Family Ties | |
---|---|
Genre | Sitcom |
Created by | Gary David Goldberg |
Starring |
Meredith Baxter-Birney Michael Gross Michael J. Fox Justine Bateman Tina Yothers Brian Bonsall |
Theme music composer |
Jeff Barry Tom Scott |
Opening theme | "Without Us" Performed by Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language(s) | English |
No. of seasons | 7 |
No. of episodes | 176 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Camera setup | Multi-camera |
Running time | 24 minutes |
Production company(s) |
Ubu Productions Paramount Television |
Distributor | Paramount Domestic Television (1987–2006) CBS Paramount Domestic Television (2006–2007) CBS Television Distribution (2007–present) |
Release | |
Original network | NBC |
Audio format | Stereo |
Original release | September 22, 1982 | – May 14, 1989
Chronology | |
Related shows |
The Art of Being Nick (TV pilot) Day by Day |
Family Ties is an American sitcom that aired on NBC for seven seasons, premiering on September 22, 1982, and concluding on May 14, 1989. The series, created by Gary David Goldberg, reflected the move in the United States from the cultural liberalism of the 1960s and 1970s to the conservatism of the 1980s. This was particularly expressed through the relationship between young Republican Alex P. Keaton (portrayed by Michael J. Fox) and his ex-hippie parents, Steven and Elyse Keaton (portrayed by Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter).
The show won multiple awards, including three consecutive Emmy Awards for Michael J. Fox as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
Set in suburban Columbus, Ohio, during the Reagan administration, Steven and Elyse Keaton (Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter) are baby boomers, liberals and former hippies, raising their three children: ambitious, would-be millionaire entrepreneur Alex (Michael J. Fox); fashion-conscious, gossipy Mallory (Justine Bateman); and tomboy Jennifer (Tina Yothers). Married in 1964, Elyse is an independent architect and Steven, a native of Buffalo, New York, is the station manager of WKS, a local public television station.