The Family Tree (TV series)

The Family Tree is a 1983 American television series that aired on NBC, and starred Anne Archer and Frank Converse. The show was produced by Nigel McKeand and Carol Evan McKeand, showrunners of the groundbreaking 1976-80 ABC series Family. Its pilot episode was the 1982 television film The Six of Us. The show was canceled after six episodes due to low ratings.[1]

This article is about the 1983 American series. For the 2013 mockumentary series, see Family Tree (TV series).
The Family Tree
Genrefamily drama
Created byCarol Evan McKeand
StarringAnne Archer
Frank Converse
Opening themeMark Snow
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producersCarol Evan McKeand
Nigel McKeand
Deanne Barkley
Running time60 minutes
Production companiesThe Tree Company, Inc.
Saracen Productions
Comworld Productions
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseJanuary 22 (1983-01-22) –
February 26, 1983 (1983-02-26)

Plot

Annie Benjamin (Anne Archer) a divorced woman with three children, who worked part-time selling real estate, meets and then marries Kevin Nichols (Frank Converse); a divorced owner of a lumber company with grown children of his own. Annie's children, who all lived with their mother, include oldest son, Sam (Martin Hewitt); Tess (Melora Hardin); and Toby (Jonathan Hall Kovacs) who is deaf. On Kevin's side of the family, he has, besides his teenaged son Jake (James Spader), a grown daughter, Molly Tanner (Ann Dusenberry), who herself was already married. Jake lives with his mother, Elizabeth (Joanna Cassidy); and Annie's children are still very close to their father, Dr. David Benjamin (Alan Feinstein). Much of the stories focus on the problems of the Benjamin children adjusting to Kevin being their stepfather. Of all three of Annie's children, it was Toby, the youngest, who was perhaps most upset about his mother's divorce from his father.

Cast

Ratings
Season Episodes Start Date End Date Nielsen Rank Nielsen Rating Tied With
1982-83 6 January 22, 1983 February 26, 1983 94[1] N/A N/A

Critical Reception

The Family Tree was named a finalist for the season's best new series by the Television Critics Association (an award that ultimately went to Cheers). "The best family drama in years ... Anne Archer, in particular, gives the series performance of the year," wrote David Bianculli of the Akron Beacon-Journal.[2] When an hour of NBC's summer 1983 programming abruptly failed, the network repeated The Family Tree in its place, but this did not lead to a renewal.

Episode Guide
Episode Summary
Pilot The Six of Us, 1982 television film. All roles were recast for the series save for Jonathan Hall Kovacs (Toby).
Episode 1 Annie becomes overprotective of Toby when the house is burglarized while he's home alone; Sam resents Kevin's role as the man of the house.
Episode 2 Annie decides to attend an out-of-state funeral with her first husband against Kevin's wishes; Tess falls for a dancer.
Notes: Guest-starring Michael Cummings as Dance Studio Owner.
Episode 3 Jake becomes romantically involved with Annie's best friend; Kevin avoids the task of learning sign language.
Notes: Guest-starring Cassie Yates as Elise.
Episode 4 N/A
Episode 5 Kevin tells his ex-wife that he is no longer legally bound to support her; Tess sneaks out on a date.
Notes: Guest-starring Joanna Cassidy as Elizabeth Nichols.
Episode 6 Kevin's daughter shows up after leaving her husband; Tess's father offers a lame excuse to avoid coming to her birthday party.
Notes: Guest-starring Ann Dusenberry as Molly Nichols Tanner and Alan Feinstein as Dr. David Benjamin.

References
  1. "The TV Ratings Guide: 1982-83 Ratings History -- Soap Bubbles Rise, Several Veterans Part and NBC Renews Poorly Rated Masterpieces". Archived from the original on March 18, 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  2. Bianculli, David, "NPR struggling, but NBC Rising from Blush to Brash," Akron Beacon-Journal, July 20, 1983, page B6
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