I've loved watching Season 3 so far. It was so funny seeing James Gregory (Barney Miller) as the cranky old guy who became Heather's "grandpa" at the senior center. They should've just named his character Frank Lugar, because he was just like his Barney Miller character, just slightly older. :lol: The same episode featured Ellen Dow, who was in The Wedding Singer as Adam Sandler's elderly singing student.

It was also great seeing Doris Roberts as a judge, Edie McClurg at George's high school reunion and Lucy Lee Flippin (Little House on the Prairie) as one of the Happy Guys' wives. :lol: Of course, the previous season had a very young Fergie and Jason Bateman. It's so fun recognizing the guest stars!! :cool: :D

I've loved watching Season 3 so far. It was so funny seeing James Gregory (Barney Miller) as the cranky old guy who became Heather's "grandpa" at the senior center. They should've just named his character Frank Lugar, because he was just like his Barney Miller character, just slightly older. :lol: The same episode featured Ellen Dow, who was in The Wedding Singer as Adam Sandler's elderly singing student.

It was also great seeing Doris Roberts as a judge, Edie McClurg at George's high school reunion and Lucy Lee Flippin (Little House on the Prairie) as one of the Happy Guys' wives. :lol: Of course, the previous season had a very young Fergie and Jason Bateman. It's so fun recognizing the guest stars!! :cool: :D

I never got into Barney Miller so I didn't even make the connection that James Gregory was in it when I saw him on Mr Belvedere. LOL when I saw the episode again on the DVD all I could think of was the rappin Grandma in The Wedding Singer when I saw Ellen Dow.

I never got into Barney Miller so I didn't even make the connection that James Gregory was in it when I saw him on Mr Belvedere. LOL when I saw the episode again on the DVD all I could think of was the rappin Grandma in The Wedding Singer when I saw Ellen Dow.
A lot of the Barney Miller crew was also on Mr. Belvedere, including director Noam Pitlik and executive producer/writer Tony Sheehan. Plus, Edie McClurg's chasing after Mr. Belvedere was priceless. Who else plays the annoying/perky neighbor-type as well as her? :lol:

Edie McClurg's chasing after Mr. Belvedere was priceless. Who else plays the annoying/perky neighbor-type as well as her? :lol:

So true :lol:

So true :lol:
I think her first major role was as Herb's wife Lucille on WKRP - and she brought that special kind of annoying perkiness to her roles on Small Wonder, The Hogan Family, and countless others. :cool: :lol:

I think her first major role was as Herb's wife Lucille on WKRP - and she brought that special kind of annoying perkiness to her roles on Small Wonder, The Hogan Family, and countless others. :cool: :lol:

Indeed, I mostly remember her from The Hogan Family. Now come February we get to see her again on Small Wonder :D .

Indeed, I mostly remember her from The Hogan Family. Now come February we get to see her again on Small Wonder :D .
She was also hysterical as Kelsey Grammer's wife (and Tracey Gold's mom) in the 1988 TV flick Dance Til Dawn (which is also on DVD). I love that movie - pure 80s cheese at its best!! :cool: :lol:

Here's another Barney Miller/Mr. Belvedere connection - guest star Florence Stanley!! She played the lady who won the auction for Mr. Belvedere at $500 - and also starred on Dinosaurs and My Two Dads. :cool:

She was also hysterical as Kelsey Grammer's wife (and Tracey Gold's mom) in the 1988 TV flick Dance Til Dawn (which is also on DVD). I love that movie - pure 80s cheese at its best!! :cool: :lol:

I've never heard of Dance Till Dawn. What was it about?

I've never heard of Dance Till Dawn. What was it about?
Here are the details - they can tell you a lot more than I can. If you're a fan of 80s TV - THIS IS A MUST SEE!!!!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094941/

Here are the details - they can tell you a lot more than I can. If you're a fan of 80s TV - THIS IS A MUST SEE!!!!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094941/

Wow, there's certainly a lot of recognizable names in there, ins't there? I'm definitely a fan of 80's TV but I've never even heard of this movie. The plot doesn't neccessarily sound like my cup of TV, but it certainly sounds like something worth watching at least once. I'll see if I can get the DVD through the library. Thanks for the info!

Wow, there's certainly a lot of recognizable names in there, ins't there? I'm definitely a fan of 80's TV but I've never even heard of this movie. The plot doesn't neccessarily sound like my cup of TV, but it certainly sounds like something worth watching at least once. I'll see if I can get the DVD through the library. Thanks for the info!
No problem - enjoy!!

I also think Kay Lenz did a great job as "Kevin's Older Woman". The only gripe I had with this episode is that it felt like a ripoff/rehash of Alex's first time on Family Ties.

I also think Kay Lenz did a great job as "Kevin's Older Woman". The only gripe I had with this episode is that it felt like a ripoff/rehash of Alex's first time on Family Ties.

I thought the same thing.

I also think Kay Lenz did a great job as "Kevin's Older Woman". The only gripe I had with this episode is that it felt like a ripoff/rehash of Alex's first time on Family Ties.
Now that you mention it the two episodes were quite similer.

Yeah, you'd think someone there would've seen the Family Ties episode and dreamed up a different plot, but oh well. :crazy:

There are also a lot of similarites between Mr Belvedere and Growing Pains, but I think the similar stores were on Mr Belvedere first.

I've loved watching Season 3 so far. It was so funny seeing James Gregory (Barney Miller) as the cranky old guy who became Heather's "grandpa" at the senior center. They should have just named his character Frank Luger, because he was just like his Barney Miller character, just slightly older. :lol: The same episode featured Ellen Dow, who was in The Wedding Singer as Adam Sandler's elderly singing student.

It was also great seeing Doris Roberts as a judge, Edie McClurg at George's high school reunion and Lucy Lee Flippin (Little House on the Prairie) as one of the Happy Guys' wives. :lol: Of course, the previous season had a very young Fergie and Jason Bateman. It's so fun recognizing the guest stars!! :cool: :D

Well, unfortunately, Frank Dungan and Jeff Stein, the developers and executive producers of Mr. Belvedere, do not own the rights to the Frank Luger character, so in order to use the Frank Luger name, they would have had to get permission from and pay royalties to the actual rightsholder, in this case, Danny Arnold, the co-creator and executive producer of Barney Miller.

Well, in order for the producers to use the Frank Luger name, they would have had to get permission from Danny Arnold (the co-creator and executive producer of Barney Miller.
True, good point.

Shows back then stole from each other a lot. Although sometimes I'm sure it was just an oversight, but who knows. Like in "Kevin's Older Woman", Kevin storms out like he's going to leave home. That was a new element that the Ties episode didn't have.

But then even Married...With Children stole from Belvey. The ep where Al is trying to catch a mouse was done a year earlier on Mr. B. Ties also had a Scrooge like ep where Alex sees his past, present and future; Belvey used this device during the final season. Then all the shows had those "very special" deals where they all dealt with AIDS, teen drinking, date rape, drugs, etc. Ties and Belvey even had eps during their final seasons dealing with animal euthanasia.

As far as guest stars, there was also Brian Robbins from Head of the Class, Donna Pescow from Out of this World, Seth Green, Danny Nucci from Titanic, Willie Garson from Sex and the City, Danny Cooksey from Diff. Strokes, Lisa Wilcox from Elm St. 4 & 5, Pat Corley from Murphy Brown, Jenny Lewis, on and on.

^ Those were the days!!

I recognized the following guest stars:

Melanie Chartoff, Donna Pescow, Raye Birk, Winifred Friedman, Stacey Ferguson, Danny Cooksey, Doris Roberts, Ellen Dow, Robert Goulet, Lee Meriwether, Edie McClurg, Natalie Gregory, Jalelle White, Richard Doyle, Florence Stanley, half of the guest stars in the "Separation" episode, Lisa Wilcox, Nancy Cartwright, Lauri Hendler, Emily Schulman, Ernie Anderson, and Laura Mooney.

I loved Doris Roberts as the judge in Mr. Belvedere's immigration hearing - and the guy before him pleaded not to be sent back to "cold and boring" Canada. :lol: As he's being dragged away - "What about Alan Thicke? You guys let him stay here! Or Lorne Greene! Or Alex Trebek!" :rofl:

What about Danielle Brisebois? I don't think anyone has mentioned her yet.

You're right, I'd forgotten that she was on.

I also recognized Casey Ellison, who played Alan from NBC's Punky Brewster. In fact in one episode, Mr. Belvedere even made a Punky Brewster joke once.

I also recognized Dr. Joyce Brothers, Bubba Smith, of the Police Academy movies, and Tony Danza, then of ABC's hit Who's the Boss?

I also recognized Danielle Brisbois as well as Carlos Lacamara, of NBC's Nurses who coindentally who later go on to play an orderly himself on that show.

I also recognized:

Teresa Ganzel - '80s and '90s Pyramid goddess and player extraordinaire

Danny Cooksey - of Diff'rent Strokes, Tiny Toon Adventures and Salute Your Shorts

Vernee Watson-Johnson - from another ABC sitcom in "Welcome Back, Kotter" as Freddie "Boom Boom" Washington's girlfriend Vernajean

Lois Nettleton - who played JoAnn St. John on the early seasons of "In the Heat of the Night."

Jane Leeves - who played Daphne on "Frasier."

Mickey Mantle

Reggie "Bo" Jackson

Ernie Banks

Willie Mays

Hank Aaron

Johnny Bench

w/ Mantle and Bench as players on "Sports Challenge" in 1972 and 1973, respectively and Jackson, Banks, Aaron, Mays featured in clips on that show.

I'm not surprised that so many baseball stars were on, given Bob Uecker's ties to MLB. I never knew that Jane Leeves guested. One of my all-time favorites, Kellie Martin, appeared on one of the later episodes.

Another guest star I recognize was Richard Karron, who also played Maurice, the owner, waiter and bartender of his own restaurant on the early season episodes of Mr. Belvedere's Friday Night stablemate show in Webster.

A non-guest but crew-related people I recognize:

In the closing credits of the S1 episode "What I Did for Love," I recgonize Susan Harris as one of the script supervisors in the closing credits.

I was wondering if this is the same Susan Harris that went on to launch the hugely popular NBC sitcom "The Golden Girls" later on 1985 and the same Susan Harris that was still working on another early Mr. Belvedere Friday Night ABC stablemate in Benson at the time?

I also recognize writers Nancy Steen and Neil Thompson who also wrote a handful for Night Court episodes as well as a few Webster episodes.

Steen & Thompson were also story editors on Police Squad (another ABC show).

I'm not surprised that so many baseball stars were on, given Bob Uecker's ties to MLB. I never knew that Jane Leeves guested. One of my all-time favorites, Kellie Martin, appeared on one of the later episodes.

You should see the episode with all those major leaguers. It was in season 6's "The Field". George's reaction, when he sees them, is priceless:

George: "Hey wait a second. You're Reggie Jackson!" [Points to Wesley] You know who this is? It's Reggie Jackson! This is Reggie Jackson!"

Henry Arron: "Hi, George. I'm Henry Arron."

George [To Wesley]: "Henry Arron! You know who this is? It's Henry Arron! He's the all time home run champ! If I had a dollar for every home run this guy hit, you'd know what I'd have?"

Mr. B: "My back salary?"

Willie Mays: "Hi George!"

George: "Willie Mays! Say Hey! [Sees Ernie Banks] Ernie Banks! Mr. Cub!

Ernie Banks: "Welcome to the friendly contfire, or wherever we are."

George: "This is incredible! Some of the greatest hitters in baseball! [Sees Harmon Killebrew] Harmon Killebrew! [Sees Johnny Bench] Hey, Johnny Bench! [Sees Robert Goulet] And Robert Goulet!"

Robert Goulet: "Hey George."

George: "What are you doing here?"

Robert Goulet: "I own the field."

More names I recognize are:

Brian Robbins - who would go on to star on another hit ABC sitcom in "Head of the Class" later on in the Fall of 1986 and one of the EP's of Nickelodeon's "All That," "Keenan and Kel" and "The Amanda Show."

Jason Bateman - of "Silver Spoons," "It's Your Move," and "Valerie/Valerie's Family/The Hogan Family," the lattermost of which was supposed to initially start in the Fall of 1985, but due to illness of one of the stars and script reworks, was pushed back to March 1986.

A non-guest but crew-related people I recognize:

In the closing credits of the S1 episode "What I Did for Love," I recognize Susan Harris as one of the script supervisors in the closing credits.

I was wondering if this is the same Susan Harris that went on to launch the hugely popular NBC sitcom "The Golden Girls" later on 1985 and the same Susan Harris that was still working on another early Mr. Belvedere Friday Night ABC stablemate in Benson at the time?

I also recognize writers Nancy Steen and Neil Thompson who also wrote a handful for Night Court episodes as well as a few Webster episodes.

Similarly, in that episode, I noticed that one of the production assistants was named John Gray. I wonder if it's the same John Gray who created the CBS supernatural drama Ghost Whisperer in 2005.

As a kid I was too young to know what Robert Goulet was famous for, even know I ask myself what was connection with the Owen's did he know George back in the day?

I also recognized Casey Ellison, who played Alan from NBC's Punky Brewster. In fact in one episode, Mr. Belvedere even made a Punky Brewster joke once.


I remember the Punky Brewster joke, but I thought of a different connection between the shows at the time: Judy Hart-Angelo & Gary Portnoy wrote the themes for both shows & Cheers. Portnoy sang the theme songs for both Cheers & Punky Brewster in the opening credits, while Leon Redbone sang the Mr. Belvedere theme.

It's been awhile but wasn't there an episode in which Tony Danza guest starred? Only he wasn't in character as Tony Micelli and it wasn't a crossover with Who's The Boss?

But I remember an episode where George is having a poker party at his house and the doorbell rings with Robert Goulet, Bubba Smith, Dick Butkus?, ...and then Tony Danza?

It's been awhile but wasn't there an episode in which Tony Danza guest starred? Only he wasn't in character as Tony Micelli and it wasn't a crossover with Who's The Boss?

But I remember an episode where George is having a poker party at his house and the doorbell rings with Robert Goulet, Bubba Smith, Dick Butkus?, ...and then Tony Danza?

I can't remember if he's in his "WTB?" character or not, but yes, he's in that episode.

Just saw today's episodes with Brian Robbins (Head Of The Class) and Jason Bateman both as Heather's boyfriends (in separate episodes).

Now Jason Bateman has a successful movie career but I wonder how many remember his childhood acting gigs.

Just saw today's episodes with Brian Robbins (Head Of The Class) and Jason Bateman both as Heather's boyfriends (in separate episodes).

Now Jason Bateman has a successful movie career but I wonder how many remember his childhood acting gigs.


I was out and missed the first ep, but I just watched the Jason Bateman ep! OMG he sure had nerve huh? He was BOLD!! Esp. after getting caught by Belvedere and coming back again! Plus George is a tough guy, I'd think a young guy would think twice before trying to fool around with his wife! :eek:

Good ep! Kept me laughing and entertained! :D I liked the side story of George trying to quit smoking and Mr. Belvedere giving up snacks! :D

Just saw today's episodes with Brian Robbins (Head Of The Class) and Jason Bateman both as Heather's boyfriends (in separate episodes).

Now Jason Bateman has a successful movie career but I wonder how many remember his childhood acting gigs.

I remember Jason Bateman as far back as his regular appearances as yet another adopted child of The Ingalls on the last season of Little House on the Prairie (not including the sequel series Little House: A New Beginning). He showed up on Silver Spoons the next season and has pretty much been acting steadily since then.

In the 90's I think Bateman was laying low for awhile he did have a forgotten sitcom with comedian Harland Williams on the up and coming WB network.


I was out and missed the first ep, but I just watched the Jason Bateman ep! OMG he sure had nerve huh? He was BOLD!! Esp. after getting caught by Belvedere and coming back again! Plus George is a tough guy, I'd think a young guy would think twice before trying to fool around with his wife!
I can't blame him I mean Ilene Graff was really attractive, my last two girlfriends were older than me too, but yeah Jason was really pushing it I would have slapped him a bit.

In the 90's I think Bateman was laying low for awhile he did have a forgotten sitcom with comedian Harland Williams on the up and coming WB network.

I can't blame him I mean Ilene Graff was really attractive, my last two girlfriends were older than me too, but yeah Jason was really pushing it I would have slapped him a bit.


Yes she is ! She's really cute! I could see where a young guy would crush on her, but Sean was a sleaze bag! She was a nice, decent married lady and the mother of a girl he was seeing! And after getting caught the first time and coming back in the house again like he did all smug, only to try it again! He really had a lot of nerve!:eek: but things like that really happen, and it was a good ep!;) I really like this show, it touches on some deep topics, but the humor stays in the show too! IMO one of the best comedy shows that centered around a family! Great cast, and the three kids really do seem/look like they could be siblings! ;)

A non-guest but crew-related people I recognize:

In the closing credits of the S1 episode "What I Did for Love," I recgonize Susan Harris as one of the script supervisors in the closing credits.

I was wondering if this is the same Susan Harris that went on to launch the hugely popular NBC sitcom "The Golden Girls" later on 1985 and the same Susan Harris that was still working on another early Mr. Belvedere Friday Night ABC stablemate in Benson at the time?

I also recognize writers Nancy Steen and Neil Thompson who also wrote a handful for Night Court episodes as well as a few Webster episodes.
I also recognized a few PBS veterans who worked behind the scenes as well. For instance, David F. Chen, who worked on the show as technical manager, was previously the first director of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood during the show's first two seasons on NET, credited under his full name of David Fu-Ying Chen. Also, Shelley Herman, who also worked on the show as script supervisor, and Robert Braithwaite, who was the show's production executive, both worked on Sesame Street at various times, the former as assistant to the producer, the latter as production supervisor. Braithwaite was also an associate producer on fellow CTW production 3-2-1 Contact. Stage manager Melinda Casey also worked on 3-2-1 Contact as associate director of the show's celebrity segments during the first season. Finally, editor Ed Brennan also worked on fellow CTW production Square One TV as editor of the program's Mathnet segments.

There were also a few PBS personalities who appeared on-camera instead. For instance, Luisa Leschin, whom guest starred in the season 4 episode "Kevin Nightingale", in which Kevin decides to choose nursing as a college major, playing a pregnant woman who needed her baby delivered fast, was an ensemble regular on Square One TV. Also, Sharon Howard, whom guest starred in the season 5 episode "The Dinner", in which Mr. Belvedere tries to help Marsha improve her cooking skills, playing the wife of a councilman Marsha is trying to impress, was, up until her passing, married to Joe Howard, whom also co-starred on Square One TV in the show's Mathnet segments as George Frankly, one of the detectives for the titular organization.

Of course, the biggest connection to CTW came from Ilene Graff, whose younger brother, Todd Graff, previously sang the theme song to Sesame Street when it first premiered in 1969, as well as playing Short Circus member Jesse during the final two seasons of fellow CTW production The Electric Company.

Of course, the previous season had a very young Fergie and Jason Bateman. It's so fun recognizing the guest stars!! :cool: :D

Amusingly, Brian Poth, who was also part of the Kids Incorporated cast from 1987-1988 as a backup dancer, before rejoining the show from 1992-1993 as a production associate, also guest starred on Mr. Belvedere as well. He appeared as Vincent in the season 2 episode, "The Play." Also, Dorain Grusman, who was Kids Incorporated's long time choreographer, also worked on Mr. Belvedere as choreographer for Heather and Angela's tap dance in the season 5 episode, "Pigskin." To top it all off, both shows shared a stage manager in Anita Cooper-Avrick.

More names I recognize are:

Brian Robbins - who would go on to star on another hit ABC sitcom in "Head of the Class" later on in the Fall of 1986 and one of the EP's of Nickelodeon's "All That," "Keenan and Kel" and "The Amanda Show."

Jason Bateman - of "Silver Spoons," "It's Your Move," and "Valerie/Valerie's Family/The Hogan Family," the lattermost of which was supposed to initially start in the Fall of 1985, but due to illness of one of the stars and script reworks, was pushed back to March 1986.

Amusingly, three of Bateman's It's Your Move co-stars: Caren Kaye, Tricia Cast, and Ernie Sabella, guested on Mr. Belvedere as well. Kaye appeared in the season 3 episode, "Baby", as a train station diner waitress whom Wesley meets after running away from home due to him thinking that Marsha didn't love him after hearing her say out loud that she didn't want him. Cast appeared in the season 1 episode, "What I Did for Love", as Jennifer Simpson, a girl interested in animal rights whom Kevin tries to impress by spray painting a mink coat, which lands him in jail for the day. Finally, Sabella appeared in the season 5 episode, "Roommates", as Mr. Palmer, the manager of a plumbing supplies company which Kevin goes to observe the operations there for his college business course, and ends up becoming roommates with the company's warehouse foreman, Casey O'Connell.

More names I recognize are:

Brian Robbins - who would go on to star on another hit ABC sitcom in "Head of the Class" later on in the Fall of 1986 and one of the EP's of Nickelodeon's "All That," "Keenan and Kel" and "The Amanda Show."

Jason Bateman - of "Silver Spoons," "It's Your Move," and "Valerie/Valerie's Family/The Hogan Family," the lattermost of which was supposed to initially start in the Fall of 1985, but due to illness of one of the stars and script reworks, was pushed back to March 1986.

Amusingly, three of Brian Robbins' fellow Nickelodeon personalities, Melanie Chartoff, Danny Cooksey, and Carlos LaCamara, also appeared on Mr. Belvedere as well. Chartoff, who appeared in the season 1 episode "What I Did for Love", playing the detective assigned to investigate Kevin when he lands in jail for spray painting a mink coat while trying to impress a girl who supports animal rights, was later the voice of Didi Pickles on Rugrats and its after program, All Grown Up!. Cooksey, who appeared in the season 2 episode "The Play", playing Tommy Sullivan, a boy who ends up supplanting Wesley in the lead role of the school production of H.M.S. Pinafore when Mr. Belvedere takes over as director, later played Robert Budnick on Salute Your Shorts. Finally, LaCamara, who appeared in the season 4 episode "Kevin Nightengale", playing the husband of a pregnant woman who needs her baby delivered fast, later played Ray Garcia on The Brothers Garcia.

I can't remember if he's in his "WTB?" character or not, but yes, he's in that episode.

He's just playing himself.

Amusingly, Brian Poth, who was also part of the Kids Incorporated cast from 1987-1988 as a backup dancer, before rejoining the show from 1992-1993 as a production associate, also guest starred on Mr. Belvedere as well. He appeared as Vincent in the season 2 episode, "The Play."
I went to grade school in Bakersfield, CA with Brian way back in the mid-80's, but I think he was a grade higher than me not sure as I've lost those yearbooks a long time ago.

We weren't friends or anything but I immediately recognized him in the background of that episode when it first aired.

I was out and missed the first ep, but I just watched the Jason Bateman ep! OMG he sure had nerve huh? He was BOLD!! Esp. after getting caught by Belvedere and coming back again! Plus George is a tough guy, I'd think a young guy would think twice before trying to fool around with his wife! :eek:

Good ep! Kept me laughing and entertained! :D I liked the side story of George trying to quit smoking and Mr. Belvedere giving up snacks! :D

Actually, you have them mixed around. The plot about George and Mr. Belvedere was actually the main plot and the story about Sean was the side plot.