Muggsy (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Muggsy was a Saturday morning live action television program that aired on NBC
in 1976-1977.
, the show centered around Margaret “Muggsy” Malloy (Sarah MacDonnell), who lived with her older brother Nick (Ben Masters), a cab driver, in a furnished truck converted into an apartment, behind a gas station. The show followed Muggsy’s life in the inner city
and the problems she faced growing up, including drugs
and gang
s. Muggsy was one of few Saturday morning shows that dealt with the contemporary issues of the time.
David Clayton-Thomas
of Blood, Sweat & Tears
sang the theme song.
, which was entering its third season, and four other new shows: Monster Squad
, McDuff, the Talking Dog
, Big John, Little John
and The Kids from C.A.P.E.R.
Muggsy was cancelled in April 1977; The Kids from C.A.P.E.R. replaced it after being put on hiatus during a shakeup of the lineup in November, 1976, in which McDuff, the Talking Dog was cancelled. None of the other shows returned for the start of the 1977-78 television season. Though 13 episodes were made, only 12 of them aired.
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...
in 1976-1977.
Synopsis
Filmed on location in Bridgeport, ConnecticutBridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in Fairfield County, the city had an estimated population of 144,229 at the 2010 United States Census and is the core of the Greater Bridgeport area...
, the show centered around Margaret “Muggsy” Malloy (Sarah MacDonnell), who lived with her older brother Nick (Ben Masters), a cab driver, in a furnished truck converted into an apartment, behind a gas station. The show followed Muggsy’s life in the inner city
Inner city
The inner city is the central area of a major city or metropolis. In the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland, the term is often applied to the lower-income residential districts in the city centre and nearby areas...
and the problems she faced growing up, including drugs
Narcotic
The term narcotic originally referred medically to any psychoactive compound with any sleep-inducing properties. In the United States of America it has since become associated with opioids, commonly morphine and heroin and their derivatives, such as hydrocodone. The term is, today, imprecisely...
and gang
Gang
A gang is a group of people who, through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage, share a common identity. In current usage it typically denotes a criminal organization or else a criminal affiliation. In early usage, the word gang referred to a group of workmen...
s. Muggsy was one of few Saturday morning shows that dealt with the contemporary issues of the time.
David Clayton-Thomas
David Clayton-Thomas
David Clayton-Thomas is a Canadian musician and singer best known as the lead vocalist for the American band; Blood, Sweat & Tears...
of Blood, Sweat & Tears
Blood, Sweat & Tears
Blood, Sweat & Tears is an American music group, originally formed in 1967 in New York City. Since its beginnings in 1967, the band has gone through numerous iterations with varying personnel and has encompassed a multitude of musical styles...
sang the theme song.
Broadcast history
At the start of the 1976-77 television season, Muggsy was part of a three-hour block of six live action shows that aired Saturday mornings on NBC, alongside Land of the LostLand of the Lost (1974 TV series)
Land of the Lost is a children's television series co-created and produced by Sid and Marty Krofft. During its original run, it was broadcast on the NBC television network....
, which was entering its third season, and four other new shows: Monster Squad
Monster Squad
Monster Squad is a television series that aired Saturday mornings on NBC from 1976-1977 that is unrelated to the later movie of the same name....
, McDuff, the Talking Dog
McDuff, the Talking Dog
McDuff, The Talking Dog was a Saturday morning live action television program that aired on NBC in 1976. The show centered around the ghost of a 100-year-old sheepdog who used to live in the home now owned by a veterinarian, Dr. Calvin Campbell . McDuff could talk not only to the other animals,...
, Big John, Little John
Big John, Little John
Big John, Little John is an American Saturday morning sitcom produced by Sherwood Schwartz which stars Robbie Rist as Little John, and Herb Edelman as Big John. The show first aired on September 11, 1976 on NBC, and ran for one season of 13 episodes...
and The Kids from C.A.P.E.R.
The Kids From C.A.P.E.R.
The Kids From C.A.P.E.R. is a Saturday morning live action television comedy series for children, produced by NBC, that aired from September 11, 1976 to November 20, 1976 and resumed from April 9, 1977 to September 3, 1977. The 13 episodes were produced and directed by Stanley Z. Cherry; among the...
Muggsy was cancelled in April 1977; The Kids from C.A.P.E.R. replaced it after being put on hiatus during a shakeup of the lineup in November, 1976, in which McDuff, the Talking Dog was cancelled. None of the other shows returned for the start of the 1977-78 television season. Though 13 episodes were made, only 12 of them aired.
Cast
- Sarah MacDonnell as Margaret "Muggsy" Malloy
- Ben MastersBen MastersBen Masters is an American actor who is best known for his portrayal of Julian Crane on daytime drama Passions from July 8, 1999 to the show's final episode on August 7, 2008.-Acting career:...
as Nick Malloy - Paul MichaelPaul MichaelPaul Michael was an American actor best known for his role as TJ, the hapless boss of a burger bar in children's television show 'Spatz'. He was a regular guest star on American television appearing in Kojak, Hill Street Blues, Alias, Gilmore Girls and Frasier among others. He played a cop in...
as Gus - Star-Shemah as Clytemnestra
- Jimmy McCann as Lil' Man