On This Date in 1977: 'Eight is Enough' Debuted on ABC - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 03-15-2011, 01:08 AM

March 15th, 1977 - "Eight is Enough" premiers on ABC-TV

catlover79 · 03-15-2011, 01:13 AM

Several of the characters were played by different actors in the pilot: Kimberly Beck (Nancy), Chris English (Tommy), and most famously, Mark Hamill (David). I wonder if the show would've still been a success had they stayed on.

Marvo301 · 03-15-2011, 01:25 AM

This is a show I would love to see get released on DVD! As for the actors who only appeared in the pilot it's hard for me to imagine anyone other than Dianne Kay, Willie Aames, and Grant Goodeve in those roles!

biffbronson · 03-15-2011, 08:02 PM

It's still hard for me to accept that Lani O'Grady (Mary Bradford) is gone (1954-2001). Sept. 25, 2011 will mark the 10th anniversary of her death.

There have been several tragic losses among the Fedderson family of actors: Don Grady's loss of his sister Lani, the very untimely death of Anissa Jones (Family Affair), Brian Keith's suicide (and his real-life daughter's), and the more recent death of Gregg Fedderson (also of Family Affair) to name a few.

Eight is Enough's unavailable status as far as DVD release is a real omission of the era.

catlover79 · 03-15-2011, 09:28 PM

Lani was/is my favorite because I can relate to her - as a fellow sufferer of panic disorder. Plus, she seemed like such a sweetheart from everything I have heard and read about her. She was so much fun in the All-Star Family Feud episodes, now on DVD. God rest her.

P.S. You're so right. It IS a travesty that EIE is not available on DVD.

catlover79 · 03-15-2011, 09:30 PM

Here are a couple of screen shots from the pilot episode, featuring Mark Hamill and another wonderful lady gone from us too soon, Diana Hyland. It's so funny, because I can't imagine anyone else beside Grant Goodeve in the role of David.

comedyfreak · 03-16-2011, 04:06 AM

I loved and watched the show every week. Shout needs to get a hold of this great show and release it for the fans.

catlover79 · 03-16-2011, 01:01 PM

YES!!!!

old grouch · 03-16-2011, 01:24 PM

'Eight is Enough' was 70's cheese at its cheesiest, but it was a a great show and needs to be on DVD.

catlover79 · 03-17-2011, 04:25 AM

Exactly. It harkens back to those simpler days - and nostalgia. While they're at it, release the rest of Family!!!

steevo · 03-27-2011, 03:36 PM

^ I would also love to see this series on DVD. I would get all 5 seasons. I used to watch it when I was younger. Great show.

catlover79 · 03-28-2011, 01:58 AM

Here's another pic of the cast on Family Feud:

03-15-2011, 01:08 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	On This Date in 1977: 'Eight is Enough' Debuted on ABC March 15th, 1977 - "Eight is Enough" premiers on ABC-TV
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03-15-2011, 01:13 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Several of the characters were played by different actors in the pilot: Kimberly Beck (Nancy), Chris English (Tommy), and most famously, Mark Hamill (David). I wonder if the show would've still been a success had they stayed on.
	__________________ "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

03-15-2011, 01:25 AM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	This is a show I would love to see get released on DVD! As for the actors who only appeared in the pilot it's hard for me to imagine anyone other than Dianne Kay, Willie Aames, and Grant Goodeve in those roles!
	__________________ 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

03-15-2011, 08:02 PM	#4
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,604	It's still hard for me to accept that Lani O'Grady (Mary Bradford) is gone (1954-2001). Sept. 25, 2011 will mark the 10th anniversary of her death. There have been several tragic losses among the Fedderson family of actors: Don Grady's loss of his sister Lani, the very untimely death of Anissa Jones (Family Affair), Brian Keith's suicide (and his real-life daughter's), and the more recent death of Gregg Fedderson (also of Family Affair) to name a few. Eight is Enough's unavailable status as far as DVD release is a real omission of the era.
	__________________ In memory of lovely Erin Moran 1960-2017 ~ Missing you "For you are beautiful ~ And I have loved you dearly ~ More dearly than the spoken word can tell..." "What's the word?" (Paul Martin) ~~ "I don't want money for nothing." (Timmy Martin) -- Lassie ROCKS! WORD UP "It's just a dugout that my dad built... In case the reds* decide to push the button down..."*

03-15-2011, 09:28 PM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Lani was/is my favorite because I can relate to her - as a fellow sufferer of panic disorder. Plus, she seemed like such a sweetheart from everything I have heard and read about her. She was so much fun in the All-Star Family Feud episodes, now on DVD. God rest her. P.S. You're so right. It IS a travesty that EIE is not available on DVD. Attached Images

03-15-2011, 09:30 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Here are a couple of screen shots from the pilot episode, featuring Mark Hamill and another wonderful lady gone from us too soon, Diana Hyland. It's so funny, because I can't imagine anyone else beside Grant Goodeve in the role of David. Attached Images

03-16-2011, 04:06 AM	#7
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,061	I loved and watched the show every week. Shout needs to get a hold of this great show and release it for the fans.
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03-16-2011, 01:01 PM	#8
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	YES!!!!

03-16-2011, 01:24 PM	#9
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	'Eight is Enough' was 70's cheese at its cheesiest, but it was a a great show and needs to be on DVD.

03-17-2011, 04:25 AM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Exactly. It harkens back to those simpler days - and nostalgia. While they're at it, release the rest of Family!!!

03-27-2011, 03:36 PM	#11
steevo It is Green Senior Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,476	^ I would also love to see this series on DVD. I would get all 5 seasons. I used to watch it when I was younger. Great show.
	__________________ "God be gracious to us and bless us..." Psalm 67:1

03-28-2011, 01:58 AM	#12
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Here's another pic of the cast on Family Feud: Attached Images