Thunder Alley (TV series)

Last updated
Thunder Alley
Thunder Alley cast.jpg
The Thunder Alley season 2 cast (from left to right), Edward Asner, Kelly Vint, Robin Riker, Haley Joel Osment and Lindsay Felton.
Genre Sitcom
Created by Carmen Finestra
David McFadzean
Matt Williams
Starring Edward Asner
Diane Venora
Robin Riker
Kelly Vint
Lindsay Felton
Haley Joel Osment
Jim Beaver
Andrew Keegan
ComposerHoward Pearl
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes27
Production
Executive producersCarmen Finestra
Dan Guntzelman
David McFadzean
Matt Williams
ProducersBob Burris
Tim Doyle
Barry Gold
Dan Guntzelman
Gayle S. Maffeo
Michael Ware
Running time22 minutes
Production companiesWind Dancer Productions
Touchstone Television
Original release
Network ABC
ReleaseMarch 9, 1994 (1994-03-09) –
July 4, 1995 (1995-07-04)

Thunder Alley is an American sitcom that aired from March 9, 1994 to July 4, 1995, on ABC. [1]

Contents

Premise

The show stars Ed Asner as retired race car driver Gil Jones. The unaired original pilot episode featured Felicity Huffman in the role of Bobbi Turner, Gil's daughter. When ABC picked up the series, Huffman was replaced [2] with Diane Venora. The pilot was reshot and Venora played the role for eight episodes before she was replaced by Robin Riker in the second season, who played the role for the remainder of the series. [3]

The story involved Bobbi returning to her old hometown, after a divorce to live with her father. In tow were her three children: Claudine (Kelly Vint); Jenny (Lindsay Felton); and Harry (Haley Joel Osment). The new family quintet lived in Gil's home above Thunder Alley, the specialty racing garage Gil operated. Rounding out the cast was Gil's dim-witted mechanic sidekick, Leland DuParte (Jim Beaver). In the show's second season, Andrew Keegan joined the cast as Jack Kelly, a local boy who helped around the garage. The first season was set in Indianapolis, Indiana, followed by Detroit, Michigan in the second season. [4]

Production and broadcast history

Thunder Alley was created and executive produced by Matt Williams, Carmen Finestra and David McFadzean for Wind Dancer Productions and Touchstone Television. The director of a majority of episodes was Robby Benson.

The show debuted to good ratings, finishing its first season the number 12th program with an average household share of 15.9, [5] helped in part by its being paired with the hit Home Improvement , coming from the same producers. [6] However, it struggled in its second season when it was slotted as the lead-off show on Wednesday nights. It was canceled in the spring of 1995.

Cast and characters

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1 8March 9, 1994 (1994-03-09)May 4, 1994 (1994-05-04)
2 19September 14, 1994 (1994-09-14)July 4, 1995 (1995-07-04)

Season 1 (1994)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
11"The Prototype" Barnet Kellman Carmen Finestra & David McFadzean & Matt Williams March 9, 1994 (1994-03-09)29.2 [7]
22"The Love Triangle" Robby Benson Robert ZappiaMarch 16, 1994 (1994-03-16)25.2 [8]
33"Chore Patrol" Andy Cadiff Tim Doyle March 23, 1994 (1994-03-23)23.1 [9]
44"Girl's Night Out"Robby BensonDeborah PearlMarch 30, 1994 (1994-03-30)27.3 [10]
55"Bloodsuckers"Robby BensonTim Doyle & Steve GabrielApril 6, 1994 (1994-04-06)23.3 [11]
66"Happy Endings"Robby BensonRita Hsiao & Robert ZappiaApril 13, 1994 (1994-04-13)25.1 [12]
77"A Fist Full of Phyllis"John Rago Joey Murphy & John Pardee April 20, 1994 (1994-04-20)20.8 [13]
88"As a Manner of Fact"John RagoSteve GabrielMay 4, 1994 (1994-05-04)20.2 [14]

Season 2 (1994–95)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
91"Never Say Die" Robby Benson Lissa LevinSeptember 14, 1994 (1994-09-14)20.4 [15]
102"Speak No Evil"Robby BensonBarry GoldSeptember 21, 1994 (1994-09-21)13.0 [16]
113"Easy Money"Robby BensonJake Weinberger & Mike WeinbergerSeptember 28, 1994 (1994-09-28)13.8 [17]
124"Get a Job"Robby BensonBob Burris & Michael WareOctober 5, 1994 (1994-10-05)14.4 [18]
135"First Date"Robby BensonRobert ZappiaOctober 12, 1994 (1994-10-12)16.7 [19]
146"Give 'Em Hell, Bobbi"Robby BensonSteve GabrielOctober 19, 1994 (1994-10-19)15.1 [20]
157"Sex, Lies & Popcorn"Robby BensonBob Burris & Michael WareOctober 26, 1994 (1994-10-26)15.4 [21]
168"The Garage Sale"Robby BensonMichael B. KaplanNovember 2, 1994 (1994-11-02)15.6 [22]
179"Accidentally at First Sight"Robby BensonDeborah PearlMarch 7, 1995 (1995-03-07)22.3 [23]
1810"Are We There Yet?"Robby BensonLissa LevinMarch 14, 1995 (1995-03-14)19.9 [24]
1911"Breaking Away"Pat Fischer-DoakMichael B. KaplanMarch 21, 1995 (1995-03-21)20.0 [25]
2012"The Trouble with Harry"Robby BensonRobert ZappiaMarch 28, 1995 (1995-03-28)20.1 [26]
2113"Workin' Man's Blues"Robby Benson Bill Freiberger April 4, 1995 (1995-04-04)19.6 [27]
2214"A Little Me Time"Robby BensonBarry GoldApril 11, 1995 (1995-04-11)19.1 [28]
2315"I Am Spartacus"Robby BensonMichael B. KaplanApril 18, 1995 (1995-04-18)15.3 [29]
2416"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner"Pat Fischer-DoakJake Weinberger & Mike WeinbergerApril 25, 1995 (1995-04-25)16.8 [30]
2517"Just a Vacation"Robby BensonPaul A. KaplanMay 2, 1995 (1995-05-02)20.2 [31]
2618"Buzz Off, Buzzard Boy"Robby BensonSteve GabrielMay 9, 1995 (1995-05-09)18.6 [32]
2719"No Swing Set"Robby Benson Carmen Finestra & David McFadzean & Matt Williams July 4, 1995 (1995-07-04)8.2 [33]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardResultCategoryRecipient
1995 Young Artist Awards NominatedBest Performance: Young Actor in a TV Comedy SeriesAndrew Keegan
Best Performance by an Actress Under Ten in a TV SeriesLindsay Felton

Related Research Articles

<i>Daves World</i> American sitcom (1993–1997)

Dave's World is an American sitcom television series, created by Fred Barron, that aired on CBS from September 20, 1993, to June 27, 1997. The series is based on the writing of Miami Herald columnist Dave Barry.

<i>Hearts Afire</i> American television sitcom (1992–1995)

Hearts Afire is an American television sitcom created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, starring John Ritter and Markie Post, that aired on CBS from September 14, 1992, to February 1, 1995. The series' title is taken from a line in the Earth, Wind & Fire song "That's the Way of the World".

<i>The John Larroquette Show</i> American television sitcom (1993–1996)

The John Larroquette Show is an American sitcom television series that was created by Don Reo for NBC. The John Larroquette Show was a star vehicle for John Larroquette following his run as Dan Fielding on Night Court. The series takes place in a seedy bus terminal in St. Louis, Missouri, and originally focused on the somewhat broken people who worked the night shift, and in particular, the lead character's battle with alcoholism. The series was produced by Reo's Impact Zone Productions, Larroquette's Port Street Films and Witt/Thomas Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.

<i>Law & Order</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth season of Law & Order aired on NBC between September 21, 1994, and May 24, 1995.

<i>Seinfeld</i> season 6 Season of television series

Season six of Seinfeld, an American comedy television series created by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, began airing on September 22, 1994, and concluded on May 18, 1995, on NBC. Season six placed first in the Nielsen ratings, above Home Improvement and ER.

<i>The Mommies</i> (TV series) American TV sitcom (1993–1995)

The Mommies is an American sitcom television series created by Terry Grossman and Kathy Speer that aired on NBC from September 18, 1993, to June 10, 1995.

<i>Frasier</i> season 1 Season of television series

The first season of Frasier originally aired from September 16, 1993, to May 19, 1994, on NBC, consisting of a total of 24 episodes. This premiere season was mostly directed by James Burrows, alongside Andy Ackerman. The other 2 directors were co-creator David Lee and Rick Beren.

<i>Frasier</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of the American sitcom Frasier commenced airing in the United States on September 20, 1994, and concluded on May 23, 1995. It continues to follow Dr. Frasier Crane's experiences as a radio psychiatrist and efforts to get closer to his father and brother. The second season aired Tuesdays at 9:00 pm in the United States after moving from its previous Thursday night time slot. The season was released on DVD as a four-disc boxed set on January 6, 2004, by Paramount Home Entertainment.

<i>On Our Own</i> (1994 TV series) American sitcom

On Our Own is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from September 13, 1994, until April 14, 1995. The series stars Ralph Louis Harris and six real life siblings: Jazz, Jocqui, Jake, Jojo, Jurnee, and Jussie Smollett.

<i>Full House</i> season 8 Season of television series

The eighth and final season of the ABC sitcom Full House originally aired between September 27, 1994 and May 23, 1995.

<i>The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth season of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air premiered on September 19, 1994 and concluded on May 15, 1995. Ross Bagley was added to the show's cast, playing a now preschool-aged Nicky Banks despite the character being a newborn infant in the previous season. This is common in television series and soap operas. In the first episode to feature this change, Jazz expresses amazement while Will just stares uneasily into the camera.

<i>Beverly Hills, 90210</i> season 4 Season of television series

The fourth season of Beverly Hills, 90210, an American teen drama television series aired from September 8, 1993 on Fox and concluded on May 25, 1994 after 32 episodes. The season aired Wednesday nights at 8/9c in the United States averaging 21.1 million viewers a week and was released on DVD in 2008.

<i>Beverly Hills, 90210</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth season of Beverly Hills, 90210, an American teen drama television series aired from September 7, 1994 on Fox and concluded on May 24, 1995 after 32 episodes.

<i>Boy Meets World</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of the television comedy series Boy Meets World aired between September 23, 1994 and May 19, 1995, on ABC in the United States. The season was produced by Michael Jacobs Productions and Touchstone Television with series creator Michael Jacobs as executive producer. It was broadcast as part of the ABC comedy block TGIF on Friday evenings. This is the last season to have Lily Nicksay portray Morgan Matthews.

Diagnosis: Murder's second season originally aired Fridays at 8:00-9:00 pm (EST).

References

  1. ↑ Cotter, Bill (1997). The Wonderful World of Disney Television. Hyperion Books. pp. 452–454. ISBN   0-7868-6359-5.
  2. ↑ Lowry, Brian (1993-12-07). "Huffman exits ABC's 'Thunder Alley'". variety.com. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  3. ↑ Meisler, Andy (1994-10-16). "A Familiar Name, but I Can't Place the Face". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  4. ↑ Lindquist, David (July 10, 2016). "'Stranger Things' joins roster of set-in-Indiana shows". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  5. ↑ The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present . Ballantine Books. 2003. p. 1469. ISBN   0-345-45542-8.
  6. ↑ Bierbaum, Tom (1994-04-13). "CBS elbows past ABC". variety.com. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  7. ↑ DeRosa, Robin (March 16, 1994). "Premieres give ABC pull". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
  8. ↑ DeRosa, Robin (March 23, 1994). "Wednesday wins for ABC". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
  9. ↑ DeRosa, Robin (March 30, 1994). "Winner ABC can thank the academy". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
  10. ↑ DeRosa, Robin (April 6, 1994). "ABC gets help from 'These Friends'". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
  11. ↑ DeRosa, Robin (April 13, 1994). "Hoops figure in to CBS' net again". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
  12. ↑ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . April 20, 1994. p. 3D.
  13. ↑ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . April 27, 1994. p. 3D.
  14. ↑ DeRosa, Robin (May 11, 1994). "ABC keeps hammering away". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
  15. ↑ Gable, Donna (September 21, 1994). "'Girl' helps ABC start fall season on top". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
  16. ↑ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . September 28, 1994. p. 3D.
  17. ↑ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . October 5, 1994. p. 3D.
  18. ↑ Graham, Jefferson (October 12, 1994). "CBS edges into No. 1 spot, but can it stay?". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
  19. ↑ DeRosa, Robin (October 19, 1994). "Regular series put ABC back on top". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
  20. ↑ DeRosa, Robin (October 26, 1994). "'Grace' leads ABC to tie with CBS". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
  21. ↑ DeRosa, Robin (November 2, 1994). "ABC is 'Home' alone at the top". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
  22. ↑ DeRosa, Robin (November 9, 1994). "'Cagney & Lacey' makes winning return". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
  23. ↑ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . March 15, 1995. p. 3D.
  24. ↑ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . March 22, 1995. p. 3D.
  25. ↑ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . March 29, 1995. p. 3D.
  26. ↑ DeRosa, Robin (April 5, 1995). "Oscar show, celeb chats keep ABC on top". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
  27. ↑ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . April 12, 1995. p. 3D.
  28. ↑ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . April 19, 1995. p. 3D.
  29. ↑ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . April 26, 1995. p. 3D.
  30. ↑ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . May 3, 1995. p. 3D.
  31. ↑ DeRosa, Robin (May 10, 1995). "Ratings go to the movies". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
  32. ↑ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . May 17, 1995. p. 3D.
  33. ↑ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . July 12, 1995. p. 3D.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.