House Calls (TV series)
Encyclopedia
House Calls is an American sitcom that lasted three seasons and 57 episodes, from December 17, 1979 to May 27, 1982, on CBS
television, produced by Universal Television
and based upon the 1978 feature film of the same name.
), as hospital administrator, had three unruly doctors to cope with, and the comedy arose from their interactions. Dr. Charley Michaels (Wayne Rogers
) became the main problem for her, because of the romantic angle. She always pulled herself up short just before falling hopelessly in love with him. Dr. Solomon (Ray Buktenica
) was junior to Dr. Michaels and was his pal, and he would counterbalance Dr. Michaels's headstrong ways, almost a double act
. But elderly Dr. Weatherby (David Wayne
) was senior to them all, close to retirement and with a mean streak, which meant that the others were often taking a rise out of the old fellow. The best he could do was to irritate Solomon by constantly getting his name wrong while going his own way.
Other characters who were part of the series were Head Nurse Bradley (Aneta Corsaut
), a sympathetic and level-headed influence, Mrs. Phipps (Deedy Peters), a somewhat over-the-hill but enthusiastic candystriper, always forcing her good intentions upon unwilling patients, and Conrad Peckler (Mark L. Taylor
), who was brought in as the arch villain of the piece to bring order to the hospital, hated by all.
During the last 13 episodes, after Ann had suddenly returned to England, her replacement was Jane Jeffries (Sharon Gless
), who had a similar love/hate relationship with Dr. Michaels.
Universal replaced Redgrave with Sharon Gless
who was then under a 10-year contract with Universal, but the replacement did not help the ratings, and the series was ultimately cancelled by early 1982. Gless would go on to Cagney and Lacey the following year.
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...
television, produced by Universal Television
NBC Universal Television
NBCUniversal Television Group is an American and global television production/distribution company and a subsidiary of NBCUniversal.The company is composed of six divisions: Universal Television , NBC Universal Television Stations, NBCUniversal Television Distribution, NBCUniversal...
and based upon the 1978 feature film of the same name.
Scenario
British-born Ann Atkinson (Lynn RedgraveLynn Redgrave
Lynn Rachel Redgrave, OBE was an English actress.A member of the well-known British family of actors, Redgrave trained in London before making her theatrical debut in 1962...
), as hospital administrator, had three unruly doctors to cope with, and the comedy arose from their interactions. Dr. Charley Michaels (Wayne Rogers
Wayne Rogers
William Wayne McMillan Rogers III is an American film and television actor, best known for playing the role of 'Trapper John' McIntyre in the U.S...
) became the main problem for her, because of the romantic angle. She always pulled herself up short just before falling hopelessly in love with him. Dr. Solomon (Ray Buktenica
Ray Buktenica
Ray Buktenica is an American film and television character actor. He has played numerous roles, primarily on television since 1972. He is best known for playing the character Benny, the boyfriend and later fiance of Brenda on the hit-1970s sitcom Rhoda and Jerry Berkson, Patti Lupone's boss on...
) was junior to Dr. Michaels and was his pal, and he would counterbalance Dr. Michaels's headstrong ways, almost a double act
Double act
A double act, also known as a comedy duo, is a comic pairing in which humor is derived from the uneven relationship between two partners, usually of the same gender, age, ethnic origin and profession, but drastically different personalities or behavior...
. But elderly Dr. Weatherby (David Wayne
David Wayne
David Wayne was an American actor with a career spanning nearly 50 years.-Early life and career:...
) was senior to them all, close to retirement and with a mean streak, which meant that the others were often taking a rise out of the old fellow. The best he could do was to irritate Solomon by constantly getting his name wrong while going his own way.
Other characters who were part of the series were Head Nurse Bradley (Aneta Corsaut
Aneta Corsaut
Aneta Louise Corsaut was an American actress. She is best known for playing Helen Crump on The Andy Griffith Show ....
), a sympathetic and level-headed influence, Mrs. Phipps (Deedy Peters), a somewhat over-the-hill but enthusiastic candystriper, always forcing her good intentions upon unwilling patients, and Conrad Peckler (Mark L. Taylor
Mark L. Taylor
Mark L. Taylor is an American actor. He was born in Syracuse, New York.Taylor has appeared in various shows such as Seinfeld, Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place, Chicago Hope, Ally McBeal and Boston Legal...
), who was brought in as the arch villain of the piece to bring order to the hospital, hated by all.
During the last 13 episodes, after Ann had suddenly returned to England, her replacement was Jane Jeffries (Sharon Gless
Sharon Gless
Sharon Marguerite Gless is an American character actress of stage, film and television, who is best known for her roles as Maggie Philbin on Switch , as Sgt. Christine Cagney in the police procedural drama series Cagney & Lacey and as Debbie Novotny in the Showtime cable television series Queer...
), who had a similar love/hate relationship with Dr. Michaels.
Controversy and cancellation
Lynn Redgrave was fired from the series, following the birth of her new child. She insisted in bringing her daughter to work, especially because she wanted to be able to breast-feed the baby on schedule, but this was interpreted by the studio as holding out for more money while being disruptive to shooting requirements. Redgrave sued Universal for breaking her existing contract, but she never was rehired, and the suit was dismissed several years later.Universal replaced Redgrave with Sharon Gless
Sharon Gless
Sharon Marguerite Gless is an American character actress of stage, film and television, who is best known for her roles as Maggie Philbin on Switch , as Sgt. Christine Cagney in the police procedural drama series Cagney & Lacey and as Debbie Novotny in the Showtime cable television series Queer...
who was then under a 10-year contract with Universal, but the replacement did not help the ratings, and the series was ultimately cancelled by early 1982. Gless would go on to Cagney and Lacey the following year.
Nielsen ratings
| Season | Ranking |
|---|---|
| 1979-80 | #14 |
| 1980-81 | #8 |
| 1981-82 | #23 |