thirtysomething

Overview

Thirtysomething is an American television drama about a group of baby boomers in their late thirties. It was created by Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick for MGM/UA Television Group and The Bedford Falls Company, and aired on ABC. It premiered in the U.S. on September 29, 1987. It lasted four seasons, with the last of its 85 episodes airing on May 28, 1991.

The title of the show was designed as thirtysomething by Kathie Broyles, who combined the words of the original title, Thirty Something.

In 1997, "The Go Between" and "Samurai Ad Man" were ranked #22 on TV Guide′s 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time.

In 2002, Thirtysomething was ranked #19 on TV Guide′s 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time, and in 2013 TV Guide ranked it #10 in its list of The 60 Greatest Dramas of All Time.

Episodes

Pilot

S01E01 Pilot

September 29, 1987 60 min
Hope and Michael Steadman are still adjusting to parenthood while struggling with money problems and best-friend crises.
The Parents Are Coming, the Parents Are Coming

S01E02 The Parents Are Coming, the Parents Are Coming

October 6, 1987 60 min
Hope's anxiety over her parents' impending visit taxes everyone's patience.
Housewarming

S01E03 Housewarming

October 13, 1987 60 min
Michael and Hope race to renovate their crumbling mansion for a huge housewarming party.
Couples

S01E04 Couples

October 27, 1987 60 min
A night out with friends degenerates as Nancy and Elliot's marital woes become apparent.
But Not for Me

S01E05 But Not for Me

November 3, 1987 60 min
Gary and Melissa rekindle their affair; Michael and Hope's first date in months is a disaster.
We Gather Together

S01E06 We Gather Together

November 17, 1987 60 min
Hope and Michael plan a quiet Thanksgiving but learn friends are counting on being invited.
Nice Work If You Can Get It

S01E07 Nice Work If You Can Get It

December 1, 1987 60 min
Before a deadline, Michael and Elliot wrestle with a creativity block; Ellyn develops a crush on an associate.
Weaning

S01E08 Weaning

December 8, 1987 60 min
Sensing baby Janey's decreasing dependency on her, depressed Hope decides to go back to work.
I'll Be Home for Christmas

S01E09 I'll Be Home for Christmas

December 15, 1987 60 min
Michael and Hope argue about whether their infant's first holiday should be Christmas or Hanukkah. A famous photographer shows interest in Melissa's work.
South by Southeast

S01E10 South by Southeast

January 5, 1988 60 min
It's a Hitchcockian nightmare as Gary falls in love; as the romance progresses, he begins receiving a series of threats against his life.
Therapy

S01E11 Therapy

January 12, 1988 60 min
Elliot and Nancy seek professional help for their troubled marriage; Michael finds it hard to keep it a secret.
Competition

S01E12 Competition

January 19, 1988 60 min
Michael's jealousy is aroused when an important client make it clear he prefers Elliot. Meanwhile, Hope and Nancy try to come to terms with computers.
Separation

S01E13 Separation

January 26, 1988 60 min
Elliot temporarily moves in with Michael and Hope after separating from Nancy.
I'm in Love, I'm in Love, I'm in Love with a Wonderful Gynecologist

S01E14 I'm in Love, I'm in Love, I'm in Love with a Wonderful Gynecologist

February 2, 1988 60 min
Competing for the attention of the same man jeopardizes the new found friendship between Ellyn and Melissa.
Business as Usual

S01E15 Business as Usual

February 9, 1988 60 min
Michael's hopes for a joyous reunion with his father are destroyed when he discovers the real reason for the visit.
Accounts Receivable

S01E16 Accounts Receivable

March 1, 1988 60 min
A rocky relationship between Michael and his brother Brad is further strained when Michael learns the family business is almost bankrupt.
Whose Forest Is This?

S01E17 Whose Forest Is This?

March 15, 1988 60 min
Nancy and Elliot's separation takes its toll on their son; Elliot prepares for a blind date with a chiropractor.
Nancy's First Date

S01E18 Nancy's First Date

March 22, 1988 60 min
Melissa's burgeoning romance slows when she learns he doesn't want any more kids. Nancy has her first date since the separation.
Undone

S01E19 Undone

April 12, 1988 60 min
Michael's old girlfriend from college pays a visit.
Tenure

S01E20 Tenure

May 3, 1988 60 min
Gary evaluates the fate of his academic career as he undergoes tenure review at the college. Ellyn learns her building is going co-op, leaving her to decide whether to buy her apartment.
Born to Be Mild

S01E21 Born to Be Mild

May 10, 1988 60 min
Ellyn and Woodman's weekend is ruined when they are forced to babysit Janey.

Cast

Ken Olin
Ken Olin
Michael Steadman
Mel Harris
Mel Harris
Hope Steadman
Timothy Busfield
Timothy Busfield
Elliot Weston
Patricia Wettig
Patricia Wettig
Nancy Weston
Peter Horton
Peter Horton
Gary Shepherd
Melanie Mayron
Melanie Mayron
Melissa Steadman
Polly Draper
Polly Draper
Ellyn Warren
Patricia Kalember
Patricia Kalember

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