Family Ties
Overview
Family Ties is an American sitcom that aired on NBC
for seven seasons, from 1982 to 1989. The sitcom reflected the move in the United States
from the cultural liberalism of the 1960s and 1970s to the conservatism
of the 1980s. This was particularly expressed through the relationship between young Republican Alex P. Keaton
(Michael J. Fox
) and his former-hippie parents, Elyse and Steven Keaton (Meredith Baxter-Birney
and Michael Gross
). The show won multiple awards, including three consecutive Emmy Award
s for Michael J.
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
for seven seasons, from 1982 to 1989. The sitcom reflected the move in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from the cultural liberalism of the 1960s and 1970s to the conservatism
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
of the 1980s. This was particularly expressed through the relationship between young Republican Alex P. Keaton
Alex P. Keaton
Alex P. Keaton is a fictional character on the American television sitcom, Family Ties, which aired on NBC for seven seasons, from 1982 to 1989. Family Ties reflected the move in the United States away from the cultural liberalism of the 1960s and 1970s to the conservatism of the 1980s...
(Michael J. Fox
Michael J. Fox
Michael J. Fox, OC is a Canadian American actor, author, producer, activist and voice-over artist. With a film and television career spanning from the late 1970s, Fox's roles have included Marty McFly from the Back to the Future trilogy ; Alex P...
) and his former-hippie parents, Elyse and Steven Keaton (Meredith Baxter-Birney
Meredith Baxter
Meredith Baxter , also known for some years as Meredith Baxter-Birney, is an American actress and producer. She is known for her acting roles including three television series: Family , an ABC television-network drama, Family Ties , an NBC television-network situation comedy, and Dan Vs. , a...
and Michael Gross
Michael Gross (actor)
Michael Gross is an American television, movie, and stage actor who plays both comedic and dramatic roles. His most notable roles are as the father Steven Keaton from Family Ties and the Graboid hunter Burt Gummer from the Tremors franchise.-Early life:Gross was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son...
). The show won multiple awards, including three consecutive Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
s for Michael J.