- Our House (1986 TV series)
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This article is about the 1986 US television series. For other uses, see Our House.
Our House 
Genre Drama Created by James Lee Barrett Starring Wilford Brimley
Deidre Hall
Shannen Doherty
Chad Allen
Keri Houlihan
Gerald S. O'LoughlinTheme music composer Billy Goldenberg Composer(s) Billy Goldenberg Country of origin United States Language(s) English No. of seasons 2 No. of episodes 46 Production Producer(s) Frank Fischer Camera setup Single-camera Running time 45–48 minutes Production company(s) Lorimar-Telepictures Distributor Warner Bros. Television Broadcast Original channel NBC Audio format Monaural Original run September 11, 1986 – May 8, 1988 Our House is an American television drama series that aired on NBC for two seasons from September 11, 1986 to May 8, 1988. The series centers on the Witherspoon family and the challenges they face adjusting to life with three generations living in the same house.
Contents
Synopsis
After his son dies, Gus Witherspoon (a retired widower played by Wilford Brimley) invites his daughter-in-law Jessica 'Jessie' Witherspoon (played by Deidre Hall) and her three children to move to California to live with him until they can get back on their feet financially. Despite protests from her children, Jessie, along with 15-year-old daughter Kris (played by Shannen Doherty), 12-year-old son David (played by Chad Allen), eight-year-old daughter Molly (played by Keri Houlihan), and their Basset Hound named Arthur leave Fort Wayne, Indiana to start their new lives in California. As they settle in to life with Gus, they realize that he can be a difficult man to live with. Predictably, a major part of the plot each week was centered on the conflict that can arise when extended family tries to live together in the same house. As the man of the house, Gus imposed rules on the three grandchildren the same way he raised his own children, but later learned ways to convey his lessons to the kids without having to be gruff. Jessie and the kids learn that beneath Gus' stern facade is a man who is wise about the ways of the world and cares about them very much.
A unique feature of the show was that each segment of an episode ended with a freeze frame moment, which would then occupy one of the rooms in the "house" on the screen just before the commercial break. As the episode unfolded, more rooms would be filled until finally, when the dilemma had been resolved, the final piece would be put in place, completing the house.
Cast
- Wilford Brimley - Gus Witherspoon
- Deidre Hall - Jessica 'Jessie' Witherspoon
- Shannen Doherty - Kris Witherspoon
- Chad Allen - David Witherspoon
- Keri Houlihan - Molly Witherspoon
- Gerald S. O'Loughlin - Joe Kaplan
Reception
Upon its 1986 premiere, the Associated Press called the series "a family show suitable for framing." Despite good reviews, the show was not a ratings hit, only ranking 53rd in its first season, and 64th in its second season. NBC had positioned Our House to be aired on Sundays at 7pm. This was an experiment to move prime time television to the 7 o'clock hour from 8 o'clock.
Syndication
The Inspiration Network began re-airing syndicated episodes of Our House in the US on October 18, 2010.[1]
References
- ^ "INSP to Air "The Waltons" and "Our House"" (Press release). INSP - Inspiration. 2010-09-29. http://www.insp.com/press/insp-to-air-%E2%80%9Cthe-waltons%E2%80%9D-and-%E2%80%9Cour-house%E2%80%9D/. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
External links
- Our House at the Internet Movie Database
- Our House at TV.com
- Our House at epguides.com
- Our House at TV Guide
Categories:- 1986 television series debuts
- 1988 television series endings
- 1980s American television series
- American drama television series
- English-language television series
- Fictional American people of Scottish descent
- NBC network shows
- Television series by Warner Bros. Television
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