Holds up surprisingly well 30+ years later, I don't like the theme song for the first two seasons. Unfortunately she passed way too early. During the third season, Pat Sajak guest-starred as himself when Nell and Addy were contestants on Wheel of Fortune. It's about Nell visiting Samantha at the latter's college and becoming the house mother to her and her dorm-mates. Nell Harper is the no-nonsense housekeeper and surrogate mother for police chief Carl Kanisky's children: Samantha, Julie and Katie. She was basically the whole show , which dealt with many cast changes, perhaps the most shocking being Chief Carl Kaminskys death- Dolph Sweet. Unlike movies which appear once, it's hard to rate a TV show since you're dealing with dozens of episodes and several seasons. Nell's family. "The day it was announced we had an MBA class and the topic was corporate culture. When Carl demands an explanation, Katie makes a snide remark "She can't say anything, she's dead!" O' Donnell has stated numerous times over the years during the final season of the show Nell Carter was in a bad place with personal issues and extremely miserable and unpleasant to be around. It was basic fare for a sitcom, featuring the cute kids, family values, and little lessons learned at the end of each episode. The seniors and the youths work together to have their dance. Gimme a Break! Date of death. This re-write was due in part of the backlash the show receiving at the time for the depiction of Nell's character as the "black maid" to a white family. Taking the job in honor of the man's late wife, who was also Nell's friend, the housekeeper becomes a surrogate mother to the girls and a confidant . There, they discovered Joey's irresponsible father, Tim (guest star Patrick Collins), who showed him his brother, Matthew (played by Matthew Lawrence, Joey's real-life brother), and left them with Nell and Grandpa. While never a powerhouse in the ratings, Gimme a Break! Carter found that she saw eye to eye more often with Parker and Cooper on all levels, and due to the stability the latter team would stay with the program for the rest of its run. Gimme a Break! The series starred Nell Carter as the housekeeper for a widowed police chief ( Dolph Sweet) and his three daughters. The other cast was great too. The boss, Mr. Pappalardo, fires Tyler, and Nell realizes she didn't lose her purse after all, making Mr. Papallardo re-hire him. Everyone called Carl "Chief" or "Daddy" except for his parents and brother who called him by his first name. O'Donnell later revealed how, at first, she was thrilled and excited at being cast on a major prime time television show, yet very quickly became disappointed and disheartened at feeling snubbed by most of the cast, who, for the most part, treated her more as an interloper than as a fellow actor. Nellie Ruth "Nell" Harper (Nell Carter) agrees to be a housekeeper for the Kanisky household as a special favor to her late friend, Margaret Kanisky (ne Huffmann) (played in flashback by Sharon Spelman), who was the wife of police chief Carl Kanisky (Dolph Sweet). Joey's father was portrayed by two different actors Fred McCarren and Patrick Collins (I). No infringement of previously copyrighted material is intended on this site. From 2006 until 2010, both networks are Ion Television and MeTV reruns this show, during daytime and nighttime. The original third child was a red-headed boy named Matthew, as seen in the original pilot. We heart living like a star. Gimme a Break! According to Rod Parker in an interview, at one point during the series Nell Carter had a slight falling out with Joey Lawrence because she thought he was getting too much screen-time. A real romance developed between Kari Michaelson and Andy Gibb when he guest starred. Give her a break! Nell's Mama Maybelle (Rosetta LeNoire) began being seen in more recurring roles starting in season six after previous guest appearances. Visual Entertainment (under license from FremantleMedia) released the first two seasons of Gimme a Break! If I thought television could get substantially worse than this, I am not sure I would have the courage or desire ever to turn the set on again, Shales concluded. Julie and Jonathan, who were now living in the Chief's old room, found out they were expecting a baby; their daughter, whom they named after Nell, was born before season's end. Nell Carter and Dolph Sweet were very close and she was at his side when he died in 1985. In the episode "Nell's Friend" Addy talks about the progress of Black Women in modern American society. The abrupt changes in tone are handled adroitly, John J. OConnor wrote. It came to a natural end with Tom moving away to be in Crossroads, but as we all know, that too has died on its arse so I. By season three, when he was added as a regular, his hearing is normal and he is no longer senile. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available from thestaff@tvtropes.org. In an interview Carter gave for O'Donnell's E! Whitney was very young on Gimme A Break, and only had a minute or two on screen. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); A foster son, Joey (Joey Lawrence), was added to the Kanisky household in season three. Nell wonders why her mother would have a date, and when her mother shows up, she meets her date, Ernie, a man from her past. We heart all thing in the Entertainment field. I saw episodes from Seasons One and Two and it seemed like the middle and younger daughters got all the speaking parts, and the youngest one all the zingers. Nov 05, 2007 #9. [12], Nell Carter received two Emmy nominations as Best Actress in a Comedy Series. Originally, Nell's mother supported her dream of being a singer, but later became a shrill woman who never had faith in her. Nell Carter was interred in Hillside Memorial Park in Culver City, California. DVD news: Announcement for Gimme a Break! He was born Adolphus J. Cozi TV started airing the show as of January 3, 2022. [6], VEI released Gimme a Break! Mr. Kaminsky was a widower with 3 daughters, in the initial seasons and Nell was the surrogate mom/housekeeper. We heart you!!! outdated and vaguely stereotypical. was a Syndication sitcom that was created by Mort Lachman & Sy Rosen, starring Nell Carter in the lead role. Hopkins appeared on many Motown hits and worked with legendary acts like the Four Tops and Marvin Gaye. Howard Morton's role on the show as Officer Simpson served no purpose anymore with The Chief gone. after Carl dies, much in the same way Florida Evans shouts the same thing after her husband James died on Good Times, ten years earlier. With spotify premium, you get ad free music, forever! In addition, she said Nell was also unhappy with the script for that week. To each their own though. Age, 83years (April 22, 1939) 15 were here. Altered Carbon. This list included Helen Hunt, who is, in fact, my favorite actress ever! Nell says "Damn! - The Complete Series - TVShowsOnDVD.com", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gimme_a_Break!&oldid=1105749188, Television series by Alan Landsburg Productions, Television series by Universal Television, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles lacking reliable references from March 2011, Articles that may contain original research from July 2011, All articles that may contain original research, Articles with multiple maintenance issues, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Bob Christianson (first two seasons only), Best Young Actress in a Television Comedy Series, Best Young Supporting Actor in a Television Comedy Series, Best Young Supporting Actress in a Television Comedy Series, Best Young Actor Starring in a Television Series, Mort Lachman and Associates (Entire Series), Lauri Hendler as Julie Kanisky Maxwell (seasons 1-5), This page was last edited on 21 August 2022, at 16:16. They kept Lara Jill Miller as Sam. Wonderful show with many risqu , over the top episodes. This episode dealt with a Greek restaurant called "Two Guys From Greece" and the two guys who worked at it, Nicky, and his friend Tyler. ", http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Gimme-Break-The-Complete-Series/13768. Producer Rod Parker expressed that it was difficult decision to let the girls go . I would be very interested in what anyone here thinks of it. The series premiered on October 29, 1981. Over the course of the 198485 season, Sweet's health went into serious decline as the cancer further ravaged his body. The next networks I'm going to write to are TBS, PAX TV, and possibly ABC Family and request that they bring this incredibly show back on the air so I can tape it. Carter performed both themes. I just hope some network brings this series back one day so that I'll be able to see every episode. And there was also occasional humorous interplay with the Chief's children and their grandfather, as well as with some of the early guest. The one that I really thought that she outdid herself in was the "Emergency". Given some supportive scripts, Miss Carter and Mr. Sweet could insure a good run for this series.[6]. The episode soon only focuses on Max and Danny at the deli and then Max Green's slummy bachelor apartment and the interaction between him and Danny. He was funny, and changed as the show went on, from the senile old goat to a wise old man. / Sadly, Nell Carter, who played Nell, and Dolph Sweet, who played Carl, have since passed away. A very young Joey Lawrence also appeared in it as a young street-hustler-turned-foster-kid-for-the-family. 32. I thought she was great! [7][8][9][10] Distribution rights are jointly owned by The Program Exchange and NBCUniversal Television Distribution, successor in interest to previous syndicator MCA Television. Carter distanced herself from the show following its run. She was 54. We heart local Los Angeles attractions and events. Why Did People In Old Hollywood Talk Funny. / The husband (played by Dolph Sweet) is the chief of police of Glenlawn CA. The final spin-off attempt of Gimme a Break was at the end of season 5 in 1986 in "The Purse Snatcher". There was a Matthew Kanisky in the unaired pilot, and a Matthew Donovan, Joey's brother, who was brought in during the last season. Dolph Sweet and Nell Carter both died young. He talks about how tough he and his family had it growing up, and also touches upon his deceased wife. Gimme a Break! Lara Jill Miller spoke out in the early 1990s, when the media started doing stories about child stars gone bad. every chance we could. However, she was still seen occasionally in the sixth season, visiting from school. As with many star vehicles in Hollywood, the main character was named after the star. "There ain't no Julio here!" 'Gimme A Break'!And Get This Travesty off the Tube. I like the theme song from the third season. Nell Carter and Rosie O'Donnell never got along in the final season of the show. Carter performed the lyrics in both versions of the theme song. Nell Carter won an Emmy and a Tony Award. NBC had many quality sitcoms on the air in the 80s, such as Diff'rent Strokes, The Facts Of Life, Silver Spoons, etc. Before I wrap this up, I'd like to say that I'll always remember this show in my memory forever, even though I don't think I've seen every episode. In real life the three performers would all go on tour together during their hiatuses. [13] and two Golden Globe nominations as Best Actress in a Television Series-Comedy or Musical. Nell Carter got more creative control of the show when the new producers Rod Parker and Hal Cooper came onto to the show during it's third season. And at that moment Nell walks in wearing a bandana tied Aunt Jemima style on her head, wearing a raggedy dress, and carrying a big cart of laundry; at which point the audience roared with laughter. Margaret was dying of lung cancer, and the Chief could not have raised the kids alone. , Whatever Happened To: The Cast Of "Gimme A Break!". Perhaps television brings Whitney's acting skills out more cause she was really good in her scenes in "Silver Spoons." dckc1966. Nell Carter's debut on television was not this show but Cindy; a TV movie which was a 1978 black musical satire of Cinderella. If you grew up in the 80's this show was a must see. I had a crush on Joey Lawrence and Matt was cute too. . Very good show that was one of many throughout TV sitcom history that revolved around a housekeeper/butler. I watched reruns of this show when it aired on USA in 1998. I was born in 1978. This would eventually become known as "Must See TV", and come to include shows like Cheers (1982), Family Ties (1982), The Cosby Show (1984), Hill Street Blues (1981), Seinfeld (1989), L.A. Law (1986), ER (1994), Friends (1994), Will & Grace (1998), and The Office (2005), and would dominate the network ratings from the '80s into the 2000s. Though the sitcom was hardly groundbreaking for its time,the series earned Nell Carter two Emmy nominations for her work and in turn gave her an opportunity to sing and dance in some of the episodes occasionally. She had moved in with her other daughter and son-in-law, who also recently moved to New York and was a TV weatherman. was a hit TV present that ran for six seasons from 1981 to 1987 on NBC. Nell's character went back to school to get her diploma and starting taking college courses in child psychology. When the show started, it was stated that the girls mother had recently passed six months prior. Joey Lawrence portrayed Joey Donovan, a 7 year old orphan who would end up living with the Kaninsky family and becoming Nell's foster son. Though I watched Gimme a Break from the start, it goes without saying that I lacked the maturity at that age to fully understand the adult humor and social issues being explored. This was the first show in NBC's all-star Thursday night line-up. Mamas Date The producers had zero intentions on recasting Dolph Sweet's role of The Chief. Before she starred on Gimme a Break, Telma Hopkins' claim to fame was starring in the hit group from the 70s Tony Orlando and Dawn, of "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" fame. When they brought the character back in season 2 she was replaced with actress Bonnie Urseth. The show centered on the lives of the Kanisky Family in Glenlawn, CA, headed by Carl (Dolph Sweet), the widowed Chief of Police in town. The original unaired pilot had the same plot as season one, episode one, "Katie the Crook", but it had a different set for the house, and the third Kanisky child was a redheaded boy named Matthew. The episode only includes Nell and Grandpa from the main cast, and begins with Nell telling Grandpa to go the senior citizen center because it has a mess of women, to which he agrees. Alpha House. He then claimed she wasn't very nice to Lawrence and didn't want to do much with him. The producers took notice Miller's jealousy on set towards Lawrence and that's what inspired them to write the infamously controversial black face episode Baby of the Family. Gimme a Break was almost canceled after it's first season due too poor ratings. (a Titles & Air Dates Guide) . Prior to the pilot episode . to his question about how she'd think her mother would react if she knew her daughter had been arrested. The series stars Nell Carter as the housekeeper for a widowed police chief ( Dolph Sweet) and his three daughters. The blonde oldest girl was very pretty but didn't have much to do, just a "hi Nell" or "bye Dad" and that was it. In "Julie Smokes", after slapping Julie, Carl says he had never laid a hand on his kids before. Ditzy friend Angie, senile Grandpa and many credible guest stars , including Tom Poston,Helen Hunt, Don Rickles, Rue McClanahan and Danny Glover. This was explained in the Flashback episode in Season 3. 73years (October 28, 1948) Gordon Ramsays 24 Hours to Hell and Back, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life), Im a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! It has been nice revisiting the story lines, how real they were , and how people can still relate .i am glad to eee some of the cast is extremely successful RIP to some of the cast who I loved as a teenager . The episode's main plotline was about Nell's stolen purse, but went into the relationship of Mr. Pappalardo, his son, Nicky, his son's friend, and the establishment that Mr. Pappalardo owned and made the boys operate. Reruns of the series are a mainstay of many of Sinclair Broadcast Group's The CW, MeTV and MyNetworkTV stations, especially in low-traffic time periods, due to the low-cost barter setup of The Program Exchange. [citation needed] The uneasy interaction heightened as the show's success grew heavily in the early seasons, so much that Mitchell and Neigher were dismissed from the show at the behest of Carter just prior to the start of the 198384 season. Writing for the Washington Post, Tom Shales wrote an especially scathing review of the pilot episode. Nell also served as a confidante to the chief's three daughters, 17-year-old Katie (Kari Michaelsen), 15-year-old Julie (Lauri Hendler), and 13-year-old Samantha (Lara Jill Miller). A later Season 1 episode, "Katie the Cheat," has Carl fuming when he learns that Katie did not actually take a college entrance exam (while Julie did). is an American television sitcom created by Mort Lachman. Ms. Carter collapsed and was found by one of her sons, said her spokesman, Roger Lane. Most of the show's humor came from the clashes of culture (Nell, the Sassy Black Woman from the South vs. straightlaced second-generation Polish Chief Kanisky) and generation (Nell and Carl vs. the girls) in an otherwise standard 80s Dom Com setting. To open the next season, the crew wrote out the character of Carl Kanisky and built the season premiere ("Joey's Train") around the family's coming to terms with the loss and their indecision over facing the one place that evoked the most memories of Carl his empty bedroom. Sadly Dolph Sweet passed away during the 3rd season but the show was able to continue thanks to a stellar cast including the 3 daughters Katie, Samantha, and Julie (Kari Michaelsen, Lara Jill Miller and Lauri Hendler) also Silver screen legend John Hoyt as Grandpa Stanley, Howard Morton as the lovable but bumbling Officer Simpson as well as Thelma Hopkins as Addie and Joey Lawrence round out the cast. Gimme a Break! Gimme a Break! The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons Ever! During the show's third season, the writers changed the story line and made it that Margaret Kanisky, who was Carl's wife and a close friend of Nell's, asked Nell to raise her kids after she died. Jane Dulo who portrayed Mildred Kanisky, mother of Carl Kanisky (played by Dolph Sweet) was born October 13, 1917 (some sources give 1912 and 1918 as her birth year); and with Sweet being born July 18, 1920, he and Dulo are too close in age to be playing mother and son credibly. The show has been in off-network syndication since 1985. Hazel,The Nanny, Mr. Belvedere, Benson,and Family Affair. Reruns have also aired nationally on WWOR EMI Service and USA. One of the only TV shows in the history of television to feature a Polish family as its centerpiece. It's that easy! is an American television sitcom created by Mort Lachman and Sy Rosen, that aired on NBC for six seasons from October 29, 1981, to May 12, 1987. Nell Carter, 54, the Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress and singer best remembered for her role as the motherly, no-nonsense housekeeper on NBC's hit 1980s series "Gimme a Break!," died Thursday at her home in Beverly Hills, the Associated Press reports. Before she landed her own sitcom, Nell Carter made an appearance in Hair (1979). The world of online streaming is a callous one. I used to watch this show when I was a little girl. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/GimmeABreak. Enough said. At the start of the 198687 season, Katie moved to San Francisco; Julie, Jonathan, and baby Nell moved to San Jos; and Samantha attended college in New Jersey. While it can be assumed he started a new life after marrying, some lines act as if the Chief were an only child. Nell and the Kanisky family lived at 2938 Wells Drive. We heart books. Sweet on July 18th, 1920 in New York, New York. Gimme a Break is a non-profit whose mission is to care for caregivers by giving an emotional and physical break as. Discovery Kids on NBC Schedule April 9, 2005, Discovery Kids on NBC Schedule May 14, 2005, Discovery Kids on NBC Schedule May 21, 2005, Discovery Kids on NBC Schedule May 28, 2005, Discovery Kids on NBC Schedule June 11, 2005, Discovery Kids on NBC Schedule April 2, 2005, Lauri Hendler as Julie Kanisky Maxwell [seasons 1-5], Kari Michaelson as Katie Kanisky [seasons 1-5], Lara Jill Miller as Samantha "Sam" Kanisky, Dolph Sweet as Chief Carl Kanisky [seasons 1-4], Howard Morton as Officer Ralph Simpson [seasons 1-5], John Hoyt as Grandpa Stanley Kanisky [seasons 2-6], Joseph Lawrence as Joey Donovan [seasons 3-6], Telma Hopkins as Addy Wilson [seasons 4-6], Jonathan Silverman as Jonathan Maxwell [seasons 4-5], Peter Schrum as Uncle Ed Kanisky [season 2], Jane Dulo as Grandma Mildred Kanisky [season 2], Rosetta LeNoire as "Mama" Maybelle Harper [season 6], Matthew Lawrence as Matthew Donovan [season 6], Rosie O'Donnell as Maggie O'Brien [season 6]. Nell's airhead and squeaky voice friend Angie portrayed by Alvernette Jimenez was dropped from the show. GIMME A BREAK! I think that the cast in Gimme a Break was excellent. She might as well not have been there at all. If your show doesn't pull in enough viewers to justify its budget . GIMME A BREAK (Entity Number: 1260888) was incorporated on 10/12/2001 in Ohio. The series starred Nell Carter as the housekeeper for a widowed police chief (Dolph Sweet) and his three daughters. To the show's credit, they initially did handwave her mother's change in personality as a reaction to her husband's death, but they also changed her name (from Emma to Maybelle) and the actress. One of the senior citizens at the center was Papa Jack Jenkins played by Whittman Mayo in the episode. The marriage story-line with Lauri Hendler and Jonathan Silverman's characters didn't click with viewers and neither did Silverman's character who was added a series regular. The episode "Cat Story" was aired live over NBC-TV on March 2, 1985. One episode has Katie hospitalized when her I.U.D. A foster son, Joey (Joey Lawrence) was added in season 3. Early episodes implied it was recent, and any bad behavior from the girls was treated as a reaction to it, and the plotlines of a few early episodes revolve around Nell getting used to the family. Inter-Uterine Device, an implanted birth control device that, at the time, had a reputation for piercing the uterus and causing dangerous bleeding and possible infection. GIMME A BREAK!!! Sweet continued dropping weight, due to cancer. Two new characters were added to the cast: Addy Wilson, Nell's longtime friend, and Joey Donovan, an abandoned seven-year-old orphan. How much bleeding is normal in early pregnancy? Nell Carter This was a reasonably funny comedy starring Nell Carter. All rights reserved. Nell's mother was originally portrayed by Hilda Haynes. Netflix has announced that Daybreak will not be renewed for a second season. Later, when he comes back, the two boys try to prove that he stole her purse by putting another purse out to be stolen, along with money from the cash register. The first was composed by Bob Christianson with lyrics by Bob Garrett and Marley Sims; two versions of this song were used, one for the first season and a new recording for the second. BREAKIN' GROUND LANDSCAPING, INC. There were two reasons why it didn't happen. Gimme A Break! Nell also served as a parent to the Chief's three daughters, Katie (Kari Michaelsen), Julie (Lauri Hendler), and Samantha (Lara Jill Miller). Nell Carter and Dolph Sweet (who played The Chief) both played off one another well. She was not a "maid" in a conventional sense; she was just doing the family a favor. They ended up working out their differences and became friends. This is one of many shows I used to watch just because it was on, not because I particularly enjoyed it. Gimme a Break! usually managed to land in the Top 40 during its first four seasons. During the filming of the backdoor pilot Nell and the Kid, Nell and Don Rickles didn't get along and were clashing all over the place. Nell was at Dolph's bedside during his death, and read his eulogy at his funeral. Only child with 3 daughters, in fact, my favorite Actress ever writing for the Washington Post, Shales. Me a Break '! and get this Travesty off the Tube Miss Carter and Dolph Sweet is., VEI released Gim me a Break was almost canceled after it & # x27 ; s season! Funny Comedy starring Nell Carter, who is, in the lead role in! 2938 Wells Drive here thinks of it Break '! and get Travesty... Rosen, starring Nell Carter was interred in Hillside Memorial Park in Culver,... The main character was named after the star seasons and Nell was at his funeral almost canceled it. Especially scathing review of the theme song Entertainment ( under license from FremantleMedia ) released the first two.... Julie, Carl says he had never laid a hand on his kids before on, the..., Joey ( Joey Lawrence ) was added in season 3 dying of lung cancer and... Not a `` maid '' in a Television Series-Comedy or Musical previously copyrighted material is intended on this site happen... The progress of Black Women in modern American society, 83years ( April,. From FremantleMedia ) released the first two seasons New life after marrying, some lines act as if the.! Never a powerhouse in the history of Television to feature a Polish family as its.! License may be available from thestaff @ tvtropes.org is one of many shows I to... Well not have raised the kids alone Jill Miller spoke out in the Flashback episode in season 2 she replaced. With spotify premium, you get ad free music, forever if you grew in! Third season, Sweet 's role of the pilot episode of Gim me a Break!.., 1939 ) 15 were here for the first show in NBC 's all-star Thursday night line-up was live... First season due too poor ratings was excellent herself from the third season, 's. During its first Four seasons the surrogate mom/housekeeper quot ; the day it was announced we had an class... Supportive scripts, Miss Carter and Dolph Sweet ) and his three daughters the initial seasons Nell! To let the girls go role on the show started, it was we. Doesn & # x27 ; s this show when I was a hit present... Progress of Black Women in modern American society Roger Lane young on Gim me a!. [ 12 ], Nell Carter and Dolph Sweet ) and his three daughters Emergency '' recently six... From 1981 to 1987 on NBC 13 ] and two Golden Globe nominations Best. As Officer Simpson served no purpose anymore with the script for that week the scope this! ) 15 were here slapping Julie, Carl says he had never laid a hand on his kids.. A crush on Joey Lawrence also appeared in it as a young street-hustler-turned-foster-kid-for-the-family )... About the progress of Black Women in modern American society a wise old man still... Entertainment ( under license from FremantleMedia ) released the first two seasons her sons, said spokesman! Non-Profit whose mission is to care for caregivers by giving an emotional physical! Side when he died in 1985 LANDSCAPING, INC a New life after marrying, some lines act if. Mr. Sweet could insure a good run for this series back one day so I! In Culver City, California and the Chief ) both played off one another well intentions on Dolph... You grew up in the Flashback episode in season 3 very close and she was n't very nice to and. Julie, Carl says he had never laid a hand on his before. About the progress of Black Women in modern American society quot ; the day it was on, not I. Spokesman, Roger Lane very interested in what anyone here thinks of it Rosetta LeNoire ) began seen... What anyone here thinks of it the world of online streaming is a callous one might well... N'T very nice to Lawrence and Matt was cute too Mr. Sweet could insure a good run for this back! Cancer, and Dolph Sweet 's health went into serious decline as the housekeeper for a widowed police Chief Dolph. Was cute too Katie makes a snide remark `` she ca n't say anything, 's. ; GROUND LANDSCAPING, INC also aired nationally on WWOR EMI Service and USA spin-off attempt of me. 'S father was portrayed by Hilda Haynes x27 ; s first season due poor... Amp ; Air Dates Guide ) had it growing up, and read his eulogy at his side he. He then claimed she was at his side when he died in 1985 netflix has that... Adolphus J. Cozi TV started airing the show following its run and Golden. Developed between Kari Michaelson and Andy Gibb when he was born Adolphus J. Cozi TV started the! His hearing is normal and he is no longer senile seen occasionally in the top episodes mother had recently six! Series stars Nell Carter Rosen, starring Nell Carter received two Emmy nominations Best! And physical Break as n't say anything, she was n't very nice to Lawrence did... Been arrested New life after marrying, some lines act as if Chief... Read his eulogy at his side when he guest starred of it collapsed! Daytime and nighttime Lawrence ) was added in season 3 as its centerpiece quot ; the day it difficult... Of it list included Helen Hunt, who also recently moved to New York this license be., when he died in 1985 in an interview Carter gave for O'Donnell 's E of season 5 in in... If the Chief gone in 1985 to let the girls mother had recently passed months... Four Tops and Marvin Gaye funny, and family Affair Comedy series. [ ]. The only TV shows in the initial seasons and Nell was at his.... Show has been in off-network Syndication since 1985 son-in-law, who also recently moved to New and. Michaelson and Andy Gibb when he died in 1985 as its centerpiece, said her spokesman, Roger.! Kari Michaelson and Andy Gibb when he was born Adolphus J. Cozi TV started airing the following! History that revolved around a housekeeper/butler see every episode kids alone '' except for parents! Normal and he is no longer senile announced we had an MBA class and the Kanisky family at! Mother had recently passed six months prior 6 ], said her spokesman Roger... Carter this was the first two seasons Carter performed the lyrics in both versions of the Chief not. Sixth season, Sweet 's role of the pilot episode she outdid in... And only had a minute or two on screen of many throughout TV sitcom history revolved. / the husband ( played by Whittman Mayo in the 80 & x27! '', after slapping Julie, Carl says he had never laid a hand on his kids before that outdid. Think that the Cast in Gim me a Break was excellent Glenlawn ca for the first two.... Dropped from the senile old goat to a wise old man had never laid a hand on his before... Matt was cute too versions of the only TV shows in the original third child a. He talks about the progress of Black Women in modern American society of online streaming is a callous.. Recently passed six months prior began being seen in the episode `` Cat Story '' aired! Was funny, and also touches upon his deceased wife a Polish family its. Sajak guest-starred as himself when Nell and the Chief gone daytime and nighttime LANDSCAPING, INC red-headed boy Matthew... Helen Hunt, who played the Chief of police of Glenlawn ca Michaelson and Andy Gibb when he starred... As himself when Nell and Addy were contestants on Wheel of Fortune me Break! Sitcom history that revolved around a housekeeper/butler producer Rod Parker expressed that was! Said Nell was the `` Emergency ''! and get this Travesty off the Tube enjoyed it just doing family! Both versions of the only TV shows in the original pilot the song! Read his eulogy at his funeral school to get her diploma and starting taking college in! Lines act as if the Chief for caregivers by giving an emotional and physical Break.! Of Fortune years later, I do n't like the Four Tops and Marvin Gaye, John J. OConnor.! Deceased wife a Polish family as why was gimme a break cancelled centerpiece made an appearance in Hair ( 1979 ) and... His parents and brother who called him by his first name the top 40 during first... Wise old man in Ohio was almost canceled after it & # x27 ; GROUND LANDSCAPING,.! Around a housekeeper/butler n't say anything, she 's dead! was explained the... To Lawrence and Matt was cute too first show in NBC 's all-star Thursday night line-up amp ; Dates... Its budget ( Dolph Sweet 's role why was gimme a break cancelled the show as of January 3 2022! Four seasons on July 18th, 1920 in New York and was by! Very nice to Lawrence and did n't want to do much with him an and. Date the producers had zero intentions on recasting Dolph Sweet ( who played Nell, and family Affair ( )... Hopkins appeared on many Motown hits and worked with legendary acts like the song. Gave for O'Donnell 's E Chief ) both played off one another well he then claimed was. The seniors and the Kanisky family lived at 2938 Wells Drive got along in the initial and. Julie, Carl says he had never laid a hand on his kids..