Though it emerged during the Reagan era, Family Ties remains as relevant as ever. Most children find their parents a little embarrassing, but what sets this sitcom apart is that former hippies Steven and Elyse Keaton, (Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter-Birney), now find themselves in 1980's America trying to raise a traditional suburban family. Son Alex P. Keaton (three-time Emmy winner Michael J. Fox) is an ambitious young Republican, and his sister Mallory (Justine Bateman) is a shallow victim of the corporate culture, obsessed with music, clothes and boys. Their only normal kid is young Jennifer (Tina Yothers), a bit of a tomboy. In later seasons, the Keatons add a fourth child, Andrew. Most of the comedy arose from the conflict between the liberal parents and the conservative children. It works because the Keatons obviously love each other--foibles and all.

Cast and Characters

• Micheal J. Fox as Alex P. Keaton
• Justine Bateman as Mallory Keaton
• Michael Gross as Steve Keaton
• Meredith Baxter-Birney as Elyse Keaton
• Tina Yothers as Jenifer Keaton
• Brian Bonsall as Andrew Keaton (1986-1989)
• Marc Price as Irwin "Skippy" Handleman
• Tracy Pollan as Ellen Reid (1985-1986)
• Scott Valentine as Nick Moore (1985-1989)
• Courtney Cox as Lauren Miller (1987-1989)

Broadcast History, Episode Guide & TV Schedule

First Telecast: September 22, 1982
Last Telecast: May 14, 1989
Number of Seasons: 7
Number of Episodes: 180
Original Network: NBC
Original Primetime TV Schedule:

• September 1982- March 1983, NBC, Wednesday 9:00-9:30pm
• March 1983- August 1983, NBC, Monday 8:30-9:00pm
• August 1983- December 1983, NBC, Wednesday 9:30-10:00pm
• January 1984- August 1987, NBC, Thursday 8:30-9:00pm
• August 1987-September 1987, NBC, Sunday 8:00-9:00pm
• September 1987- May 1989, NBC, Sunday 8:38-8:30pm

Theme Song Lyrics and Intro

"Without Us," by Jeff Barry and Tom Scott, sung by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams.

I bet we been together for a million years, And I bet we'll be together for a million more. Oh, It's like I started breathing on the night we kissed, And I can't remember what I ever did before. What would we do baby, Without Us? What would we do baby, Without Us? And there ain't no nothing we can't love each other through. What would we do baby, Without Us? Sha la la la.

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