Bustin' Loose (TV series)

Last updated
Bustin' Loose
Genre Sitcom
Written by
  • Cindy Begel
  • Lesa Kite
  • Daryl Nickens
  • Lisa Medway
  • Chuck Tately
  • Kevin White
Directed by
Starring
Theme music composer
  • Ron Boustead
  • Greg Poree
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes26
Production
Executive producerTopper Carew
Producers
EditorMike Gavaldon
Running time22–24 minutes
Production company Universal Television
Original release
Network Syndication
ReleaseSeptember 19, 1987 (1987-09-19) 
May 28, 1988 (1988-05-28)
Related
Bustin' Loose (film)

Bustin' Loose is an American sitcom starring Jimmie Walker based on the 1981 film of the same name. The show ran in first-run syndication from September 19, 1987, to May 28, 1988. [1]

Contents

Synopsis

Jimmie Walker stars as Sonny Barnes, a former con artist, who has been caught by the authorities and sentenced to five years of community service. He is placed in the home of social worker Mimi Shaw (Vonetta McGee), who lives with four orphans: Rudey (Larry O. Williams, Jr.), Trish (Tyren Perry), Nikky (Aaron Lohr), and Sue Anne (Marie Cole). Sonny lives in the basement and works around the house doing odd jobs. Meanwhile, the kids all love listening to Sonny's often exaggerated tales. [2]

Cast

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"The First Day of the Rest of My Life"UnknownUnknownSeptember 19, 1987 (1987-09-19)
Mimi decides that Sonny is a poor role model for the kids when they neglect their chores to listen to his colorful stories.
2"The Baby"UnknownUnknownSeptember 26, 1987 (1987-09-26)
Mimi's widowed friend is pregnant and determined to give up the baby, but when she goes into labor at Mimi's house the gang conspires to change her mind.
3"Turn Around"UnknownUnknownOctober 3, 1987 (1987-10-03)
A rough day leaves Mimi unable to deal with the children's demands so Sonny steps in and handles their problems expertly much to her surprise.
4"Cold Water Blues"UnknownUnknownOctober 10, 1987 (1987-10-10)
Sonny uses mind over muscle to get "Honest Pete" the plumber to fix the water heater.
5"Homeless, Sweet Homeless"UnknownUnknownOctober 17, 1987 (1987-10-17)
The children helps a homeless man who helps himself to Sonny's clothes, then makes a unique contribution to the family garage sale.
6"Sisters"UnknownUnknownOctober 24, 1987 (1987-10-24)
Mimi plans a fun-filled but inexpensive party for Sue Anne, but her well to do sister (Margaret Avery) turns it into a lavish gala.
7"Go for the Gold"UnknownUnknownOctober 31, 1987 (1987-10-31)
Sonny trains Rudy for the "Special Games" and regaling the teen with tales of his days as an athlete. Kareem Abdul Jabbar guest stars
8"Wet Weather Ahead"UnknownUnknownNovember 7, 1987 (1987-11-07)
Sonny helps one of the boys overcome a bed wetting problem, Mimi helps Sonny and Trish deal with their fear of rodents.
9"I Paint What I See"UnknownUnknownNovember 14, 1987 (1987-11-14)
Sue Anne creates a painting of her neighborhood for the third grade art show, but the school's art director won't allow her to submit it. Little Richard and Bern Nadette Stanis guest star
10"Rain, Rain, Go Away"UnknownUnknownNovember 21, 1987 (1987-11-21)
When the children finds the money, Sonny wants to use the cash to fix the leaky roof, but Mimi wants to turn the money over to the police.
11"Seems Like Old Times"UnknownUnknownNovember 28, 1987 (1987-11-28)
The household is disrupted by a visit from Sonny's old buddy Satin who reacts violently when Rudy discovers a secret that Satin's been keeping.
12"Words of Wisdom"UnknownUnknownDecember 5, 1987 (1987-12-05)
Sonny is named a finalist in a slogan writing contest, but it was Nicky who submitted the entry in Sonny's name.
13"The Kindest Cut"UnknownUnknownJanuary 30, 1988 (1988-01-30)
Rudy and Sonny both have sore throats, but hey are reluctant to follow the doctor's orders when he prescribes a tonsillectomy for both of them. Dick Anthony Williams guest star.
14"Doo Wop"UnknownUnknownFebruary 6, 1988 (1988-02-06)
Sonny may have promised more than he can deliver when he assures Mimi that legendary soul singer Calvin James will perform at a fund raiser.
15"Oh, Big Brother"Arlando SmithRichard W. BaxterFebruary 13, 1988 (1988-02-13)
Rudy feels neglected when Sonny spends all his time earning money for a trip to Jamaica, Sue Anne's teacher has the cure for Sue Anne's sudden illness.
16"Scammed Straight"Marlena LairdGordon MitchellFebruary 20, 1988 (1988-02-20)
When Rudy has difficulty earning the money to go on a class trip, Sonny makes the mistake of telling Rudy how he raised cash in his youth.
17"The Grass Isn't Greener"Arlando SmithSara V. Finney & Vida SpearsFebruary 27, 1988 (1988-02-27)
Trish hopes to make a good impression at her wealthy friend's country club and Sonny hopes to make a good fortune with a skin cream scheme.
18"Snow Place Like Home"UnknownUnknownMarch 5, 1988 (1988-03-05)
When Mimi and Sonny are stranded in a snowstorm, The children call the police to report them kidnapped so that the search will began immediately.
19"The Parent Trap"UnknownUnknownApril 9, 1988 (1988-04-09)
Rudy is ambient about the news that his mother is coming to take him home with her, Sonny has a toothache but is reluctant to go to the dentist. Little Richard guest stars
20"The Gang's All Here"UnknownUnknownApril 16, 1988 (1988-04-16)
Rudy is excited about gaining membership to a new club called The Dragons and Mimi suspects that the club may actually be a gang.
21"I Am Woman"UnknownUnknownApril 23, 1988 (1988-04-23)
Trish resents Mimi's interference in her plan to impress a boy and Sonny recruits Rudy and Nicky to work on his fast food truck.
22"Nostalgia Ain't What It Used to Be"UnknownUnknownApril 30, 1988 (1988-04-30)
Sonny's not laughing when he finds out that Nicky has sold a rare and valuable comic book for five dollars.
23"Rudeo and Tricia-ette"UnknownUnknownMay 7, 1988 (1988-05-07)
Trish saves Rudy's life and a grateful Rudy decides he's in love with her.
24"It's a Great Big Wonderful World"UnknownUnknownMay 14, 1988 (1988-05-14)
The house is rife with tensions represent various countries in a school project.
25"What's a Nice Girl Like You ...?"Bob LallyRon FriedmanMay 21, 1988 (1988-05-21)
Sonny brings home a young woman (Irene Cara) who claims to be an aspiring singer, but turns out to be a gun toting robber.
26"It's a Pizza Cake"UnknownUnknownMay 28, 1988 (1988-05-28)
Sonny wins over the children when he outsmarts the cranky owner of a pizza parlor.

Award nominations

YearAwardResultCategoryRecipient
1988 Young Artist Awards NominatedThe Most Promising New Fall Television Series
-
Outstanding Young Actors/Actresses Ensemble in Television or Motion PictureMarie Cole, Aaron Lohr, Tyren Perry, and Larry O. Williams, Jr.

Stations

CityStation
Appleton WXGZ 32 [3]
Atlanta WGNX 46 [4]
Baltimore WNUV 54
Chicago WGN 9 [5]
Detroit WXON 20 [6]
Los Angeles KTLA 5 [7] [8]

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

WVTV 18
New York WPIX 11 [9]
Philadelphia WPHL 17 [10] [11]
Portland KPDX 49 [12]
Richmond WVRN 63 [13]
Tacoma KSTW 11
Washington, D.C. WFTY 50 [14]
Waterbury WTXX 20 [15]
York WPMT 43 [16]

Related Research Articles

<i>Whats Happening Now!!</i> American sitcom

What's Happening Now!! is an American sitcom sequel to the original ABC 1976–79 sitcom What's Happening!! focusing on its main characters as independent people. It aired in first-run broadcast syndication from September 7, 1985 until March 26, 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmie Walker</span> American actor (born 1947)

James Carter Walker Jr. is an American actor and comedian. He portrayed James Evans Jr. ("J.J."), the older son of Florida and James Evans Sr., on the CBS television series Good Times, which ran from 1974 to 1979, and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 1975 and 1976 for his role. While on the show, Walker's character used the catchphrase "Dyn-O-Mite!" which he also used in his mid–1970s TV commercial for a Panasonic line of cassette and 8-track tape players and a 2021-2023 Medicare commercial. He also starred in Let's Do It Again with John Amos, and The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened with James Earl Jones. Walker continues to tour the country with his stand-up comedy routine.

<i>Out of This World</i> (American TV series) American television sitcom (1987–1990)

Out of This World is an American fantasy sitcom about a teenage girl who is half alien, which gives her unique superhuman powers. It first aired in syndication from September 17, 1987 and ended on May 25, 1991.

<i>My Secret Identity</i> Canadian–American television series

My Secret Identity is a television series starring Jerry O'Connell and Derek McGrath. Originally broadcast from October 9, 1988 to May 25, 1991 on CTV in Canada, the series also aired in syndication in the United States. It was later shown in reruns on the Sci-Fi Channel. The series won the 1989 International Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Programming for Children and Young People.

Hanna-Barbera Superstars 10 is a series of 10 syndicated made-for-television animated films produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions as part of The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera programming block from 1987 to 1988, featuring the studio's popular animated characters: Yogi Bear, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo, Huckleberry Hound and Top Cat. The first 8 films used traditional cels, while the last 2 films used digital ink and paint.

Out of the Blue is an American teen sitcom that ran in syndication from September 16, 1995, to February 1996. The series was filmed on location at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida, and distributed by Tribune Entertainment. It is notable in that each of its 22 episodes was filmed in both Spanish and English simultaneously and starred a predominantly Hispanic cast of several different nationalities.

<i>We Got It Made</i> American TV series or program

We Got It Made is an American sitcom television series that aired on NBC from September 8, 1983, to March 10, 1984, and in first-run syndication from September 11, 1987, to March 30, 1988. It starred Teri Copley as a woman who works as a maid for two bachelors in New York City, played by Tom Villard and Matt McCoy, who was replaced by John Hillner for the syndicated version. The series was created by Gordon Farr and Lynne Farr Brao. The executive producer was Fred Silverman.

<i>The Munsters Today</i> American television sitcom, 1988 to 1991

The Munsters Today is an American sitcom and a revival of the original 1964–66 sitcom The Munsters that aired in syndication from October 8, 1988, to May 25, 1991.

<i>The New Gidget</i> American TV series or program

The New Gidget is an American sitcom sequel to the original 1965–66 sitcom Gidget. It aired in syndication from September 15, 1986, to May 12, 1988. The series was produced by original Gidget series producer Harry Ackerman and was launched after the made-for-television film Gidget's Summer Reunion, starring Caryn Richman as Gidget, aired in 1985.

<i>The Marvel Action Hour</i> Syndicated programming block

The Marvel Action Hour, later Marvel Action Universe, was a 1994–1996 syndicated television block from Genesis Entertainment featuring animated adaptations of Marvel Comics superheroes Fantastic Four and Iron Man, with Biker Mice from Mars added for the block's second season. It aired in syndication for two years before being cancelled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Prime Time</span> Television programming provider

Operation Prime Time (OPT) was a consortium of American independent television stations to develop prime time programming for independent stations. OPT and its spin-off syndication company, Television Program Enterprises (TPE), were formed by Al Masini. During its existence, OPT was considered the de facto fourth television network. OPT was also called an occasional television network and occasional program alternative.

<i>Super Sunday</i> (TV series)

Super Sunday was a 1980s American animated television series produced by Sunbow Productions and Marvel Productions. It was distributed by Claster Television.

<i>Marvel Action Universe</i>

Marvel Action Universe was a 1988–1991 weekly syndicated television block from Marvel Productions featuring animated adaptions of Dino-Riders and RoboCop, along with reruns of the 1981 Spider-Man cartoon and Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends.

<i>Shes the Sheriff</i> American television sitcom (1987–1989)

She's the Sheriff is an American television sitcom that aired in first-run syndication from September 19, 1987, to April 1, 1989. Produced by Lorimar Television, the series marked the return of Suzanne Somers to television for the first time since she left her role as Chrissy Snow on ABC's Three's Company in 1980.

Marblehead Manor is an American sitcom that originally aired in first-run syndication from September 19, 1987 to May 28, 1988. It starred Paxton Whitehead, Phil Morris, Linda Thorson, Bob Fraser and Michael Richards. The series was a Dames-Fraser Production in association with Paramount Television.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vonetta McGee</span> American actress (1945–2010)

Vonetta Lawrence McGee was an American actress. She debuted in the Spaghetti Western The Great Silence and went on to appear in blaxploitation films such as Hammer, Melinda, Blacula, Shaft in Africa, Detroit 9000, and 1974's Thomasine & Bushrod alongside her then-boyfriend Max Julien. In 1975, she was Clint Eastwood's co-star in The Eiger Sanction. She was a regular on the 1987 Universal Television situation comedy Bustin' Loose, starring as Mimi Shaw for its only season (1987–88).

Learning the Ropes is a Canadian-produced sitcom that aired on CTV in Canada and in syndication in the United States from September 1988 to March 1989. The series stars Lyle Alzado as Robert Randall, a teacher who works as a professional wrestler in the evening. Although his children knew about Randall's double life, the family was forced to keep it secret at school. The series featured guest appearances by many wrestlers of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). The sitcom was shot in Toronto.

You Can't Take It with You is an American sitcom television series produced for syndication in 1986. It was based on the 1938 film adaptation of the 1937 play by the same name.

<i>Uptown Comedy Club</i> American TV series or program

Uptown Comedy Club, is a sketch-comedy show filmed in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City that aired in first-run syndication for two seasons, from 1992 until 1994. The series was produced by Bob Banner. Repeats of the series eventually found their way onto BET.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universal Pictures Debut Network</span> American syndicated movie package

The Universal Pictures Debut Network, or simply the Debut Network, was a syndicated movie package that MCA Television sold to independent stations. The service reached agreements with ten stations in larger American markets such as New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago by late 1984. The Debut Network was a precursor of sorts to the Action Pack, which was also a syndicated package created by Universal Television.

References

  1. "Television Obscurities – The Syndicated Season: 1987–1988". tvobscurities.com. 2005-02-15. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  2. Sonny Barnes is a small-time scam artist with a big mouth who, after a run-in with the law, is ordered to help a social worker raise four foster children of varying ages. Loosely based on the 1981 Richard Pryor movie.
  3. "Retro: Northern Wisconsin, Sat. July 9th, 1988". Radio Discussions. February 1, 2018.
  4. "Who aired what where: Lesser-known syndicated shows". Radio Discussions. August 15, 2014.
  5. "Retro: Yakima, WA; Sat. September 19th, 1987". Radio Discussions. June 30, 2016.
  6. "Retro: Detroit, Sun. July 31st, 1988". Radio Discussions. October 15, 2016.
  7. KTLA Comedy Preview Promo #2 9/14/87 on YouTube
  8. KTLA Comedy Preview Promo 1987 on YouTube
  9. "Retro: New York Metro - Saturday, August 13, 1988". Radio Discussions. April 11, 2010.
  10. September 18, 1987 WPHL-17 (Philadelphia) commercials on YouTube
  11. October 15, 1987 commercials on YouTube
  12. "Retro: Portland, OR, Sat. October 24th, 1987". Radio Discussions. September 15, 2012.
  13. May 6, 1988 Commercial Breaks – WVRN (Ind., Richmond) on YouTube
  14. WFTY commercials (Week of December 13, 1987) on YouTube
  15. "The Syndicated Season 1987-1988". Television Obscurities. February 1, 2004. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  16. "Retro: Reading/Philadelphia, Sunday, July 3, 1988". Radio Discussions. May 31, 2018.