Goodnight, Beantown
Encyclopedia
Goodnight, Beantown is an American
sitcom
that aired on CBS
for two brief seasons in 1983 and 1984.
as Matt Cassidy and Mariette Hartley
as Jennifer Barnes, two news anchors at a fictional Boston, Massachusetts television station. Matt is a longtime fixture at WYN-TV, but when the ratings for his news broadcast begin to drop, the station pairs the reluctant host with a female co-anchor. The series follows their rocky relationship. Co-stars included Tracey Gold
and George Coe
.
Bixby and Hartley had previously worked together in an episode of The Incredible Hulk, and at the time of making Goodnight, Beantown, Hartley was appearing in a series of television commercials for Polaroid
cameras with James Garner
.
The series first aired in the spring of 1983 for a limited run of five episodes. When it returned in the fall, it lasted 13 more episodes before being cancelled due to low ratings.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sitcom
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...
that aired on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
for two brief seasons in 1983 and 1984.
Synopsis
The series starred Bill BixbyBill Bixby
Wilfred Bailey Everett “Bill” Bixby III was an American film and television actor, director, and frequent game show panelist.His career spanned over three decades; he appeared on stage, in motion pictures and TV series...
as Matt Cassidy and Mariette Hartley
Mariette Hartley
Mary Loretta "Mariette" Hartley is an American character actress.-Personal life:Hartley was born in Weston, Connecticut, the daughter of Mary Ickes “Polly” , a manager and saleswoman, and Paul Hembree Hartley, an account executive. Her maternal grandfather was psychologist John B...
as Jennifer Barnes, two news anchors at a fictional Boston, Massachusetts television station. Matt is a longtime fixture at WYN-TV, but when the ratings for his news broadcast begin to drop, the station pairs the reluctant host with a female co-anchor. The series follows their rocky relationship. Co-stars included Tracey Gold
Tracey Gold
Tracey Gold is an American actress and former child star best known for playing Carol Seaver on the 1980s sitcom Growing Pains. In early 2009, she co-hosted with Fred Roggin on the live show GSN Live.-Early life:...
and George Coe
George Coe
George Coe is an American film, stage, and television actor. He is best known for having been a cast member on the first three episodes of Saturday Night Live, as well as for his work on various television shows.-Career:...
.
Bixby and Hartley had previously worked together in an episode of The Incredible Hulk, and at the time of making Goodnight, Beantown, Hartley was appearing in a series of television commercials for Polaroid
Polaroid Corporation
Polaroid Corporation is an American-based international consumer electronics and eyewear company, originally founded in 1937 by Edwin H. Land. It is most famous for its instant film cameras, which reached the market in 1948, and continued to be the company's flagship product line until the February...
cameras with James Garner
James Garner
James Garner is an American film and television actor, one of the first Hollywood actors to excel in both media. He has starred in several television series spanning a career of more than five decades...
.
The series first aired in the spring of 1983 for a limited run of five episodes. When it returned in the fall, it lasted 13 more episodes before being cancelled due to low ratings.
Cast
- Bill Bixby...Matt Cassidy
- Mariette Hartley...Jennifer Barnes
- George Coe...Dick Novak
- Tracey Gold...Susan Barnes
- G. W. BaileyG. W. BaileyGeorge William "G.W." Bailey is an American stage, television and film actor. Although he appeared in many dramatic roles, he may be best remembered for his "crusty" comedic characters such as Staff Sergeant Luther Rizzo in M*A*S*H ; Lieutenant—and later, Captain—Thaddeus Harris in Police Academy...
...Albert Addelson - Stephanie FaracyStephanie FaracyStephanie Faracy is an American film and television actress.Faracy was born in Brooklyn, New York. One of her earliest notable roles was as Mary Carson's servant "Judy", in the 1983 television mini-series The Thorn Birds.Faracy also appeared with Frankie Faison and Nancy Walker in True Colors , a...
...Valerie Wood - Charles LevinCharles Levin (actor)Charles Levin is an American actor who has appeared in television and movies and on stage. He is best known for the role of Elliot Novak on the series Alice having become a regular in the show's 9th season and the recurring role of Eddie Gregg on Hill Street Blues from 1982 to 1986.-Life and...
...Sam Holliday - Jim Staahl...Frank Fletcher
- Todd SusmanTodd SusmanTodd Susman is an American actor. His better-known roles include Officer Shifflett on Newhart and the unseen P.A. system announcer on the television series M*A*S*H, a role he shared with Sal Viscuso...
...Augie Kleindab
Season 1
| Episode # | Production Code | Episode Title | Airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 167901 | Pilot | April 2, 1983 |
| 2 | 167902 | "The Out-of-Towner" | April 9, 1983 |
| 3 | 167904 | "The Source" | April 16, 1983 |
| 4 | 167903 | "Custody" | April 23, 1983 |
| 5 | 167905 | "Please Stand By" | April 30, 1983 |
Season 2
| Episode # | Production Code | Episode Title | Airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 185334 | "Hooking for Mister Goodbar" | October 1, 1983 |
| 7 | 185333 | "What's Good for the Goose" | October 8, 1983 |
| 8 | 185331 | "A Felon Needs a Girl" | October 15, 1983 |
| 9 | 185332 | "Invasions of Privacy" | October 22, 1983 |
| 10 | 185335 | "Popsicle" | October 29, 1983 |
| 11 | 185336 | "Our Man in the Slammer" | November 5, 1983 |
| 12 | 185338 | "Looking Forward to the Past" | November 12, 1983 |
| 13 | 185338 | "Happy Medium" | November 19, 1983 |
| 14 | 185340 | "Valerie's Fan" | December 3, 1983 |
| 15 | 185337 | "An Old Flame Flickers" | December 17, 1983 |
| 16 | 185341 | "Peace on Earth (aka Deadline)" | January 4, 1984 |
| 17 | 185342 | "The Consumer's Best Friend" | January 11, 1984 |
| 18 | 185343 | "Lost and Foundering" | January 18, 1984 |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 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... |
Nominated | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Mariette Hartley |
| 1984 | Young Artist Award Young Artist Award The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist... |
Winner | Best Young Actress in a New Television Series | Tracey Gold |
| Best New Television Series | |
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