On Our Own (1994 TV series)

On Our Own
GenreSitcom
Created byDavid W. Duclon
Developed byThomas L. Miller
Robert L. Boyett
StarringRalph Louis Harris
Jojo Smollett
Jazz Smollett
Jake Smollett
Jussie Smollett
T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh
Jurnee Smollett
Jocqui Smollett
Roger Aaron Brown
Kimberley Kates
Theme music composerJesse Frederick
Bennett Salvay
Opening theme"Love, Tried and True" performed by Joe Turano
ComposersJesse Frederick
Bennett Salvay
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes20
Production
Executive producersDavid W. Duclon
Thomas L. Miller
Robert L. Boyett
Suzanne de Passe
Suzanne Coston
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time22 minutes
Production companiesLightkeeper Productions
de Passe Entertainment
Miller-Boyett Productions
Warner Bros. Television
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseSeptember 13, 1994 (1994-09-13) –
April 14, 1995 (1995-04-14)

On Our Own is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from September 13, 1994, until April 14, 1995. The series stars Ralph Louis Harris and six real life siblings: Jazz, Jocqui, Jake, Jojo, Jurnee, and Jussie Smollett.[1]

The series was created and executive produced by David W. Duclon, one of the executive producers of Family Matters. The series was also produced by Thomas L. Miller and Robert L. Boyett, who developed the show. Suzanne de Passe (who also executive produced Sister, Sister and later Smart Guy) and Suzanne Coston were additional executive producers, with Duclon's longtime colleague Gary Menteer acting as co-executive producer (who also was a producer/writer on Family Matters, to which he returned when On Our Own was canceled).

The series was produced by Miller-Boyett Productions, with associates Lightkeeper Productions (Duclon's company) and de Passe Entertainment. On Our Own was the first Miller-Boyett sitcom to be produced by Warner Bros. Television for its entire run.

Synopsis

The series centers on the Jerrico family, consisting of seven brothers and sisters in the O'Fallon Park neighborhood of St. Louis. Six months prior to the series, a car crash killed both their parents. Since then, they have been raised by the eldest brother, Josh (Harris). Having aired on Sunday nights at 7:30/6:30c during the first half of the season, On Our Own was moved to the 9:30/8:30c time slot following Step by Step on TGIF when it returned in March 1995. The changes to the series in the spring didn't help ratings, and after six more episodes, the show had the plug pulled by ABC.[2]

Cast

Cast of On Our Own

Main

Recurring

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date Viewers
(millions)
1"Pilot"Joel ZwickDavid W. DuclonSeptember 13, 1994 (1994-09-13)17.3[3]
After their parents die in an automobile accident, twenty-year-old Josh takes over as the authority figure of his six younger siblings. But the by-the-rules head of Department of Children Services, Gordon Ormsby, hears of the Jerricos' case and sends new social worker Alana Michaels to investigate and, if accurate, prepare for foster care. Josh assumes the identity of "Aunt Jelcinda" to combat the authorities.
2"Last Tango in St. Louis"
"Dog Day After Groom"		John TracyFred RubinSeptember 18, 1994 (1994-09-18)11.8[3]
Josh has a problem: Gordon asks "Aunt Jelcinda" for a date, and he cannot refuse if he wants the family to stay together.
3"Matchmaker Mama"John TracyUnknownSeptember 25, 1994 (1994-09-25)14.6[4]
"Aunt Jelcinda" finds a distraught young woman in a restaurant ladies' room and sets her up with her alter ego, Josh. She eventually becomes his girlfriend.
4"A Matter of Principal"John TracyDavid ChambersOctober 2, 1994 (1994-10-02)12.3[5]
When Jesse is unjustly suspended from school for fighting, Jimi poses as Jesse's grandfather for a meeting with the principal.
5"Nok 'Til You Drop"Joel ZwickRalph GreeneOctober 9, 1994 (1994-10-09)12.8[6]
Jimi loses money he doesn't have to a con man on a game of Nok-Hockey. Meanwhile, Jai readies for her first dance.
6"Swiss Family Jerrico's"Joel ZwickMichael DinOctober 16, 1994 (1994-10-16)11.6[7]
Josh thinks a camping trip will provide relief from his impersonation, but Gordon tags along.
7"Bargain Basement"Richard CorrellUnknownOctober 23, 1994 (1994-10-23)15.2[8]
The Jerricos discover a trunk full of memories of their parents – and Alana too may soon be a memory, since Gordon wants to take her off their case.
8"Bonnie is Really Clyde"John TracyGregory Thomas GarciaOctober 30, 1994 (1994-10-30)11.5[9]
"Aunt Jelcinda" befriends a runaway teen while Joc threatens to do so.
9"A Family Affair"Joel ZwickLore KimbroughNovember 13, 1994 (1994-11-13)15.9[10]
Josh is getting serious about his new girlfriend. "The trouble is," sighs Jimi, "if a girl gets serious with Josh, she gets a free six-pack of assorted Jerricos."
10"Baby Blues"Richard CorrellLore KimbroughDecember 4, 1994 (1994-12-04)14.1[11]
The kids try to raise money for tickets to a Whitney Houston concert, with mixed success. Meanwhile, Josh gets stuck in an elevator with a very pregnant woman.
11"That's My Car and I'm Sticking to It"Richard CorrellTimothy StackDecember 11, 1994 (1994-12-11)12.7[12]
Neighborhood gossip gets the Jerricos investigated.
12"All I Want for Christmas"Richard CorrellDavid W. Duclon & Gary MenteerDecember 18, 1994 (1994-12-18)12.4[13]
When a kindergarten bully tells Joc that Santa Claus doesn't exist, Josh dons a Santa suit to prove the bully wrong – and succeeds only too well.
13"Parents' Night"Joel ZwickDavid ChambersDecember 28, 1994 (1994-12-28)16.3[14]
Josh can not attend parents' night at Jordee's school because he has to finish an article.
14"The Boarder"Kelly SandefurFred RubinMarch 3, 1995 (1995-03-03)19.1[15]
Josh wins custody of the kids, and the family takes in a boarder: live-in contractor Scotti.
15"Obstacle Illusion"Joel ZwickDavid ChambersMarch 10, 1995 (1995-03-10)17.3[16]
Jordee gets into remote-control cars. Meanwhile, Jimi is shot down by a girl who admits she is a jinx and proves it.
16"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"Joel ZwickLore KimbroughMarch 17, 1995 (1995-03-17)17.8[17]
While poking around in the attic, Josh discovers love letters to his mom from his dad – who was not the father of his siblings.
17"Girl Talk"Kelly SandefurGregory Thomas Garcia & Ralph GreeneMarch 24, 1995 (1995-03-24)17.4[18]
A football star eyes Jai, who wants a particular shy boy to ask her out. Meanwhile, Josh gets in trouble with his girlfriend because of Scotti.
18"Little Rascals"Kelly SandefurMichael Din & Timothy StackMarch 31, 1995 (1995-03-31)17.8[19]
Josh, a cracker-jack coffee shop manager, has a crisis to manage: his staff has the flu. Enter the replacement staff: his siblings and Scotti.
19"The Easy Way"Kelly SandefurDavid Chambers & Fred RubinApril 7, 1995 (1995-04-07)16.8[20]
Jordee takes the easy way out of a geography exam: she cheats. And a girl with a "bad rep" has her eye on Jimi.
20"The Tonsil Tale"Joel ZwickFred Fox, Jr. & Jim GeoghanApril 14, 1995 (1995-04-14)15.4[21]
Joc needs a doc – "Someone pulled a Christmas tree from my throat" – so it's tonsillectomy time for the first-grader. Meanwhile, Jesse takes up hypnosis.

Syndication

The series was briefly re-aired on TV One in 2007.[citation needed]

Award nominations

Year Award Result Category Recipient
1995 Young Artist Awards Best Performance by an Actor Under Ten in a TV Series Jake Smollett Nominated
Best Performance by an Actress Under Ten in a TV Series Jurnee Smollett Nominated

References

  1. ^ "The '94 TV Season: Who's New and Who's Back". Ebony. 49 (12). Johnson Publishing Company: 27. October 1994. ISSN 0012-9011.
  2. ^ "The '95 TV Season: Who's Gone? Who's New? Who's Back?". Ebony. 50 (12). Johnson Publishing Company: 94. October 1995. ISSN 0012-9011.
  3. ^ a b Gable, Donna (September 21, 1994). "'Girl' helps ABC start fall season on top". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  4. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. September 28, 1994. p. 3D.
  5. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. October 5, 1994. p. 3D.
  6. ^ Graham, Jefferson (October 12, 1994). "CBS edges into No. 1 spot, but can it stay?". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  7. ^ DeRosa, Robin (October 19, 1994). "Regular series put ABC back on top". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  8. ^ DeRosa, Robin (October 26, 1994). "'Grace' leads ABC to tie with CBS". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  9. ^ DeRosa, Robin (November 2, 1994). "ABC is 'Home' alone at the top". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  10. ^ DeRosa, Robin (November 16, 1994). "CBS' 'Scarlett' sweeps to No. 1". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  11. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. December 7, 1994. p. 3D.
  12. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. December 14, 1994. p. 3D.
  13. ^ DeRosa, Robin (December 21, 1994). "ABC's winning way with comedy". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  14. ^ DeRosa, Robin (January 4, 1995). "Football kicks of '95 on top". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  15. ^ DeRosa, Robin (March 8, 1995). "'Murphy,' 'Dust' help push CBS to No. 1 tie". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  16. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. March 15, 1995. p. 3D.
  17. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. March 22, 1995. p. 3D.
  18. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. March 29, 1995. p. 3D.
  19. ^ DeRosa, Robin (April 5, 1995). "Oscar show, celeb chats keep ABC on top". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  20. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. April 12, 1995. p. 3D.
  21. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. April 19, 1995. p. 3D.