TV Classics: Elyse Keaton or Nancy Lawrence Maitland - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

mstewart · 01-08-2011, 03:10 PM

Before she was Elyse Keaton Meredith Baxter Birney played the oldest daughter Nancy on the classic series Family. What role do you know her more for?

Whenever I saw Elyse Keaton I always saw Nancy Lawrence Maitland especially the first season when her hair was long the way it looked on Family.

catlover79 · 01-08-2011, 03:16 PM

As a kid growing up in the 80s, I grew up with MB as Elyse. It wasn't until I was an adult and checked out Family on DVD that I saw her as Nancy. Nancy was definitely the meatier role of the two. MB was Emmy-nominated for Family, and I don't think she ever was for FT.

Marvo301 · 01-08-2011, 05:10 PM

I know her more as Elyse Keaton but then I've never really seen Family.

Family Ties Forever! · 01-08-2011, 09:17 PM

Elyse.

mstewart · 01-08-2011, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

As a kid growing up in the 80s, I grew up with MB as Elyse. It wasn't until I was an adult and checked out Family on DVD that I saw her as Nancy. Nancy was definitely the meatier role of the two. MB was Emmy-nominated for Family, and I don't think she ever was for FT.

No she was not nominated for an Emmy for Family Ties. She was not a sitcom actress and it showed in many of her performances on the show. If it had not been for Michael J. FOx the show would had been cancelled. I did like the way her and Michael Gross played husband and wife on the show. Too bad more stories could had been written on their relationship. They looked as though they could had been married in real life.

catlover79 · 01-09-2011, 03:19 PM

Thanks for clarifying. Michael J. Fox was clearly the star of the show, but Michael Gross also had a terrific droll humor as Steven Keaton (i.e. the immortal line "there was a kangaroo...in my living room."

). But MB & MG did make a very convincing married couple and helped anchor the show.

dakert · 01-09-2011, 04:09 PM

Meredith to me will always be the girl on The Partridge Family and as Bridget of Bridget Loves Birney.

Edited: Please lets keep it clean.

Family Ties Forever! · 01-09-2011, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstewart

If it had not been for Michael J. FOx the show would had been cancelled. I did like the way her and Michael Gross played husband and wife on the show. Too bad more stories could had been written on their relationship. They looked as though they could had been married in real life.

I think MJF sometimes gets too much credit for his role on Family Ties. Yes, he was a big part of the show, but there were four and later on five main actors/actresses on the show [Meredith Baxter Birney, Michael Gross, Justine Bateman, Tina Yothers and Brian Bonsall]. Plus there were the other regular re-occuring stars (ie: Marc Price, Courteney Cox, Scott Valentine and Tracey Pollan). It was an ensemble cast who were, imo, great. Minus the Nick character of course, lol. I feel sorry for the other cast members who tended to get shoved aside because of MJF. I agree that MG and MBB should have had more storylines. I think too many storylines focused on MJF's character.

catlover79 · 01-09-2011, 09:19 PM

For those of you not familiar with Meredith on Family, I found a plethora of photos.

catlover79 · 01-09-2011, 09:25 PM

MB's real-life mother, Whitney Blake, was a guest star - as was her then-husband, David Birney. To top it off, none other than MJF guested in Family's final season in 1980.

catlover79 · 01-09-2011, 09:37 PM

Some more cast shots of the cast of Family - including the time they appeared on another "Family" show, Family Feud!

catlover79 · 01-09-2011, 09:50 PM

Some screen shots of Meredith as Nancy Lawrence Maitland (1976-80):

catlover79 · 01-09-2011, 10:05 PM

Meredith was nominated for two Emmys in the role, in 1977 and 1978 (Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Drama Series). The first time, she lost to her co-star, Kristy McNichol, and the second time was beaten out by Nancy Marchand (Lou Grant).

catlover79 · 01-09-2011, 10:11 PM

Meredith's character, Nancy Lawrence Maitland, was a divorced single mom. She moved into her parents' guesthouse and went through law school, finally becoming a lawyer like her father, Doug. Never lacking for a date, she still couldn't quite get her ex-husband and father of her little boy (Timmy), Jeff Maitland (John Rubenstein) out of her system.

Family Ties Forever! · 01-10-2011, 12:34 AM

Wow, this thread has taken a big turn. I think this belongs on the Family board instead.

01-08-2011, 03:10 PM	#1
mstewart mstewart Senior Member Join Date: Jan 25, 2002 Location: California Posts: 1,780	TV Classics: Elyse Keaton or Nancy Lawrence Maitland Before she was Elyse Keaton Meredith Baxter Birney played the oldest daughter Nancy on the classic series Family. What role do you know her more for? Whenever I saw Elyse Keaton I always saw Nancy Lawrence Maitland especially the first season when her hair was long the way it looked on Family.

01-08-2011, 03:16 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	As a kid growing up in the 80s, I grew up with MB as Elyse. It wasn't until I was an adult and checked out Family on DVD that I saw her as Nancy. Nancy was definitely the meatier role of the two. MB was Emmy-nominated for Family, and I don't think she ever was for FT.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

01-08-2011, 05:10 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,450	I know her more as Elyse Keaton but then I've never really seen Family.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

01-08-2011, 09:17 PM	#4
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,215	Elyse.
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01-09-2011, 04:09 PM	#7
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	Meredith to me will always be the girl on The Partridge Family and as Bridget of Bridget Loves Birney. Edited: Please lets keep it clean.
	Last edited by Family Ties Forever!; 01-09-2011 at 08:02 PM.

01-09-2011, 03:19 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Thanks for clarifying. Michael J. Fox was clearly the star of the show, but Michael Gross also had a terrific droll humor as Steven Keaton (i.e. the immortal line "there was a kangaroo...in my living room." ). But MB & MG did make a very convincing married couple and helped anchor the show.

01-09-2011, 09:19 PM	#9
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	For those of you not familiar with Meredith on Family, I found a plethora of photos. Attached Images

01-09-2011, 09:25 PM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	MB's real-life mother, Whitney Blake, was a guest star - as was her then-husband, David Birney. To top it off, none other than MJF guested in Family's final season in 1980. Attached Images

01-09-2011, 09:37 PM	#11
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Some more cast shots of the cast of Family - including the time they appeared on another "Family" show, Family Feud! Attached Images

01-09-2011, 09:50 PM	#12
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Some screen shots of Meredith as Nancy Lawrence Maitland (1976-80): Attached Images

01-09-2011, 10:05 PM	#13
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Meredith was nominated for two Emmys in the role, in 1977 and 1978 (Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Drama Series). The first time, she lost to her co-star, Kristy McNichol, and the second time was beaten out by Nancy Marchand (Lou Grant). Attached Images

01-09-2011, 10:11 PM	#14
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Meredith's character, Nancy Lawrence Maitland, was a divorced single mom. She moved into her parents' guesthouse and went through law school, finally becoming a lawyer like her father, Doug. Never lacking for a date, she still couldn't quite get her ex-husband and father of her little boy (Timmy), Jeff Maitland (John Rubenstein) out of her system. Attached Images

01-10-2011, 12:34 AM	#15
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,215	Wow, this thread has taken a big turn. I think this belongs on the Family board instead.