Down to Earth (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Down to Earth was an American
fantasy situation comedy
series that ran on Superstation TBS from 1984
to 1987
. It was produced by Procter & Gamble Productions
and was the superstation's first original series.
The Prestons are a typical modern-day family with modern-day situations: widowed father Richard is a realtor; older son Duane is very class-conscious; daughter Lissy is very opinionated; J.J. (the youngest) just wants someone who can fill their late mother's void. It's J.J.'s prayer that an angel would come into their lives that summons Ethel, and J.J. is the only one who knows her true identity.
Infiltrating the household as housekeeper/maid, Ethel is clueless about even the simplest conveniences of modern-day life. J.J. helps cover for her when it comes to adapting to the newfangled inventions of the past 60 years, and she eventually wins over the Prestons by helping them deal with their problems.
Popping in from time to time is their ditzy (and attractive) next door neighbor Candy Carlysle, who became a regular character in 1985.
In addition to her earthly employer, Ethel is under the constant eye of her heavenly boss (and their successors), who watch her every move—and her every mistake. Her first overseer, Mr. Divine, kept a close eye on her. He was later replaced by the very concerned Lester Luster, followed by her ex-fiance/con-man Jake, with the outrageous Stanley McCloud (played by Rip Taylor
) taking over in the show's final years.
replaced another actor in the same role.
The series was co-created by Star Search
winner, singer, actor and AIDS
activist Sam Harris
. Harris wrote several episodes of the show.
In addition to having run on TBS, it also had subsequent runs on Good Life TV in 2007.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
fantasy situation comedy
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
series that ran on Superstation TBS from 1984
1984 in television
This article is a list of television-related events in 1984.-Events:*January 9 – Wendy's "Fluffy Bun" ad first airs, which propels Clara Peller and her "Where's the beef?" catchphrase to national prominence....
to 1987
1987 in television
The year 1987 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1987.For American TV schedule, see: 1987–88 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:...
. It was produced by Procter & Gamble Productions
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble is a Fortune 500 American multinational corporation headquartered in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio and manufactures a wide range of consumer goods....
and was the superstation's first original series.
Premise
The series revolved around Ethel MacDoogan, a free-spirited gal from the roarin' 1920s. Unfortunately (as told in the lyrics to the show's theme song), that would all come to an end for Ethel in 1925 when "...she was struck down by a trolley, golly." Ethel waits in Heaven for 60 years for a chance to earn her wings, until finally she is sent to earth in the 1980s to help the Preston family.The Prestons are a typical modern-day family with modern-day situations: widowed father Richard is a realtor; older son Duane is very class-conscious; daughter Lissy is very opinionated; J.J. (the youngest) just wants someone who can fill their late mother's void. It's J.J.'s prayer that an angel would come into their lives that summons Ethel, and J.J. is the only one who knows her true identity.
Infiltrating the household as housekeeper/maid, Ethel is clueless about even the simplest conveniences of modern-day life. J.J. helps cover for her when it comes to adapting to the newfangled inventions of the past 60 years, and she eventually wins over the Prestons by helping them deal with their problems.
Popping in from time to time is their ditzy (and attractive) next door neighbor Candy Carlysle, who became a regular character in 1985.
In addition to her earthly employer, Ethel is under the constant eye of her heavenly boss (and their successors), who watch her every move—and her every mistake. Her first overseer, Mr. Divine, kept a close eye on her. He was later replaced by the very concerned Lester Luster, followed by her ex-fiance/con-man Jake, with the outrageous Stanley McCloud (played by Rip Taylor
Rip Taylor
Charles Elmer "Rip" Taylor, Jr. is an American actor and comedian.-Early life:Taylor was born in Washington, D.C., the son of Elizabeth, a waitress, and Charles Elmer Taylor, Sr., a musician. As a young man, Taylor served in the Korean War while in the U.S...
) taking over in the show's final years.
Production notes
The series made several changes to its cast. Besides the ethereal bosses, it changed the earthly father as well, becoming the second series in which Dick SargentDick Sargent
Richard Stanford Cox , known professionally as Dick Sargent, was an American actor, notable as the second actor to portray Darrin Stephens on the television series Bewitched...
replaced another actor in the same role.
The series was co-created by Star Search
Star Search
Star Search is a television show that was produced from 1983-95, hosted by Ed McMahon, and created by Alfred Masini. A relaunch was produced in 2003-04. The show was originally filmed at the old Earl Carroll Theatre at 6230 Sunset Blvd...
winner, singer, actor and AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
activist Sam Harris
Sam Harris (singer)
Sam Harris is an American pop and musical theatre recording artist as well as a television, stage and film actor.-Singing:...
. Harris wrote several episodes of the show.
In addition to having run on TBS, it also had subsequent runs on Good Life TV in 2007.
Cast
- Carol MansellCarol MansellCarol Mansell is an American film and television actress, most notable for her first television role: Ethel MacDoogan, the main character in the sitcom Down to Earth, running on TBS from 1983 to 1987....
(Ethel MacDoogan) - Stephen Johnson (Richard Preston, 1984)
- Dick SargentDick SargentRichard Stanford Cox , known professionally as Dick Sargent, was an American actor, notable as the second actor to portray Darrin Stephens on the television series Bewitched...
(Richard Preston, 1984-1987) - David KaufmanDavid Kaufman (actor)David Kaufman is an American voice-over artist and character actor, best known for his roles as the voice of Danny Fenton on Danny Phantom, the voice of Maggie's brother Aldrin on The Buzz on Maggie, and the voice of Marty McFly, Michael J...
(Duane Preston) - Kyle RichardsKyle RichardsKyle Egan Richards is an American actress and television personality. She is known for returning to television with her sister, Kim Richards, on Bravo's The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.-Early life:...
(Elizabeth "Lissy" Preston) - Randy JosselynRandy JosselynRandy Josselyn is an American recurring character actor whose TV appearances include Undessed, 7th Heaven, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Picket Fences and Full House.-Early life and education:...
(Jay Jay Preston) - Marla Rubinoff (Candy Carlysle, 1985-1987)
- Lester Fletcher (Mr. Divine, 1984)
- Ronnie SchellRonnie SchellRonald Ralph "Ronnie" Schell is an American actor, stand-up comedian and cartoon voice actor . Early in his career he appeared as himself as a contestant on You Bet Your Life opposite Groucho Marx, demonstrating a comic barrage of jive talk.-Life and career:Schell was born in Richmond, California...
(Lester Luster, 1984-1985) - Michael DeLanoMichael DelanoMichael Delano is an American actor who portrayed Walsh, Terry Benedict's casino manager in the movie Ocean's Eleven and its sequel Ocean's Twelve. He also portrayed Dr. Mark Dante in General Hospital , and he is known for his short role as Forrestal in the 1985 movie Commando.-External links:*...
(Jake Fiore, 1985-1986) - Rip TaylorRip TaylorCharles Elmer "Rip" Taylor, Jr. is an American actor and comedian.-Early life:Taylor was born in Washington, D.C., the son of Elizabeth, a waitress, and Charles Elmer Taylor, Sr., a musician. As a young man, Taylor served in the Korean War while in the U.S...
(Stanley McCloud, 1985-1987)