Billy (1992 TV series)

Billy is an American sitcom and a spin-off of Head of the Class that aired on ABC for half a season from January 31 to May 30, 1992. The series starred Billy Connolly as Billy MacGregor, a Scottish teacher who moves to America in order to build a new life for himself.

Billy
GenreSitcom
Created byMichael Elias
Rich Eustis
Written byPhilip Chapin
Michael Elias
Rich Eustis
Directed byJohn Bowab
Robert Berlinger
Howard Storm
Sam Weisman
StarringBilly Connolly
Marie Marshall
Johnny Galecki
Natanya Ross
Clara Bryant
ComposerEd Alton
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13
Production
Executive producersMichael Elias
Rich Eustis
ProducersRay Jessel
Frank Pace
Rebecca Parr
Ehrich Von Lowe
EditorJimmy B. Frazier
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time30 minutes
Production companiesEustis/Elias Productions
Warner Bros. Television
Release
Original networkABC
Original releaseJanuary 31 (1992-01-31) 
July 4, 1992 (1992-07-04)
Chronology
Preceded byHead of the Class

Synopsis

Following the end of Head of the Class, Billy moves to Berkeley, California after Filmore High School was closed down, where he marries Mary Springer (played by Marie Marshall), a single mom with several children, so he could get his green card. The marriage is arranged in order to prevent Billy from being deported back to the UK. Billy becomes Mary's boarder, living in her basement apartment with the strictest of rules: no drinking, no smoking, no pets, and no sex.

The series follows Billy's misadventures as he adjusts to life in California while staying one step ahead of immigration officials seeking to prove his marriage is a sham. Meanwhile, his relationship with Mary's children, 14-year-old David, 10-year-old Laura and 5-year-old Annie, (played by Johnny Galecki, Natanya Ross, and Clara Bryant) deepens to a parental level, and Billy and Mary likewise find themselves drawing closer together, although the series was cancelled before this subplot could be carried out.

Cast

Scheduling and cancellation

Billy premiered as part of ABC's TGIF lineup, Fridays at 9:30/8:30c. After two months in this time period, the show moved to Saturday night (just one week after ABC abruptly ended the failed TGIF sister lineup, I Love Saturday Night), at 8:30/7:30c. While on Saturdays, the program would switch time slots a few more times, but none of the moves produced better ratings; Billy folded after one season.

Episodes

No.Title[1]Directed byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Pilot"Sam WeismanMichael Elias & Rich EustisJanuary 31, 1992 (1992-01-31)
2"Hot Stuff"Howard StormRebecca Parr & David Hurwitz & Erich Von LoweFebruary 7, 1992 (1992-02-07)
3"Parenting 101"Robert BerlingerStory by: George Tricker
Teleplay by: Diane Wilk & Joyce Costanza & Larry Moskowitz
February 14, 1992 (1992-02-14)
4"Poker Face"Peter BaldwinRich Eustis & Michael Elias & Ray JesselFebruary 21, 1992 (1992-02-21)
5"Billy Gets the Bird"John BowabErich Von LoweFebruary 28, 1992 (1992-02-28)
6"Gimme Some Credit"Robert BerlingerStory by: Ehrich Von Lowe
Teleplay by: Bill Lawrence & Ray Jessel
March 6, 1992 (1992-03-06)
7"Futile Attraction"John BowabDiane WilkMarch 13, 1992 (1992-03-13)
8"Billy Flunks Mary"Howard StormDavid HurwitzMarch 21, 1992 (1992-03-21)
9"Out All Night"Richard KlineJohn BoniMarch 28, 1992 (1992-03-28)
10"Home Alone, Almost"TBATBAApril 4, 1992 (1992-04-04)
11"Love Me or Leave Me: Part 1"John BowabApril KellyApril 11, 1992 (1992-04-11)
12"Love Me or Leave Me: Part 2"John BowabRebecca ParrApril 18, 1992 (1992-04-18)
13"Thunder from Down Under"Howard StormGeoff Gilbert & Gregg ShermanMay 30, 1992 (1992-05-30)

References

  1. From the United States Copyright Office catalog: "Public Catalog - Copyright Catalog (1978 to present) - Basic Search [search: "Billy : episode"]". United States Copyright Office. Retrieved 2016-11-12.
  • Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946–Present ISBN 0-345-45542-8
  • TV Guide Guide to TV (2006) ISBN 0-7607-7572-9
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