Question: Can you remember the name of a TV show from the early to mid-'90s that featured a Southern family — a single mother and her children? I believe the name of the show was the characters' last name. The oldest daughter used to sit by her bedroom window and talk to the "man in the moon." The mother was played by an actress who reminds me a lot of Park Overall.
Answer: That I can, Carrie. You're thinking of The Torkelsons, which debuted on NBC in September 1991 and became Almost Home before it left the air in July 1993.
Set in Pyramid Corners, Okla., the series focused on young Dorothy Jane Torkelson (Olivia Burnette) and her family, who were a blue-collar clan and forever cash-strapped because the man of the house had bailed on them. Connie Ray played mama Millicent, and Aaron Metchik, Anna Slotky, Lee Norris
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Question: My friend and I disagree over who starred in Simon & Simon. She says Perry King and Gerald McRaney, but I say Parker Stevenson and Gerald. Who is right? I have been looking for info on the information superhighway, but haven't found anything yet. We would greatly appreciate your help. Thanks bunches.
Answer: Oh, Florell. Have you any idea what this dispute of yours could do to poor Jameson Parker's feelings? You see, when the actor was riding high and starring with McRaney in the hit series — which was originally supposed to be called Pirate's Key before its November 1981 to December 1988 run on CBS — the prospect of such mistakes was already keeping him up at night.
"When you look at the names of actors in TV Guide from 10 years ago, there aren't many names you remember," he said in 1985, motivated by the fact that though the show was popular, even its f
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