Makin' It (TV series)

Makin' It is an American sitcom starring David Naughton that aired for nine episodes on Fridays at 8:00PM on ABC from February 1 to March 23, 1979. It also aired in the United Kingdom on ITV from March 21, 1979.[1]

For the reality show, see Making It (TV series).
Makin' It
Opening title
Created byMark Rothman
Lowell Ganz
Garry Marshall
StarringDavid Naughton
Greg Antonacci
Denise Miller
Ellen Travolta
Lou Antonio
Theme music composerDino Fekaris
Freddie Perren
Opening theme"Makin' It" performed by David Naughton
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes9
Production
Executive producersThomas L. Miller
Edward K. Milkis
Lowell Ganz
Mark Rothman
ProducersDavid W. Duclon
Deborah Leschin
Jeffrey Ganz
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time22–24 minutes
Production companiesMiller-Milkis Productions
Henderson Productions
Stigwood Group, Ltd.
Paramount Television
DistributorCBS Television Distribution
Release
Original networkABC
Audio formatMonaural
Original releaseFebruary 1 (1979-02-01) –
March 23, 1979 (1979-03-23)

In 2002, TV Guide ranked it number 40 on its TV Guide's 50 Worst TV Shows of All Time list.[2]

Synopsis

The show was set in Passaic, New Jersey, and was about the daily life of Billy Manucci, a young man who frequented the local disco club, Inferno, at night while working at an ice cream parlor called Tasty Treats during the day. Manucci was highly influenced by the disco craze and specifically by the movie Saturday Night Fever. Coincidentally, Saturday Night Fever star Ellen Travolta, John Travolta's sister, played Manucci's mother.

Makin' It had the misfortune of coming to air near the end of the disco fad as backlash against the disco culture (such as the one portrayed in the show) was rising in the United States, culminating in Disco Demolition Night in the summer of 1979. As such, it lasted only eight weeks on air before being canceled. It ranked #104 out of 114 shows airing that season, with an 11.9 rating and a 20 share.[3]

Robert Stigwood, the producer of Saturday Night Fever as well as the Bee Gees' manager, was involved in the show's creation, as was Garry Marshall. The theme song, sung by David Naughton, reached #5 on the Billboard Top 40 charts in 1979.[4] It entered the Top 40 on May 12, nearly two months after the show had been canceled. The song was also featured in the Bill Murray movie Meatballs as well as the GameCube dance game MC Groovz Dance Craze. The song was also featured in the movie Detroit Rock City, despite the fact the movie is set in 1978 and Makin' It was released in 1979.

Cast

Episodes
Nº Title Directed by: Written by: Air date PC
1"Stayin' Alive"Lowell GanzLowell Ganz,
Mark Rothman		February 1, 1979 (1979-02-01)001
Debut: Billy Manucci is a New Yorker working his way through college and living at home in the shadow of his swinging older brother.
2"The Art Auction"Joel ZwickRon LeavittFebruary 2, 1979 (1979-02-02)003
Billy poses as Al Pacino's brother to get into an art auction, and bids $5,000 for a painting to impress Corky.
3"Big Brother Is Watching"Joel ZwickJudith D. AllisonFebruary 9, 1979 (1979-02-09)002
Billy is at loose ends while trying to protect his sister from a well-known Casanova who prides himself on one-night stands.
4"Fun, Fun, Fun: Part 1"Mark RothmanDavid W. DuclonFebruary 16, 1979 (1979-02-16)004
Billy quits his job and school so he can experience the "good life".
5"Fun, Fun, Fun: Part 2"John TracyDeborah LeschinFebruary 23, 1979 (1979-02-23)005
Billy shirks his responsibilities and moves in with his brother.
6"Something for Ma"Joel ZwickBabaloo MandelMarch 2, 1979 (1979-03-02)007
Tony surprises his mother with a pair of expensive earrings for her birthday, which leads her to being arrested because the police think they are stolen.
7"Little Orphan Fusco"TBATBAMarch 9, 1979 (1979-03-09)010
Bernard thanks Dorothy for nursing his injured foot by sending gifts, which her kids mistake for presents from a lover.
8"Tony's Homecoming"Joel ZwickRichard RosenstockMarch 16, 1979 (1979-03-16)008
Tony and his parents are reunited after a two-year separation.
9"Friends for Life"John TracyStephen Nathan,
Paul B. Price		March 23, 1979 (1979-03-23)009
When Dorothy gets flowers from a secret admirer, her children suspect her of having an affair with the local encyclopedia salesman.

References
  1. Mark Lewisohn (1998). Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy. BBC Worldwide Ltd. p. 414. ISBN 0-563-36977-9.
  2. TV Guide Guide to TV. Barnes and Noble. 2004. pp. 228. ISBN 0-7607-5634-1.
  3. https://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/79-OCR/BC-1979-06-18-OCR-Page-0056.pdf#search=%22rounding%20up%20the%20ratings%22
  4. Billboard Top 40 Hits of 1979
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