The Ellen Burstyn Show
Encyclopedia
The Ellen Burstyn Show is an American sitcom
starring Ellen Burstyn
. The series was produced by Touchstone Television
and debuted on ABC
on September 20, 1986 The series was canceled after 13 episodes.
), her divorced daughter (Megan Mullally
) and her 5 year old grandson (played by Jesse Tendler).
for burn-off episodes. The final episode aired on September 5, 1987, raking as the third lowest rated series on network television ranking 77th out of 79 shows and averaging only a 7.6/13 rating/share.
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...
starring Ellen Burstyn
Ellen Burstyn
Ellen Burstyn is a leading American actress of film, stage, and television. Burstyn's career began in theatre during the late 1950s, and over the next ten years she appeared in several films and television series before joining the Actors Studio in 1967...
. The series was produced by Touchstone Television
Touchstone Television
ABC Studios is the television production division of Disney-ABC Television Group. ABC Studios was established as Touchstone Television in 1985 and given its current name in May 2007....
and debuted on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
on September 20, 1986 The series was canceled after 13 episodes.
Synopsis
Burstyn played Baltimore college professor Ellen Brewer, who sometimes had to deal not only with the students she has to tutor, but also with her meddling mother (played by fellow veteran Broadway/film actress Elaine StritchElaine Stritch
Elaine Stritch is an American actress and vocalist. She has appeared in numerous stage plays and musicals, feature films, and many television programs...
), her divorced daughter (Megan Mullally
Megan Mullally
Megan Mullally is an American actress and singer.After working in the theatre in Chicago, Mullally moved to Los Angeles in 1985 and began to appear in supporting roles in film and television productions. She made her Broadway debut in Grease in 1994 and she has since appeared in several Broadway...
) and her 5 year old grandson (played by Jesse Tendler).
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Ellen Burstyn Ellen Burstyn Ellen Burstyn is a leading American actress of film, stage, and television. Burstyn's career began in theatre during the late 1950s, and over the next ten years she appeared in several films and television series before joining the Actors Studio in 1967... |
Ellen Brewer |
| Megan Mullally Megan Mullally Megan Mullally is an American actress and singer.After working in the theatre in Chicago, Mullally moved to Los Angeles in 1985 and began to appear in supporting roles in film and television productions. She made her Broadway debut in Grease in 1994 and she has since appeared in several Broadway... |
Molly Brewer Ross |
| Elaine Stritch Elaine Stritch Elaine Stritch is an American actress and vocalist. She has appeared in numerous stage plays and musicals, feature films, and many television programs... |
Sydney Brewer |
| Barry Sobel Barry Sobel Barry Sobel is an American actor and comedian.-Life and career:Sobel grew up in New York City. During the 1980s, he toured the comedy circuit heavily. His routine centered around rapping in a Beastie Boys style.... |
Tom Hines |
| Jesse Tendler | Nick Ross |
| Timothy Biggins | Mike Brewer |
Cancellation
The series debuted on September 20, 1986 and ran until November 15, 1986. It was cancelled after one season but returned in August of 19871987 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:...
for burn-off episodes. The final episode aired on September 5, 1987, raking as the third lowest rated series on network television ranking 77th out of 79 shows and averaging only a 7.6/13 rating/share.
Episodes
| Ep # | Title | Airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot | September 20, 1986 |
| 2 | "Monkey Business" | September 27, 1986 |
| 3 | "Where There's a Will" | October 4, 1986 |
| 4 | "The Guest Lecturer" | October 18, 1986 |
| 5 | "Crime and Punishment" | October 25, 1986 |
| 6 | "Sydney's Night Out " | November 1, 1986 |
| 7 | "Reading Between the Lines" | November 8, 1986 |
| 8 | "Family Affair" | November 15, 1986 |
| 9 | "Molly Sings the Blues" | August 8, 1987 |
| 10 | "Writer, Wronger" | August 15, 1987 |
| 11 | "The Box" | August 22, 1987 |
| 12 | "Writes of Passage" | September 5, 1987 |
| 13 | "I'm Dancing Faster Than I Can" | September 5, 1987 |