Nell agrees to look after the Kanisky's home, as a special favor to her dying friend, and takes on the role of housekeeper to widowed police chief Carl and a parental figure to his three teenage daughters, and eventually a foster son.
Writers:
Awards:
- Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 12 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Series Cast Summary
Nell Carter | ... |
Nell Harper
(137 episodes, 1981-1987)
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Lara Jill Miller | ... |
Sam Kanisky
(119 episodes, 1981-1987)
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Lauri Hendler | ... |
Julie Kanisky
/ ...
(114 episodes, 1981-1986)
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Kari Michaelsen | ... |
Katie Kanisky
(111 episodes, 1981-1986)
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Dolph Sweet | ... |
Chief Carl Kanisky
/ ...
(88 episodes, 1981-1985)
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John Hoyt | ... |
Grandpa Stanley Kanisky
/ ...
(82 episodes, 1982-1987)
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Joey Lawrence | ... |
Joey Donovan
(77 episodes, 1983-1987)
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Telma Hopkins | ... |
Addy Wilson
(68 episodes, 1983-1987)
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Howard Morton | ... |
Officer Ralph Simpson
/ ...
(50 episodes, 1981-1986)
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Matthew Lawrence | ... |
Matthew Donovan
(18 episodes, 1986-1987)
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Rosetta LeNoire | ... |
Maybelle 'Mama' Harper
(16 episodes, 1985-1987)
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Jonathan Silverman | ... |
Jonathan Maxwell
(16 episodes, 1984-1986)
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Paul Sand | ... |
Marty
(11 episodes, 1986-1987)
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Rosie O'Donnell | ... |
Maggie O'Brien
(10 episodes, 1986-1987)
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Pete Schrum | ... |
Uncle Ed Kanisky
(9 episodes, 1982-1983)
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Jane Dulo | ... |
Grandma Mildred Kanisky
(8 episodes, 1982-1983)
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Harrison Page | ... |
Hamilton Storm
/ ...
(8 episodes, 1981-1984)
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Don Bovingloh | ... |
Desk Clerk
(7 episodes, 1984-1986)
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Alvernette Jimenez | ... |
Angie
(6 episodes, 1981-1985)
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Don Sherman | ... |
Lester
/ ...
(6 episodes, 1982-1986)
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Yvonne Wilder | ... |
Dr. Fran Roberts
/ ...
(5 episodes, 1986-1987)
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Roslyn Kind | ... |
Female Student
/ ...
(5 episodes, 1983-1986)
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Victoria Carroll | ... |
Applicant #1
/ ...
(4 episodes, 1982-1983)
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Robin Bach | ... |
Cameraman
/ ...
(4 episodes, 1982-1983)
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Jack Fletcher | ... |
Mr. Swackhammer
(4 episodes, 1982-1983)
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Rick Fitts | ... |
Andrew
/ ...
(4 episodes, 1983-1986)
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Mark L. Taylor | ... |
Mr. Broderick
(4 episodes, 1986-1987)
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Raf Mauro |
(4 episodes, 1984-1985)
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Patrick Collins | ... |
Tim Donovan
(3 episodes, 1986)
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James A. Watson Jr. | ... |
James Roland
(3 episodes, 1983-1984)
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Jay Johnson | ... |
Rev. Cunningham
/ ...
(3 episodes, 1981-1982)
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Lynne Thigpen | ... |
Loretta Harper
(3 episodes, 1985-1986)
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Nat Bernstein | ... |
Murphy
/ ...
(3 episodes, 1984-1986)
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Bonnie Urseth | ... |
Doris
/ ...
(3 episodes, 1982-1983)
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Cliff Norton | ... |
Mr. Bickford
/ ...
(3 episodes, 1984-1985)
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Hazel Shermet | ... |
Mrs. Larry Rhine
/ ...
(3 episodes, 1981-1982)
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Nedra Volz | ... |
Maid
(3 episodes, 1984-1986)
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Grace Albertson |
(3 episodes, 1985-1986)
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Phil Leeds | ... |
Mr. Galotta
/ ...
(3 episodes, 1984-1985)
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Magda Harout |
(3 episodes, 1985-1986)
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Patrick Puccinelli |
(3 episodes, 1984-1986)
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Louis Guss |
(3 episodes, 1984-1986)
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Donald Willis |
(3 episodes, 1986-1987)
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Don Frankel | ... |
Larry
(3 episodes, 1983-1986)
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John Otrin | ... |
Police Officer
/ ...
(3 episodes, 1983-1985)
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Joseph Maher | ... |
Professor Dudley
(2 episodes, 1987)
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Patrick Breen | ... |
Keith Dudley
(2 episodes, 1987)
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Jack Carter | ... |
Corelli
/ ...
(2 episodes, 1982)
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Susan Marie Snyder | ... |
Linda
(2 episodes, 1987)
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Rue McClanahan | ... |
Katrina
/ ...
(2 episodes, 1981-1984)
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See full cast and crew »
Production Companies
Distributors
- National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1981) (United States) (tv) (original airing)
- Canale 5 (1984) (Italy) (tv)
- FremantleMedia (Non-US) (tv)
- La Cinq (1991) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- MCA Television
- MCA/Universal Home Video (United States) (VHS)
- Studios USA Television
- The Program Exchange [us] (United States) (tv) (syndication)
- Universal Studios Home Video (2006) (United States) (DVD)
- Universal Television (United States) (tv)
- VEI Entertainment (2006) (Canada) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Metromedia Square (videotaping location)
Storyline
Plot Summary |
Carl Kanisky is chief of police in Glenlawn, California. After the death of his wife, Margaret, he asks her friend, Nell Harper, to come in to keep house and take care of his children, Katie, Julie, and Samantha, in short, be like a mother to them. Later, Carl's father, Stanley, moves in. Around the same time, Nell takes in young Joey Donovan as her foster son. Written by Anonymous |
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Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Did You Know?
Trivia | The show's producers were very concerned about Nell Carter's escalating drug use, binge eating, rapidly fluctuating weight, and self-destructive lifestyle. She went into rehab several times during production and was blowing her money on cocaine every week. At one point, during 1984 Carter tried to commit suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills and champagne during her visit in London to see good friend Liza Minelli. Minelli flew her to a special rehab center the Hazelden Clinic in Minnesota where she kicked her habit a second time and lost over 90 pounds. See more » |
Goofs | The front door of the set has a brass mail slot, but exterior shots are of a door with no slot. See more » |
Movie Connections | Featured in The 34th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1982). See more » |
Soundtracks | Merry Christmas Stranger See more » |
Quotes |
Samantha:
What's a cliché? Nell: [serving breakfast] A black woman serving pancakes to a white kid. See more » |