Interesting Family Ties Facts - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

CliffClavin · 07-20-2004, 10:37 AM

Stars Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter share the same birthday: 21 June 1947. Gross was born in Chicago and Baxter was born in L.A.

Set in Columbus, Ohio.

The producers originally wanted Matthew Broderick to play Alex P. Keaton, but the actor had to decline the role when his father became terminally ill.

It was never revealed what the P in Alex P. Keaton stood for.

Alex's hero is Ronald Reagan.

Ed O'Neill was considered for the role of Steven Keaton.

The black labrador that appeared after the closing credits with the voice over Sit Ubu, sit was producer's Gary David Goldberg's dog, (Ubu).

The show was modeled after producer Gary David Goldberg and wife Diane's real-life experiences as former 'hippies' transforming into suburban family life.

Michael J. Fox added the P. in Alex P. Keaton as an ad-lib in his audition, the writers loved it and kept it. Michael J. Fox almost didn't get the role of Alex - due to the fact that NBC exec Brandon Tartikoff didn't find it believable that Meredith Baxter Birney and Michael Gross would have a son that was so short.

According to Michael J. Fox's last _Spin City (1996)_ episode, Alex P. Keaton became a Junior Congressman from Ohio.

One year before playing Michael J. Fox's father in Back to the Future, Crispin Glover played Alex P. Keaton's friend in the episode Birthday Boy.

When Meredith Baxter became pregnant during the hiatus between the second and third seasons, her pregnancy was written into the show. However, she still was written out of several episodes after giving birth to twins in real life.

Elyse's maiden name was Donelly.

Tom Hanks played Elise Keaton's brother Ned.

Alex was born in Africa when Elyse and Steven were serving in the Peace Corps.

Skippy was adopted as a baby by his parents.

Jennifer was born on Election Day 1972.

The name of the public television station that Stephen Worked for was WKS.

Alex attended leland university

Alex, Mallory and Skippy attended Harding High School, Jennifer went to Rudolph elementary

'Michael J. Fox' 's first audition was deemed terrible by 'Gary Goldberg' because Fox came off too smart-aleck. Casting director 'Judith Wiener' really liked Fox and begged Goldberg to see him a second time. Fox took a different approach, the audition went great, and Fox was offered the part.

The cast wanted to end the show with the entire Keaton family dying in a plane crash. They absolutely didn't want to do a reunion show in the future.

The character 'Steven Keaton' was ranked #12 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" (20 June 2004 issue).

Corleone23 · 07-20-2004, 08:01 PM

Did the cast seriously want them to die in a plane crash? Where is that info from, and does anyone know the details?

I want to see a reunion show. Alex P. Keaton could still be the star with Michael J. Fox.... I think Fox can perform fine but Alex Keaton would have to also have gotten that parkinsons disease. I don't know abou the other kids... I thought one or two were on drugs.

CliffClavin · 07-20-2004, 08:06 PM

Its true that they didn't want a reunion also they maybe jokin' a tad on that plane crash scenario.

Corleone23 · 08-07-2004, 02:29 AM

They only need Michael J. Fox, and the parents to make it good. Have Tom Hanks make a cameo.

I think Bonsall and Bateman were on drugs....

The Modfather · 08-12-2004, 02:31 PM

Thoes are some cool facts! Thanks a lot!

Family Ties Forever! · 10-17-2011, 12:19 AM

It's hard to picture Ed O'Neal as Steven Keaton.

FanofRetroTV · 02-17-2012, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corleone23

Did the cast seriously want them to die in a plane crash? Where is that info from, and does anyone know the details?

I want to see a reunion show. Alex P. Keaton could still be the star with Michael J. Fox.... I think Fox can perform fine but Alex Keaton would have to also have gotten that parkinsons disease. I don't know abou the other kids... I thought one or two were on drugs.

I heard of that alright, but I thought they were kidding. Its understandable that they didn't want a reunion. Most reunions are badddddd!

ARL123 · 02-12-2013, 11:25 PM

Glad that they never did a reunion show. They are all different now and the uniquness of the show woud never be able to be recaptured.

Family Ties Forever! · 02-12-2013, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FanofRetroTV

I heard of that alright, but I thought they were kidding. Its understandable that they didn't want a reunion. Most reunions are bad!

They were only kidding.

It was interesting th see the cast on the Today show a few years ago and they also reunited on the 9th annual TV Land awards.

Jamey Greek · 03-03-2013, 07:27 PM

Michael Gross was on the premiere Pat Sajak's talk show in 1989, Gross made it clear he and the cast didn't want to do a reunion.

07-20-2004, 10:37 AM	#1
CliffClavin Yada Yada Yada Senior Member Join Date: May 04, 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,403	Interesting Family Ties Facts Stars Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter share the same birthday: 21 June 1947. Gross was born in Chicago and Baxter was born in L.A. Set in Columbus, Ohio. The producers originally wanted Matthew Broderick to play Alex P. Keaton, but the actor had to decline the role when his father became terminally ill. It was never revealed what the P in Alex P. Keaton stood for. Alex's hero is Ronald Reagan. Ed O'Neill was considered for the role of Steven Keaton. The black labrador that appeared after the closing credits with the voice over Sit Ubu, sit was producer's Gary David Goldberg's dog, (Ubu). The show was modeled after producer Gary David Goldberg and wife Diane's real-life experiences as former 'hippies' transforming into suburban family life. Michael J. Fox added the P. in Alex P. Keaton as an ad-lib in his audition, the writers loved it and kept it. Michael J. Fox almost didn't get the role of Alex - due to the fact that NBC exec Brandon Tartikoff didn't find it believable that Meredith Baxter Birney and Michael Gross would have a son that was so short. According to Michael J. Fox's last _Spin City (1996)_ episode, Alex P. Keaton became a Junior Congressman from Ohio. One year before playing Michael J. Fox's father in Back to the Future, Crispin Glover played Alex P. Keaton's friend in the episode Birthday Boy. When Meredith Baxter became pregnant during the hiatus between the second and third seasons, her pregnancy was written into the show. However, she still was written out of several episodes after giving birth to twins in real life. Elyse's maiden name was Donelly. Tom Hanks played Elise Keaton's brother Ned. Alex was born in Africa when Elyse and Steven were serving in the Peace Corps. Skippy was adopted as a baby by his parents. Jennifer was born on Election Day 1972. The name of the public television station that Stephen Worked for was WKS. Alex attended leland university Alex, Mallory and Skippy attended Harding High School, Jennifer went to Rudolph elementary 'Michael J. Fox' 's first audition was deemed terrible by 'Gary Goldberg' because Fox came off too smart-aleck. Casting director 'Judith Wiener' really liked Fox and begged Goldberg to see him a second time. Fox took a different approach, the audition went great, and Fox was offered the part. The cast wanted to end the show with the entire Keaton family dying in a plane crash. They absolutely didn't want to do a reunion show in the future. The character 'Steven Keaton' was ranked #12 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" (20 June 2004 issue).
	__________________ We owe a lot to Thomas Edison - if it wasn't for him, we'd be watching television by candlelight. - Milton Berle

10-17-2011, 12:19 AM	#6
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	It's hard to picture Ed O'Neal as Steven Keaton.
	__________________ Jenny

02-12-2013, 11:25 PM	#8
ARL123 ARL123 Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 12, 2013 Location: Chatham, NJ Posts: 95	They would all be different now! Glad that they never did a reunion show. They are all different now and the uniquness of the show woud never be able to be recaptured.

03-03-2013, 07:27 PM	#10
Jamey Greek Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 28, 2001 Location: Elba Alabama USA Posts: 877	Michael Gross was on the premiere Pat Sajak's talk show in 1989, Gross made it clear he and the cast didn't want to do a reunion.
	__________________ Jamey Greek

07-20-2004, 08:01 PM	#2
Corleone23 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 20, 2004 Posts: 22	Did the cast seriously want them to die in a plane crash? Where is that info from, and does anyone know the details? I want to see a reunion show. Alex P. Keaton could still be the star with Michael J. Fox.... I think Fox can perform fine but Alex Keaton would have to also have gotten that parkinsons disease. I don't know abou the other kids... I thought one or two were on drugs.

07-20-2004, 08:06 PM	#3
CliffClavin Yada Yada Yada Senior Member Join Date: May 04, 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,403	Its true that they didn't want a reunion also they maybe jokin' a tad on that plane crash scenario.

08-07-2004, 02:29 AM	#4
Corleone23 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 20, 2004 Posts: 22	They only need Michael J. Fox, and the parents to make it good. Have Tom Hanks make a cameo. I think Bonsall and Bateman were on drugs....

08-12-2004, 02:31 PM	#5
The Modfather It Sure Does Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jul 12, 2003 Location: canada Posts: 21,149	Thoes are some cool facts! Thanks a lot!