Going Places is an American television sitcom that aired on ABC from September 21, 1990, to March 8, 1991. The series stars Alan Ruck, Jerry Levine, Heather Locklear, and Hallie Todd as four young Hollywood writers renting a house together. It aired as part of the TGIF block. The series was created and executive produced by Robert Griffard and Howard Adler, and developed and executive produced by Thomas L. Miller and Robert L. Boyett for Miller-Boyett Productions, in association with Lorimar Television.
| Going Places | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Created by | Robert Griffard Howard Adler |
| Developed by | Thomas L. Miller Robert L. Boyett |
| Starring | Alan Ruck Jerry Levine Heather Locklear Hallie Todd Holland Taylor Staci Keanan J.D. Daniels Steve Vinovich Philip Charles MacKenzie |
| Theme music composer | Jesse Frederick Bennett Salvay |
| Opening theme | "Going Places", performed by Mark Lennon |
| Composers | Jesse Frederick Bennett Salvay |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 19 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Howard Adler Robert Griffard Thomas L. Miller Robert L. Boyett |
| Producers | Deborah Oppenheimer Ronny Hallin (pilot only) James O'Keefe (pilot only) Shari Hearn (episodes 13–19) Myron Nash |
| Camera setup | Film; Multi-camera |
| Running time | 22–24 minutes |
| Production companies | Miller-Boyett Productions Lorimar Television |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | September 21, 1990 – March 8, 1991 |
Cast
edit- The four writers
- Alan Ruck as Charlie Davis
- Jerry Levine as Jack Davis, Charlie's brother
- Heather Locklear as Alexandra "Alex" Burton
- Hallie Todd as Kate Griffin
- Supporting cast
- Holland Taylor as Dawn St. Claire, producer for the hidden camera television show Here's Looking at You
- Staci Keanan as Lindsay Bowen, a teenager who lives next door to the four writers
- J.D. Daniels as Nick Griffin, Kate's nephew
- Steve Vinovich as Dick Roberts, a daytime talk show host
- Philip Charles MacKenzie as Arnie Ross, Dick Roberts' producer
Episodes
edit| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | US viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Welcome to L.A." | Joel Zwick | Robert Griffard & Howard Adler | September 21, 1990 | 446501 | 19.7[1] |
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In the pilot, four young writers—brothers Charlie and Jack Davis, Alex Burton, and Kate Griffin—land jobs in Hollywood at the hidden-camera television show Here's Looking at You. The foursome ends up renting a house together from their show's executive producer Dawn St. Claire. Guest starring: Michael Rapposelli as Bruno Dobson, Michael Landers as Cop and Marianne Muellerleile as Woman | ||||||
| 2 | "Born to Be Mild" | Richard Correll | Rob Bragin | September 28, 1990 | 446502 | 16.1[2] |
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Charlie falls in love with Brie, an attractive new secretary at the production office of Here's Looking at You. Brie fails to notice Charlie until she sees him driving an expensive Porsche. Heeding his co-workers' advice, Charlie confesses that the Porsche is only a rental, and Brie walks out on him. They use the situation as the basis for a hidden-camera stunt on the show. Guest starring: Lisa Fuller as Brie, Michael Holt as Rolf and Ken Thorley as Victim | ||||||
| 3 | "Another Saturday Night" | Richard Correll | Robert Griffard & Howard Adler | October 5, 1990 | 446504 | 15.1[3] |
|
Charlie and Kate spend their Saturday nights playing Monopoly, so Jack and Alex encourage them to place personal ads to pep up their social lives. When Charlie meets his date at the restaurant, he discovers that it's Kate. They get a good laugh out of the awkward situation... and decide to go home and play Monopoly. Guest starring: Nancy Reed, Doug Dale, and Ron Fassler | ||||||
| 4 | "Clean Sweep" | Richard Correll | Robert Blair | October 12, 1990 | 446505 | 17.0[4] |
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Charlie, Alex, Kate, and Jack develop "writer's block" trying to come up with a good idea for a practical joke for the show. When they finally come up with a great idea, they find that the producer of a rival hidden-camera show is featuring the same idea they had. Everyone suspects one another of selling the idea, until they learn their maid is really an actress that was hired to spy on them. Guest starring: Bruce Jarchow as Peterson, Aaron Lustig as Gary, and Kathryn Marcopulous as Pennie | ||||||
| 5 | "Married to the Mob" | Richard Correll | Alan Eisenstock & Larry Mintz | October 26, 1990 | 446506 | 17.1[5] |
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Charlie fears for his life when he finds out that his blind date Donna is the wife of accused mobster Joey "The Icepick" Montaine. Donna leaves Joey and Charlie's roommates to try to rekindle the romance between her and her husband. Guest starring: Susan Diol as Donna Montaine, Tom La Grua as Joey "The Icepick" Montaine, and Sherry Hursey as Michelle | ||||||
| 6 | "Sex, Lies and Videotape" | Mark Linn-Baker | Rob Bragin | November 2, 1990 | 446507 | 15.7[6] |
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Charlie, Alex, Kate, and Jack stay up late to tape some new ideas for Here's Looking at You and start doing exaggerated, unflattering impressions of Dawn. When a messenger takes the tape, the quartet sneaks into her house to try to get it back before she finds out, but she comes home before they can. The next day, Dawn apologizes to the group for recording over their tape without watching it first. Guest starring: Craig Branham as Ronald | ||||||
| 7 | "Queen of Comedy" | Stewart A. Lyons | Maiya Williams | November 9, 1990 | 446508 | 16.7[7] |
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Kate's roommates worry when she starts falling asleep during meetings. They discover that she's moonlighting as a stand-up comic at a local club every night. When they see her routine, Charlie gets offended by her description of him and they fight. After an incident at an ATM, Charlie apologizes for his behavior and offers to write her some material. Guest starring: Marty Schiff and Cleto Augusto | ||||||
| 8 | "Thanksgiving Show" "The Bird's the Word" | Lee Shallat | Sheree Guitar | November 16, 1990 | 446509 | 17.6[8] |
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When a blizzard strands the roommates on Thanksgiving, everyone decides to pitch in to give Alex the big Thanksgiving dinner of her dreams. | ||||||
| 9 | "I Was a Teenage Bride" | Lee Shallat | Alan Eisenstock & Larry Mintz | November 23, 1990 | 446510 | 16.6[9] |
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When Charlie and Jack's 18-year-old brother visits from Chicago after breaking up with his girlfriend, he becomes infatuated with Lindsay. They decide to elope in Las Vegas and the roommates pursue them when they find out. Guest starring: Jonathan Ward as Jay Davis, Peter M. Wilcox as Rev. King, and Bonnie Urseth as Clerk | ||||||
| 10 | "Who's the Boss?" | Jack Shea | Alan Eisenstock & Larry Mintz | November 30, 1990 | 446503 | 17.6[10] |
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Jack is appointed as the new head writer of Here's Looking at You, annoying his friends when his new position goes right to his head. Charlie, Alex, and Kate conspire with Dawn to help teach Jack a lesson. Guest starring: Jeff Nowinski, Darlene Kardon, and Patrick Cronin | ||||||
| 11 | "Curse of the Video" | John Pasquin | Robert Griffard & Howard Adler | December 7, 1990 | 446511 | 17.4[11] |
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During the taping of a Here's Looking at You segment about superstition, Jack ridicules a professed witch, who puts a 5-part curse on him. As each part of the curse comes true, Charlie invites a psychic to the house to try to lift it. Guest starring: Belita Moreno as Madame Pushnik, John Durbin as Death, and Christine Healy as Woman | ||||||
| 12 | "Feud Poisoning" | Lee Shallat | Robert Blair | January 4, 1991 | 446512 | 18.1[12] |
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After the roommates agree to a truce following a massive practical-joke war, Alex and Kate find a burglar in the living room and think it's Charlie and Jack's final prank and treat the man like a guest. When Charlie and Jack come home, they tell the girls it's a real burglar, and the four hold him until the police arrive. Guest starring: Tom Kindle as Policeman, John Fleck as Burglar, and Andrea Walters as Reporter | ||||||
| 13 | "The New Job" | Richard Correll | Alan Eisenstock & Larry Mintz | January 11, 1991 | 446513 | 21.1[13] |
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The network cancels Here's Looking At You, leaving the roommates to seek new jobs. They become writers of a new daytime talk show hosted by the obnoxious Dick Roberts. The show's first guest is investigative author Jerry Slaughter, whom they lose moments before he is supposed to appear, so Charlie decides to take his place. The ruse backfires when the real Jerry Slaughter appears during the interview. The roommates, fearing they'll be fired, are surprised to receive praise for their ingenuity, and they keep their jobs. Guest starring: Christopher Gartin as Mortie Gallup, David Groh as Jerry Slaughter, Grant Moran as Announcer, and Judd Laurance as Floor Manager Note: Holland Taylor (Dawn St. Claire) makes her last appearance on the series; Steve Vinovich and Philip Charles MacKenzie join the cast as Dick Roberts and Arnie Ross, respectively. | ||||||
| 14 | "New Kid on the Block" "New Kid in Town" | Richard Correll | Robert Griffard & Howard Adler | January 18, 1991 | 446514 | 17.0[14] |
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Kate's brother sends his son, troublesome 8-year-old Nick, to visit her, then leaves a message that he's too busy to return for his son, and Kate and her roommates suddenly become unlikely full-time parents. Guest starring: Sav Farrow and I.M. Hobson Note: J.D. Daniels makes his first appearance in the role of Nick Griffin. | ||||||
| 15 | "Room to Move" | Lee Shallat | Rob Bragin | February 1, 1991 | 446515 | 19.0[15] |
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With Kate's nephew Nick now living with them, the new living situation severely cramps the roommates' carefree lifestyle, so Kate figures they're better off elsewhere and rents a dreary apartment. When they start to miss her, Charlie, Alex, and Jack decide to convert the attic into a bedroom for Nick so they'll move back into the beach house. Guest starring: Kristen Cloke as Krysten | ||||||
| 16 | "Don't Go Changing" | Richard Correll | Maiya Williams | February 8, 1991 | 446516 | 21.5[16] |
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Kate, Charlie, Alex, and Jack agree to babysit Dick's nerdy son Sam, but are unprepared for the hypochondriacal boy who arrives with a virtual pharmacy in his suitcase. Nick decides to turn the overprotected Sam into a regular kid by taking him out skateboarding. Sam breaks his leg, but he is happy because for the first time in his life he feels like a regular kid. Guest starring: Christopher Castile as Sam Roberts, Eric Freeman, Bernadette Bowman, and Mary Portser Note: Christopher Castile makes his first appearance in the role of Sam Roberts; Castile and series regular Staci Keanan (Lindsay Bowen) would later co-star in another Miller-Boyett-produced series Step by Step the following season. | ||||||
| 17 | "Take My Girlfriend, Please" | Lee Shallat | Shari Hearn | February 15, 1991 | 446517 | 22.0[17] |
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Jack's ex-girlfriend Wendy visits and insists that Charlie escort her around town; Charlie is thrilled when he meets the now-attractive Wendy, irritating his brother. In the end, Jack decides to put aside his ego for once and be glad Charlie's having a good time. Meanwhile, Sam is caught hiding Nick's cheat-sheets during a test and earns his respect by not using them. Guest starring: Christopher Castile as Sam Roberts, Edward Edwards as George Farrell, Margot Rose as Mrs. Umstead, and Darlene Vogel as Wendy Spencer | ||||||
| 18 | "Mommy Dearest" | Lee Shallat | Robert Griffard & Howard Adler | February 22, 1991 | 446518 | 15.3[18] |
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Nick is excited to see his favorite band in concert; Kate promised that she would take him, but ends up breaking that promise when she finds out that everyone must camp out in line overnight to get tickets, so Nick sneaks out of the house to get tickets himself. Kate, Alex, Charlie, and Jack go to bring Nick back home, but decide to stay in line and camp out for the night while they're there. Guest starring: Christopher Castile as Sam Roberts, Dena Dietrich as Claire Griffin, and Brett Miller as Brett | ||||||
| 19 | "The Camping Show" | Lee Shallat | Alan Eisenstock & Larry Mintz | March 8, 1991 | 446519 | 20.6[19] |
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Jack and Charlie take Nick and Sam's nature scout group on a camping weekend, but their inexperience with the nature scouts causes them to end up lost in the wilderness. Nick stands up for Sam after the boys in the scout group tease Sam for being a nerd. But Sam's intelligence saves them, as he leads the boys to civilization. Meanwhile, Arnie comes to the rescue of Alex, Kate and Lindsay when they become trapped in the exercise equipment that they were assembling as a surprise for Charlie. Guest starring: Christopher Castile as Sam Roberts, Rider Strong as David, Chris Babers as Joe, Jacob Kenner as Max Stone and Holly Gagnier as Pam Stone | ||||||
Broadcast and ratings
editGoing Places premiered on September 21, 1990 as the end of ABC's newly successful TGIF lineup, in the Friday 9:30/8:30c slot (#41[1]). The series was officially canceled in May 1991. The series returned on May 31, 1991 for six weeks of summer reruns (mostly of the episodes aired after the concept and character revamp), and last aired on July 5, 1991 (#34[citation needed]).
References
edit- Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle. The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946–Present, Random House, 2003. ISBN 0-345-45542-8
- ^ a b Donlon, Brian (September 26, 1990). "CBS has its eye on first". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
- ^ Donlon, Brian (October 3, 1990). "NBC wins; CBS still surprises". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
- ^ Sloan, Eugene (October 10, 1990). "NBC tops in ratings, barely". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
- ^ Sloan, Eugene (October 17, 1990). "For CBS, baseball's a grounder". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
- ^ Donlon, Brian (October 31, 1990). "CBS, no longer the long shot". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
- ^ Donlon, Brian (November 7, 1990). "NBC wins with fewer viewers". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
- ^ Donlon, Brian (November 14, 1990). "'Cheers' sweeps up for NBC". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
- ^ Donlon, Brian (November 21, 1990). "ABC pulls past CBS in sweeps". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
- ^ Donlon, Brian (November 28, 1990). "ABC's 'It' confirms competitors' fears". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
- ^ Donlon, Brian (December 5, 1990). "Ratings chill is setting in". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
- ^ Donlon, Brian (December 12, 1990). "ABC wins a sub-par week". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
- ^ Donlon, Brian (January 9, 1991). "ABC News' winning streak ends". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
- ^ Donlon, Brian (January 16, 1991). "NBC wins with season best". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
- ^ Donlon, Brian (January 23, 1991). "Football hikes CBS to No. 1". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
- ^ Donlon, Brian (February 6, 1991). "Where are the dominant series?". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
- ^ Donlon, Brian (February 13, 1991). "A good Friday fuels ABC win". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
- ^ Donlon, Brian (February 20, 1991). "CBS mines past and hits gold". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
- ^ Donlon, Brian (February 27, 1991). "NBC has a week of ratings ups and downs". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
- ^ Donlon, Brian (March 13, 1991). "'Baby Talk' helps ABC toddle past CBS to 2nd". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.