Apple Pie (TV series)

Apple Pie is an American sitcom that aired for only two episodes on ABC on September 23 and September 30, 1978.

Apple Pie
Apple Pie promotional photo. From left to right: Jack Gilford, Rue McClanahan, Dabney Coleman.
Created byNorman Lear
Written byCharlie Hauck
Sy Rosen
Bill Davenport
Arthur Julian
Directed byPeter Bonerz
StarringRue McClanahan
Dabney Coleman
Jack Gilford
Caitlin O'Heaney
Derrel Maury
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8 (6 unaired)
Production
ProducerCharlie Hauck
Running time30 minutes
Production companyT.A.T. Communications Company
DistributorSony Pictures Television
Release
Original networkABC
Original releaseSeptember 23–30, 1978

Overview

Rue McClanahan starred as Ginger-Nell Hollyhock, a single and lonely hairdresser who lives in Kansas City, Missouri, during the Great Depression year of 1933. When Ginger-Nell places classified ads in the local newspapers, she recruits a group of wacky relatives – a con-man husband, Fast Eddie Murtaugh; a tap-dancing daughter, Anna Marie Hollyhock; a son who wanted to fly like a bird, Junior Hollyhock; and a tottering old blind grandfather, Grandpa Hollyhock – all of whom come to live together for the laughs.[1]

Cast

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Pilot"Peter BonerzLawrence J. Cohen, Fred Freeman & Charlie HauckUnaired
When an FBI agent shows up at the Hollyhock house looking for a bank robbery suspect, Grandpa Hollyhock and the family thinks it's a laughing matter.
2"Fast Eddie Slows Down"Peter BonerzCharlie HauckSeptember 23, 1978 (1978-09-23)
In need of mortgage money, Ginger-Nell advertises for a head of household to pay the bill.
3"Ginger-Nell Goes Hollywood"Peter BonerzCharlie HauckSeptember 30, 1978 (1978-09-30)
A fast-talking door-to-door salesman (Ken Berry) tells Ginger-Nell she's going to be a star.
4"Rich Man, Poor Girl"Peter BonerzSy RosenUnaired
Anna Marie falls in love with a wealthy snob (William Schallert) and Ginger-Nell fears he will take advantage of her.
5"The Tornado"Peter BonerzBill DavenportUnaired
A tornado hits town and the Hollyhock family seeks shelter in their cellar.
6"Ginger-Nell Loses Her Touch"Peter BonerzArthur JulianUnaired
7"A Man from Ginger-Nell's Past"Peter BonerzArthur JulianUnaired
8"They Walk Among us"Peter BonerzSy RosenUnaired

Reception

When the sitcom Maude ended in April 1978, producer Norman Lear created Apple Pie as a star vehicle for Rue McClanahan, who had played Vivian Harmon on Maude. The show, however, was not well received and was canceled after two episodes, though eight had been filmed under the direction of Peter Bonerz.[2]

Apple Pie was broadcast Saturday nights on ABC at 8:30 p.m. during its brief two-week run. It was videotaped before a live audience at Metromedia Square in Hollywood, California.[3]

References
  1. Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946–Present (New York: Ballantine Books, 1979), 33.
  2. Intimate Portrait: Rue McClanahan. DVD. Directed by Lee Grant. 2000; (Burbank, CA: Warner Home Video, 2005).
  3. Bob Leszczak, Single Season Sitcoms 1948–1979: A Complete Guide (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, 2012).
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.