AVERAGE

With The Golden Girls a hit, Susan Harris came up with another sitcom in the same vein.

From her previous show Soap came Richard Mulligan, and his charisma boosted the portrayal of a popular, unmarried pediatrician who lived in a house in Miami, which he shared with his two grown-up daughters who didn’t seem able to leave the nest. Two of the most colorful supporting characters were Harry’s sassy Southern nurse and his sleazy, womanizing neighbor.

Every half-hour was good for a few smiles, but the show never achieved greatness and lost its flavor near the end. Changing locations to a private clinic in the hood and borrowing acid-tongued Estelle Getty from The Golden Girls didn’t help.

1988-1995:U.S. 170 episodes. Color. Created by Susan Harris. Cast: Richard Mulligan (Harry Weston), Kristy McNichol (Barbara Weston, 88-93), Dinah Manoff (Carol Weston), Park Overall, David Leisure, Marsha Warfield (93-95), Estelle Getty (93-95). 

Trivia: An early version of the show was tested in a 1987 episode of The Golden Girls, starring Rita Moreno. Followed by a spin-off series, Nurses (1991-1994). 

Quote: “When you name your daughter Rita, you should probably expect a slut.” (Mulligan)

Emmy: Outstanding Actor (Mulligan) 88-89. Golden Globe: Best Actor (Mulligan) 89.