alternate Channels: The Uncensored Story of Gay and Lesbian Images on Radio and Television. Ballantine Books. ISBN   0-345-41243-5.
  3. Capsuto, pp. 205–06