Family Ties

68
Metascore
1982-1989
7 seasons
NBC
Comedy, Drama
TV-G

Steven and Elyse Keaton, once 1960s radicals, now find themselves in Reagan-era America trying to raise a traditional suburban family. Their three first kids are Alex (a very ambitious Young Republican), Mallory (a ditzy and boy-crazy fashionista), and Jennifer (whom we first get to know as a precocious nine-year-old tomboy). Later on, a fourth child (Andrew) was added to the family. Most of the comedy arose from the conflict between the ex-hippie parents vs. the conservative Alex and the brainless beauty Mallory.

68
Metascore
1982-1989
7 seasons
NBC
Comedy, Drama
TV-G

8 Classic Shows You Should Binge-Watch Now on CBS All Access

Wanna watch your favorite CBS show anytime? Now you can. CBS has launched its own subscription service, CBS All Access, on Thursday, becoming the first broadcast network to offer a streaming option. You'll be able to watch HBO without a subscription in 2015For $5.99 a month, subscribers will have access to full seasons of 15 current CBS shows (with new episodes up the day after they air); previous seasons of eight current shows; more than 5,000 ad-free episodes of classic shows that aired on or were produced by the network; livestreams of 14 CBS local affiliates and the Big Brother live feed; and bonus content from such events as the Grammys, the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. CBS All Access is also available through the CBS App on Apple and Android devices.Check out eight vintage shows you should binge-watch on CBS All Access now.

Thu, Oct 16, 2014

8 Classic Shows You Should Binge-Watch Now on CBS All Access

Meg Ryan to Produce and Star in NBC Comedy

Meg Ryan has inked a deal to produce and star in an NBC comedy, TVGuide.com has confirmed. The project will star Ryan as a devoted single mother who decides to return to the publishing house where she was once a brilliant editor. Once back, she finds out she'll be working for her former intern. Michael J. Fox and 7 other TV veterans return to television

Fri, Oct 11, 2013

Meg Ryan to Produce and Star in NBC Comedy

Reginald VelJohnson, Meredith Baxter Head to The Neighbors

The Neighbors is welcoming two sitcom veterans to the 'hood. Reginald VelJohnson (Family Matters) and Meredith Baxter (Family Ties) will guest-star on the ABC sitcom's Thanksgiving episode as the parents of Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Toks Olagundoye), Entertainment Weekly reports.

Thu, Sep 26, 2013

Reginald VelJohnson, Meredith Baxter Head to The Neighbors

Jack Klugman's Son Upset by Cory Monteith's Emmys In Memoriam Tribute

Jack Klugman's son is very upset with The Odd Couple star's exclusion from the special Emmys in memoriam tribute, which includes a special honor to Glee star Cory Monteith, who died of a drug overdose in July.

Sat, Sep 21, 2013

Jack Klugman's Son Upset by Cory Monteith's Emmys In Memoriam Tribute

Emmys to Pay Special Tribute to James Gandolfini, Cory Monteith and More

The 65th Annual Emmys will pay special tribute to five famous TV talents who died this past year in addition to the traditional "In Memoriam" segment, CBS announced Monday. Study up on all the Emmy nominees before Sunday's show At Sunday's ceremony, which airs...

Mon, Sep 16, 2013

Emmys to Pay Special Tribute to James Gandolfini, Cory Monteith and More

Welcome to the Family Draws Inspiration from Famous Families

NBC's new comedy Welcome to the Family may portray a white family often bumping heads with a Latino family, but the cast and creator Mike Sikowitz clarified that the sitcom is not a culture clash. The series follows a white family (Mike O'Malley and Mary McCormack) and a Latino family (Ricardo Chavira and Justina Machado) who bond when their children (Ella Rae Peck and Joey Haro) fall in love and plan a family. Add new fall shows to your Watchlist "While...

Sat, Jul 27, 2013

Welcome to the Family Draws Inspiration from Famous Families

Michael J. Fox Remembers Family Ties Creator Gary David Goldberg

Michael J. Fox, who had his breakout television role in the 1980s NBC sitcom Family Ties, is among those mourning the loss of the show's creator, Gary David Goldberg, who died Sunday.

Mon, Jun 24, 2013

Michael J. Fox Remembers Family Ties Creator Gary David Goldberg

Michael J. Fox Discusses His Return to TV

Michael J. Fox will return to TV this fall with a semi-autobiographical comedy on NBC — 31 years after Family Ties premiered on the network and made him a teen heartthrob. And, yes, times have definitely changed.

Tue, Apr 9, 2013

Michael J. Fox Discusses His Return to TV

Taylor Swift Gets Apology from Michael J. Fox

Do we smell wedding bells after all for Taylor Swift and Sam Fox? Not quite, but Michael J. Fox did apologize to the singer for comments he made about her earlier in the week. After Tina Fey jokingly told Swift to stay away from the younger Fox at Sunday's Golden Globes, the Family Ties alum said he wouldn't even know who she was if...

Sun, Jan 20, 2013

Taylor Swift Gets Apology from Michael J. Fox

Hulu Plus to Begin Streaming CBS Content

Hulu will begin streaming archival content from CBS in January, the two companies announced Monday. As part of the arrangement, Hulu Plus subscribers will have access to more than 2,600 shows from the network's library for the first time, Additional titles will be announced later, but for now the shows that will be available are Frasier, Family Ties, MacGyver, Medium, Numb3rs, CSI: Miami, Star Trek, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Twin Peaks, The Tudors, The Twilight Zone and I Love Lucy, according to Hulu. As of now, no current scripted shows will be available.

Mon, Nov 5, 2012

Hulu Plus to Begin Streaming CBS Content

The Inside Story on How NBC Landed Michael J. Fox

Twelve years ago, Michael J. Fox left ABC's Spin City in order to focus on his fight with Parkinson's disease. At the time, the actor stressed that he was not "retiring," but just looking to "relieve the strain of producing and performing a weekly network series." Now it's back to the future for the sitcom king, who once again feels up to the task — and is returning to TV in a big way. NBC, where Fox became a superstar in the 1980s as young conservative icon Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties, has given a rare 22-episode guarantee (before a lick of film is even shot) to a new sitcom based on Fox's life.

Tue, Aug 28, 2012

The Inside Story on How NBC Landed Michael J. Fox

NBC Orders New Michael J. Fox Family Comedy Straight to Series

Michael J. Fox is headed back to his first TV network home for his new comedy. The five-time Emmy winner's new family comedy project has been ordered straight to series by NBC, the same network which aired Family Ties three decades ago. "To bring Michael J. Fox back to NBC is a supreme honor and we are thrilled that one of the great comedic television stars is coming home again," NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt said in a statement. "From the moment we met with Michael to hear his unique point of view about this new show, we were completely captivated and on board. He is utterly...

Mon, Aug 20, 2012

NBC Orders New Michael J. Fox Family Comedy Straight to Series

Cougar Town Boss Bill Lawrence on the Season Finale, Moving to TBS and Killing Big Carl

Our favorite wine-guzzling cul-de-sac crew is headed for some major changes on Cougar Town — and we're not just talking about the recent passing of Big Carl (R.I.P old friend!) Tuesday's hour-long season finale (8/7c on ABC) will see the gang migrate west to Napa for Jules (Courteney Cox) and Grayson's (Josh Hopkins) wedding. But will they actually tie the knot? Behind the scenes, the episode marks the comedy's last hurrah on ABC before it moves to TBS for Season 4. The change also includes a new showrunner who will take over the day-to-day duties from co-creators and executive producers Bill Lawrence and Kevin Biegel. But fans should rest assured: Lawrence and Biegel aren't going anywhere. Lawrence talked with TVGuide.com about the wedding-themed season finale, the move to TBS, his involvement next season and why Big Carl had to go...

Tue, May 29, 2012

Cougar Town Boss Bill Lawrence on the Season Finale, Moving to TBS and Killing Big Carl

Meredith Baxter on Abusive Marriage: Family Ties Saved My Life

TV Guide Network's Hollywood 411 sits down with actress Meredith Baxter just before her reunion with the cast of Family Ties for the TV Land Awards. 

Fri, Apr 15, 2011

Meredith Baxter on Abusive Marriage: Family Ties Saved My Life

Tom Hanks to Guest-Star on 30 Rock

Tom Hanks is returning to his sitcom roots. The two-time Oscar-winning actor will appear in an upcoming episode of 30 Rock, Hanks announced on Twitter. "RadioMan delivers msg from T.Fey. Result? I'm on 30 Rock! Thanks, RMan Hanx," he wrote. Hanks...

Sat, Mar 26, 2011

David Birney Denies Meredith Baxter's Abuse Claims

David Birney has denied ex-wife Meredith Baxter's claims that he abused her during their marriage.Baxter's claims are "an appalling abuse of the truth," Birney told People in a statement.Meredith Baxter: David Birney hit meBaxter made the allegations in her new memoir, Untied. She said Birney's abuse was "so sudden and unexpected, I couldn't tell you which hand hit me, or even how hard." Baxter spoke at length about it this week on Today and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Birney, who already denied Baxter's claims to Today, added that the actress "conducted a relentless and brutal assault" against the joint custody of their three children for eight years after their divorce."During that time, she arrived ...

Sat, Mar 5, 2011

David Birney Denies Meredith Baxter's Abuse Claims

Keck's Exclusives: John Travolta To Be a Sweathog Again

After years of sending his regrets, John Travolta has finally agreed to reunite with his fellow Sweathogs for a Welcome Back, Kotter 35th anniversary reunion at April's TV Land Awards. (Perhaps Tom Hanks reconnecting with his former Bosom Buddies costars at last year's show had a little something to do with convincing him!) Good for Travolta for hopping on board, considering he...

Wed, Mar 2, 2011

Keck's Exclusives: John Travolta To Be a Sweathog Again

The Hub: A New Family Network With a Retro Feel

The Hub, a joint venture network between Discovery and toy giant Hasbro, launches Sunday in approximately 60 million U.S. households on the former Discovery Kids channel. "We love the name," says CEO and President Margaret Loesch. "It means to us a place where kids and their families can...

Fri, Oct 8, 2010

The Hub: A New Family Network With a Retro Feel

Michael J. Fox to Guest-Star on The Good Wife

Five-time Emmy winner Michael J. Fox has signed on to guest-star in an upcoming episode of The Good Wife, CBS announced Friday.Check out photos of Fox through his careerFox will play Simon Canning, a shrewd and cynical litigator who goes up against Alicia (Julianna Margulies) in a massive class action case. According to CBS' description of the character, Simon is "willing to use anything in court, including symptoms of his neurological condition, to create sympathy for his otherwise unsympathetic client: a giant pharmaceutical company...

Fri, Aug 20, 2010

Michael J. Fox to Guest-Star on The Good Wife

Family Ties' Brian Bonsall Sentenced to Probation

Former Family Ties star Brian Bonsall has been sentenced to two years probation after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a 2009 case, The Associated Press reports.Bonsall was arrested in December in Boulder, Colo., in connection with a fight with a friend. He pleaded guilty to felony menacing and third-degree assault in Boulder on Thursday.Family Ties star Brian Bonsall arrested over assaultThe 28-year-old also pleaded guilty to violating terms of probation by testing positive ...

Fri, Apr 9, 2010

Family Ties' Brian Bonsall Sentenced to Probation

Family Ties' Meredith Baxter to Pen Memoir

Former Family Ties mom Meredith Baxter, who came out as a lesbian two weeks ago, will tell all in a new memoir, the New York Times reports.Family Ties' Meredith Baxter: I'm a lesbianBroadway Books of Crown Publishing Group has purchased the rights to Baxter's as-yet-untitled and as-yet-unwritten life story. In the book, Baxter "will present a fully realized portrait of her ...

Thu, Dec 17, 2009

Family Ties' Meredith Baxter to Pen Memoir

Family Ties Star Brian Bonsall Arrested Over Assault

Former Family Ties actor Brian Bonsall has been arrested in Colorado on a third-degree assault charge, according to police.Boulder police said Bonsall, who played Andy Keaton (Michael J. Fox's younger brother) on the '80s series, got into a fight Saturday and hit a friend with ...

Tue, Dec 8, 2009

Family Ties Star Brian Bonsall Arrested Over Assault

The Results Are In: TV's Most Heartwarming Shows Ever!

Weeks ago, the TVGuide.com Asks... blog asked you to reflect on TV shows new, recent and classic and name the most heartwarming of them all. We then tallied up the most-frequent mentions and officially polled you on the "feel-goodiest" of the bunch.Well, the results are now in. How did Cliff and Claire fare? Did the Waltons scale the entire mountain? Could anyone keep up with the Keatons? Flip through our photo gallery of the top 10 finishers, see for yourself who came out on top (and see which of your quotes we used!), and then race back here to weigh in on the results. Haven't had a chance to have your say? Well, the poll is still open, so get in your vote and if the "needle" moves significantly over the next few weeks, maybe we'll need to shuffle around that photo gallery!Related content: Who Are TV's Healthiest-looking Stars? (Vote in poll) The Results Are In: The TV Couples that Most Make Your Heart Pitter-patter! How to tone up while tuning in to your favorit...

Mon, Jan 14, 2008

Class of '87, This One's For You!

OK, first off, how fun was last weeks interview with Joss Whedon? You guys went to town on that one. Honestly, I havent taken that many hits since high school, if yall know what I mean.Which brings me to this weeks bidness. Being November, the month of Thanksgiving, Ive decided to devote each of the next four columns to shows I am grateful to have on DVD. And since high school is on my mind these daysjust had my 20th class reunion last weekend (and let me tell ya, we still look good!)the first batch are all shows from back when the Bonner boys were wearing our Capezio jazz shoes, thin leather ties and trying to understand why all the Prendie girls thought their massive Aquanetted walls of hair and liquid eyeliner looked good. So for Jerry Leyden, Chuck Wurzbach, Art Hoath and the rest of the crew, I offer you the best of the Class of 1987!The Cosby Show By its third season, Denise was just about to show off her Angel Heart (and more), Rudy ...

Thu, Nov 8, 2007

Family Ties Son Arrested for Assault

Brian Bonsall, who played Andy Keaton in Family Ties, was arrested Wednesday on charges of assaulting his girlfriend, the AP reports. Bonsall, 25, is being held in the Boulder County jail on charges of second-degree assault and false imprisonment after his girlfriend told police he poured an alcoholic drink on her face while she slept, put her in a choke hold and threw her onto a bed when she tried to leave. Bonsall has unsuccessfully argued self-defense.What would we do, baby, without bail?

Sat, Mar 31, 2007

Justine Bateman Gives Men in Trees a Good Shake

In a candid TV Guide interview, former '80s teen star Justine Bateman opens up about making mayhem on ABC's Men in Trees (Thursdays at 10 pm/ET), her kids, and... knitting sweaters for Courtney Love?! TV Guide: How did you land the role of Lynn on Men in Trees? Justine Bateman: This is going to sound so made up, but I was on an airplane and [series creator] Jenny Bicks was also on the plane. We didn't have a conversation. She saw me, called my agents and said, "Oh, can she play Lynn?" TV Guide: Lynn was a character on the show before we even met her. She was discussed for months, right? Bateman: Yeah. Sometimes in theater, they'll talk about your character a lot before

Thu, Feb 15, 2007

Justine Bateman Gives Men in Trees a Good Shake

Short Cuts: Scarlett Johansson, Wiggles and More

Scarlett Johansson and Ben Stiller are this year's recipients of Harvard University's Hasty Pudding awards, given to performers who have made a "lasting and impressive contribution to the world of entertainment" and/or bikinis.... Disney Channel has set a Feb. 19 premiere date for Season 5 of The Wiggles.... Family Ties: The First Season arrives on DVD Feb. 20, or on my desk yesterday, hee-hee.... (Sometime?) today, Nickelodeon will unveil Nicktropolis, a new online community where visitors create virtual representations of themselves.... I Love Lucy cocreator Bob Carroll Jr. died on Saturday, at age 87.

Tue, Jan 30, 2007

A long time ago there was a ...

Question: A long time ago there was a sitcom set in New York (I think). It involved a Jewish boy and a Catholic girl who got married. (I might have their religions reversed.) Of course, the usual problems developed. I want to say it was called Beth and Bernie. Am I right? Thanks.Answer: Close, A.C. Actually, you're thinking of Bridget Loves Bernie, a sitcom that debuted on CBS in September 1972 in a cushy slot between All in the Family and Mary Tyler Moore. David Birney (St. Elsewhere, the TV version of Serpico) play

Tue, Apr 4, 2006

THIS 'N' THAT

Barry Manilow has agreed to keep performing at the Las Vegas Hilton through 2008, the hotel has announced. In related news, Paris Hilton will continue performing wherever and whenever she is allowed to.... Michael Madsen and Daryl Hannah will walk the beat in the indie thriller Vice, about a squad of cops who start looking mighty suspicious when a passel of drugs go missing, the Hollywood Reporter says.... Rumor has it that among the D-listers trying to lose enough weight to get back on the C-list on the next cycle of Celebrity Fit Club will be none other than Family Ties moppet Tina Yothers.... A Harley-Davidson Night Rod has been cast as the titular vampire slayer's preferred mode of transportation in Spike TV's upcoming series adaptation of Blade, premiering June 28.

Tue, Mar 28, 2006

Love AA and look forward to ...

Question: Love AA and look forward to it every Wednesday! Will Sarah Brown be back on Cold Case? Answer: No, but here's some big scoop: They've cast Family Ties' Meredith Baxter as Lilly's mom. She'll turn up in Episode 19, slated to air on April 9.

Wed, Mar 1, 2006

OUT OF THE BLUTH

Fox has announced a Friday, Feb. 10, two-hour season finale — that's what the memo says, season finale — for Arrested Development. In the season finale — that's what the memo says, season finale — Fast Times at Ridgemont High's Judge Reinhold will guest-star, as well as Arrested headliner Jason Bateman's real-life sis, Family Ties alum Justine Bateman, playing a woman who may or may not be Michael's half-sister.

Fri, Jan 13, 2006

YO, MALLORY!

It will be a family reunion when Family Ties alum Justine Bateman guest-stars on kid brother Jason's Arrested Development. In the Jan. 9 episode, Justine will play Nellie Bluth, a woman Michael suspects may be a long-lost sister of his, so he hires her to consult at the family biz. Then, says Fox's press release, Nellie's "hands-on" tactics catch Michael off guard, leading me to worry that we're gonna have some Angelina Jolie-and-her-brother thing happenin', but I could be wrong. Let's just hope Justine doesn't forego the underwear these days.

Thu, Dec 8, 2005

Hi, Televisionary. I'm hoping ...

Question: Hi, Televisionary. I'm hoping you can settle an argument that I had with someone when I was in the fifth grade. After the closing credits of Family Ties, we see a picture of a dog and the name "UBU Productions." Does the man say, "Sit, Boo-boo, sit — good dog," which is what it sounds like, or, "Sit, Ubu, sit — good dog," which is what would make sense?Answer: You answered your own question, Dave (and I could've sworn I did, too, some time ago, but I couldn't find it). It's: "Sit, Ubu, sit — good dog," followed by a bark. Ubu was the production company founded by Gary David Goldberg, the creator of Family Ties, and Ubu was a dog he had in college.

Tue, Nov 15, 2005

I was talking about this with ...

Question: I was talking about this with my girlfriend and could swear I read somewhere that Family Ties was originally supposed to be about the parents but ended up being about the kids when they become popular. Truth or urban legend? Thanks, and keep up the good work.Answer: Not only is it true, Peter, it was foreshadowed by Michael Gross, who played man of the house Steven Keaton, though he probably didn't know it at the time. In 1982, while shooting an episode of the series in which Keaton kids Alex (Michael J. Fox), Mallory (Justine Bateman) and Jennifer (Tina Yothers) run amok when Steven and wife Elyse (Meredith Baxter Birney) are away, the actor engaged in a bit of unintentional soothsaying. "Maybe after several episodes, Meredith and I will die, and then the series could really take off," he joked to TV Guide. "We could be kille

Thu, Nov 10, 2005

ALEX P. KEATON ALERT!

Starting Dec. 13, Michael J. Fox will appear in three episodes of ABC's Boston Legal. The Family Ties funnyman will play a rich cancer patient who is sued after bribing a pharmaceutical company to ensure that he isn't given the placebo in a study.

Mon, Oct 17, 2005

Seven Silly Questions for... Michael Gross

Michael Gross is a master thespian with a Yale Drama School diploma on his wall. His trophy shelf nearly buckles from the weight of his awards (Obie and Drama-Logue prizes, for starters). His r&#233sum&#233 is packed with appearances on high-falutin' series like ER and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. And yet, to us B-movie lovers, the good-humored actor will always be Burt Gummer, the gun-toting survivalist in the Tremors movies. (You know, they're the ones with the giant, man-eating earthworms.) In honor of the fourth flick's Sci Fi Channel debut today at 9 pm/ET, TV Guide Online invited the former Family Ties dad to lock 'n' load, and take aim at seven silly questions. As you are about to read, Mr. Tremors 4 came back at us with both barrels blazing. TV Guide Online: So far, we've seen graboids (the aforementioned human-munching nightcrawlers) that live underground, graboids that fly, graboids that live in the Old West...

Fri, Jul 23, 2004