The Family Tree (TV series)

Last updated
The Family Tree
Genre family drama
Created byCarol Evan McKeand
Starring Anne Archer
Frank Converse
Opening theme Mark Snow
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producersCarol Evan McKeand
Nigel McKeand
Deanne Barkley
Running time60 minutes
Production companiesThe Tree Company, Inc.
Saracen Productions
Comworld Productions
Original release
Network NBC
ReleaseJanuary 22 (1983-01-22) 
February 26, 1983 (1983-02-26)

The Family Tree is a 1983 American television series that aired on NBC, and starred Anne Archer and Frank Converse. The show was produced by Nigel McKeand and Carol Evan McKeand, showrunners of the groundbreaking 1976-80 ABC series Family . Its pilot episode was the 1982 television film The Six of Us . The show was canceled after six episodes due to low ratings. [1]

Contents

Plot

Annie Benjamin (Anne Archer) a divorced woman with three children, who worked part-time selling real estate, meets and then marries Kevin Nichols (Frank Converse); a divorced owner of a lumber company with grown children of his own. Annie's children, who all lived with their mother, include oldest son, Sam (Martin Hewitt); Tess (Melora Hardin); and Toby (Jonathan Hall Kovacs) who is deaf. On Kevin's side of the family, he has, besides his teenaged son Jake (James Spader), a grown daughter, Molly Tanner (Ann Dusenberry), who herself was already married. Jake lives with his mother, Elizabeth (Joanna Cassidy); and Annie's children are still very close to their father, Dr. David Benjamin (Alan Feinstein). Much of the stories focus on the problems of the Benjamin children adjusting to Kevin being their stepfather. Of all three of Annie's children, it was Toby, the youngest, who was perhaps most upset about his mother's divorce from his father.

Cast

Episodes

EpisodeSummary
Pilot The Six of Us , 1982 television film.
Note: For the series, all roles were recast with the exception of Toby.
Episode 1Annie becomes overprotective of Toby when the house is burglarized while he's home alone; Sam resents Kevin's role as the man of the house.
Episode 2Annie decides to attend an out-of-state funeral with her first husband against Kevin's wishes; Tess falls for a dancer.
Notes: Guest-starring Michael Cummings as Dance Studio Owner.
Episode 3Jake becomes romantically involved with Annie's best friend; Kevin avoids the task of learning sign language.
Notes: Guest-starring Cassie Yates as Elise.
Episode 4N/A
Episode 5Kevin tells his ex-wife that he is no longer legally bound to support her; Tess sneaks out on a date.
Notes: Guest-starring Joanna Cassidy as Elizabeth Nichols.
Episode 6Kevin's daughter shows up after leaving her husband; Tess's father offers a lame excuse to avoid coming to her birthday party.
Notes: Guest-starring Ann Dusenberry as Molly Nichols Tanner and Alan Feinstein as Dr. David Benjamin.

Critical reception

David Bianculli of the Akron Beacon-Journal called it "the best family drama in years" and concluded that "Anne Archer, in particular, gives the series performance of the year". [2]

Awards

The Family Tree was named a finalist for the season's best new series by the Television Critics Association (an award that ultimately went to Cheers ).

Ratings

SeasonEpisodesStart DateEnd DateNielsen RankNielsen RatingTied With
1982-836January 22, 1983February 26, 198394 [1] N/AN/A

Cancellation

When an hour of NBC's summer 1983 programming abruptly failed, the network repeated The Family Tree in its place, but this did not lead to a renewal.

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References

  1. 1 2 "The TV Ratings Guide: 1982-83 Ratings History -- Soap Bubbles Rise, Several Veterans Part and NBC Renews Poorly Rated Masterpieces". Archived from the original on March 18, 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  2. Bianculli, David, "NPR struggling, but NBC Rising from Blush to Brash," Akron Beacon-Journal, July 20, 1983, page B6