Spencer (TV series)

Spencer
Also known asUnder One Roof
GenreSitcom
Created bySy Rosen
StarringChad Lowe
(episodes 1–6)
Ross Harris
(episodes 7–13)
ComposerBarry Goldberg
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13
Production
ProducerMort Lachman[1]
Running time30 minutes
Production companiesMort Lachman and Associates
Alan Landsburg Productions
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseDecember 1, 1984 (1984-12-01) –
May 11, 1985 (1985-05-11)

Spencer, later titled Under One Roof, is an American sitcom television series created by Sy Rosen, that was broadcast on NBC for one season from December 1, 1984 until May 11, 1985.

History and description

The show originally starred Chad Lowe as high school student Spencer Winger, Mimi Kennedy as his mother Doris Winger, and Ronny Cox as his father George Winger.[2]

Lowe left the series[3] in 1985 after six episodes and was replaced by Ross Harris, who assumed the role of Spencer.[4] At that time the show's title was changed from Spencer[5][6] to Under One Roof;[7][8] the first episode with the new title aired March 23, 1985. Cox also left the show during the retooling, his character written off as having left the family for a 23-year-old woman. Harold Gould and Frances Sternhagen were added to the cast as Spencer's maternal grandparents.[1][2] Richard Sanders played the high school guidance counselor in the series.[1] Each episode would open with Spencer making some wisecrack in class, causing the teacher to send him to his guidance counselor.

Cast

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Pilot"Bill PerskySy RosenDecember 1, 1984 (1984-12-01)
Spencer Winger, the typical American teenager constantly getting into trouble, decides to free the school's laboratory mice.
2"The Divorcee"UnknownUnknownDecember 8, 1984 (1984-12-08)
Spencer – for once being pursued by a female – is more nervous than delighted, since his admirer is a divorced friend of his mother's.
3"Spencer Joins the Army"John TracyChet Dowling,
Sandy Krinski		December 15, 1984 (1984-12-15)
When Spencer, Wayne and Bailey are expelled for cheating, they try to enlist in the Army.
4"Fast Times"UnknownUnknownDecember 22, 1984 (1984-12-22)
Spencer seeks a date with Marsha (Olivia Barash), a girl with a certain reputation, in hopes of losing his virginity.
5"The World's Worst Date"Lila GarrettShelly ZellmanDecember 29, 1984 (1984-12-29)
On New Year's Eve, Spencer has a blind date with a pretty but comically tall girl (Terry Farrell). Meanwhile, Wayne and Bailey find themselves locked in at the high school after their dates stand them up.
6"The Drive-In"Lila GarrettChet Dowling,
Sandy Krinski,
Judy Merl		January 12, 1985 (1985-01-12)
Spencer feels a bit uptight when his best friend Wayne asks his little sister out on a date.
7"The Grandparents Move In"John TracyChet Dowling,
Sandy Krinski		March 23, 1985 (1985-03-23)
8"Millie's Affair"John TracySybil Adelman,
Martin Sage		March 30, 1985 (1985-03-30)
Millie renews her acquaintance with an old flame (Philip Sterling), while Doris tries to keep the truth from Ben.
9"Voices in the Hall"John TracyJerry RossApril 6, 1985 (1985-04-06)
10"Doris and the Tutor"John TracyNeil Rosen,
George Tricker		April 13, 1985 (1985-04-13)
11"Crazy Girl"Lila GarrettJames Berg,
Stan Zimmerman		April 20, 1985 (1985-04-20)
12"Wayne's Nose Job"Lila GarrettBob Bendetson,
Howard Bendetson		May 4, 1985 (1985-05-04)
On his birthday, Wayne decides to get a nose job to make himself more attractive to girls.
13"Grandpa the Lover"Lila GarrettPamela ChaisMay 11, 1985 (1985-05-11)

References

  1. ^ a b c "TV World". The Bryan Times. March 19, 1985. p. 7. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Buck, Jerry (March 23, 1985). "'Spencer' Is Now 'Under One Roof'". Ocala Star-Banner. p. 7. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
  3. ^ Romano, Nick (April 7, 2021). "Chad Lowe recalls the fallout from walking off his hit show Spencer at 15 years old". Entertainment Weekly.
  4. ^ Mansfield, Stephanie (March 23, 1985). "Sagging 'Roof'". The Washington Post.
  5. ^ Leszczak, Bob (May 16, 2016). Single Season Sitcoms of the 1980s: A Complete Guide. McFarland. p. 154. ISBN 9781476623849.
  6. ^ Brooks, Marsh, Tim, Earle F. (June 24, 2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House Publishing. p. 1282. ISBN 9780307483201.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Gendel, Morgan (April 1, 1985). "LIFE AND DEATH ALTER COURSE OF 5 TV SERIES". Los Angeles Times.
  8. ^ "NEW HOPE'S REDBONE SINGS 'BELVEDERE' SHOW THEME INSIDE TELEVISION". The Morning Call. March 28, 1985.