Top of the Hill
Encyclopedia
Top of the Hill is a short-lived political drama series
aired by CBS
as part of its 1989 fall lineup
.
as U.S. Representative
Thomas Bell, Jr., son of a long-time Congressman who had been forced to resign his seat due to health issues but who remained on "The Hill" to help his son in an advisory role, which sometimes led to conflicts. Bell, Jr., had, despite his father's position, never followed politics closely or ardently prior to being chosen as his father's successor, which was sometimes a liability but also gave him the ability to look at issues, even long-running ones, through a fresh set of eyes. Young Bell also had a hard time fitting in to the political party
structure as he desired to do what his conscience told him would be the best thing for the country and the voters in his district. In the less than three months that the program ran, the Congressman became involved in some fairly contentious issues, including adoptee
rights, labor union corruption, pollution, and military procurement.
Top of the Hill failed to find a large enough audience to last more than a season; the show had to compete with the Top 10 hit Cheers
and the Top 20 hit Dear John, both on NBC in the same time slot.
Dramatic programming
Dramatic programming in the UK, or television drama and television drama series in the US, is television program content that is scripted and fictional along the lines of √a traditional drama. This excludes, for example, sports television, television news, reality show and game shows, stand-up...
aired by 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...
as part of its 1989 fall lineup
1989-90 United States network television schedule
The following is the 1989–90 United States network television schedule, the broadcast television schedule of the four United States television networks—ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC—for the fall season beginning in September 1989. All times are Eastern and Pacific, with certain exceptions,...
.
Synopsis
Top of the Hill starred William KattWilliam Katt
William Theodore Katt is an American film and television actor, best known as the star of The Greatest American Hero. He is also known for playing Tommy Ross, the ill-fated prom date of Carrie White in the film version of Carrie and Paul Drake Jr. in the Perry Mason TV movies...
as U.S. Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
Thomas Bell, Jr., son of a long-time Congressman who had been forced to resign his seat due to health issues but who remained on "The Hill" to help his son in an advisory role, which sometimes led to conflicts. Bell, Jr., had, despite his father's position, never followed politics closely or ardently prior to being chosen as his father's successor, which was sometimes a liability but also gave him the ability to look at issues, even long-running ones, through a fresh set of eyes. Young Bell also had a hard time fitting in to the political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
structure as he desired to do what his conscience told him would be the best thing for the country and the voters in his district. In the less than three months that the program ran, the Congressman became involved in some fairly contentious issues, including adoptee
Adoption
Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the original parent or parents...
rights, labor union corruption, pollution, and military procurement.
Top of the Hill failed to find a large enough audience to last more than a season; the show had to compete with the Top 10 hit Cheers
Cheers
Cheers is an American situation comedy television series that ran for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993. It was produced by Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television for NBC, and was created by the team of James Burrows, Glen Charles, and Les Charles...
and the Top 20 hit Dear John, both on NBC in the same time slot.
Cast
- William Katt as Thomas Bell, Jr.
- Jordan Baker as Susan Pengilly
- Tony Edwards as Link Winslow
- Dick O'NeillDick O'NeillDick O'Neill was an American stage, film and television character actor best known for playing Irish cops, fathers, judges and army generals. He began his acting career as an original company member of Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.He served in the Navy then returned to the theater. In the late...
as Thomas "Pat" Bell, Sr. - Robbie Weaver as Mickey Stewart
Episode list
| Episode # | Episode title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1-1 | "Top of the Hill" | September 21, 1989 |
| 1-2 | "You Were Always On My Mind" | September 28, 1989 |
| 1-3 | "The Noble Roman" | October 5, 1989 |
| 1-4 | "At Risk" | October 12, 1989 |
| 1-5 | "Taking The Heat" | October 26, 1989 |
| 1-6 | "Not In My Backyard" | November 2, 1989 |
| 1-7 | "Running Shoes" | November 9, 1989 |
| 1-8 | "Accurate But Not True" | November 30, 1989 |
| 1-9 | "Letter From a Dead Man" | Never aired |
| 1-10 | "Above Suspicion" | Never aired |
| 1-11 | "A House Divided" | Never aired |
| 1-12 | "Always Faithful" | Never aired |
| 1-13 | "Without a Trace" | Never aired |